N-CSR 1 d199049dncsr.htm PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS 9 Prudential Investment Portfolios 9

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:    811-09101
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter:    Prudential Investment Portfolios 9
Address of principal executive offices:    655 Broad Street, 17th Floor
   Newark, New Jersey 07102
Name and address of agent for service:    Andrew R. French
   655 Broad Street, 17th Floor
   Newark, New Jersey 07102
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    800-225-1852
Date of fiscal year end:    10/31/2021
Date of reporting period:    10/31/2021


Item 1 – Reports to Stockholders


LOGO

PGIM ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND

 

    

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

LOGO

 

To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

     3      

Your Fund’s Performance

     4  

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

     5  

Strategy and Performance Overview

     8  

Fees and Expenses

     12  

Holdings and Financial Statements

     15  

Approval of Advisory Agreements

        

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), member SIPC. PGIM Fixed Income is a unit of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PGIM are Prudential Financial companies. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

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Letter from the President

 

LOGO   

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the annual report for the PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2021.

 

The global economy and markets continued to recover throughout the period from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and kept them near zero to encourage borrowing. Congress passed stimulus bills worth several trillion dollars to help consumers and businesses. And several effective COVID-19 vaccines received regulatory approval. Those measures were enough to offset the fear of rising inflation and supply chain challenges that threatened to disrupt growth.

At the start of the period, stocks had recovered most of the steep losses they had suffered at the onset of the pandemic. Equities rallied as states reopened their economies but became more volatile as investors worried that a surge in COVID-19 infections would stall the recovery. However, rising corporate profits and economic growth, the resolution of the US presidential election, and the global rollout of approved vaccines lifted equity markets to record levels, helping stocks around the globe post gains for the full period.

Throughout this volatile period, investors sought safety in fixed income. Investment-grade bonds in the US and the overall global bond market declined slightly during the period as the economy recovered, but emerging market debt rose. While the 10-year US Treasury yield hovered near record lows early in the period after a significant rally in interest rates, rates moved higher later on as investors began to focus on stronger economic growth and the prospects of higher inflation. The Fed also took several aggressive actions to keep the bond markets running smoothly, implementing many of the relief programs that proved to be successful in helping end the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. This scale and investment expertise allow us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Stuart S. Parker, President

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund

December 15, 2021

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   3


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

    

 

Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21

 
     One Year (%)      Five Years (%)      Ten Years (%)  

Class A

        

(with sales charges)

     2.28        2.60        2.56  

(without sales charges)

     5.71        3.28        2.90  

Class C

        

(with sales charges)

     4.03        2.50        2.14  

(without sales charges)

     5.03        2.50        2.14  

Class Z

        

(without sales charges)

     5.96        3.54        3.17  

Class R6

        

(without sales charges)

     6.07        3.56        3.21  

ICE BofA USD 3-Month Deposit Offered Rate Constant Maturity Index

 

     
     0.19        1.43        0.90  

Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index

        
       -0.48        3.10        3.00  

 

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Growth of a $10,000 Investment (unaudited)

 

LOGO

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class Z shares with a similar investment in the ICE BofA US Dollar 3-Month Deposit Offered Rate Constant Maturity Index by portraying the initial account values at the beginning of the 10-year period for Class Z shares (October 31, 2011) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (October 31, 2021), as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and (b) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class Z shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for other share classes will vary due to the differing fees and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursements, if any, the returns would have been lower.

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graph include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   5


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

       
     Class A   Class C   Class Z   Class R6
       
Maximum initial sales charge   3.25% of the public offering price   None   None   None
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or the net asset value at redemption)   1.00% on sales of $500,000 or more made within 12 months of purchase   1.00% on sales made within 12 months of purchase   None   None
Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)   0.25%   1.00%   None   None

Benchmark Definitions

ICE BofA US Dollar 3-Month Deposit Offered Rate Constant Maturity Index—The ICE BofA US Dollar 3-Month Deposit Offered Rate Constant Maturity Index is an unmanaged index which tracks the performance of a synthetic asset paying LIBOR to a stated maturity. The Index is based on the assumed purchase at par of a synthetic instrument having exactly its stated maturity and with a coupon equal to that day’s fixing rate. That issue is assumed to be sold the following business day (priced at a yield equal to the current day fixing rate) and rolled into a new instrument.

Source: ICE BofA, used with permission.

Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index—The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is unmanaged and represents securities that are taxable and dollar denominated. It covers the US investment-grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The returns for the Indexes would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes that may be paid by an investor.

 

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    Distributions and Yields as of 10/31/21               
    

Total Distributions
Paid for

12 Months ($)

   SEC 30-Day
Subsidized
Yield* (%)
   SEC 30-Day
Unsubsidized
Yield** (%)

Class A

   0.23    2.22    2.22

Class C

   0.16    1.62    1.62

Class Z

   0.25    2.57    2.65

Class R6

   0.26    2.70    2.70

*SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s net expenses (net of any expense waivers or reimbursements). The investor experience is represented by the SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield.

**SEC 30-Day Unsubsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s gross expenses. The investor experience is represented by the SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield.

 

    Credit Quality expressed as a percentage of total investments as of 10/31/21 (%)       

AAA

     26.4  

AA

     7.4  

A

     4.4  

BBB

     15.7  

BB

     14.7  

B

     6.7  

CCC

     4.3  

CC

     0.3  

Not Rated

     5.4  

Cash/Cash Equivalents

     14.7  
   
Total      100.0  

Credit ratings reflect the highest rating assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) such as Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), S&P Global Ratings (S&P), or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings reflect the common nomenclature used by both S&P and Fitch. Where applicable, ratings are converted to the comparable S&P/Fitch rating tier nomenclature. These rating agencies are independent and are widely used. The Not Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by an NRSRO. Credit ratings are subject to change.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   7


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund’s Class Z shares returned 5.96% in the 12-month reporting period that ended October 31, 2021, outperforming the 0.19% return of the ICE BofA US Dollar 3-Month Deposit Offered Rate Constant Maturity Index (the Index).

What were the market conditions?

·  

The strong global rebound from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic continued throughout the reporting period, as economies continued to respond to the unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus programs. The effective rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, along with clear messaging from both President Biden and the Federal Reserve (the Fed) on the potential for further stimulus, shifted the prospects for growth and inflation, kicking off a robust “reflation trade” in bond markets, which caused the US Treasury yield curve to steepen over the period. (A yield curve is a line graph that illustrates the relationship between the yields and maturities of fixed income securities. It is created by plotting the yields of different maturities for the same type of bonds.)

 

·  

Although yields for short-term Treasuries remained well anchored during the first quarter of 2021 by the Fed’s commitment to maintain its low-rate policy, longer-term Treasuries sold off sharply, with the yield on the benchmark US 10-year Treasury note rising from 0.92% on December 31, 2020 to 1.74% by March 31, 2021. Similarly, the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond rose from 1.65% to 2.41% over the same period.

 

·  

Market volatility for rates then eased in the second and third quarters of 2021, with long-term US Treasury yields declining gradually before rising again in late September after the Fed signaled it could begin tapering its monthly bond purchases shortly after its November meeting. The US 10-year and 30-year Treasury yields ended the period at 1.55% and 1.93%, respectively. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year Treasury note rose sharply the last month of the period as markets began pricing in two rate hikes in 2022, ending October 31, 2021 at 0.45%—a rise of 28 basis points (bps) over the period. (One basis point equals 0.01%.) Despite flattening over the last six months of the period as the market pulled forward its expectation for rate hikes, the US Treasury yield curve steepened during the period, with the 10-year and 2-year Treasury spread rising from 0.74% to 1.07% as of October 31, 2021.

 

·  

Spread markets continued to tighten, supported by the Fed’s monetary responses, fiscal stimulus, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, better-than-expected corporate earnings, and surging growth in the US, Europe, and some emerging market economies. (Spread markets are non-government-related sectors of the fixed income market, such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield bonds, or asset-backed securities.) Strengthening economic fundamentals coupled with aggressive central bank measures (e.g., zero interest rate policies and asset purchases) drove corporate and securitized asset spreads tighter, with many sectors rallying to, or through, their pre-COVID-19 levels.

 

·  

The US investment grade corporate market performed well, with spreads tightening to near-historic levels by the end of the period, supported by better-than-expected

 

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corporate earnings, positive vaccination progress, and a favorable technical backdrop. Strengthening fundamentals generally kept securitized credit on a tightening trajectory as well, with commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) spreads trading well below their pre-pandemic tights by the end of the period. US high yield bond spreads tightened as fundamentals remained supportive. Meanwhile, emerging market spreads tightened, boosting returns as investor appetite remained strong amid a global search for yield.

What worked?

·  

Security selection and sector allocation both contributed to the Fund’s performance over the reporting period.

 

·  

Within security selection, positions in high yield, emerging markets, investment grade corporates, CMBS, sovereigns, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), bank loans, asset-backed securities (ABS), municipal bonds, and agency securities all contributed.

 

·  

Within sector allocation, allocations to high yield, CLOs, bank loans, emerging markets, municipal bonds, and ABS were the largest contributors.

 

·  

Within credit, positioning in upstream and midstream energy, foreign non-corporates, aerospace & defense, and gaming, lodging, & leisure were the largest contributors to performance.

 

·  

In individual security selection, the Fund benefited from positioning in Chesapeake Energy Corp. (upstream energy), Transocean Ltd. (upstream energy), and Ferrellgas Partners, LP (midstream energy).

 

·  

The Fund occasionally features a modest notional exposure to non-US-dollar currencies across a diversified basket of currencies in faster-growing emerging and developed countries. The Fund’s foreign-exchange currency market (FX) positioning was a contributor to performance for the period.

What didn’t work?

·  

During the reporting period, the Fund’s long duration bias, principally in emerging market rates, detracted from returns. (Duration measures the sensitivity of the price—the value of principal—of a bond to a change in interest rates.) The Fund’s yield curve flattener positioning also detracted as the curve steepened over the period. (A yield curve flattener is an interest rate environment in which long-term rates are decreasing more quickly than short-term rates.)

 

·  

Although overall sector allocation contributed to performance, allocations to CMBS and investment grade corporates detracted from results.

 

·  

Within credit, positions in consumer non-cyclicals, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and cable & satellite were the largest detractors from performance.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   9


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

·  

In individual security selection, overweights to Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (chemicals), Kraft Heinz Foods Co. (consumer non-cyclical), and Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. (media & entertainment) relative to the Index detracted from performance.

Did the Fund use derivatives?

The Fund uses derivatives when they facilitate implementation of the overall investment approach. During the reporting period, the Fund used interest rate futures, options, and swaps to help manage duration positioning and yield curve exposure. Over the period, futures and options contributed to performance while swaps detracted. Credit default swaps and credit default swap index (CDX) positions were used to either add risk exposure to certain issuers or to hedge credit risk imposed by certain issuers. Overall, credit derivative exposure contributed during the period. In addition, the Fund traded foreign-exchange derivatives, which had a negative impact on performance over the period.

Current outlook

·  

As the Fed’s tapering approached, PGIM Fixed Income believed the Fed would likely draw a clear distinction between the removal of accommodation via reduction in asset purchases and tightening of policy through rate hikes in the federal funds rate target.

 

·  

Looking beyond the next year or two, PGIM Fixed Income believes the secular fundamental drivers—such as aging demographics and high debt levels—that pushed rates lower for decades are likely to reassert themselves with even more downward force on rates in a post-COVID world of older populations and markedly higher debt levels. As a result, many central bankers may end up leaving administered rates near, or at, their effective lower bounds, and rate hike cycles will likely continue cresting at progressively lower levels. From that perspective, the third quarter 2021 increase in longer-term rates—which lifted them back up to levels that reflect a substantial and permanent rise in administered rates over the coming years—has probably already overshot fundamentals, in PGIM Fixed Income’s view.

 

·  

As for spread sectors, PGIM Fixed Income continues to expect the ongoing economic expansion to support credit fundamentals and, in turn, to allow credit products to continue outperforming. Given the relatively narrow level of spreads, however, excess returns are likely to be more modest, deriving primarily from incremental yield and rolling down the spread curve rather than from the kinds of wholesale spread compression seen since March 2020. (Roll-down return is a strategy for selling a bond as it approaches its maturity date. In general, as a bond’s maturity date grows closer, its interest rate moves closer to zero. Since there is an inverse relationship between bond yields and prices, bond prices increase as their interest rates decrease.)

 

·  

PGIM Fixed Income maintains its positive view of the spread sectors over the medium to long term, and the Fund holds allocations to an array of credit sectors, including investment grade and high yield corporates, high-quality structured products, and emerging markets. While valuations are now a bit full, with spreads in many sectors

 

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tighter than historical norms, PGIM Fixed Income generally expects ongoing spread sector outperformance. However, this outlook is not without caveats. First, the relatively narrow level of spreads diminishes the pace and magnitude of further outperformance. Additionally, narrower spreads leave little room for error, and the uncertain course of the long-term economic recovery warrants a discerning approach to credit selection.

 

·  

Within structured products, PGIM Fixed Income is biased to own the top of the capital structure, as near-zero policy rates and ongoing Fed purchases support a spread tightening environment. In investment grade corporates, PGIM Fixed Income is looking to take advantage of spread compression in select higher-yielding BBB-rated bonds, solid credits in stressed industries, and cyclicals. PGIM Fixed Income remains constructive on high yield over the medium term as improving fundamentals and a decline in defaults is expected to drive spread compression going forward, and it believes the prospects for emerging market debt performance are encouraging given the supportive backdrop, attractive valuations, and global search for yield.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   11


Fees and Expenses (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. 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 held through the six-month period ended October 31, 2021. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on 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 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 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.

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of PGIM funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information

 

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provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

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 (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in 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.

 

     

    PGIM Absolute Return Bond    

Fund

 

Beginning

      Account Value      
May 1, 2021

 

Ending

Account Value

        October 31, 2021         

 

Annualized

Expense

    Ratio Based on    

the

Six-Month Period

 

Expenses Paid

During the
    Six-Month Period*    

       

Class A

  Actual   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,009.70   0.95%   $ 4.81
  Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,020.42   0.95%   $ 4.84
     

Class C

  Actual   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,006.00   1.69%   $ 8.55
  Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,016.69   1.69%   $ 8.59
     

Class Z

  Actual   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,010.90   0.72%   $ 3.65
  Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,021.58   0.72%   $ 3.67
       

Class R6

  Actual   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,010.30   0.63%   $ 3.19
    Hypothetical   $ 1,000.00   $ 1,022.03   0.63%   $ 3.21

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended October 31, 2021, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   13


Schedule of Investments

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest    
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
      

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    85.4%

            

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES    26.6%

            

Automobiles    0.2%

                              

Hertz Vehicle Financing III LP,

            

Series 2021-02A, Class B, 144A

   2.120%   12/27/27        200      $ 199,207  

OneMain Direct Auto Receivables Trust,

            

Series 2019-01A, Class B, 144A

   3.950   11/14/28        1,700        1,834,128  
            

 

 

 
               2,033,335  

Collateralized Loan Obligations    19.0%

                              

Anchorage Credit Opportunities CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2019-01A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.950% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.950%)

   2.082(c)   01/20/32        15,000        15,026,886  

Ares European CLO DAC (Ireland),

            

Series 2013-06A, Class B1RR, 144A, 3 Month EURIBOR + 1.250% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.250%)

   1.250(c)   04/15/30   EUR      2,500        2,887,369  

Barings Euro CLO DAC (Ireland),

            

Series 2020-01A, Class AR, 144A

   0.000(cc)   10/21/34   EUR      3,000        3,468,000  

Brookside Mill CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2013-01A, Class BR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.350% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.472(c)   01/17/28        4,000        4,002,573  

Carlyle Euro CLO DAC (Ireland),

            

Series 2019-01A, Class A1R, 144A, 3 Month EURIBOR + 0.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.750%)

   0.750(c)   03/15/32   EUR      1,750        2,015,238  

Series 2019-01A, Class A2RB, 144A

   2.100   03/15/32   EUR      6,500        7,522,901  

Elevation CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2017-06A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.280% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.404(c)   07/15/29        2,500        2,501,881  

Series 2017-07A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.220% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.344(c)   07/15/30        4,000        4,002,466  

Ellington CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2017-02A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.700% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.700%)

   1.825(c)   02/15/29        16,536        16,537,723  

Generate CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 02A, Class AR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.150% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.278(c)   01/22/31        3,000        2,999,997  

KKR CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 11, Class AR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.180% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.304(c)   01/15/31        8,000        8,003,079  

Series 32A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.320% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.320%)

   1.444(c)   01/15/32        5,000        5,003,622  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
      

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

            

Collateralized Loan Obligations (cont’d.)

                              

Medalist Partners Corporate Finance CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2021-01A, Class A1A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.230% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.230%)

   1.441%(c)   10/20/34        5,000      $ 4,998,750  

MidOcean Credit CLO (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2014-03A, Class A1R, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.120% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.120%)

   1.250(c)   04/21/31        7,411        7,411,092  

Series 2014-03A, Class BR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.800% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.800%)

   1.930(c)   04/21/31        18,000        17,982,437  

OZLM Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2014-06A, Class A2AS, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.872(c)   04/17/31        4,000        4,000,179  

Palmer Square CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2014-01A, Class A1R2, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.130% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.130%)

   1.252(c)   01/17/31        5,000        5,001,179  

Penta CLO DAC (Ireland),

            

Series 2018-05A, Class B1R, 144A, 3 Month EURIBOR + 1.550% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.550%)

   1.550(c)   04/20/35   EUR      10,000        11,538,694  

Romark CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2018-02A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.175% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.175%)

   1.299(c)   07/25/31        5,000        5,000,011  

Romark WM-R Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2018-01A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.030% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.162(c)   04/20/31        1,484        1,485,026  

Strata CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2018-01A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.590% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.590%)

   1.714(c)   01/15/31        19,000        18,986,901  

Trinitas CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2017-07A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.210% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.334(c)   01/25/31        4,500        4,502,108  

Venture CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2015-21A, Class AR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 0.880% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.004(c)   07/15/27        2,112        2,111,988  

Voya CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2013-01A, Class A1AR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.210% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.334(c)   10/15/30        2,739        2,740,342  

Wellfleet CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

            

Series 2017-03A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.150% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.150%)

   1.272(c)   01/17/31        10,500        10,502,844  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest      

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

         

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

             

Collateralized Loan Obligations (cont’d.)

                                   

Zais CLO Ltd. (Cayman Islands),

             

Series 2015-03A, Class A2R, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 2.190% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   2.314%(c)   07/15/31         11,300      $ 11,305,248  

Series 2017-02A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.290% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.414(c)   04/15/30         4,642        4,637,749  
             

 

 

 
                186,176,283  

Consumer Loans    1.0%

                                   

Lendmark Funding Trust,

             

Series 2021-01A, Class C, 144A

   3.410   11/20/31         200        204,157  

Oportun Funding XIII LLC,

             

Series 2019-A, Class B, 144A

   3.870   08/08/25         4,860        4,932,653  

PNMAC GMSR Issuer Trust,

             

Series 2018-GT01, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.850% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.850%)

   2.939(c)   02/25/23         1,650        1,653,838  

Series 2018-GT02, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.650% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   2.739(c)   08/25/25         3,400        3,398,982  
             

 

 

 
                10,189,630  

Home Equity Loans    1.4%

                                   

Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust,

             

Series 2004-03, Class 2A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.200% (Cap 13.000%, Floor 1.200%)

   1.289(c)   10/25/34         1,324        1,324,864  

Asset-Backed Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust,

             

Series 2003-HE06, Class A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.680% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.680%)

   0.769(c)   11/25/33         1,758        1,742,543  

Series 2003-HE06, Class A3B, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.960% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.960%)

   1.049(c)   11/25/33         3,546        3,485,428  

Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities I Trust,

             

Series 2004-HE11, Class M2, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.575% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.575%)

   1.664(c)   12/25/34         380        380,776  

Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust,

             

Series 2002-02, Class A1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.660% (Cap 11.000%, Floor 0.660%)

   0.749(c)   10/25/32                 460        458,427  

Series 2003-03, Class A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.180% (Cap 11.000%, Floor 1.180%)

   1.269(c)   06/25/43         83        82,929  

Series 2003-HE01, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.095% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.095%)

   1.184(c)   01/25/34         2,418        2,420,894  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

             

Home Equity Loans (cont’d.)

                                   

Home Equity Asset Trust,

             

Series 2004-07, Class A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.840% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.840%)

   0.929%(c)   01/25/35         1,050      $ 1,040,738  

MASTR Asset-Backed Securities Trust,

             

Series 2003-WMC02, Class M2, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.475% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.475%)

   2.564(c)   08/25/33         802        813,634  

Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust,

             

Series 2003-HE03, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.020% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.020%)

   1.109(c)   10/25/33         1,147        1,148,596  

Series 2003-NC08, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.050%)

   1.139(c)   09/25/33         331        331,446  

Series 2003-NC10, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.020% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.020%)

   1.109(c)   10/25/33         356        356,135  
             

 

 

 
                13,586,410  

Other    0.3%

                                   

PNMAC FMSR Issuer Trust,

             

Series 2018-FT01, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.350% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   2.439(c)   04/25/23         3,200        3,203,195  

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities    2.1%

                                   

Chase Funding Trust,

             

Series 2002-03, Class 2A1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.640% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.640%)

   0.729(c)   08/25/32         245        238,916  

Series 2003-04, Class 1A5

   5.014   05/25/33         415        419,717  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc.,

             

Series 2005-OPT01, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.630% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.630%)

   0.719(c)   02/25/35         209        206,190  

Series 2005-WF01, Class A5

   5.010(cc)   11/25/34         1        577  

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates,

             

Series 2003-BC04, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.050%)

   1.139(c)   07/25/33         472        473,000  

Series 2004-01, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.750%)

   0.839(c)   03/25/34         22        22,356  

Series 2004-BC04, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.050%)

   1.139(c)   11/25/34         224        225,160  

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securitization LLC,

             

Series 2003-CB03, Class AF1

   3.379   12/25/32                 89        88,536  

Finance America Mortgage Loan Trust,

             

Series 2003-01, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.050%)

   1.139(c)   09/25/33         1,243        1,233,660  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

         Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
     Value  

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

            

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (cont’d.)

                                  

First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust,

            

Series 2004-FF05, Class A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.760% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.760%)

   0.849%(c)   08/25/34        563      $ 564,311  

Fremont Home Loan Trust,

            

Series 2004-04, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.795% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.795%)

   0.884(c)   03/25/35        1,934        1,914,464  

Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust,

            

Series 2004-02, Class A1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.440% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.440%)

   0.529(c)   06/25/34        695        681,901  

Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust,

            

Series 2004-NC05, Class M1, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.900% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.900%)

   0.989(c)   05/25/34        188        184,465  

Rathlin Residential DAC (Ireland),

            

Series 2021-01A, Class A, 144A, 1 Month EURIBOR + 2.000%

   1.443(c)   09/27/75     EUR        1,820        2,062,964  

Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust,

            

Series 2004-BNC01, Class A2, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.000% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.000%)

   1.089(c)   09/25/34        1,942        1,943,199  

TFS (Spain),

            

Series 2018-03, Class A1, 1 Month EURIBOR + 3.000%

   3.000(c)   04/16/23     EUR        9,702        9,814,059  
            

 

 

 
               20,073,475  

Student Loans    2.6%

                                  

Laurel Road Prime Student Loan Trust,

            

Series 2018-D, Class A, 144A

   0.000(cc)   11/25/43        3,960        4,099,169  

Series 2019-A, Class R, 144A

   0.000   10/25/48        3,087        522,420  

SoFi Alternative Trust,

            

Series 2019-B, Class PT, 144A

   0.000(cc)   12/15/45        4,708        4,860,605  

Series 2019-D, Class 1PT, 144A

   2.847(cc)   01/16/46        4,952        5,103,490  

Series 2019-F, Class PT1, 144A

   3.932(cc)   02/15/45        5,780        5,896,191  

SoFi RR Funding II Trust,

            

Series 2019-01, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.250% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.250%)

   1.336(c)   11/29/24        4,431        4,426,192  
            

 

 

 
               24,908,067  
            

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $261,030,618)

               260,170,395  
            

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

       Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

BANK LOANS    1.7%

            

Airlines    0.0%

                              

United Airlines, Inc.,

            

Class B Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.750%

   4.500%(c)   04/21/28        249      $ 251,948  

Internet    0.3%

                              

Speedster Bidco GmbH (Germany),

            

Second Lien Term Loan, 6 Month EURIBOR + 6.000% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   6.000(c)   03/31/28   EUR      2,400        2,788,272  

Media    0.0%

                              

Diamond Sports Group LLC,

            

Term Loan, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.250%

   3.340(c)   08/24/26        378        196,786  

Oil & Gas    0.2%

                              

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC,

            

Second Lien Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 9.000%

   10.000(c)   11/01/25        1,858        2,032,652  

Retail    0.9%

                              

CD&R Firefly Bidco Ltd. (United Kingdom),

            

Initial Term Loan, 3 Month GBP LIBOR + 8.356%^

   8.412(c)   06/21/26   GBP      3,300        4,516,215  

Constellation Automotive Group Ltd. (United Kingdom),

            

Facility 1 Loan, 1 - 3 Month GBP LIBOR + 7.500% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   7.525(c)   07/16/29   GBP      1,025        1,423,805  

Stonegate Pub Co. Ltd.,

            

First Lien Initial Term B Loan, 3 Month GBP LIBOR + 8.500%^

   8.606(c)   03/06/28   GBP      1,900        2,587,243  
            

 

 

 
               8,527,263  

Telecommunications    0.3%

                              

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),

            

DIP Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 4.750%

   5.750(c)   07/13/22        921        927,279  

West Corp.,

            

Initial Term B Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 4.000%

   5.000(c)   10/10/24        2,401        2,358,472  
            

 

 

 
               3,285,751  
            

 

 

 

TOTAL BANK LOANS
(cost $16,437,499)

               17,082,672  
            

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES    7.5%

             

20 Times Square Trust,

             

Series 2018-20TS, Class G, 144A

   3.100%(cc)   05/15/35         2,700      $ 2,502,129  

Series 2018-20TS, Class H, 144A

   3.100(cc)   05/15/35         2,700        2,459,092  

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,

             

Series 2018-TALL, Class D, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.449% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.449%)

   1.539(c)   03/15/37         11,875        11,427,823  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2019-XL, Class J, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.650% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.650%)

   2.740(c)   10/15/36         5,653        5,638,430  

Series 2020-BXLP, Class G, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.500% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.500%)

   2.590(c)   12/15/36         3,414        3,397,261  

Commercial Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2012-CR01, Class XA, IO

   1.874(cc)   05/15/45         8,250        20,906  

Series 2015-LC19, Class XB, IO, 144A

   0.251(cc)   02/10/48         123,049        979,876  

DBWF Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2016-85T, Class E, 144A

   3.808(cc)   12/10/36         15,500        14,959,530  

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates,

             

Series K018, Class X1, IO

   1.234(cc)   01/25/22         7,813        623  

Series K020, Class X1, IO

   1.337(cc)   05/25/22         17,410        73,325  

Series K021, Class X1, IO

   1.376(cc)   06/25/22         3,666        10,755  

Series K025, Class X1, IO

   0.781(cc)   10/25/22         82,453        506,229  

Series K055, Class X1, IO

   1.356(cc)   03/25/26         22,308        1,146,304  

Series KC02, Class X1, IO

   0.373(cc)   03/25/24         141,070        1,038,331  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp.,

             

Series 2013-GC10, Class XB, IO, 144A

   0.487(cc)   02/10/46                 103,126        645,692  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust,

             

Series 2014-GC20, Class XB, IO

   0.427(cc)   04/10/47         28,307        283,795  

Independence Plaza Trust,

             

Series 2018-INDP, Class E, 144A

   4.996   07/10/35         5,200        5,102,946  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,

             

Series 2014-C21, Class XB, IO

   0.301(cc)   08/15/47         45,056        424,648  

Series 2015-C27, Class XB, IO

   0.408(cc)   02/15/48         52,766        702,173  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp.,

             

Series 2018-AON, Class E, 144A

   4.613(cc)   07/05/31         7,950        8,138,641  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,

             

Series 2013-LC11, Class XB, IO

   0.509(cc)   04/15/46         34,956        250,046  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust,

             

Series 2012-C05, Class XB, IO, 144A

   0.210(cc)   08/15/45         65,968        100,139  

Series 2013-C08, Class XB, IO, 144A

   0.497(cc)   12/15/48         68,276        338,895  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

        

Principal    
Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

            

Salus European Loan Conduit DAC (United Kingdom),

            

Series 33A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month GBP LIBOR + 1.500% (Cap 6.500%, Floor 1.500%)

   1.704%(c)   01/23/29     GBP        9,500      $ 13,033,734  

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust,
Series 2013-C06, Class XB, IO, 144A

   0.373(cc)   04/10/46        140,883        712,065  
            

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $72,587,604)

               73,893,388  
            

 

 

 

CONVERTIBLE BOND    0.0%

            

Telecommunications

                                  

Digicel Group Holdings Ltd. (Jamaica),

            

Sub. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 7.000% or PIK N/A

            

(cost $4,307)

   7.000   11/15/21(oo)        42        38,328  
            

 

 

 

CORPORATE BONDS    30.1%

            

Advertising    0.1%

                                  

National CineMedia LLC,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.750   08/15/26        1,100        884,051  

Aerospace & Defense    1.2%

                                  

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   7.500   12/01/24        5,325        5,543,131  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   7.875   04/15/27        5,675        5,901,824  
            

 

 

 
               11,444,955  

Agriculture    0.1%

                                  

Vector Group Ltd.,

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.750   02/01/29        475        473,847  

Airlines    0.5%

                                  

American Airlines 2013-1 Class A Pass-Through Trust,

            

Pass-Through Certificates

   4.000   01/15/27        1,704        1,656,477  

Continental Airlines 2007-1 Class A Pass-Through Trust,

            

Pass-Through Certificates

   5.983   10/19/23        183        185,949  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

        

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Airlines (cont’d.)

                                  

Continental Airlines 2012-2 Class A Pass-Through Trust,

            

Pass-Through Certificates

   4.000%   04/29/26        75      $ 78,632  

United Airlines 2013-1 Class A Pass-Through Trust,

            

Pass-Through Certificates

   4.300   02/15/27        1,600        1,701,803  

United Airlines, Inc.,

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.375   04/15/26        645        667,849  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.625   04/15/29                170        175,311  
            

 

 

 
               4,466,021  

Auto Manufacturers    0.2%

                                  

General Motors Co.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   6.250   10/02/43        1,555        2,121,312  

Auto Parts & Equipment    0.6%

                                  

Adient Global Holdings Ltd.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A(a)

   4.875   08/15/26        1,900        1,935,869  

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes

   6.250   03/15/26        2,200        2,260,557  

Cooper-Standard Automotive, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A(a)

   5.625   11/15/26        1,800        1,443,801  

Nemak SAB de CV (Mexico),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   3.625   06/28/31        350        327,307  
            

 

 

 
               5,967,534  

Banks    5.5%

                                  

Banco de Credito del Peru (Peru),

            

Sub. Notes, 144A, MTN

   3.250(ff)   09/30/31        1,055        1,044,122  

Bangkok Bank PCL (Thailand),

            

Sub. Notes, 144A

   3.466(ff)   09/23/36        945        939,425  

Bank of America Corp.,

            

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series JJ

   5.125(ff)   06/20/24(oo)        6,850        7,225,874  

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series MM

   4.300(ff)   01/28/25(oo)        5,545        5,637,138  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

   4.271(ff)   07/23/29        1,450        1,628,805  

Citigroup, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   2.976(ff)   11/05/30        870        905,772  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.200   10/21/26        1,145        1,217,316  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.887(ff)   01/10/28        980        1,067,242  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   8.125   07/15/39        620        1,051,929  

Sub. Notes

   4.400   06/10/25        405        443,081  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

        

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Banks (cont’d.)

                                  

Credit Suisse Group AG (Switzerland),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.750%   03/26/25        1,200      $ 1,285,441  

Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus JSC (Belarus),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(a)

   6.750   05/02/24        1,505        1,418,811  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.814(ff)   04/23/29        35        38,328  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.850   01/26/27        3,940        4,265,567  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.223(ff)   05/01/29        135        151,218  

Grupo Aval Ltd. (Colombia),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   4.375   02/04/30        2,170        2,121,175  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,

            

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series FF

   5.000(ff)   08/01/24(oo)        1,500        1,554,035  

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series HH

   4.600(ff)   02/01/25(oo)        15,325        15,655,417  

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series I, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.470%

   3.599(c)   01/30/22(oo)        64        64,230  

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. (Israel),

            

Sub. Notes, 144A(a)

   3.077(ff)   04/07/31        1,555        1,553,088  

Morgan Stanley,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(a)

   4.375   01/22/47        1,260        1,591,966  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

   3.772(ff)   01/24/29        1,750        1,920,584  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

   3.875   01/27/26        605        660,390  

People’s United Bank NA,

            

Sub. Notes

   4.000   07/15/24        325        344,343  
            

 

 

 
               53,785,297  

Beverages    0.0%

                                  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. (Belgium),

            

Gtd. Notes

   8.200   01/15/39        250        411,934  

Building Materials    0.1%

                                  

Cemex SAB de CV (Mexico),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.450   11/19/29        1,180        1,277,589  

Chemicals    1.6%

                                  

Ashland LLC,

            

Gtd. Notes

   6.875   05/15/43        4,100        5,322,197  

Ashland Services BV,

            

Gtd. Notes

   2.000   01/30/28     EUR        1,200        1,423,614  

Braskem Netherlands Finance BV (Brazil),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   4.500   01/10/28        1,630        1,666,620  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Chemicals (cont’d.)

                                   

LYB International Finance BV,

             

Gtd. Notes

     5.250%   07/15/43         175      $ 226,007  

Nutrien Ltd. (Canada),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     4.900   06/01/43         1,350        1,722,399  

Sasol Financing International Ltd. (South Africa),

                

Gtd. Notes(a)

     4.500   11/14/22         2,415        2,468,807  

Sasol Financing USA LLC (South Africa),

                

Gtd. Notes

     4.375   09/18/26         350        356,059  

TPC Group, Inc.,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   10.500   08/01/24         1,700        1,540,359  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   10.875   08/01/24         419        446,955  
             

 

 

 
                        15,173,017  

Commercial Services     0.9%

                                   

ERAC USA Finance LLC,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     6.700   06/01/34         110        152,789  

Gtd. Notes, 144A(h)

     7.000   10/15/37         1,725        2,569,559  

Nexi SpA (Italy),

                

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     2.125   04/30/29      EUR        4,060        4,640,950  

United Rentals North America, Inc.,

                

Gtd. Notes

     3.750   01/15/32         325        324,357  

Gtd. Notes

     5.250   01/15/30         1,200        1,299,666  
             

 

 

 
                8,987,321  

Computers     0.0%

                                   

CA Magnum Holdings (India),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     5.375   10/31/26         215        221,468  

Diversified Financial Services     0.3%

                                   

Jefferies Group LLC,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     6.500   01/20/43         175        244,360  

OneMain Finance Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes

     3.875   09/15/28         1,200        1,170,804  

Power Finance Corp. Ltd. (India),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

     5.250   08/10/28         1,100        1,230,516  
             

 

 

 
                2,645,680  

Electric     1.5%

                                   

AES Panama Generation Holdings SRL (Panama),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     4.375   05/31/30         1,065        1,095,249  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
         Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Electric (cont’d.)

                                  

Calpine Corp.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A(a)

   4.625%   02/01/29        1,500      $ 1,458,447  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.000   02/01/31        2,275        2,228,903  

Clean Renewable Power Mauritius Pte Ltd. (India),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.250   03/25/27        475        483,678  

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC,

            

First Ref. Mortgage

   4.000   09/30/42        50        57,651  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. (South Africa),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   7.125   02/11/25        2,145                2,237,693  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, MTN

   6.750   08/06/23        200        206,553  

Evergy Kansas Central, Inc.,

            

First Mortgage

   4.100   04/01/43        325        383,308  

FEL Energy VI Sarl (Mexico),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.750   12/01/40        1,865        1,845,808  

Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Costa Rica),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   6.950   11/10/21        500        500,623  

Mong Duong Finance Holdings BV (Vietnam),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   5.125   05/07/29        1,295        1,288,133  

NRG Energy, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   3.625   02/15/31        1,000        973,967  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   3.875   02/15/32        500        489,973  

Vistra Corp.,

            

Jr. Sub. Notes, 144A

   8.000(ff)   10/15/26(oo)        1,575        1,653,269  
            

 

 

 
               14,903,255  

Electronics     0.0%

                                  

Jabil, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.700   09/15/22        80        82,785  

Energy-Alternate Sources     0.3%

                                  

Aydem Yenilenebilir Enerji A/S (Turkey),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   7.750   02/02/27        830        788,962  

Greenko Dutch BV (India),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   3.850   03/29/26        1,803        1,818,831  
            

 

 

 
               2,607,793  

Engineering & Construction     0.4%

                                  

Cellnex Finance Co. SA (Spain),

            

Gtd. Notes, EMTN

   2.000   02/15/33     EUR        1,100        1,213,293  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
         Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Engineering & Construction (cont’d.)

                                  

Cellnex Telecom SA (Spain),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

     1.750%   10/23/30     EUR        700      $ 781,222  

Mexico City Airport Trust (Mexico),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     3.875   04/30/28        2,000        2,071,129  
            

 

 

 
               4,065,644  

Entertainment     0.6%

                                  

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.,

            

Sec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 10.000% or PIK 12.000% or Cash coupon 5.000% and PIK 6.000%

   12.000   06/15/26        480        476,802  

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA (Spain),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, Cash coupon 4.500% and PIK 6.250%

   10.750   11/01/23(d)     EUR        2,414                1,741,868  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   10.750   09/30/23(d)     EUR        1,216        1,528,323  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   10.750   09/30/23(d)     EUR        421        522,688  

Premier Entertainment Sub LLC/Premier Entertainment Finance Corp.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     5.625   09/01/29        525        534,842  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     5.875   09/01/31        700        714,023  

Scientific Games International, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     8.250   03/15/26        450        477,539  
            

 

 

 
               5,996,085  

Foods     1.1%

                                  

Bellis Finco PLC (United Kingdom),

            

Gtd. Notes(a)

     4.000   02/16/27     GBP        2,700        3,484,057  

JBS USA Food Co.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     5.750   01/15/28        1,950        2,035,853  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co.,

            

Gtd. Notes

     4.625   10/01/39        440        515,511  

Gtd. Notes

     4.875   10/01/49        2,980        3,696,493  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     4.125   01/31/30        350        350,410  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     4.375   01/31/32        350        350,473  
            

 

 

 
               10,432,797  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   27


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Forest Products & Paper     0.2%

                                   

Georgia-Pacific LLC,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   7.375%   12/01/25         400      $ 492,945  

Suzano Austria GmbH (Brazil),

             

Gtd. Notes

   6.000   01/15/29         1,000                1,149,375  
             

 

 

 
                1,642,320  

Gas     0.7%

                                   

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.500   05/20/25         2,900        3,147,939  

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(a)

   5.850   01/15/41         700        967,660  

ENN Clean Energy International Investment Ltd. (China),

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   3.375   05/12/26         1,350        1,339,817  

Southern Co. Gas Capital Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes

   4.400   06/01/43         1,375        1,606,949  
             

 

 

 
                7,062,365  

Healthcare-Products     0.4%

                                   

Medtronic Global Holdings SCA,

             

Gtd. Notes

   1.625   03/07/31      EUR        160        199,971  

Gtd. Notes

   2.250   03/07/39      EUR        705        948,623  

Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc.,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   3.875   04/01/29         250        248,799  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.250   10/01/29         150        152,458  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

   1.500   10/01/39      EUR        1,250        1,479,039  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

   1.875   10/01/49      EUR        825        1,015,554  
             

 

 

 
                4,044,444  

Healthcare-Services     0.3%

                                   

Aetna, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   2.750   11/15/22         450        457,813  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.500   05/15/42         530        634,350  

Anthem, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.101   03/01/28         700        786,703  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.650   01/15/43         120        148,419  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.100   01/15/44         515        674,213  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Healthcare-Services (cont’d.)

                                   

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.125%   07/01/52                    75      $ 95,326  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.,

             

Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   6.250   02/01/27         25        25,965  
             

 

 

 
                2,822,789  

Home Builders     0.7%

                                   

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes(a)

   7.250   10/15/29         3,625        3,960,909  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.875   06/15/27         2,560        2,873,554  
             

 

 

 
                6,834,463  

Insurance     1.2%

                                   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.950   10/15/36         215        291,171  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   6.100   10/01/41         280        396,959  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   4.250   06/15/23         436        459,514  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   4.569   02/01/29         1,614        1,861,394  

Lincoln National Corp.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   7.000   06/15/40         695        1,062,399  

Markel Corp.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.000   03/30/43         3,125        3,801,540  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes

   4.350   05/15/43         975        1,179,265  

Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America,

             

Sub. Notes, 144A

   4.900   09/15/44         1,950        2,551,784  

Sub. Notes, 144A

   6.850   12/16/39         54        81,157  
             

 

 

 
                        11,685,183  

Lodging     0.3%

                                   

Gohl Capital Ltd. (Malaysia),

             

Gtd. Notes

   4.250   01/24/27         1,510        1,568,120  

Marriott International, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.250   09/15/22         75        76,169  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   29


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Lodging (cont’d.)

                                   

MGM China Holdings Ltd. (Macau),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.750%   02/01/27         700      $ 671,671  

Sands China Ltd. (Macau),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(a)

   5.125   08/08/25         1,000        1,062,607  
             

 

 

 
                3,378,567  

Media     1.1%

                                   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.750   03/01/30         1,300        1,343,718  

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   6.384   10/23/35         2,640        3,429,708  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   6.484   10/23/45         585        805,697  

CSC Holdings LLC,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.500   04/15/27         1,500        1,548,824  

Diamond Sports Group LLC/Diamond Sports Finance Co.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   6.625   08/15/27         2,785        832,937  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC (United Kingdom),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   4.125   08/15/30      GBP        700        949,603  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   4.250   01/15/30      GBP        600        817,090  

Ziggo BV (Netherlands),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   2.875   01/15/30      EUR        1,270        1,464,751  
             

 

 

 
                        11,192,328  

Mining     0.3%

                                   

AngloGold Ashanti Holdings PLC (Tanzania),

             

Gtd. Notes

   3.375   11/01/28         730        726,551  

Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT (Indonesia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   6.530   11/15/28         1,650        1,990,037  
             

 

 

 
                2,716,588  

Oil & Gas     2.1%

                                   

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC/ARU Finance Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   7.000   11/01/26         1,225        1,264,733  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   9.000   11/01/27         974        1,331,930  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Oil & Gas (cont’d.)

                                   

Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     5.400%   06/15/47         1,835      $ 2,299,814  

Citgo Holding, Inc.,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     9.250   08/01/24         450        459,563  

ConocoPhillips,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     4.875   10/01/47         275        365,038  

Ecopetrol SA (Colombia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     4.625   11/02/31         900        892,596  

Energean Israel Finance Ltd. (Israel),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     4.875   03/30/26         450        457,806  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     5.375   03/30/28         720        729,030  

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

     6.250   11/01/28         700        718,177  

Leviathan Bond Ltd. (Israel),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     6.750   06/30/30         2,020        2,235,736  

Petrobras Global Finance BV (Brazil),

             

Gtd. Notes

     5.375   10/01/29      GBP        800        1,170,705  

Petroleos Mexicanos (Mexico),

             

Gtd. Notes

     4.750   02/26/29      EUR        795        909,145  

Gtd. Notes

     6.350   02/12/48         1,238        1,054,605  

Gtd. Notes

     6.500   03/13/27         260        277,160  

Gtd. Notes

     6.840   01/23/30         405        423,140  

Gtd. Notes, EMTN

     4.875   02/21/28      EUR        250        290,837  

Qatar Energy (Qatar),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

     3.125   07/12/41         425        431,408  

Range Resources Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes

     9.250   02/01/26         850        920,381  

Transocean, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     7.250   11/01/25         3,025        2,494,302  

Tullow Oil PLC (Ghana),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   10.250   05/15/26         1,605        1,687,246  
             

 

 

 
                        20,413,352  

Oil & Gas Services     0.0%

                                   

Cameron International Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes

     5.950   06/01/41         100        128,657  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   31


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
         Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Packaging & Containers     0.6%

                                  

ARD Finance SA (Luxembourg),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 5.000% or PIK 5.750%

   5.000%   06/30/27     EUR        3,000      $ 3,565,650  

Verallia SA (France),

            

Gtd. Notes

   1.625   05/14/28     EUR        1,900        2,245,819  
            

 

 

 
               5,811,469  

Pharmaceuticals     1.9%

                                  

AbbVie, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.050   11/21/39        905        1,037,599  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(h)

   4.550   03/15/35        4,155        4,947,202  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.000   01/30/28        400        370,364  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   6.250   02/15/29        1,200        1,162,491  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(h)

   4.125   06/15/39        615        735,125  

Cigna Corp.,

            

Gtd. Notes(h)

   4.375   10/15/28        3,990        4,573,406  

CVS Health Corp.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.125   07/20/45        1,315        1,724,962  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.300   12/05/43        485        639,715  

Utah Acquisition Sub, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes

   5.250   06/15/46        520        646,194  

Viatris, Inc.,

            

Gtd. Notes

   4.000   06/22/50        2,190        2,372,429  
            

 

 

 
                       18,209,487  

Pipelines     1.7%

                                  

AI Candelaria Spain SLU (Colombia),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.750   06/15/33        920        905,304  

Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.600   12/15/44        125        151,280  

Energy Transfer LP,

            

Jr. Sub. Notes, Series G

   7.125(ff)   05/15/30(oo)        3,360        3,512,010  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.150   03/15/45        55        64,069  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.300   04/15/47        125        147,863  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.400   10/01/47        60        72,306  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   6.250   04/15/49        75        99,786  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,

            

Gtd. Notes

   4.950   10/15/54        1,825        2,343,486  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Pipelines (cont’d.)

                                   

Magellan Midstream Partners LP,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.200%   12/01/42         125      $ 133,757  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes(h)

   5.150   10/15/43         1,350        1,642,525  

MPLX LP,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.200   03/01/47         145        178,674  

NGPL PipeCo LLC,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.875   08/15/27         500        561,996  

ONEOK, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes

   4.950   07/13/47         1,060        1,257,693  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   3.600   05/15/25         775        807,118  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   6.875   04/15/40         1,850        2,097,627  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.500   01/15/28         1,000        1,003,384  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   7.500   10/01/25         125        135,172  

Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LLC,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   3.875   08/15/29         75        76,391  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.125   08/15/31         75        77,688  

Western Midstream Operating LP,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.300   03/01/48         910        1,064,460  
             

 

 

 
                        16,332,589  

Real Estate     0.5%

                                   

Arabian Centres Sukuk Ltd. (Saudi Arabia),

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.375   11/26/24         995        1,036,684  

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.750   12/01/25         3,575        3,636,941  
             

 

 

 
                4,673,625  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)     0.1%

                                   

Diversified Healthcare Trust,

             

Gtd. Notes

   4.375   03/01/31         1,000        971,952  

Retail     1.0%

                                   

Brinker International, Inc.,

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   5.000   10/01/24         1,000        1,059,263  

eG Global Finance PLC (United Kingdom),

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

   6.250   10/30/25      EUR        250        293,268  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.375   02/07/25      EUR        4,700        5,360,737  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   33


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
         Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

Retail (cont’d.)

                                  

Falabella SA (Chile),

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

     3.375%   01/15/32        1,200      $ 1,190,624  

JSM Global Sarl (Brazil),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     4.750   10/20/30        1,800        1,712,701  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC,

            

Gtd. Notes

     4.300   02/15/43        705        605,133  
            

 

 

 
                       10,221,726  

Savings & Loans     0.0%

                                  

People’s United Financial, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     3.650   12/06/22        325        332,758  

Telecommunications     2.0%

                                  

AT&T, Inc.,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     2.550   12/01/33        1,542        1,495,471  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     3.500   09/15/53        929        942,571  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

     3.650   09/15/59        318        323,219  

Digicel Group Holdings Ltd. (Jamaica),

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, Cash coupon 8.000% and PIK 2.000%

   10.000   04/01/24        809        816,322  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 5.000% and PIK 3.000%

     8.000   04/01/25        251        242,774  

Digicel International Finance Ltd./Digicel International Holdings Ltd. (Jamaica), Gtd. Notes, 144A

     8.000   12/31/26        454        443,311  

Gtd. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 6.000% and PIK 7.000%

   13.000   12/31/25        625        640,393  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A(a)

     8.750   05/25/24        1,138        1,181,680  

Digicel Ltd. (Jamaica),

            

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     6.750   03/01/23        2,050        1,982,545  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA (Luxembourg),

               

Gtd. Notes

     5.500   08/01/23(d)        2,000        1,009,590  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     8.500   10/15/24(d)        50        25,928  

Gtd. Notes, 144A

     9.750   07/15/25(d)        50        25,783  

Kaixo Bondco Telecom SA (Spain),

               

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

     5.125   09/30/29     EUR        2,600        2,981,097  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.,

               

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

     3.400   03/01/27        465        484,496  

Lumen Technologies, Inc.,

               

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series P(a)

     7.600   09/15/39        825        911,036  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34


    

 

    

 

  Description    Interest      
Rate
  Maturity    
Date
          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Telecommunications (cont’d.)

                                        

Millicom International Cellular SA (Colombia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.500%   04/27/31         515      $ 529,633  

Sprint Corp.,

             

Gtd. Notes

   7.125   06/15/24         2,000        2,259,593  

Gtd. Notes

   7.625   02/15/25         1,150        1,337,784  

Total Play Telecomunicaciones SA de CV (Mexico),

             

Gtd. Notes, 144A

   6.375   09/20/28         480        473,153  

Verizon Communications, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.400   03/22/41         1,575        1,651,071  
             

 

 

 
                        19,757,450  

Textiles    0.0%

                                   

Mohawk Industries, Inc.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.850   02/01/23         104        107,274  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(cost $281,573,410)

                        294,287,771  
             

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS    1.9%

             

California    0.5%

                                   

Bay Area Toll Authority,

             

Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series F2

   6.263   04/01/49         550        904,347  

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, Water

             

System Revenue,

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series C

   6.008   07/01/39         1,730        2,267,844  

University of California,

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, Series AP

   3.931   05/15/45         625        722,173  

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, Series J

   4.131   05/15/45         675        807,828  
             

 

 

 
                4,702,192  

Colorado    0.2%

                                   

Regional Transportation District Sales Tax Revenue,

             

Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series B

   5.844   11/01/50         1,190        1,914,795  

Illinois    0.1%

                                   

Chicago O’Hare International Airport,

             

Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series B

   6.395   01/01/40         360        544,438  

State of Illinois,

             

General Obligation Unlimited, Taxable, Pension

   5.100   06/01/33         865        1,005,431  
             

 

 

 
                1,549,869  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   35


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description   

Interest      

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

          Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

MUNICIPAL BONDS (Continued)

                        

New Jersey    0.4%

                                   

New Jersey Turnpike Authority,

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series F

   7.414%   01/01/40         2,000      $ 3,287,586  

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey,

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, BABs, Series H

   5.665   05/01/40         200        273,487  
             

 

 

 
                3,561,073  

Ohio    0.0%

                                   

Ohio State University (The),

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds, Series A

   4.800   06/01/2111         180        275,609  

Puerto Rico    0.7%

                                   

Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp. Sales Tax Revenue,

             

Revenue Bonds, Restructured, Series A-1

   4.750   07/01/53         5,846                6,502,482  

Texas    0.0%

                                   

City of San Antonio TX Electric & Gas Systems Revenue,

             

Taxable, Revenue Bonds

   4.427   02/01/42         120        148,064  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS
(cost $15,861,615)

                18,654,084  
             

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES    2.5%

          

Banc of America Funding Corp.,

             

Series 2015-R03, Class 1A1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.190%

   0.279(c)   03/27/36         2,002        1,992,925  

Banc of America Funding Trust,

             

Series 2014-R05, Class 1A1, 144A, 6 Month LIBOR + 1.500% (Cap 11.000%, Floor 1.500%)

   1.655(c)   09/26/45         509        513,465  

Bellemeade Re Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2018-01A, Class M1B, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.600% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.689(c)   04/25/28         573        572,727  

Series 2018-03A, Class M1B, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.850% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.850%)

   1.939(c)   10/25/28         1,795        1,795,423  

Series 2021-01A, Class M1C, 144A, 30 Day

             

Average SOFR + 2.950% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.950%)

   2.999(c)   03/25/31         960        993,609  

Chase Mortgage Finance Trust,

             

Series 2007-A01, Class 1A3

   2.363(cc)   02/25/37         54        54,652  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest      

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

         

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value          

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

          

Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust,

                        

Series 2020-R01, Class 1M2, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.050%)

   2.139%(c)   01/25/40         116      $ 116,173  

Series 2021-R01, Class 1B1, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 3.100% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   3.150(c)   10/25/41         990                994,412  

Eagle Re Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2018-01, Class M1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.700% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.700%)

   1.789(c)   11/25/28         1,893        1,894,585  

Series 2021-02, Class M1C, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 3.450% (Cap N/A, Floor 3.450%)

   3.499(c)   04/25/34         910        910,000  

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes,

             

Series 2021-DNA02, Class B1, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 3.400% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   3.449(c)   08/25/33         3,260        3,344,305  

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk REMIC Trust,

             

Series 2021-DNA05, Class B1, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 3.050% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   3.099(c)   01/25/34         600        606,750  

Series 2021-HQA03, Class B1, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 3.350% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   3.399(c)   09/25/41         570        564,553  

GSMSC Resecuritization Trust,

             

Series 2015-03R, Class 1A2, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.140% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.140%)

   0.229(c)   01/26/37         512        509,103  

Series 2015-03R, Class 2A1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.140% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.140%)

   0.229(c)   10/26/36         258        256,827  

Series 2015-03R, Class 2A2, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.140% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.140%)

   0.229(c)   10/26/36         1,400        1,371,716  

Home Re Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2018-01, Class M1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.600% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.689(c)   10/25/28         550        551,213  

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2007-A01, Class 4A1

   2.307(cc)   07/25/35         45        44,870  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust,

             

Series 2018-04A, Class A1S, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 0.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.750%)

   0.839(c)   01/25/48         2,104        2,103,516  

Oaktown Re II Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2018-01A, Class M1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.550% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.639(c)   07/25/28         310        309,840  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   37


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

         

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

          

Oaktown Re VII Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2021-02, Class M1B, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 2.900% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.900%)

   2.950%(c)   04/25/34         1,000      $ 1,000,000  

Radnor Re Ltd. (Bermuda),

             

Series 2018-01, Class M1, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.400% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   1.489(c)   03/25/28         92        92,282  

Series 2018-01, Class M2, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.700% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

   2.789(c)   03/25/28         1,240        1,248,118  

Series 2020-02, Class M1C, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 4.600% (Cap N/A, Floor 4.600%)

   4.689(c)   10/25/30         773        774,359  

Retiro Mortgage Securities DAC (Ireland),

             

Series 01A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month EURIBOR + 2.000% (Cap 5.000%, Floor 0.000%)

   1.453(c)   07/30/75      EUR        1,741        2,002,122  

Structured Asset Securities Corp.,

             

Series 2003-37A, Class 3A7

   2.345(cc)   12/25/33         310        314,538  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $24,436,512)

                24,932,083  
             

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN BONDS    3.8%

             

1MDB Global Investments Ltd. (Malaysia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   4.400   03/09/23         1,000                1,004,326  

Argentine Republic Government International Bond (Argentina),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   0.500(cc)   07/09/30         494        169,431  

Bermuda Government International Bond (Bermuda),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   2.375   08/20/30         685        680,139  

Brazil Loan Trust 1 (Brazil),

             

Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

   5.477   07/24/23         307        316,137  

Brazil Minas SPE via State of Minas Gerais (Brazil),

             

Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

   5.333   02/15/28         2,303        2,442,938  

Dominican Republic International Bond (Dominican Republic),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.950   01/25/27         1,570        1,752,251  

Hellenic Republic Government International Bond (Greece),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.200   07/17/34      EUR        5,485        8,975,230  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   6.140   04/14/28      EUR        2,000        3,023,839  

Hungary Government International Bond (Hungary),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   3.125   09/21/51         220        215,107  

Indonesia Government International Bond (Indonesia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   1.100   03/12/33      EUR        410        454,999  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38


    

 

    

 

  Description   

Interest    

Rate

 

Maturity    

Date

         

Principal    

Amount    

(000)#    

               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

             

Indonesia Government International Bond (Indonesia), (cont’d.)

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   1.450%   09/18/26      EUR        805      $ 958,497  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   3.375   07/30/25      EUR        2,655        3,371,818  

Ivory Coast Government International Bond (Ivory Coast),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   5.125   06/15/25      EUR        500        632,626  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   5.125   06/15/25      EUR        1,650        2,087,666  

Romanian Government International Bond (Romania),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

   4.125   03/11/39      EUR        1,759        2,226,551  

Serbia International Bond (Serbia),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   1.500   06/26/29      EUR        1,660        1,881,332  

Ukraine Government International Bond (Ukraine),

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

   8.994   02/01/24         350        382,891  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   4.375   01/27/30      EUR        1,465        1,577,082  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   7.750   09/01/22         1,960        2,031,144  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   8.994   02/01/24         800        875,179  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

   9.750   11/01/28         1,800        2,089,611  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS
(cost $32,572,161)

                37,148,794  
             

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS    9.5%

             

U.S. Treasury Bonds(h)(k)

   1.375   11/15/40         15,930                14,391,759  

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   2.250   05/15/41         3,925        4,101,012  

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   2.375   05/15/51         2,155        2,369,490  

U.S. Treasury Bonds(h)(k)

   2.500   02/15/45         3,505        3,837,975  

U.S. Treasury Bonds(k)

   3.625   08/15/43         1,920        2,479,200  

U.S. Treasury Notes

   0.375   01/31/26         31,300        30,358,555  

U.S. Treasury Notes

   1.375   01/31/25         32,840        33,412,135  

U.S. Treasury Notes(k)

   2.250   11/15/24         395        412,559  

U.S. Treasury Notes

   2.250   11/15/27         150        157,852  

U.S. Treasury Strips Coupon(k)

   2.415(s)   11/15/40         1,200        802,781  

U.S. Treasury Strips Coupon(k)

   3.019(s)   11/15/35         870        670,987  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS
(cost $92,630,876)

                92,994,305  
             

 

 

 
                     Shares           

COMMON STOCKS    1.8%

             

Gas Utilities    0.5%

                                   

Ferrellgas Partners LP (Class B Stock)

             17,034        4,386,255  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   39


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description         Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

        

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    1.3%

                      

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

        202,044      $ 12,878,285  

Chesapeake Energy Corp. Backstop Commitment

        1,449        92,359  
        

 

 

 
           12,970,644  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(cost $6,277,660)

           17,356,899  
        

 

 

 
         

Units

        

WARRANTS*    0.0%

        

Chemicals

                      

TPC Group, Inc., expiring 08/01/24^
(cost $0)

        1,190,967        5,598  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $803,412,262)

                   836,564,317  
        

 

 

 
         

Shares

        

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS    14.7%

        

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS    14.5%

        

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund(wa)

        127,420,190        127,420,190  

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund

        

(cost $14,739,985; includes $14,739,294 of cash collateral for securities on loan)(b)(wa)

        14,759,135        14,750,279  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS
(cost $142,160,175)

           142,170,469  
        

 

 

 

OPTIONS PURCHASED*~    0.2%
(cost $9,001,625)

           1,693,327  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $151,161,800)

           143,863,796  
        

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS, BEFORE OPTIONS WRITTEN    100.1%
(cost $954,574,062)

           980,428,113  
        

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40


    

 

    

 

  Description    Value  

OPTIONS WRITTEN*~    (0.2)%

  

(premiums received $10,279,599)

   $ (1,766,841
  

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS, NET OF OPTIONS WRITTEN 99.9%
(cost $944,294,463)

         978,661,272  

Other assets in excess of liabilities(z)    0.1%

     794,738  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS    100.0%

   $ 979,456,010  
  

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the annual report:

AUD—Australian Dollar

BRL—Brazilian Real

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CLP—Chilean Peso

CNH—Chinese Renminbi

COP—Colombian Peso

CZK—Czech Koruna

EUR—Euro

GBP—British Pound

HUF—Hungarian Forint

IDR—Indonesian Rupiah

ILS—Israeli Shekel

INR—Indian Rupee

JPY—Japanese Yen

KRW—South Korean Won

MXN—Mexican Peso

NZD—New Zealand Dollar

PEN—Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PHP—Philippine Peso

PLN—Polish Zloty

RUB—Russian Ruble

SGD—Singapore Dollar

THB—Thai Baht

TRY—Turkish Lira

TWD—New Taiwanese Dollar

USD—US Dollar

ZAR—South African Rand

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, pursuant to the requirements of Rule 144A, may not be resold except to qualified institutional buyers.

A—Annual payment frequency for swaps

ABS—Asset-Backed Security

BABs—Build America Bonds

BBR—New Zealand Bank Bill Rate

BROIS—Brazil Overnight Index Swap

BUBOR—Budapest Interbank Offered Rate

CDX—Credit Derivative Index

CLO—Collateralized Loan Obligation

CLOIS—Sinacofi Chile Interbank Rate Average

CMBX—Commercial Mortgage-Backed Index

COOIS—Colombia Overnight Interbank Reference Rate

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   41


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

CPI—Consumer Price Index

DIP—Debtor-In-Possession

EMTN—Euro Medium Term Note

EURIBOR—Euro Interbank Offered Rate

FHLMC—Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

GMTN—Global Medium Term Note

IO—Interest Only (Principal amount represents notional)

JIBAR—Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

LP—Limited Partnership

M—Monthly payment frequency for swaps

MASTR—Morgan Stanley Structured Asset Security

MTN—Medium Term Note

NSA—Non-Seasonally Adjusted

OTC—Over-the-counter

PIK—Payment-in-Kind

Q—Quarterly payment frequency for swaps

REITs—Real Estate Investment Trust

REMICS—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit Security

S—Semiannual payment frequency for swaps

SOFR—Secured Overnight Financing Rate

SONIA—Sterling Overnight Index Average

Strips—Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities

T—Swap payment upon termination

WIBOR—Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate

 

*

Non-income producing security.

#

Principal or notional amount is shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

~

See tables subsequent to the Schedule of Investments for options detail.

^

Indicates a Level 3 instrument. The aggregate value of Level 3 instruments is $7,052,669 and 0.7% of net assets.

(a)

All or a portion of security is on loan. The aggregate market value of such securities, including those sold and pending settlement, is $14,303,258; cash collateral of $14,739,294 (included in liabilities) was received with which the Fund purchased highly liquid short-term investments. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the Fund may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities and such shortfall is remedied the following business day.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(c)

Variable rate instrument. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at October 31, 2021.

(cc)

Variable rate instrument. The rate shown is based on the latest available information as of October 31, 2021. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description.

(d)

Represents issuer in default on interest payments and/or principal repayment. Non-income producing security. Such securities may be post-maturity.

(ff)

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(h)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, segregated as collateral for OTC derivatives.

(k)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, segregated as collateral for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives.

(oo)

Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.

(s)

Represents zero coupon bond or principal only security. Rate represents yield to maturity at purchase date.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42


    

 

    

 

(z)

Includes net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and/or market value of the below holdings which are excluded from the Schedule of Investments:

Unfunded loan commitment outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Borrower

  

Principal

Amount

  (000)#  

  

Current

  Value  

  

Unrealized

Appreciation

  

Unrealized

Depreciation

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, DIP Term Loan, 3 Month LIBOR + 3.600%, 3.600%(c), Maturity Date 07/13/22 (cost $182,194)

       184      $ 185,456      $ 3,262      $
         

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Options Purchased:

OTC Traded

 

Description

   Call/
Put
   Counterparty    Expiration
Date
     Strike      Contracts      Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

Currency Option EUR vs USD

   Call    Deutsche Bank AG      11/18/21        1.21               EUR        6,563      $ 61  

Currency Option EUR vs USD

   Call    Bank of America, N.A.      11/18/21        1.31               EUR        26,250         

Currency Option USD vs JPY

   Call    Barclays Bank PLC      10/27/23        115.00                  39,000        1,016,122  

Currency Option USD vs MXN

   Call    Goldman Sachs International      02/23/22        26.00                  34,500        28,568  

Currency Option USD vs MXN

   Call    Barclays Bank PLC      02/23/22        31.50                  69,000        8,020  

Currency Option USD vs MXN

   Call    Goldman Sachs International      02/23/22        36.00                  28,000        1,110  

Currency Option AUD vs JPY

   Put    BNP Paribas S.A.      01/26/22        55.00               AUD        144,000        671  

Currency Option AUD vs JPY

   Put    Deutsche Bank AG      01/26/22        63.00               AUD        72,000        2,174  

Currency Option USD vs TWD

   Put    Deutsche Bank AG      12/21/21        24.30                  60,000        402  

Currency Option USD vs TWD

   Put    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      12/21/21        25.80                  20,000        1,120  
                       

 

 

 

Total OTC Traded (cost $ 8,438,466)

                  $ 1,058,248  
                       

 

 

 

OTC Swaptions

 

Description

   Call/
Put
  

Counterparty

   Expiration
Date
   Strike      Receive      Pay      Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Barclays Bank PLC    12/15/21      0.35%                1.00%(Q)        CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)        52,430      $         18  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Goldman Sachs International    12/15/21      0.35%                1.00%(Q)        CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)        52,430        18  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   43


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Options Purchased (continued):

OTC Swaptions

 

Description

   Call/
Put
     Counterparty    Expiration
Date
     Strike     

Receive

  

Pay

   Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Call      BNP Paribas S.A.      01/19/22        0.35%      1.00%(Q)    CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)      44,120      $ 52  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Call      Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
     01/19/22        0.35%      1.00%(Q)    CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)      51,150        60  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Call      Deutsche Bank AG      02/16/22        0.35%      1.00%(Q)    CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)      51,150        118  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Call      Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
     02/16/22        0.35%      1.00%(Q)    CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)      52,430        121  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      Barclays Bank PLC      12/15/21        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      52,430        70,826  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      Goldman Sachs
International
     12/15/21        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      52,430        70,826  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      BNP Paribas S.A.      01/19/22        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      44,120        95,523  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
     01/19/22        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      51,150        110,743  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      Deutsche Bank AG      02/16/22        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      51,150        141,615  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

     Put      Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
     02/16/22        0.55%      CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)    1.00%(Q)      52,430        145,159  
                       

 

 

 

Total OTC Swaptions (cost $563,159)

                  $ 635,079  
                       

 

 

 

Total Options Purchased (cost $9,001,625)

                  $ 1,693,327  
                       

 

 

 

Options Written:

OTC Traded

 

Description

   Call/
Put
     Counterparty    Expiration
Date
   Strike      Contracts    Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

Currency Option EUR vs USD

     Call      Bank of America, N.A.    11/18/21      1.21           EUR        6,563      $ (61

Currency Option EUR vs USD

     Call      Deutsche Bank AG    11/18/21      1.31           EUR        26,250         

Currency Option USD vs JPY

     Call      Bank of America, N.A.    10/27/23      115.00              39,000        (1,016,122

Currency Option USD vs MXN

     Call      Barclays Bank PLC    02/23/22      26.00              34,500        (28,568

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44


    

 

    

 

Options Written (continued):

OTC Traded

 

Description

 

Call/

Put

  

Counterparty

  Expiration
Date
  Strike     Contracts   Notional
Amount

(000)#
    Value  

Currency Option USD vs MXN

  Call    Goldman Sachs International   02/23/22     31.50           69,000     $ (8,020

Currency Option USD vs MXN

  Call    Citibank, N.A.   02/23/22     36.00           28,000       (1,110

Currency Option AUD vs JPY

  Put    Deutsche Bank AG   01/26/22     55.00         AUD       144,000       (671

Currency Option AUD vs JPY

  Put    BNP Paribas S.A.   01/26/22     63.00         AUD       72,000       (2,174

Currency Option USD vs TWD

  Put    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.   12/21/21     24.30           60,000       (402

Currency Option USD vs TWD

  Put    Deutsche Bank AG   12/21/21     25.80           20,000       (1,120
                

 

 

 

Total OTC Traded (premiums received $9,491,139)

            $ (1,058,248
                

 

 

 

OTC Swaptions

 

Description

   Call/
Put
  

Counterparty

   Expiration
Date
  

Strike

  

Receive

   Pay      Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Barclays Bank PLC    12/15/21    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        52,430      $ (24,085

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Goldman Sachs International    12/15/21    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        52,430        (24,085

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    BNP Paribas S.A.    01/19/22    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        44,120        (33,605

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    01/19/22    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        51,150        (38,960

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Deutsche Bank AG    02/16/22    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        51,150        (49,159

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Call    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    02/16/22    0.50%    CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)      1.00%(Q)        52,430        (50,389

CDX.NA.HY.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Barclays Bank PLC    11/17/21    $107.00    5.00%(Q)      CDX.NA.HY.37.V1(Q)        10,250        (14,446

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Barclays Bank PLC    12/15/21    0.65%    1.00%(Q)      CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)              52,430            (32,550

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Goldman Sachs International    12/15/21    0.65%    1.00%(Q)      CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)        52,430        (32,550

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    BNP Paribas S.A.    01/19/22    0.70%    1.00%(Q)      CDX.NA.IG.37.V1(Q)        44,120        (43,908

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   45


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Options Written (continued):

OTC Swaptions

 

Description

   Call/
Put
  

Counterparty

   Expiration
Date
   Strike   Receive      Pay      Notional
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    01/19/22    0.70%     1.00%(Q)        CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)        51,150      $ (50,904

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Deutsche Bank AG    02/16/22    0.70%     1.00%(Q)        CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)        51,150        (73,606

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    02/16/22    0.70%     1.00%(Q)        CDX.NA.IG.37. V1(Q)        52,430        (75,448

GS_21-PJA ^

   Put    Goldman Sachs International    06/17/24    0.25%     0.25%(M)        GS_21-PJA(M)            16,440        (2,317

iTraxx.XO.35. V1, 06/20/26

   Put    Barclays Bank PLC    06/15/22    7.00%     5.00%(Q)        iTraxx.XO.35. V1(Q)      EUR 10,130        (59,808

iTraxx.XO.35. V1, 06/20/26

   Put    Barclays Bank PLC    06/15/22    9.00%     5.00%(Q)        iTraxx.XO.35. V1(Q)      EUR 9,710        (36,584

iTraxx.XO.36. V1, 12/20/26

   Put    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    01/19/22    5.00%     5.00%(Q)        iTraxx.XO.36. V1(Q)      EUR 4,200        (8,123

iTraxx.XO.36. V1, 12/20/26^

   Put    Barclays Bank PLC    09/21/22    9.00%     5.00%(Q)        iTraxx.XO.36. V1(Q)      EUR 8,170        (58,066
                      

 

 

 

Total OTC Swaptions (premiums received $788,460)

              $ (708,593
                      

 

 

 

Total Options Written (premiums received $10,279,599)

              $ (1,766,841
                      

 

 

 

††   The value of the contract, GS_21-PJA, is derived from a pool of senior prime jumbo mortgages.

Futures contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Number
of
Contracts

   

Type

  Expiration
Date
    Current
Notional
Amount
    Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
 

Long Positions:

       
  80     5 Year U.S. Treasury Notes     Dec. 2021     $ 9,740,000       $ (135,944
  117     10 Year U.S. Ultra Treasury Notes     Dec. 2021       16,968,656         (203,534
         

 

 

 
            (339,478
         

 

 

 
 

Short Positions:

       
  10     30 Day Federal Funds     Apr. 2022       4,161,583         7,693  
  58     30 Day Federal Funds     May 2022       24,127,513         55,492  
  48     30 Day Federal Funds     Jun. 2022       19,957,596         54,925  
  14     30 Day Federal Funds     Jul. 2022       5,817,757         19,520  
  3,270     2 Year U.S. Treasury Notes     Dec. 2021       716,947,500         3,046,789  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46


    

 

    

 

Futures contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):    

 

Number
of
Contracts

   

Type

  Expiration
Date
    Current
Notional
Amount
   

Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
 

Short Positions (cont’d):

       
  217     5 Year Euro-Bobl     Dec. 2021     $ 33,553,964       $ 483,693  
  177     10 Year Euro-Bund     Dec. 2021       34,399,369         883,568  
  810     10 Year U.S. Treasury Notes     Dec. 2021       105,869,535         1,608,901  
  247     20 Year U.S. Treasury Bonds     Dec. 2021       39,728,406         562,043  
  24     30 Year U.S. Ultra Treasury Bonds     Dec. 2021       4,713,750         39,153  
  137     Euro Schatz Index     Dec. 2021       17,731,329         50,036  
         

 

 

 
            6,811,813  
         

 

 

 
          $ 6,472,335  
         

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
    

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:

 

              

Australian Dollar,

                       

Expiring 01/19/22

   HSBC Bank PLC      AUD        822      $ 605,115      $ 618,839      $ 13,724         $  

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.      AUD        1,415        929,273        1,064,689        135,416            

Expiring 01/28/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      AUD        5,569        4,204,659        4,190,294                  (14,365

Expiring 01/28/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      AUD        108        79,085        81,590        2,505            

Expiring 10/31/23

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      AUD        3,180        2,208,097        2,364,845        156,748            

Brazilian Real,

                       

Expiring 11/03/21

   Credit Suisse International      BRL        28,416        5,336,767        5,029,746                  (307,021

Expiring 11/03/21

   Deutsche Bank AG      BRL        2,198        395,000        388,984                  (6,016

Expiring 11/03/21

   Goldman Sachs International      BRL        2,709        490,000        479,544                  (10,456

Expiring 11/03/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      BRL        2,179        401,000        385,703                  (15,297

Expiring 11/03/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      BRL        1,387        261,000        245,461                  (15,539

Expiring 12/02/21

   Credit Suisse International      BRL        36,888        6,482,222        6,492,376        10,154            

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.      BRL        2,966        560,000        514,910                  (45,090

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      BRL        25,948        4,434,000        4,504,157        70,157            

Expiring 01/28/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      BRL        15,244        2,727,534        2,646,171                  (81,363

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   47


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Brazilian Real (cont’d.),

                 

Expiring 01/28/22    

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    BRL      19,492      $   3,580,779      $   3,383,524      $      $ (197,255

British Pound,

                    

Expiring 01/28/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    GBP      625        862,819        855,540               (7,279

Canadian Dollar,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CAD      3,484        2,794,258        2,815,508        21,250         

Chilean Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC    CLP      532,326        653,000        650,901               (2,099

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    CLP      425,309        514,000        520,047        6,047         

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    CLP      318,630        390,000        389,605               (395

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    CLP      221,341        265,000        270,645        5,645         

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    CLP      207,823        257,000        254,115               (2,885

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    CLP      377,340        474,000        461,392               (12,608

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    CLP      285,344        356,000        348,904               (7,096

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CLP      209,022        264,000        255,581               (8,419

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    CLP      1,798,903        2,247,000        2,199,607               (47,393

Chinese Renminbi,

                    

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.    CNH      2,200        339,000        342,789        3,789         

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CNH      51,258        7,853,509        7,987,948        134,439         

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CNH      5,895        914,000        918,646        4,646         

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CNH      5,812        902,000        905,753        3,753         

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CNH      4,241        657,000        660,892        3,892         

Expiring 11/18/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    CNH      7,985        1,247,000        1,244,409               (2,591

Expiring 01/28/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    CNH      3,291        497,363        509,558        12,195         

Expiring 01/28/22

   The Toronto-Dominion Bank    CNH      6,956        1,066,738        1,077,212        10,474         

Colombian Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    COP      2,343,356        615,999        620,287        4,288         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    COP      1,464,762        386,000        387,724        1,724         

Czech Koruna,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   BNP Paribas S.A.    CZK      10,763        484,999        483,263               (1,736

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

48


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Euro,

                    

Expiring 11/22/21    

   Bank of America, N.A.      EUR        952      $   1,122,313      $   1,101,010      $      $ (21,303

Expiring 11/22/21

   Deutsche Bank AG      EUR        417        496,797        482,270               (14,527

Expiring 01/19/22

   Bank of America, N.A.      EUR        3,687        4,284,293        4,270,764               (13,529

Hungarian Forint,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   Goldman Sachs International      HUF        157,231        506,000        503,397               (2,603

Expiring 01/19/22

   HSBC Bank PLC      HUF        172,203        554,000        551,329               (2,671

Expiring 01/19/22

   HSBC Bank PLC      HUF        166,685        534,000        533,665               (335

Indian Rupee,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      INR        112,970        1,530,091        1,498,402               (31,689

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      INR        57,525        780,000        762,997               (17,003

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      INR        55,618        754,000        737,704               (16,296

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      INR        52,603        713,000        697,713               (15,287

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      INR        44,313        596,000        587,751               (8,249

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      INR        43,988        592,000        583,450               (8,550

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      INR        27,641        372,000        366,620               (5,380

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        48,088        637,999        637,826               (173

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        48,027        640,000        637,020               (2,980

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        47,883        639,000        635,102               (3,898

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        47,800        633,000        634,012        1,012         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        35,590        479,000        472,053               (6,947

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      INR        29,175        389,000        386,970               (2,030

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered                  
   Bank      INR        76,711        1,017,000        1,017,472        472         

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG      INR        47,356        636,000        628,117               (7,883

Expiring 02/25/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      INR        139,894        1,830,000        1,838,023        8,023         

Expiring 02/25/22

   Standard Chartered Bank      INR        200,001        2,673,214        2,627,748               (45,466

Indonesian Rupiah,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC      IDR        5,446,791        378,000        381,012        3,012         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      IDR        28,653,210        1,963,086        2,004,337        41,251         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   49


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

        

Indonesian Rupiah (cont’d.),

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      IDR        5,575,560      $ 388,000      $ 390,019      $ 2,019      $  

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      IDR        5,279,184        366,000        369,287        3,287         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      IDR        7,683,462        533,000        537,470        4,470         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      IDR        5,452,537        378,000        381,414        3,414         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      IDR        3,755,520        256,000        262,705        6,705         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      IDR        5,319,120        370,000        372,081        2,081         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      IDR        3,853,036        268,000        269,526        1,526         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      IDR        3,790,248        264,000        265,134        1,134         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      IDR        7,561,250        526,000        528,921        2,921         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      IDR        7,317,639        509,000        511,880        2,880         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      IDR        5,750,741        401,000        402,274        1,274         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      IDR        3,710,245        253,000        259,538        6,538         

Israeli Shekel,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      ILS        1,222        382,000        386,465        4,465         

Japanese Yen,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   Barclays Bank PLC      JPY        132,979        1,170,238        1,167,964               (2,274

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.      JPY        538,981        5,262,454        4,734,270               (528,184

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      JPY        406,777        3,862,000        3,573,025               (288,975

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      JPY        153,253        1,470,000        1,346,133               (123,867

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      JPY        102,273        944,000        898,340               (45,660

Expiring 05/31/22

   Citibank, N.A.      JPY        92,578        849,426        814,455               (34,971

Expiring 05/31/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      JPY        662,163        6,130,000        5,825,376               (304,624

Expiring 10/31/23

   Barclays Bank PLC      JPY        487,838        5,118,000        4,368,747               (749,253

Expiring 10/31/23

   Deutsche Bank AG      JPY        498,249        5,219,999        4,461,984               (758,015

Expiring 10/31/23

   Goldman Sachs International      JPY        874,045        8,971,000        7,827,359               (1,143,641

Expiring 10/31/23

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      JPY        855,296        8,262,958        7,659,460               (603,498

Mexican Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.      MXN        8,182        407,000        394,532               (12,468

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      MXN        13,408        660,000        646,539               (13,461

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      MXN        11,320        537,000        545,863        8,863         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Mexican Peso (cont’d.),

                 

Expiring 12/15/21    

   Goldman Sachs International      MXN        46,753      $ 2,310,602      $ 2,254,497      $      $ (56,105

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      MXN        15,561        766,000        750,371               (15,629

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      MXN        12,102        594,000        583,558               (10,442

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      MXN        11,575        556,000        558,176        2,176         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      MXN        7,720        375,000        372,271               (2,729

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      MXN        7,360        365,000        354,914               (10,086

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      MXN        46,753        2,309,369        2,254,496               (54,873

Expiring 02/25/22

   Bank of America, N.A.      MXN        47,307        2,005,107        2,254,225        249,118         

Expiring 02/25/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      MXN        28,900        1,360,406        1,377,101        16,695         

Expiring 04/28/23

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      MXN        72,679        3,006,698        3,202,592        195,894         

Expiring 04/28/23

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      MXN        231,058        9,739,000        10,181,479        442,479         

New Taiwanese Dollar,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank      TWD        34,611        1,252,164        1,246,584               (5,580

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG      TWD        20,270        737,000        730,079               (6,921

Expiring 12/23/21

   Citibank, N.A.      TWD        21,613        789,307        778,823               (10,484

Expiring 12/23/21

   Deutsche Bank AG      TWD        18,134        651,000        653,473        2,473         

Peruvian Nuevo Sol,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      PEN        1,067        259,000        266,825        7,825         

Philippine Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      PHP        39,163        767,000        773,178        6,178         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      PHP        37,900        743,000        748,251        5,251         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      PHP        99,753        1,978,239        1,969,373               (8,866

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      PHP        53,146        1,038,000        1,049,230        11,230         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      PHP        39,538        776,000        780,581        4,581         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      PHP        33,340        648,000        658,209        10,209         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   51


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Philippine Peso (cont’d.),

                 

Expiring 12/15/21    

   Standard Chartered Bank      PHP        52,471      $   1,027,000      $   1,035,921      $ 8,921      $  

Polish Zloty,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   Citibank, N.A.      PLN        2,495        632,000        624,254               (7,746

Expiring 01/19/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      PLN        1,993        505,000        498,546               (6,454

Russian Ruble,

                    

Expiring 11/22/21

   Deutsche Bank AG      RUB        153,565        1,982,000        2,155,239        173,239         

Expiring 11/22/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      RUB        176,513        2,206,000        2,477,303        271,303         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC      RUB        236,162        3,171,065        3,294,876        123,811         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC      RUB        18,663        251,000        260,378        9,378         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International      RUB        21,090        285,000        294,249        9,249         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      RUB        17,092        232,000        238,464        6,464         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      RUB        236,162        3,185,737        3,294,876        109,139         

Singapore Dollar,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      SGD        532        395,000        394,176               (824

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      SGD        1,195        881,000        885,734        4,734         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      SGD        530        395,000        393,227               (1,773

South African Rand,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC      ZAR        7,122        476,000        463,513               (12,487

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC      ZAR        5,757        389,000        374,660               (14,340

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      ZAR        5,476        375,000        356,391               (18,609

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      ZAR        3,856        261,000        250,943               (10,057

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      ZAR        8,946        589,001        582,219               (6,782

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      ZAR        8,774        592,000        571,056               (20,944

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      ZAR        7,140        476,000        464,708               (11,292

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      ZAR        5,422        356,000        352,872               (3,128

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      ZAR        4,014        266,000        261,241               (4,759

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

52


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value at
Settlement

Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

South African Rand (cont’d.),

                 

Expiring 12/23/21    

   Goldman Sachs International      ZAR        73,237      $ 3,878,000      $ 4,761,175      $ 883,175      $  

Expiring 05/31/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      ZAR        10,977        706,260        698,825               (7,435

Expiring 05/31/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      ZAR        7,904        515,310        503,147               (12,163

South Korean Won,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      KRW        448,640        382,000        381,523               (477

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      KRW        761,919        645,000        647,935        2,935         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      KRW        5,270,607        4,500,407        4,482,118               (18,289

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank      KRW        759,252        649,000        645,667               (3,333

Thai Baht,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      THB        21,934        666,000        660,805               (5,195

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      THB        14,618        444,000        440,403               (3,597

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank      THB        22,196        658,000        668,706        10,706         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank      THB        16,836        515,000        507,209               (7,791

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG      THB        19,460        585,000        586,262        1,262         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 201,340,756      $ 198,635,591        3,274,618        (5,979,783
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:

 

           

Australian Dollar,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      AUD        4,407      $ 3,248,017      $ 3,316,252      $      $ (68,235

Expiring 05/31/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      AUD        1,263        953,616        949,581        4,035         

Brazilian Real,

                    

Expiring 11/03/21

   Credit Suisse International      BRL        36,888        6,517,382        6,529,437               (12,055

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.      BRL        24,184        4,311,000        4,197,914        113,086         

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.      BRL        2,181        414,751        378,556        36,195         

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      BRL        37,286        8,109,155        6,472,292        1,636,863         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   53


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

British Pound,

                    

Expiring 01/19/22    

   Barclays Bank PLC      GBP        19,964      $   27,142,596      $   27,329,102      $      $ (186,506

Expiring 01/28/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      GBP        625        817,100        855,539               (38,439

Chilean Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.      CLP        1,387,039        1,772,822        1,696,000        76,822         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CLP        206,180        261,000        252,106        8,894         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      CLP        413,687        507,001        505,836        1,165         

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG      CLP        506,184        626,000        618,936        7,064         

Chinese Renminbi,

                    

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CNH        8,844        1,357,000        1,378,263               (21,263

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CNH        3,878        607,000        604,413        2,587         

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CNH        3,294        506,000        513,396               (7,396

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CNH        2,904        447,000        452,492               (5,492

Expiring 11/18/21

   Citibank, N.A.      CNH        2,654        409,000        413,669               (4,669

Expiring 11/18/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      CNH        4,190        647,000        652,964               (5,964

Expiring 11/18/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      CNH        4,096        640,000        638,285        1,715         

Expiring 11/18/21

   HSBC Bank PLC      CNH        3,349        513,000        521,852               (8,852

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      CNH        4,224        647,000        658,215               (11,215

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      CNH        3,317        507,000        516,852               (9,852

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      CNH        2,628        405,000        409,528               (4,528

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      CNH        2,486        383,000        387,375               (4,375

Expiring 11/18/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      CNH        2,478        382,000        386,104               (4,104

Expiring 11/18/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      CNH        5,050        772,000        787,020               (15,020

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      CNH        6,953        1,068,913        1,076,731               (7,818

Expiring 01/28/22

   Deutsche Bank AG      CNH        3,291        478,000        509,557               (31,557

Colombian Peso,

                    

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.      COP        2,151,528        571,000        569,511        1,489         

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.      COP        1,481,126        384,000        392,055               (8,055

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.      COP        2,438,872        633,000        645,571               (12,571

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International      COP        1,821,307        481,000        482,101               (1,101

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.      COP        5,357,160        1,417,932        1,418,044               (112

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      COP        2,068,364        535,000        547,497               (12,497

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

54


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Colombian Peso (cont’d.),

              

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    COP  1,488,096      $ 386,000      $ 393,900      $      $ (7,900

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    COP 2,435,155        631,000        644,587               (13,587

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    COP 1,958,986        519,000        518,545        455         

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    COP 978,435        255,000        258,992               (3,992

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    COP 963,840        251,000        255,129               (4,129

Czech Koruna,

                 

Expiring 01/19/22

   Barclays Bank PLC    CZK 16,066        728,772        721,353        7,419         

Euro,

                 

Expiring 11/22/21

   Citibank, N.A.    EUR 509        606,703        589,108        17,595         

Expiring 11/22/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    EUR 860        1,025,453        994,172        31,281         

Expiring 01/19/22

   Goldman Sachs International    EUR 19,825        22,953,384        22,966,121               (12,737

Expiring 01/19/22

   HSBC Bank PLC    EUR 22,337        25,865,866        25,876,442               (10,576

Expiring 01/19/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    EUR 1,627        1,890,584        1,885,012        5,572         

Expiring 01/19/22

   UBS AG    EUR 22,097        25,605,008        25,598,478        6,530         

Expiring 01/19/22

   UBS AG    EUR 13,273        15,378,645        15,375,625        3,020         

Hungarian Forint,

                 

Expiring 01/19/22

   Goldman Sachs International    HUF 791,308        2,529,999        2,533,475               (3,476

Expiring 01/19/22

   HSBC Bank PLC    HUF 791,308        2,530,889        2,533,475               (2,586

Indian Rupee,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    INR 36,297        486,000        481,433        4,567         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    INR 47,829        634,000        634,392               (392

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    INR 39,129        517,000        518,999               (1,999

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    INR 49,953        668,000        662,565        5,435         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC    INR 78,190        1,032,000        1,037,092               (5,092

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    INR 59,517        783,000        789,424               (6,424

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    INR 46,506        620,000        616,839        3,161         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    INR 44,514        595,000        590,419        4,581         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    INR 67,718        892,000        898,194               (6,194

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    INR 49,272        648,000        653,537               (5,537

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   55


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

Indian Rupee (cont’d.),

 

           

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    INR  48,815      $ 650,000      $ 647,470      $ 2,530      $  

Expiring 02/25/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    INR  179,467        2,319,000        2,357,960               (38,960

Expiring 02/25/22

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    INR 164,184        2,095,000        2,157,158               (62,158

Indonesian Rupiah,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC    IDR  19,410,860        1,366,000        1,357,821        8,179         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    IDR 3,779,587        259,000        264,388               (5,388

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    IDR 8,507,632        592,000        595,122               (3,122

Israeli Shekel,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Bank of America, N.A.    ILS 1,248        388,000        394,555               (6,555

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC    ILS 4,190        1,300,000        1,324,696               (24,696

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC    ILS 1,982        617,000        626,455               (9,455

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    ILS 1,440        447,505        455,094               (7,589

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    ILS 2,855        888,000        902,538               (14,538

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    ILS 1,257        390,000        397,437               (7,437

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    ILS 1,248        386,000        394,681               (8,681

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    ILS 1,237        384,000        390,900               (6,900

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    ILS 1,678        518,000        530,312               (12,312

Japanese Yen,

                 

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 634,903        5,972,189        5,576,833        395,356         

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 601,760        5,760,948        5,285,708        475,240         

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 410,350        3,967,301        3,604,410        362,891         

Expiring 01/28/22

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 93,027        852,053        817,127        34,926         

Expiring 05/31/22

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 293,864        2,846,550        2,585,265        261,285         

Expiring 05/31/22

   Deutsche Bank AG    JPY 349,393        3,323,000        3,073,781        249,219         

Expiring 10/31/23

   Bank of America, N.A.    JPY 1,325,555        12,988,000        11,870,787        1,117,213         

Expiring 10/31/23

   Bank of America, N.A.    JPY 1,168,753        11,585,000        10,466,568        1,118,432         

Expiring 10/31/23

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 399,802        4,148,827        3,580,357        568,470         

Expiring 10/31/23

   Citibank, N.A.    JPY 46,713        447,401        418,332        29,069         

Mexican Peso,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    MXN 12,152        596,000        585,964        10,036         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    MXN 11,990        592,000        578,195        13,805         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    MXN 11,975        594,000        577,427        16,573         

Expiring 02/25/22

   Barclays Bank PLC    MXN 45,503        1,924,000        2,168,240               (244,240

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

56


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

           

Mexican Peso (cont’d.),

 

           

Expiring 02/25/22

   Deutsche Bank AG    MXN  16,101      $ 750,000      $ 767,209      $      $ (17,209

Expiring 02/25/22

   Goldman Sachs International    MXN 14,604        589,000        695,876               (106,876

Expiring 04/28/23

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    MXN       303,737        13,188,761        13,384,071               (195,310

New Taiwanese Dollar,

 

           

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    TWD 17,586        635,000        633,382        1,618         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    TWD 12,830        466,000        462,102        3,898         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    TWD 17,681        636,000        636,808               (808

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    TWD 34,481        1,241,000        1,241,906               (906

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    TWD 18,392        663,000        662,409        591         

Expiring 12/23/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    TWD 39,747        1,509,000        1,432,296        76,704         

Peruvian Nuevo Sol,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    PEN 1,500        379,000        375,149        3,851         

Philippine Peso,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    PHP 44,660        876,000        881,707               (5,707

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    PHP 19,764        393,000        390,191        2,809         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    PHP 32,585        645,000        643,319        1,681         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    PHP 38,927        769,000        768,514        486         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    PHP 19,419        386,000        383,371        2,629         

Russian Ruble,

                 

Expiring 11/22/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 41,475        556,999        582,084               (25,085

Expiring 11/22/21

   Deutsche Bank AG    RUB 273,335        3,606,000        3,836,164               (230,164

Expiring 11/22/21

   Deutsche Bank AG    RUB 14,383        190,000        201,861               (11,861

Expiring 12/15/21

   Bank of America, N.A.    RUB 26,811        364,000        374,058               (10,058

Expiring 12/15/21

   Bank of America, N.A.    RUB 19,290        265,000        269,124               (4,124

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 52,617        714,000        734,102               (20,102

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 45,984        623,000        641,560               (18,560

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 44,037        595,000        614,392               (19,392

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 29,455        399,000        410,946               (11,946

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    RUB 21,627        293,000        301,732               (8,732

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   57


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

Russian Ruble (cont’d.),

 

           

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    RUB  49,436      $ 670,000      $ 689,719      $      $ (19,719

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    RUB 37,609        517,000        524,707               (7,707

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    RUB 38,528        521,000        537,529               (16,529

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    RUB 35,399        498,000        493,879        4,121         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    RUB 18,176        244,000        253,590               (9,590

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    RUB 37,687        513,000        525,804               (12,804

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    RUB 18,744        254,000        261,511               (7,511

Singapore Dollar,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   BNP Paribas S.A.    SGD 846        625,000        627,586               (2,586

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    SGD 547        405,000        405,712               (712

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    SGD  11,835        8,804,147        8,774,332        29,815         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    SGD 894        665,000        662,578        2,422         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Goldman Sachs International    SGD 546        404,000        404,923               (923

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    SGD 1,043        774,000        773,591        409         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    SGD 811        596,000        601,426               (5,426

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    SGD 808        596,000        598,769               (2,769

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    SGD 568        420,000        421,460               (1,460

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    SGD 934        694,000        692,299        1,701         

Expiring 12/15/21

   UBS AG    SGD 890        656,000        659,809               (3,809

South African Rand,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Barclays Bank PLC    ZAR 80,810        5,534,237        5,259,380        274,857         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    ZAR         49,122        3,397,708        3,196,992        200,716         

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC    ZAR 88,474        6,132,717        5,758,168        374,549         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    ZAR 9,109        596,000        592,855        3,145         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    ZAR 9,042        595,000        588,480        6,520         

Expiring 12/23/21

   Barclays Bank PLC    ZAR 44,623        2,407,116        2,900,979               (493,863

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

58


    

 

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

  

Counterparty

   Notional
Amount

(000)
     Value at
Settlement
Date
     Current
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

South African Rand (cont’d.),

              

Expiring 12/23/21

   Goldman Sachs International    ZAR  7,752      $ 489,000 $         503,945      $      $ (14,945

Expiring 12/23/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    ZAR  20,862        1,363,884        1,356,251        7,633         

Expiring 05/31/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    ZAR 10,977        652,000        698,825               (46,825

Expiring 05/31/22

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    ZAR 7,904        507,000        503,147        3,853         

Thai Baht,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Citibank, N.A.    THB 16,460        501,000        495,884        5,116         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Credit Suisse International    THB 4,322        129,274        130,205               (931

Expiring 12/15/21

   HSBC Bank PLC    THB       137,641        4,236,543        4,146,697        89,846         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    THB 21,412        640,000        645,082               (5,082

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    THB 17,212        523,000        518,542        4,458         

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    THB 17,097        512,000        515,071               (3,071

Expiring 12/15/21

   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.    THB 17,058        501,000        513,898               (12,898

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    THB 15,502        463,726        467,024               (3,298

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    THB 38,421        1,175,000        1,157,515        17,485         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    THB 30,758        918,000        926,631               (8,631

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    THB 29,650        916,000        893,274        22,726         

Expiring 12/15/21

   Standard Chartered Bank    THB 23,793        736,000        716,799        19,201         

Turkish Lira,

                 

Expiring 12/15/21

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC    TRY 11,752        1,345,558        1,194,853        150,705         
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $  327,560,032      $ 321,989,989        7,956,300        (2,386,257
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 11,230,918      $ (8,366,040
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   59


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Cross currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Settlement

  Type     Notional
Amount
(000)
    In Exchange
For (000)
   

Unrealized
Appreciation

   

Unrealized
Depreciation

    Counterparty  

    

                                                        

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

          

OTC Cross Currency Exchange Contracts:

 

01/28/22

    Buy       JPY       95,923       AUD       1,415       $       $ (222,127)       Deutsche Bank AG  

01/28/22

    Buy       JPY       162,036       AUD       2,167                 (207,230)       Deutsche Bank AG  

01/28/22

    Buy       JPY       274,921       AUD       3,510                 (226,196)       BNP Paribas S.A.  

05/31/22

    Buy       AUD       4,921       JPY       375,226         398,777               Deutsche Bank AG  

05/31/22

    Buy       JPY       263,742       AUD       3,658                 (429,981)      
Goldman Sachs
International
 
 

10/31/23

    Buy       AUD       6,309       JPY       422,703              906,318               Deutsche Bank AG  

10/31/23

    Buy       JPY       648,099       AUD       9,489                 (1,252,669)      
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
             

 

 

     

 

 

   
              $ 1,305,095            $ (2,338,203)    
             

 

 

     

 

 

   

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
      Fixed  
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
   

Fair
Value

 

Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)

 

Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

  Counterparty  

    

                                             

    

        

        

 

    

    

 

    

    

    

          

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreement on asset-backed and/or mortgage-backed securities - Sell Protection(2)^:

GS_21-PJA

    11/14/21       0.250%(M)       16,440       *            $3,996                 $(799)                 $ 4,795                Goldman Sachs International  
           

 

     

 

     

 

 

     

 

††

The value of the contract, GS_21-PJA, is derived from a pool of senior prime jumbo mortgages.

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Fair
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Counterparty  

    

                                                                            

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Buy Protection(1):

 

Federal Republic of Brazil

    12/20/26       1.000%(Q)       3,200       $ 218,478        $ 218,760        $ (282     Barclays Bank PLC  

Republic of France

    12/20/26       0.250%(Q)       1,225       (2,437     (2,479     42       Deutsche Bank AG  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       1,400       (16,047     2,908       (18,955     Citibank, N.A.  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       1,385       (15,875     7,139       (23,014     Citibank, N.A.  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       460       (5,272     2,660       (7,932     Citibank, N.A.  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       460       (5,273     2,438       (7,711     Citibank, N.A.  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       455       (5,215     879       (6,094     Citibank, N.A.  

United Mexican States

    06/20/23       1.000%(Q)       240       (2,750     499       (3,249     Citibank, N.A.  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

60


    

 

    

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Fair
Value
   

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

   

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

    

        Counterparty        

                                                       

 

      

 

       

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Buy Protection(1)(cont’d.):

United Mexican States

    12/20/24       1.000%(Q)       1,000     $ (14,233     $ (7,465     $ (6,768             Barclays Bank PLC

United Mexican States

    12/20/24       1.000%(Q)       440       (6,263       1,944            (8,207      Citibank, N.A.
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      
        $ 145,113       $ 227,283       $ (82,170     
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
 

Fixed

Rate

      Notional    
Amount
(000)#(3)
  Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
  Fair
Value
 

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

            Counterparty             

                                                                            

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2):

AT&T Inc.

  06/20/22   1.000%(Q)     2,810       0.256%   $   16,851     $ 13,878       $ 2,973       Goldman Sachs International

Bank of America Corp.

  06/20/22   1.000%(Q)     4,690     0.207%     29,616       23,465         6,151       Goldman Sachs International

Boeing Co.

  12/20/21   1.000%(Q)     5,300     0.331%     11,301       3,870         7,431       Bank of America, N.A.

Boeing Co.

  06/20/24   1.000%(Q)     1,460     0.674%     14,239       5,323         8,916       Goldman Sachs International

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

  06/20/24   5.000%(Q)   EUR 1,490     5.042%     8,250       25,471         (17,221            Goldman Sachs International

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA

  06/20/24   5.000%(Q)   EUR 220     5.042%     1,218       3,900                (2,682     Goldman Sachs International

Citigroup, Inc.

  06/20/22   1.000%(Q)     2,920     0.244%     17,739       14,422         3,317       Goldman Sachs International

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

  06/20/22   5.000%(Q)     680     0.719%     22,821       17,339         5,482       Credit Suisse International

Devon Energy Corp.

  12/20/21   1.000%(Q)     2,000     0.333%     4,260       1,832         2,428       Barclays Bank PLC

Devon Energy Corp.

  12/20/21   1.000%(Q)     1,390     0.333%     2,961       1,437         1,524       Goldman Sachs International

Devon Energy Corp.

  12/20/21   1.000%(Q)     1,000     0.333%     2,129       915         1,214       Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

Electricite de France SA

  12/20/22   1.000%(Q)   EUR 1,820     0.148%     23,275       19,033         4,242       Goldman Sachs International

EQT Corp.

  06/20/22   5.000%(Q)     770     1.068%     24,057       17,693         6,364       Credit Suisse International

General Electric Co.

  06/20/22   1.000%(Q)     2,780     0.164%     18,326       12,466         5,860       Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   61


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
  Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
  Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
  Fair
Value
  Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   

            Counterparty                     

                                                                                    

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2)(cont’d.):

General Motors Co.

  06/20/26     5.000%(Q)       2,230       0.906%   $ 424,333     $ 403,216       $ 21,117       Goldman Sachs International

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       2,250     0.243%     5,083       2,479         2,604       Barclays Bank PLC

Halliburton Co.

  12/20/26     1.000%(Q)       910     0.713%     14,089       8,963         5,126       Goldman Sachs International

Host Hotels & Resorts LP

  06/20/24     1.000%(Q)       500     0.588%     6,007       5,110         897       Goldman Sachs International

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       1,500     0.206%     3,469       1,756         1,713       Barclays Bank PLC

Naturgy Energy Group SA

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       EUR 4,950     0.192%     36,777       28,075                8,702              Goldman Sachs International

Ovintiv, Inc.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       1,140     0.367%     2,372       1,044         1,328       Barclays Bank PLC

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       9,450     1.708%     (98,385     (464,085       365,700       BNP Paribas S.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       1,165     1.708%     (12,129     (24,403       12,274       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       1,155     1.708%     (12,025     (29,041       17,016       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       385     1.708%     (4,008     (9,920       5,912       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       385     1.708%     (4,009     (9,741       5,732       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       380     1.708%     (3,956     (7,997       4,041       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       195     1.708%     (2,030     (4,082       2,052       Citibank, N.A.

Petroleos Mexicanos

  12/20/24     1.000%(Q)       1,000     2.372%     (40,507     (32,755       (7,752     Barclays Bank PLC

Petroleos Mexicanos

  12/20/24     1.000%(Q)       440     2.372%     (17,824     (26,043       8,219       Citibank, N.A.

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       3,750     0.156%     24,924       19,004         5,920       Goldman Sachs International

Republic of France

  12/20/26     0.250%(Q)       1,225     0.217%     2,438       9,812         (7,374     Deutsche Bank AG

Simon Property Group LP

  06/20/26     1.000%(Q)       1,980     0.578%     40,319       21,324         18,995       Goldman Sachs International

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

62


    

 

    

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

   Termination
Date
     Fixed
Rate
     Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
    Fair
Value
   

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

                Counterparty         

                                                                                                 

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2)(cont’d.):

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

     12/20/21        1.000%(Q)        190        1.111%     $ 192       $ 65       $ 127      Barclays Bank PLC

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

     12/20/21        5.000%(Q)        730        0.488%       9,012         4,682         4,330      Barclays Bank PLC

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     06/20/26        1.000%(Q)        680        0.488%       16,676         13,226         3,450      Goldman Sachs International
             

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

    
              $ 587,861             $  71,733              $ 516,128     
             

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

   Termination
Date
   Fixed
Rate
  Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
   Value at
Trade Date
  Value at
October  31,
2021
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
                                                                                     

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement on credit indices - Buy Protection(1):

 

CDX.NA.IG.37.V1

       12/20/26        1.000 %(Q)       54,460      $ (1,336,962 )     $ (1,361,453 )     $ (24,491 )
                  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation

  Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Fair
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

            Counterparty        

                                                             

    

 

 

 

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on credit indices - Buy Protection(1):

CMBX.NA.13.AAA

    12/16/72       0.500%(M)       25,000     $ (59,316   $ 697,453       $ (756,769   Morgan Stanley &Co. International PLC

CMBX.NA.13.AAA

    12/16/72       0.500%(M)       22,500       (53,384     234,238         (287,622   Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

CMBX.NA.13.AAA

    12/16/72       0.500%(M)       10,000       (23,727     200,175         (223,902   Goldman Sachs International

CMBX.NA.13.AAA

    12/16/72       0.500%(M)       7,000       (17,484     33,431             (50,915   Morgan Stanley &Co. International PLC
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   
        $ (153,911   $ 1,165,297       $ (1,319,208  
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

The Fund entered into credit default swaps (“CDS”) to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   63


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases.

 

(1)

If the Fund is a buyer of protection, it pays the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and make delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

(2)

If the Fund is a seller of protection, it receives the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

(3)

Notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

 

(4)

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the fair value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of the reporting date serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/ performance risk and represent the likelihood of risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include up-front payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

*

When an implied credit spread is not available, reference the fair value of credit default swap agreements on credit indices and asset-backed securities. Where the Fund is the seller of protection, it serves as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represents the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit derivative should the notional amount of the swap agreement be closed/sold as of the reporting date. Increasing fair value in absolute terms, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represents a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

Inflation swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Notional
Amount
(000)#
   

Termination

Date

  Fixed
Rate
   

Floating

Rate

 

Value at

Trade Date

  Value at
October 31,
2021
 

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

                                                      
  Centrally Cleared Inflation Swap Agreements:
  3,095     01/12/26     2.185%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)     $—       $  (233,498)     $  (233,498)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

64


    

 

    

 

Inflation swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional
Amount
(000)#
    Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
   

Floating

Rate

 

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

   

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
                       
  Centrally Cleared Inflation Swap Agreements (cont’d):    
  800           01/13/31           2.229%(T)         U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)     $         $ (72,223       $ (72,223  
  2,650       01/13/31       2.230%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (238,951         (238,951  
  3,710       04/07/31       2.469%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                             (227,019               (227,019  
  1,050       04/09/31       2.435%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (68,003         (68,003         
  2,110       04/09/31       2.448%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (133,756               (133,756  
  2,170       04/13/31       2.445%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (137,718         (137,718  
  1,330       04/13/31       2.450%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (83,677         (83,677  
  1,355       04/14/31       2.450%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (85,058         (85,058  
  1,120       04/15/31       2.460%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (68,998         (68,998  
  2,165       04/15/31       2.465%(T)     U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (132,184         (132,184  
         

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   
                       $                      $ (1,481,085       $ (1,481,085  
         

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

(1)

The Fund pays the fixed rate and receives the floating rate.

 

(2)

The Fund pays the floating rate and receives the fixed rate.

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

  Notional  
Amount
(000)#
  

Termination

       Date       

   Fixed
Rate
  

Floating

Rate

  

Value at

Trade Date

     Value at
October 31,
2021
   

Unrealized   

Appreciation 

(Depreciation)

 
                                                                    

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements:

 
BRL   66,745    01/02/25    5.902%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)      $ —       $ (1,539,413     $  (1,539,413)  
BRL   24,233    01/02/25    6.343%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)      —         (605,127     (605,127)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   65


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

    Termination
Date
   

Fixed

Rate

 

Floating

Rate

 

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

2021

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):  
BRL 25,971       01/02/25     6.343%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)    $      $ (649,848    $ (649,848
BRL 41,334       01/02/25     6.359%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (1,031,249     (1,031,249
BRL 18,614       01/02/25     6.640%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (311,694     (311,694
BRL 21,128       01/02/25     6.670%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (347,908     (347,908
BRL 13,418       01/04/27     6.845%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (491,137     (491,137
BRL 8,342       01/04/27     6.890%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (302,389     (302,389
BRL 14,674       01/04/27     6.890%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (532,669     (532,669
BRL 17,000       01/04/27     6.912%(T)   1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (511,726     (511,726
CLP 14,295,000       01/25/26     1.634%(S)   1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)           (2,483,100     (2,483,100
COP 11,070,000       02/18/25     4.505%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (101,965     (101,965
COP 12,642,920       02/21/25     4.565%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (111,707     (111,707
COP 7,380,000       01/20/26     3.085%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (215,692     (215,692
COP  11,208,000       02/03/26     3.080%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (322,895     (322,895
COP 7,821,000       02/18/30     5.072%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (170,018     (170,018
COP 5,472,000       02/18/30     5.081%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (118,028     (118,028
COP 7,813,000       02/24/30     5.078%(Q)   1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)           (170,588     (170,588
GBP 6,090       05/08/26     1.000%(A)   1 Day SONIA(1)(A)     (84,366     (13,139     71,227  
GBP 1,340       05/08/31     1.150%(A)   1 Day SONIA(1)(A)     (30,882     (38,378     (7,496
HUF 2,500,000       02/14/30     1.605%(A)   6 Month BUBOR(2)(S)           (1,167,856     (1,167,856
MXN 81,700       01/12/28     5.020%(M)   28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)     (58     (514,069     (514,011

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

66


    

 

    

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional
Amount
(000)#
    Termination
Date
    Fixed
Rate
   

Floating

Rate

  Value at
Trade Date
    Value at
October 31,
2021
   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
            

    

 

 

   

    

 

 

 

    

   

    

 

 

   

    

 

 

 

   

    

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):        
MXN 11,550       01/03/31       5.550%(M)     28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)    $ (50    $ (79,063    $ (79,013
MXN 32,290       01/13/31       5.460%(M)     28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)     (42     (230,841     (230,799
MXN 112,300       01/15/31       5.450%(M)     28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)     (144     (807,188     (807,044
MXN 28,860       01/03/33       5.715%(M)     28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)     (48     (215,458     (215,410
MXN 8,665       12/28/35       6.000%(M)     28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)     (53     (69,779     (69,726
NZD 6,000       02/14/30       1.522%(S)     3 Month BBR(2)(Q)           (372,286     (372,286
NZD 1,600       01/19/31       1.090%(S)     3 Month BBR(2)(Q)           (150,504     (150,504
NZD 5,740       01/19/31       1.096%(S)     3 Month BBR(2)(Q)     2,454       (537,817     (540,271
NZD 2,100       01/26/31       1.098%(S)     3 Month BBR(2)(Q)           (197,174     (197,174
PLN 7,000       01/19/31       1.200%(A)     6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)     2,551       (205,815     (208,366
PLN 26,290       01/21/31       1.170%(A)     6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)     (21,990     (791,131     (769,141
PLN 1,650       08/02/31       1.650%(S)     6 Month WIBOR(2)(A)     (4,034     (37,782     (33,748
  7,400       08/15/28       1.220%(A)     1 DAY SOFR(1)(A)           (22,179     (22,179
ZAR 99,200       02/28/30       7.500%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     (25,545     (3,161     22,384  
ZAR 54,300       03/12/30       7.840%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     (425     68,391       68,816  
ZAR 100,000       03/18/30       10.650%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)           378,368       378,368  
ZAR 10,700       03/27/30       9.150%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     (190     70,420       70,610  
ZAR 114,100       07/07/30       7.040%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     (2,775     (290,045     (287,270
ZAR 7,000       08/03/30       7.030%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     (96     (15,872     (15,776

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   67


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

    

Termination

Date

    

Fixed

Rate

    

Floating

Rate

  

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

2021

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):              
ZAR 3,800        01/15/31        6.765%(Q)      3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)     $ (79    $ (16,323    $ (16,244
ZAR 19,300        10/28/31        7.780%(Q)      3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)      (4,243     425       4,668  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
             $ (170,015 )      $ (15,275,409    $ (15,105,394
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund pays the fixed rate and receives the floating rate.

(2)

The Fund pays the floating rate and receives the fixed rate.

Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for OTC Swap Agreements:

 

      Premiums Paid    Premiums Received  

Unrealized

Appreciation

  

Unrealized

Depreciation

OTC Swap Agreements

     $ 2,082,324      $ (618,810 )     $ 555,994      $ (1,436,449 )

Summary of Collateral for Centrally Cleared/Exchange-traded Derivatives:

Cash and securities segregated as collateral, including pending settlement for closed positions, to cover requirements for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives are listed by broker as follows:

 

Broker

      Cash and/or Foreign Currency             Securities Market Value      
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.     $ 7,429,000     $ 6,320,771
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements:

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

68


    

 

    

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2021 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Investments in Securities

      

Assets

      

Long-Term Investments

      

Asset-Backed Securities

      

Automobiles

   $     $ 2,033,335     $  

Collateralized Loan Obligations

           186,176,283        

Consumer Loans

           10,189,630        

Home Equity Loans

           13,586,410        

Other

           3,203,195        

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

           20,073,475        

Student Loans

           24,908,067        

Bank Loans

           9,979,214       7,103,458  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

           73,893,388        

Convertible Bond

           38,328        

Corporate Bonds

           294,287,771        

Municipal Bonds

           18,654,084        

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

           24,932,083        

Sovereign Bonds

           37,148,794        

U.S. Treasury Obligations

           92,994,305        

Common Stocks

     12,878,285       4,478,614        

Warrants

                 5,598  

Short-Term Investments

      

Affiliated Mutual Funds

     142,170,469              

Options Purchased

           1,693,327        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 155,048,754     $ 818,270,303     $ 7,109,056  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

      

Options Written

   $     $ (1,706,458   $ (60,383
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments*

      

Assets

      

Unfunded Loan Commitment

   $     $ 3,262     $  

Futures Contracts

     6,811,813              

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           11,230,918        

OTC Cross Currency Exchange Contracts

           1,305,095        

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements

           1,001,212       3,996  

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           616,073        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,811,813     $ 14,156,560     $ 3,996  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

      

Futures Contracts

   $ (339,478   $     $  

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           (8,366,040      

OTC Cross Currency Exchange Contracts

           (2,338,203      

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement

           (24,491      

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements

           (422,149      

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   69


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Other Financial Instruments* (continued)

      

Liabilities (continued)

      

Centrally Cleared Inflation Swap Agreements

   $     $ (1,481,085   $  

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           (15,721,467      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $     (339,478   $   (28,353,435   $  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Other financial instruments are derivative instruments, with the exception of unfunded loan commitments, and are not reflected in the Schedule of Investments. Futures, forwards, centrally cleared swap contracts and unfunded loan commitments are recorded at net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and OTC swap contracts are recorded at fair value.

The following is a reconciliation of assets in which unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

     Bank Loans     Residential
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
    Warrants  

Balance as of 10/31/20

    $ 12,449,038       $ 17,302,975       $  

Realized gain (loss)

     1,414,688              

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     1,333,114       144,816       5,598  

Purchases/Exchanges/Issuances

     4,610,390              

Sales/Paydowns

     (12,706,462     (17,447,791      

Accrued discount/premium

     2,690              

Transfers into Level 3*

                  

Transfers out of Level 3*

                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of 10/31/21

    $ 7,103,458      $      $ 5,598  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to securities still held at reporting period end

    $ 1,262,825      $      $ 5,598  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    

Options Written

 

OTC Credit Default

Swap Agreements

Balance as of 10/31/20

     $     $ (476 )

Realized gain (loss)

             21,815

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

       (4,745 )       3,996

Purchases/Exchanges/Issuances

            

Sales/Paydowns

       (55,638 )       (21,339 )

Accrued discount/premium

            

Transfers into Level 3*

            

Transfers out of Level 3*

            
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Balance as of 10/31/21

     $ (60,383 )     $ 3,996
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) relating to securities still held at reporting period end

     $ (4,745 )     $ 3,996
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

  *

It is the Fund’s policy to recognize transfers in and transfers out at the fair value as of the beginning of period. Securities transferred levels due to a change in observable and/or unobservable inputs.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

70


    

 

    

 

As of October 31, 2021, the aggregate value of Level 3 securities and/or derivatives that are valued by independent pricing vendors or brokers was $7,052,669. The unobservable inputs for these investments were not developed by the Fund and are not readily available.

Industry Classification:

The industry classification of investments and other assets in excess of liabilities shown as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2021 were as follows (unaudited):

 

Collateralized Loan Obligations

     19.0

Affiliated Mutual Funds (1.5% represents investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan)

     14.5  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     9.5  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     7.5  

Banks

     5.5  

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

     4.6  

Sovereign Bonds

     3.8  

Student Loans

     2.6  

Telecommunications

     2.3  

Oil & Gas

     2.3  

Retail

     1.9  

Municipal Bonds

     1.9  

Pharmaceuticals

     1.9  

Pipelines

     1.7  

Chemicals

     1.6  

Electric

     1.5  

Home Equity Loans

     1.4  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     1.3  

Insurance

     1.2  

Aerospace & Defense

     1.2  

Media

     1.1  

Foods

     1.1  

Consumer Loans

     1.0  

Commercial Services

     0.9  

Gas

     0.7  

Home Builders

     0.7  

Entertainment

     0.6  

Auto Parts & Equipment

     0.6  

Packaging & Containers

     0.6  

Airlines

     0.5  

Real Estate

     0.5  

Gas Utilities

     0.5

Engineering & Construction

     0.4  

Healthcare-Products

     0.4  

Lodging

     0.3  

Other

     0.3  

Healthcare-Services

     0.3  

Internet

     0.3  

Mining

     0.3  

Diversified Financial Services

     0.3  

Energy-Alternate Sources

     0.3  

Auto Manufacturers

     0.2  

Automobiles

     0.2  

Options Purchased

     0.2  

Forest Products & Paper

     0.2  

Building Materials

     0.1  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     0.1  

Advertising

     0.1  

Agriculture

     0.1  

Beverages

     0.0

Savings & Loans

     0.0

Computers

     0.0

Oil & Gas Services

     0.0

Textiles

     0.0

Electronics

     0.0
  

 

 

 
     100.1  

Options Written

     (0.2

Other assets in excess of liabilities

     0.1  
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

 

 

*

Less than +/- 0.05%

 

 

Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements and Primary Underlying Risk Exposure:

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary types of risk associated with these derivative instruments are credit contracts risk, foreign exchange contracts risk and interest rate contracts risk. See the

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   71


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Notes to Financial Statements for additional detail regarding these derivative instruments and their risks. The effect of such derivative instruments on the Fund’s financial position and financial performance as reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations is presented in the summary below.

Fair values of derivative instruments as of October 31, 2021 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

   

    Asset Derivatives

   

          Liability Derivatives

 

Derivatives not accounted

for as hedging instruments,

carried at fair value               

 

Statement of

Assets and

  Liabilities Location  

      Fair
       Value       
   

Statement of

Assets and
  Liabilities Location  

 

  

  Fair
  Value  
 

Credit contracts

         $     Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps     $ 24,491

Credit contracts

  Premiums paid for OTC swap agreements       2,082,324     Premiums received for OTC swap agreements       618,810  

Credit contracts

  Unaffiliated investments       635,079     Options written outstanding, at value       708,593  

Credit contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements       555,994     Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements       1,436,449  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unaffiliated investments       1,058,248     Options written outstanding, at value       1,058,248  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on OTC cross currency exchange contracts       1,305,095     Unrealized depreciation on OTC cross currency exchange contracts       2,338,203  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts       11,230,918     Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts       8,366,040  

Interest rate contracts

  Due from/to broker-variation margin futures       6,811,813   Due from/to broker-variation margin futures       339,478

Interest rate contracts

  Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps       616,073   Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps       17,202,552
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
      $ 24,295,544         $ 32,092,864  
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the schedule of open futures and centrally cleared swap contracts. Only unsettled variation margin receivable (payable) is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

72


    

 

    

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for as

hedging

instruments, carried at fair value

   Options
Purchased(1)
  Options
Written
   Futures   Forward
& Cross
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Swaps

Credit contracts

     $ (762,620 )     $ 725,453      $     $      $ (187,331 )

Foreign exchange contracts

       (116,414,198 )       113,673,865              1,564,217       

Interest rate contracts

       3,166,857              (3,253,947 )              2,292,058
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ (114,009,961 )     $ 114,399,318      $ (3,253,947 )     $ 1,564,217      $ 2,104,727
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions in the Statement of Operations.

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for

as hedging instruments,

carried at fair value

   Options
Purchased(2)
  Options
Written
   Futures    Forward
& Cross
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
  Swaps

Credit contracts

     $ 71,920     $ 79,867      $      $     $ (4,188,403 )

Foreign exchange contracts

       (1,004,944 )       2,789,006               (1,417,925 )      

Interest rate contracts

       (3,364,556 )              9,324,573              (20,270,627 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     $ (4,297,580 )     $ 2,868,873      $ 9,324,573      $ (1,417,925 )     $ (24,459,030 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(2)

Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   73


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund’s average volume of derivative activities is as follows:

 

Options
Purchased(1)

  Options
Written(2)
  Futures
Contracts—
Long
Positions(2)
  Futures
Contracts—

Short
Positions(2)
  Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts—Purchased(3)
$49,009,399   $2,169,100,251   $48,995,558   $1,249,229,501   $427,239,059

 

Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts—Sold(3)

  Cross
Currency
Exchange
Contracts(4)
  Interest Rate
Swap
Agreements(2)
  Credit Default
Swap Agreements—
Buy Protection(2)
$555,775,648   $65,299,228   $241,453,191   $380,190,943

 

Credit Default
Swap Agreements—
Sell Protection(2)

  Total Return
Swap
Agreements(2)
  Inflation Swap
Agreements(2)
$176,888,767   $1,386,620   $14,242,000

 

 

(1)

Cost.

(2)

Notional Amount in USD.

(3)

Value at Settlement Date.

(4)

Value at Trade Date.

Average volume is based on average quarter end balances as noted for the year ended October 31, 2021.

Financial Instruments/Transactions—Summary of Offsetting and Netting Arrangements:

The Fund invested in OTC derivatives and entered into financial instruments/transactions during the reporting period that are either offset in accordance with current requirements or are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements that permit offsetting. The information about offsetting and related netting arrangements for OTC derivatives and financial instruments/transactions where the legal right to set-off exists is presented in the summary below.

Offsetting of financial instrument/transaction assets and liabilities:

 

Description

  

Gross Market

Value of

Recognized
Assets/(Liabilities)

   Collateral
Pledged/(Received)(2)
   

Net

Amount

Securities on Loan

               $ 14,303,258                                  $ (14,303,258                         $       
     

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

74


    

 

    

 

Offsetting of OTC derivative assets and liabilities:

 

Counterparty

 

Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Assets(1)

 

Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities(1)

   

Net Amounts of
Recognized
Assets/(Liabilities)

 

Collateral

Pledged/(Received)(2)

 

Net Amount

Bank of America, N.A.

 

    

   $ 2,496,064                    $ (1,071,752                      $ 1,424,312                    $ (1,424,312                $       

Barclays Bank PLC

       1,756,611            (2,048,342          (291,731          291,731               

BNP Paribas S.A.

       556,237            (805,682          (249,445          249,445               

Citibank, N.A.

       2,786,299            (1,088,114          1,698,185            (1,280,000          418,185    

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

       234,238            (287,622          (53,384                     (53,384  

Credit Suisse International

       71,797            (349,824          (278,027          278,027               

Deutsche Bank AG

       3,591,270            (2,404,059          1,187,211            (1,152,527          34,684    

Goldman Sachs International

       1,948,692            (2,160,895          (212,203          212,203               

HSBC Bank PLC

       516,966            (72,854          444,112                       444,112    

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

       714,197            (423,184          291,013            (291,013             

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

       2,078,889            (3,623,935          (1,545,046          1,545,046               

Standard Chartered Bank

       83,362            (102,366          (19,004                     (19,004  

The Toronto-Dominion Bank

       10,474                       10,474                       10,474    

UBS AG

       22,562            (87,714          (65,152          65,152               
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

   
     $ 16,867,658          $ (14,526,343        $ 2,341,315          $ (1,506,248        $ 835,067    
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

   

 

(1)

Includes unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on swaps and forwards, premiums paid/(received) on swap agreements and market value of purchased and written options, as represented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(2)

Collateral amount disclosed by the Fund is limited to the market value of financial instruments/transactions and the Fund’s OTC derivative exposure by counterparty.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   75


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Assets

        

Investments at value, including securities on loan of $14,303,258:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $812,413,887)

   $ 838,257,644  

Affiliated investments (cost $142,160,175)

     142,170,469  

Cash

     15,769  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,315,451)

     1,323,419  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     13,585,275  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     11,230,918  

Deposit with broker for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives

     7,429,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

     6,268,901  

Premiums paid for OTC swap agreements

     2,082,324  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC cross currency exchange contracts

     1,305,095  

Receivable for investments sold

     906,696  

Due from broker—variation margin swaps

     606,246  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements

     555,994  

Due from broker—variation margin futures

     274,309  

Unrealized appreciation on unfunded loan commitment

     3,262  

Prepaid expenses

     6,159  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     1,026,021,480  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Payable to broker for collateral for securities on loan

     14,739,294  

Payable for investments purchased

     12,194,606  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     8,366,040  

Payable for Fund shares purchased

     3,692,716  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC cross currency exchange contracts

     2,338,203  

Options written outstanding, at value (premiums received $10,279,599)

     1,766,841  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements

     1,436,449  

Premiums received for OTC swap agreements

     618,810  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     560,946  

Management fee payable

     537,847  

Dividends payable

     249,143  

Distribution fee payable

     60,021  

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     3,154  

Trustees’ fees payable

     1,400  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     46,565,470  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 979,456,010  
  

 

 

 

    

        

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Shares of beneficial interest, at par

   $ 105,881  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     1,225,910,236  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (246,560,107
  

 

 

 

Net assets, October 31, 2021

   $ 979,456,010  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

76


    

 

    

 

Class A

             

Net asset value and redemption price per share,

($109,630,095 ÷ 11,893,892 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.22     

Maximum sales charge (3.25% of offering price)

     0.31     
  

 

 

    

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 9.53              
  

 

 

    

Class C

             

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($42,634,572 ÷ 4,611,233 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.25     
  

 

 

    

Class Z

             

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($767,056,452 ÷ 82,847,889 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.26     
  

 

 

    

Class R6

             

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($60,134,891 ÷ 6,527,580 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.21     
  

 

 

    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   77


Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

        

Income

  

Interest income

   $ 36,106,719  

Unaffiliated dividend income (net of $120 foreign withholding tax)

     173,647  

Affiliated dividend income

     112,512  

Income from securities lending, net (including affiliated income of $14,988)

     32,744  
  

 

 

 

Total income

     36,425,622  
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     6,389,292  

Distribution fee(a)

     776,070  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $21,201)(a)

     925,600  

Custodian and accounting fees

     181,997  

Registration fees(a)

     71,049  

Audit fee

     69,803  

Shareholders’ reports

     30,665  

Legal fees and expenses

     24,362  

Trustees’ fees

     22,663  

Miscellaneous

     56,530  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     8,548,031  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     27,877,591  
  

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investment And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions (including affiliated of $26,854)

     (90,827,017

Futures transactions

     (3,253,947

Forward and cross currency contract transactions

     1,564,217  

Options written transactions

     114,399,318  

Swap agreement transactions

     2,104,727  

Foreign currency transactions

     9,559,480  
  

 

 

 
     33,546,778  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments (including affiliated of $(36,187))

     25,635,029  

Futures

     9,324,573  

Forward and cross currency contracts

     (1,417,925

Options written

     2,868,873  

Swap agreements

     (24,459,030

Foreign currencies

     260,984  

Unfunded loan commitments

     3,262  
  

 

 

 
     12,215,766  
  

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     45,762,544  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 73,640,135  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

78


    

 

    

 

 

(a)

Class specific expenses and waivers were as follows:

 

     Class A      Class C      Class Z      Class R6

Distribution fee

     246,327        529,743                  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

     75,742        42,222        803,205        4,431  

Registration fees

     18,185        11,911        30,970        9,983  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   79


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     Year Ended
October 31,
 
     2021     2020  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                

Operations

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 27,877,591     $ 62,708,667  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     33,546,778       (311,138,134

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

     12,215,766       162,610,301  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     73,640,135       (85,819,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

    

Distributions from distributable earnings

    

Class A

     (2,322,399     (7,578,227

Class C

     (886,038     (5,063,142

Class Z

     (21,959,534     (109,217,140

Class R6

     (2,674,791     (6,149,143
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (27,842,762     (128,007,652
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax return of capital distributions

    

Class A

     (104,437     (456,184

Class C

     (39,845     (304,784

Class Z

     (987,511     (6,574,503

Class R6

     (120,284     (370,157
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,252,077     (7,705,628
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions)

    

Net proceeds from shares sold

     358,440,154       611,310,436  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     25,054,049       115,714,362  

Cost of shares purchased

     (807,564,899     (1,516,009,999
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (424,070,696     (788,985,201
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (379,525,400     (1,010,517,647

Net Assets:

                

Beginning of year

     1,358,981,410       2,369,499,057  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 979,456,010     $ 1,358,981,410  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

80


Financial Highlights

 

    

 

   
  Class A Shares                               
   
             Year Ended October 31,         
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   

Per Share Operating Performance(a):

                                        

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

     $8.94       $9.73       $9.82       $9.93       $9.59  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                        

Net investment income (loss)

     0.21       0.30       0.31       0.27       0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     0.30       (0.49     0.13       (0.05     0.33  

Total from investment operations

     0.51       (0.19     0.44       0.22       0.56  

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                        

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.22     (0.26     (0.53     (0.33     (0.22

Tax return of capital distributions

     (0.01     (0.04     -       -       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.30     -       -       -  

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.23     (0.60     (0.53     (0.33     (0.22

Net asset value, end of year

     $9.22       $8.94       $9.73       $9.82       $9.93  

Total Return(b):

     5.71 %      (1.96 )%      4.71 %      2.21 %      5.95 % 
                                          
  Ratios/Supplemental Data:                               

Net assets, end of year (000)

     $109,630       $93,597       $142,879       $148,609       $119,969  

Average net assets (000)

     $98,531       $114,656       $147,612       $142,613       $145,290  

Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):

                                        

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.97     0.97     1.02     1.03     1.15

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.97     0.97     1.02     1.04     1.22

Net investment income (loss)

     2.32     3.27     3.24     2.72     2.31

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

     48     20     50     52     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective August 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   81


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

   
  Class C Shares                               
             Year Ended October 31,         
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   

Per Share Operating Performance(a):

                                        

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

     $8.97       $9.76       $9.85       $9.96       $9.62  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                        

Net investment income (loss)

     0.15       0.23       0.24       0.19       0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     0.29       (0.48     0.13       (0.05     0.34  

Total from investment operations

     0.44       (0.25     0.37       0.14       0.49  

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                        

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.15     (0.20     (0.46     (0.25     (0.15

Tax return of capital distributions

     (0.01     (0.04     -       -       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.30     -       -       -  

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.16     (0.54     (0.46     (0.25     (0.15

Net asset value, end of year

     $9.25       $8.97       $9.76       $9.85       $9.96  

Total Return(b):

     5.03 %      (2.70 )%      3.80 %      1.43 %      5.16 % 
                                          
  Ratios/Supplemental Data:                               

Net assets, end of year (000)

     $42,635       $66,396       $103,133       $106,734       $98,789  

Average net assets (000)

     $52,974       $86,229       $107,605       $102,866       $106,174  

Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):

                                        

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     1.73     1.73     1.78     1.79     1.90

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     1.73     1.73     1.78     1.80     1.97

Net investment income (loss)

     1.64     2.51     2.46     1.93     1.58

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

     48     20     50     52     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective August 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

82


    

 

    

 

   
  Class Z Shares                               
             Year Ended October 31,         
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   

Per Share Operating Performance(a):

                                        

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

     $8.98       $9.77       $9.86       $9.97       $9.64  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                        

Net investment income (loss)

     0.24       0.32       0.34       0.30       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     0.29       (0.48     0.13       (0.06     0.33  

Total from investment operations

     0.53       (0.16     0.47       0.24       0.58  

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                        

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.24     (0.29     (0.56     (0.35     (0.25

Tax return of capital distributions

     (0.01     (0.04     -       -       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.30     -       -       -  

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.25     (0.63     (0.56     (0.35     (0.25

Net asset value, end of year

     $9.26       $8.98       $9.77       $9.86       $9.97  

Total Return(b):

     5.96 %      (1.70 )%      5.00 %      2.48 %      6.08 % 
                                          
  Ratios/Supplemental Data:                               

Net assets, end of year (000)

     $767,056       $1,071,124       $2,040,949       $2,159,518       $1,277,401  

Average net assets (000)

     $833,908       $1,499,872       $2,155,699       $1,679,461       $1,121,943  

Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):

                                        

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.73     0.73     0.73     0.75     0.90

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.73     0.74     0.79     0.81     0.96

Net investment income (loss)

     2.64     3.53     3.51     3.01     2.59

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

     48     20     50     52     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective August 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   83


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

   
  Class R6 Shares                               
             Year Ended October 31,         
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   

Per Share Operating Performance(a):

                                        

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

     $8.93       $9.72       $9.82       $9.94       $9.61  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                        

Net investment income (loss)

     0.26       0.32       0.35       0.29       0.26  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     0.28       (0.48     0.12       (0.05     0.32  

Total from investment operations

     0.54       (0.16     0.47       0.24       0.58  

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                        

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.25     (0.29     (0.57     (0.36     (0.25

Tax return of capital distributions

     (0.01     (0.04     -       -       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.30     -       -       -  

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.26     (0.63     (0.57     (0.36     (0.25

Net asset value, end of year

     $9.21       $8.93       $9.72       $9.82       $9.94  

Total Return(b):

     6.07 %      (1.66 )%      4.94 %      2.42 %      6.15 % 
                                          
  Ratios/Supplemental Data:                               

Net assets, end of year (000)

     $60,135       $127,864       $82,538       $203,372       $346,253  

Average net assets (000)

     $97,518       $109,540       $88,570       $329,668       $270,229  

Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):

                                        

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.64     0.65     0.70     0.74     0.90

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.64     0.65     0.71     0.75     0.90

Net investment income (loss)

     2.79     3.54     3.59     2.95     2.64

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

     48     20     50     52     72

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective August 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

84


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.

Organization

Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of five separate funds: PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund and PGIM Select Real Estate Fund. These financial statements relate only to the PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek positive returns over the long term, regardless of market conditions.

 

2.

Accounting Policies

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The RIC’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   85


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

Fixed income securities traded in the OTC market are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such fixed income securities are typically valued using the market approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach as the primary method to value securities when market prices of identical or comparable instruments are available. The third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated bid price are based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, yield curves, yield spreads, credit ratings, deal terms, tranche level attributes, default rates, cash flows, prepayment speeds, broker/dealer quotations and reported trades. Certain Level 3 securities are also valued using the market approach when obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing transaction prices for identical securities that have been used in excess of five business days. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

 

86


Bank loans are generally valued at prices provided by approved independent pricing vendors. The pricing vendors utilize broker/dealer quotations and provide prices based on the average of such quotations. Bank loans valued using such vendor prices are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Bank loans valued based on a single broker quote or at the original transaction price in excess of five business days are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

OTC and centrally cleared derivative instruments are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such derivative instruments are typically valued using the market approach and/or income approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach when quoted prices in broker-dealer markets are available but also includes consideration of alternative valuation approaches, including the income approach. In the absence of reliable market quotations, the income approach is typically utilized for purposes of valuing derivatives such as interest rate swaps based on a discounted cash flow analysis whereby the value of the instrument is equal to the present value of its future cash inflows or outflows. Such analysis includes projecting future cash flows and determining the discount rate (including the present value factors that affect the discount rate) used to discount the future cash flows. In addition, the third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated derivative price is based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, underlying asset prices, indices, spreads, interest rates and exchange rates. Certain derivatives may be classified as Level 3 when valued using the market approach by obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing unobservable inputs in the income approach. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   87


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rate as of the valuation date;

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, holding period unrealized and realized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations. Notwithstanding the above, the Fund does isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates when determining the gain (loss) upon the sale or maturity of foreign currency denominated debt obligations; such amounts are included in net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions.

Additionally, net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from the disposition of holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) arise from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates.

Forward and Cross Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The Fund enters into forward currency contracts, as defined in the prospectus, in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings or on specific receivables and payables denominated in a foreign currency and to gain exposure to certain currencies. The contracts are valued daily at current forward exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss) is included in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on forward and cross currency contracts. Gain (loss) is realized on the settlement date of the contract equal to the difference between the settlement value of the original and negotiated forward contracts. This gain (loss), if any, is included in net realized gain (loss) on forward and cross currency contract transactions. Risks may arise upon

 

88


entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Forward currency contracts involve risks from currency exchange rate and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty at the end of the contract’s life. A cross currency contract is a forward contract where a specified amount of one foreign currency will be exchanged for a specified amount of another foreign currency.

Options: The Fund purchased and/or wrote options in order to hedge against adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates, value of equities or foreign currency exchange rates with respect to securities or financial instruments which the Fund currently owns or intends to purchase. The Fund may also use options to gain additional market exposure. The Fund’s principal reason for writing options is to realize, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying security alone. When the Fund purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as an asset. When the Fund writes an option, it receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a liability. The asset or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain (loss) to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is exercised, the premium received or paid is recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or the cost of the purchase in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain (loss). The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid at the closing of a purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain (loss). Gain (loss) on purchased options is included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions. Gain (loss) on written options is presented separately as net realized gain (loss) on options written transactions.

The Fund, as writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities or financial instruments may be sold (called) or purchased (put). As a result, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or financial instrument underlying the written option. The Fund, as purchaser of an OTC option, bears the risk of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. With exchange-traded options contracts, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded options and guarantees the options contracts against default.

When the Fund writes an option on a swap, an amount equal to any premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the written option on the swap. If a call option on a swap is exercised, the Fund becomes obligated to pay a fixed interest rate (noted as the strike price) and receive a variable interest rate on a notional amount. If a put option on a swap is exercised, the Fund becomes obligated to pay a variable interest rate and receive a fixed interest rate (noted as the strike price) on a notional amount. Premiums received from writing options on swaps that expire or are exercised are treated as realized gains upon the expiration or exercise of such options on

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   89


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

swaps. The risk associated with writing put and call options on swaps is that the Fund will be obligated to be party to a swap agreement if an option on a swap is exercised.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain (loss). When the contract expires or is closed, the gain (loss) is realized and is presented in the Statement of Operations as net realized gain (loss) on futures transactions.

The Fund invested in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities, or securities the Fund intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. Since futures contracts are exchange-traded, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures and guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Swap Agreements: The Fund entered into certain types of swap agreements detailed in the disclosures below. A swap agreement is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are negotiated in the OTC market and may be executed either directly with a counterparty (“OTC-traded”) or through a central clearing facility, such as a registered exchange. Swap agreements are valued daily at current market value and any change in value is included in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap agreements. Centrally cleared swaps pay or receive an amount known as “variation margin”, based on daily changes in the valuation of the swap contract. For OTC-traded, upfront premiums paid and received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swap agreements outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Schedule of Investments.

Interest Rate Swaps: Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between counterparties to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates, applied to a notional principal amount for a specified period. The Fund is subject to interest rate risk

 

90


exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund used interest rate swaps to maintain its ability to generate steady cash flow by receiving a stream of fixed rate payments or to increase exposure to prevailing market rates by receiving floating rate payments. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net present value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty over the contract’s remaining life.

Inflation Swaps: The Fund entered into inflation swap agreements to protect against fluctuations in inflation rates. Inflation swaps are characterized by one party paying a fixed rate in exchange for a floating rate that is derived from an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index or UK Retail Price Index. Inflation swaps subject the Fund to interest rate risk.

Credit Default Swaps (“CDS”): CDS involve one party (the protection buyer) making a stream of payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for the right to receive a specified payment in the event of a default or as a result of a default (collectively a “credit event”) for the referenced entity (typically corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country) on its obligation; or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index.

The Fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, and as such, has entered into CDS contracts to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness. CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk for purchased CDS is the inability of the counterparty to honor the contract up to the notional value due to a credit event.

As a seller of protection on credit default swap agreements, the Fund generally receives an agreed upon payment from the buyer of protection throughout the term of the swap, provided no credit event occurs. As the seller, the Fund effectively increases its investment risk because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund may be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The maximum amount of the payment that the Fund, as a seller of protection, could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be equal to the notional amount of the underlying security or index contract as a result of a credit event. This potential amount will be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements which the Fund entered into for the same referenced entity or index. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   91


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of period end are disclosed in the footnotes to the Schedule of Investments, if applicable. These spreads serve as indicators of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of default risk for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and increased market value in absolute terms, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

Total Return Swaps: In a total return swap, one party receives payments based on the market value of the security or the commodity involved, or total return of a specific referenced asset, such as an equity, index or bond, and in return pays a defined amount. The Fund is subject to risk exposures associated with the referenced asset in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund entered into total return swaps to manage its exposure to a security or an index. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the change in the value of the security, in the Fund’s favor, from the point of entering into the contract.

Bank Loans: The Fund invested in bank loans. Bank loans include fixed and floating rate loans that are privately negotiated between a corporate borrower and one or more financial institutions, including, but not limited to, term loans, revolvers, and other instruments issued in the bank loan market. The Fund acquires interests in loans directly (by way of assignment from the selling institution) and/or indirectly (by way of the purchase of a participation interest from the selling institution). Under a bank loan assignment, the Fund generally will succeed to all the rights and obligations of an assigning lending institution and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the relevant borrower in connection with that loan. Under a bank loan participation, the Fund generally will have a contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the relevant borrower. As a result, the Fund generally will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest, and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the relevant borrower. The Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation to the Fund.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities: Mortgage-backed securities are pass-through securities, meaning that principal and interest payments made by the borrower on the underlying mortgages are passed through to the Fund. Asset-backed securities directly or indirectly represent a participation interest in, or are secured by and

 

92


payable from, a stream of payments generated by particular assets such as motor vehicle or credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities may be classified as pass-through certificates or collateralized obligations, such as collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and other similarly structured securities. The value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities varies with changes in interest rates and may be affected by changes in credit quality or value of the mortgage loans or other assets that support the securities.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (“IO”) and principal (“PO”) distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. Payments received for IOs are included in interest income on the Statements of Operations. Because no principal will be received at the maturity of an IO, adjustments are made to the cost of the security on a monthly basis until maturity. These adjustments are included in interest income on the Statements of Operations. Payments received for POs are treated as reductions to the cost and par value of the securities.

Master Netting Arrangements: The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of all or a portion of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. In addition to master netting arrangements, the right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is a party to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements with certain counterparties that govern OTC derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the Fund is held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or re-pledged, is presented in the Schedule of Investments. Collateral pledged by the Fund is segregated by the Fund’s custodian and identified in the Schedule of Investments. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the Fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the Fund’s net position with each counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund may occur upon a decline in the Fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   93


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the Fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the Fund’s future derivative activity.

In addition to each instrument’s primary underlying risk exposure (e.g. interest rate, credit, equity or foreign exchange, etc.), swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that no liquid market for these agreements will exist, the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree on the contractual terms of the agreement, and changes in net interest rates will be unfavorable. In connection with these agreements, securities in the portfolio may be identified or received as collateral from the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide or receive assets of value and to serve as recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency of either party. Such OTC derivative agreements include conditions which, when materialized, give the counterparty the right to cause an early termination of the transactions under those agreements. Any election by the counterparty for early termination of the contract(s) may impact the amounts reported on financial statements.

Short sales and OTC contracts, including forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, forward rate agreements and written options involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if applicable. Such risks may be mitigated by engaging in master netting arrangements.

Warrants: The Fund held warrants acquired either through a direct purchase or pursuant to corporate actions. Warrants entitle the holder to buy a proportionate amount of common stock, or such other security that the issuer may specify, at a specific price and time through the expiration dates. Such warrants are held as long positions by the Fund until exercised, sold or expired. Warrants are valued at fair value in accordance with the Board approved fair valuation procedures.

Payment-In-Kind: The Fund invested in the open market or received pursuant to debt restructuring, securities that pay-in-kind (PIK) the interest due on such debt instruments. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified, is added to the existing principal balance of the debt when issued bonds have same terms as the bond or recorded as a separate bond when terms are different from the existing debt, and is recorded as interest income.

Securities Lending: The Fund lends its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned.

 

94


Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in an affiliated money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the previous day’s market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the financial statements may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities. Such shortfall is remedied as described above. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral.

The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities in the form of fees or interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The borrower receives all interest and dividends from the securities loaned and such payments are passed back to the lender in amounts equivalent thereto, which are reflected in interest income or unaffiliated dividend income based on the nature of the payment on the Statement of Operations. The Fund also continues to recognize any unrealized gain (loss) in the market price of the securities loaned and on the change in the value of the collateral invested that may occur during the term of the loan. In addition, realized gain (loss) is recognized on changes in the value of the collateral invested upon liquidation of the collateral. Net earnings from securities lending are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities, as required, is recorded on the accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   95


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to declare dividends of its net investment income daily and pay such dividends monthly. Distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.

Agreements

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadvisers’ performance of such services.

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc., which provides subadvisory services to the Fund through its business unit PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIM Limited (each a “subadviser” and collectively the “subadvisers”). The Manager pays for the services of the subadvisers.

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.59% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to and including $2.5 billion, 0.565% of the next $2.5 billion and 0.54% of the average daily net in excess of $5 billion. The effective management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.59% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit total annual operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements to 0.73% of average daily net assets for Class Z shares and 0.70% of average daily net assets for Class R6 shares. This contractual waiver excludes interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholdings taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and certain other Fund expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales.

 

96


Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class. In addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver and/or reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.25% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Z or Class R6 shares of the Fund.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $33,354 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $2,808 and $1,523 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PGIM Investments, PGIM, Inc., PGIM Limited and PIMS are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

4.

Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), and its securities lending cash collateral in the PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (the “Money Market Fund”), each a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund and the Money Market Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund and Money Market Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   97


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income” and “Income from securities lending, net”, respectively.

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

5.

Portfolio Securities

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $330,970,152 and $893,690,548, respectively.

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of affiliated mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows:

 

Value,
Beginning

of Year

 

Cost of
Purchases

   

Proceeds
from Sales

   

Change in
Unrealized
Gain

(Loss)

   

Realized
Gain

(Loss)

   

Value,
End of Year

   

Shares,

End

of Year

         

Income

 

    

      

 

        

 

      

 

      

 

      

 

            

Short-Term Investments - Affiliated Mutual Funds:

 

       

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (1)(wa)

 

       

$  55,453,161

 

  

  $ 565,841,806                     $ 493,874,777                     $                     $                    $ 127,420,190                  127,420,190                $ 112,512  

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (1)(b)(wa)

 

                              

67,705,814

 

    

    107,439,789                160,385,991                (36,187              26,854                  14,750,279         14,759,135         14,988 (2)  

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

         

 

 

         

 

 

 

$123,158,975

    $ 673,281,595         $ 654,260,768         $ (36,187       $ 26,854           $ 142,170,469           $ 127,500  

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

         

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

(2)

The amount, or a portion thereof, represents the affiliated securities lending income shown on the Statement of Operations.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

 

6.

Distributions and Tax Information

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date.

 

98


For the year ended October 31, 2021, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $27,842,762 of ordinary income and $1,252,077 of tax return of capital. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $77,796,085 of ordinary income, $50,211,567 of long-term capital gains and $7,705,628 of tax return of capital.

As of October 31, 2021, there were no accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis.

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of October 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

      Tax Basis   Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net        
Unrealized        
Appreciation         
        $961,539,979   $75,171,853   $(65,771,104)   $9,400,749        

The differences between GAAP and tax basis were primarily attributable to deferred losses on wash sales, straddle loss deferral, future and forward contracts, difference in the treatment of premium amortization and other cost basis differences between financial and tax accounting.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of October 31, 2021 of approximately $255,711,000 which can be carried forward for an unlimited period. The Fund utilized approximately $31,192,000 of its capital loss carryforward to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. No capital gains distributions are expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been realized in excess of such losses.

The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 are subject to such review.

 

7.

Capital and Ownership

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 3.25%. Investors who purchase $500,000 or more of Class A shares and sell those shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on sales although these purchases are not subject to a front-end sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% on sales made within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately eight years (ten years prior to

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   99


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

January 22, 2021) after purchase. Class Z and Class R6 shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available exclusively for sale to a limited group of investors.

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest, below.

The RIC has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund at $0.001 par value per share, currently divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6.

As of October 31, 2021, Prudential, through its affiliated entities, including affiliated funds (if applicable), owned shares of the Fund as follows:

 

         Number of Shares       Percentage of
    Outstanding Shares    

Class A

  1,230   0.1%

Class R6

  496   0.1%

At the reporting period end, the number of shareholders holding greater than 5% of the Fund are as follows:

 

Affiliated    Unaffiliated

Number of

Shareholders

  

Percentage of

Outstanding Shares

  

Number of

Shareholders

  

Percentage of

Outstanding Shares

   —%    8    85.1%

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

Class A

   Shares     Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

    

Shares sold

     2,519,737     $ 23,342,981  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     219,481       2,028,875  

Shares purchased

     (2,990,518     (27,622,965
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (251,300     (2,251,109

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     2,491,992       23,060,684  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (818,387     (7,550,819
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     1,422,305     $ 13,258,756  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

    

Shares sold

     2,243,953     $ 21,064,704  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     702,042       6,493,794  

Shares purchased

     (8,361,282     (75,010,614
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (5,415,287     (47,452,116

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     1,958,960       17,647,740  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (758,117     (6,884,424
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (4,214,444   $ (36,688,800
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

100


Class C

   Shares     Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

    

Shares sold

     522,542     $ 4,851,562  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     92,283       855,331  

Shares purchased

     (1,354,330     (12,530,754
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (739,505     (6,823,861

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (2,055,211     (19,078,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (2,794,716   $ (25,902,336
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

    

Shares sold

     1,044,937     $ 9,891,988  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     484,618       4,503,808  

Shares purchased

     (3,370,027     (30,048,689
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (1,840,472     (15,652,893

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (1,323,308     (11,991,854
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (3,163,780   $ (27,644,747
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class Z

            

Year ended October 31, 2021:

    

Shares sold

     35,120,093     $ 326,191,894  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     2,091,073       19,407,546  

Shares purchased

     (72,927,948     (678,007,297
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (35,716,782     (332,407,857

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     1,152,690       10,687,873  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (1,888,354     (17,538,221
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (36,452,446   $ (339,258,205
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

    

Shares sold

     55,818,116     $ 514,284,414  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     10,545,887       98,207,067  

Shares purchased

     (156,061,496     (1,385,774,048
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (89,697,493     (773,282,567

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     1,109,004       10,112,512  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (993,497     (8,975,234
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (89,581,986   $ (772,145,289
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R6

            

Year ended October 31, 2021:

    

Shares sold

     444,812     $ 4,053,717  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     299,248       2,762,297  

Shares purchased

     (9,656,641     (89,403,883
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (8,912,581     (82,587,869

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     1,126,351       10,418,958  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (7,786,230   $ (72,168,911
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

    

Shares sold

     7,945,717     $ 66,069,330  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     714,105       6,509,693  

Shares purchased

     (2,844,041     (25,176,648
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     5,815,781       47,402,375  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     10,839       92,181  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (110     (921
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     5,826,510     $ 47,493,635  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   101


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8.

Borrowings

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Participating Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The table below provides details of the current SCA in effect at the reporting period-end as well as the prior SCA.

 

      Current SCA    Prior SCA

Term of Commitment

   10/1/2021 – 9/29/2022    10/2/2020 – 9/30/2021

Total Commitment

   $ 1,200,000,000    $ 1,200,000,000

Annualized Commitment Fee on the Unused Portion of the SCA

   0.15%    0.15%

Annualized Interest Rate on Borrowings

  

1.20% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent

  

1.30% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent

Certain affiliated registered investment companies that are parties to the SCA include portfolios that are subject to a predetermined mathematical formula used to manage certain benefit guarantees offered under variable annuity contracts. The formula may result in large scale asset flows into and out of these portfolios. Consequently, these portfolios may be more likely to utilize the SCA for purposes of funding redemptions. It may be possible for those portfolios to fully exhaust the committed amount of the SCA, thereby requiring the Manager to allocate available funding per a Board-approved methodology designed to treat the Participating Funds in the SCA equitably.

The Fund utilized the SCA during the year ended October 31, 2021. The average daily balance for the 2 days that the Fund had loans outstanding during the period was approximately $7,803,500, borrowed at a weighted average interest rate of 1.41%. The maximum loan outstanding amount during the period was $11,280,000. At October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan amount.

 

9.

Risks of Investing in the Fund

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Bank Loan Investments Risk: The Fund’s ability to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts in connection with loans (whether through participations, assignments or otherwise) will depend primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. The failure by the Fund to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on a loan

 

102


because of a default, bankruptcy or any other reason would adversely affect the income of the Fund and would likely reduce the value of its assets. Even with loans secured by collateral, there is the risk that the value of the collateral may decline, may be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower, or be difficult to liquidate. In the event of a default, the Fund may have difficulty collecting on any collateral and would not have the ability to collect on any collateral for an uncollateralized loan. Further, the Fund’s access to collateral, if any, may be limited by bankruptcy laws. Due to the nature of the private syndication of senior loans, including, for example, lack of publicly-available information, some senior loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly-traded securities. In addition, loan participations generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to sell loan participations in secondary markets. As a result, it may be difficult for the Fund to value loans or sell loans at an acceptable price when it wants to sell them. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. Extended trade settlement periods may, in unusual market conditions with a high volume of shareholder redemptions, present a risk to shareholders regarding the Fund’s ability to pay redemption proceeds in a timely manner. In some instances, loans and loan participations are not rated by independent credit rating agencies; in such instances, a decision by the Fund to invest in a particular loan or loan participation could depend exclusively on the subadviser’s credit analysis of the borrower, or in the case of a loan participation, of the intermediary holding the portion of the loan that the Fund has purchased. To the extent the Fund invests in loans of non-U.S. issuers, the risks of investing in non-U.S. issuers are applicable. Loans may not be considered to be “securities” and as a result may not benefit from the protections of the federal securities laws, including anti-fraud protections and those with respect to the use of material non-public information, so that purchasers, such as the Fund, may not have the benefit of these protections. If the Fund is in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its investment in such borrower’s loan, the Fund may not be able to enter into a transaction with respect to a publicly-traded security of the borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.

Credit Risk: This is the risk that the issuer, the guarantor or the insurer of a fixed income security, or the counterparty to a contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Additionally, fixed income securities could lose value due to a loss of confidence in the ability of the issuer, guarantor, insurer or counterparty to pay back debt. The longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a bond, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.

Currency Risk: The Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in exchange rates, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments in currencies, or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues related to, currencies, or in derivatives that provide exposure to currencies. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   103


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Debt Obligations Risk: Debt obligations are subject to credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk. The Fund’s holdings, share price, yield and total return may also fluctuate in response to bond market movements. The value of bonds may decline for issuer-related reasons, including management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services. Certain types of fixed income obligations also may be subject to “call and redemption risk,” which is the risk that the issuer may call a bond held by the Fund for redemption before it matures and the Fund may lose income.

Economic and Market Events Risk: Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth or the functioning of the securities markets, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Relatively reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) may involve more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign political, economic and legal systems, especially those in developing and emerging market countries, may be less stable and more volatile than in the United States. Foreign legal systems generally have fewer regulatory requirements than the U.S. legal system, particularly those of emerging markets. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. companies than U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Additionally, the changing value of foreign currencies and changes in exchange rates could also affect the value of the assets the Fund holds and the Fund’s performance. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

Investments in emerging markets are subject to greater volatility and price declines.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation and adverse diplomatic developments. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

Increase in Expenses Risk: Your actual cost of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in the expense table in the Fund’s prospectus for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile. Active and frequent trading of Fund securities can increase expenses.

 

104


Interest Rate Risk: The value of your investment may go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration debt securities. For example, a fixed income security with a duration of three years is expected to decrease in value by approximately 3% if interest rates increase by 1%. This is referred to as “duration risk.” When interest rates fall, the issuers of debt obligations may prepay principal more quickly than expected, and the Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate. This is referred to as “prepayment risk.” When interest rates rise, debt obligations may be repaid more slowly than expected, and the value of the Fund’s holdings may fall sharply. This is referred to as “extension risk.” The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply or in a manner not anticipated by the subadviser.

Junk Bonds Risk: High-yield, high-risk bonds have predominantly speculative characteristics, including particularly high credit risk. Junk bonds tend to have lower market liquidity than higher-rated securities. The liquidity of particular issuers or industries within a particular investment category may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning. The non-investment grade bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings and become illiquid due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, a high profile default or a change in the market’s psychology.

Large Shareholder and Large Scale Redemption Risk: Certain individuals, accounts, funds (including funds affiliated with the Manager) or institutions, including the Manager and its affiliates, may from time to time own or control a substantial amount of the Fund’s shares. There is no requirement that these entities maintain their investment in the Fund. There is a risk that such large shareholders or that the Fund’s shareholders generally may redeem all or a substantial portion of their investments in the Fund in a short period of time, which could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s NAV, liquidity, and brokerage costs. Large redemptions could also result in tax consequences to shareholders and impact the Fund’s ability to implement its investment strategy. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective after one or more large scale redemptions may be impaired and, as a result, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

LIBOR Risk: Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. Over the course of the last several years, global regulators have indicated an intent to phase out the use of LIBOR and similar interbank offering rates (IBOR). There still remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rates for LIBOR and the other IBORs as well as around fallback approaches for instruments extending beyond the any phase-out of these reference rates. The lack of consensus around replacement rates and the uncertainty of the phase out of LIBOR and other IBORs may result in increased volatility in corporate or governmental debt, bank loans, derivatives and other instruments invested in by the Fund as well as loan facilities used by the Fund.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   105


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or the financial instruments in which the Fund invests cannot yet be determined. The elimination of LIBOR or changes to other reference rates or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of reference rates could have an adverse impact on the market for, or value of, any securities or payments linked to those reference rates, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or net asset value. Certain proposed replacement rates to LIBOR, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), are materially different from LIBOR, and changes in the applicable spread for instruments previously linked to LIBOR will need to be made in order for instruments to pay similar rates. Uncertainty and risk also remain regarding the willingness and ability of issuers and lenders to include revised provisions in new and existing contracts or instruments. Consequently, the transition away from LIBOR to other reference rates may lead to reduced coupons on debt held by the Fund, higher rates required to be paid by the Fund on bank lines of credit due to increases in spreads, increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that are tied to LIBOR, fluctuations in values of LIBOR-related investments or investments in issuers that utilize LIBOR, increased difficulty in borrowing or refinancing and diminished effectiveness of hedging strategies, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. Furthermore, the risks associated with the expected discontinuation of LIBOR and transition may be exacerbated if the work necessary to effect an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely manner.

Because the usefulness of LIBOR and the other IBORs as benchmarks could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could begin to be experienced by the end of 2021 and beyond until the anticipated discontinuance date in 2023 for the majority of the LIBOR rates.

Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Fund may invest in instruments that trade in lower volumes and are more illiquid than other investments. If the Fund is forced to sell these investments to pay redemption proceeds or for other reasons, the Fund may lose money. In addition, when there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the instrument at all. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.

Management Risk: The value of your investment may decrease if judgments by the subadviser about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry or sector or about market movements are incorrect.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern

 

106


Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the outbreak of COVID-19 globally in 2020 or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities tend to increase in value less than other debt securities when interest rates decline, but are subject to similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. The values of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities become more volatile as interest rates rise. In a period of declining interest rates, the Fund may be required to reinvest more frequent prepayments on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in lower-yielding investments.

 

10.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement and Regulatory Developments

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, which provides optional guidance for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 is elective and is effective on March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of certain provisions of the ASU and any impact on the financial statement disclosures has not yet been determined.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund   107


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule took effect on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Fund.

 

108


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 and Shareholders of PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting Prudential Investment Portfolios 9, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (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 October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2019 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 19, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

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

 

We conducted our audits 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 October 31, 2021 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.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 17, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the PGIM Retail Funds complex since 2020.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund

    109  


Tax Information (unaudited)

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable but not less than 66.38% as interest related dividends in accordance with Section 871(k)(1) and 881(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In January 2022, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute Form 1099-DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by you in calendar year 2021.

 

We are required by Massachusetts, Missouri and Oregon to inform you that dividends which have been derived from interest on federal obligations are not taxable to shareholders provided the Fund meets certain requirements mandated by the respective state’s taxing authorities. We are pleased to report that 3.34% of the dividends paid by the Fund qualifies for such deduction.

 

Please consult your tax adviser or state/local authorities to properly report this information on your tax return. If you have any questions concerning the amounts listed above, please call your financial adviser.

 

110  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS (unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Ellen S. Alberding

1958

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

  

President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); formerly Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (2011-2015); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (2009-2018); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (2009-2016); Trustee, Loyola University (since 2018).

   None.    Since September 2013
       

Kevin J. Bannon

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

  

Retired; formerly Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.

   Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).    Since July 2008

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Independent Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Linda W. Bynoe

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 92

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Limited LLC (formerly Telemat Ltd) (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).

  

Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); formerly Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (January 2006-June 2020).

   Since March 2005
       

Barry H. Evans

1960

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

  

Retired; formerly President (2005-2016), Global Chief Operating Officer (2014-2016), Chief Investment Officer - Global Head of Fixed Income (1998-2014), and various portfolio manager roles (1986-2006), Manulife Asset Management (asset management).

  

Formerly Director, Manulife Trust Company (2011-2018); formerly Director, Manulife Asset Management Limited (2015-2017); formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manulife Asset Management U.S. (2005-2016); formerly Chairman of the Board, Declaration Investment Management and Research (2008-2016).

   Since September 2017
       

Keith F. Hartstein

1956

Board Member & Independent Chair Portfolios Overseen: 95

  

Retired; Executive Committee of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Board of Governors (since October 2019); Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the IDC (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).

   None.    Since September 2013

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Independent Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Laurie Simon Hodrick

1962

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 91

  

A. Barton Hepburn Professor Emerita of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (since 2018); Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (since 2015); Sole Member, ReidCourt LLC (since 2008) (a consulting firm); formerly Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (2015-2021); formerly A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (1996-2017); formerly Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies, Deutsche Bank (2006-2008).

  

Independent Director, Roku (since December 2020) (communication services); formerly Independent Director, Synnex Corporation (2019-2021) (information technology); formerly Independent Director, Kabbage, Inc. (2018-2020) (financial services); formerly Independent Director, Corporate Capital Trust (2017-2018) (a business development company).

   Since September 2017
       

Brian K. Reid

1961

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

  

Retired; formerly Chief Economist for the Investment Company Institute (ICI) (2005-2017); formerly Senior Economist and Director of Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1998-2004); formerly Senior Economist, Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1996-1998); formerly Staff Economist at the Federal Reserve Board (1989-1996); Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2012-2017).

   None.    Since March 2018

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Independent Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Grace C. Torres

1959

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

  

Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of PGIM Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.

   Director (since January 2018) of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; formerly Director (July 2015-January 2018) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. and Sun National Bank.    Since November 2014

 

Interested Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Stuart S. Parker

1962

Board Member &

President

Portfolios Overseen: 94

  

President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer in Charge of PGIM Investments LLC (formerly known as Prudential Investments LLC) (since January 2012); formerly Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of PGIM Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011); Investment Company Institute - Board of Governors (since May 2012).

   None.    Since January 2012

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Interested Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Scott E. Benjamin

1973

Board Member & Vice President

Portfolios Overseen: 95

  

Executive Vice President (since May 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, PGIM Investments (since February 2006); formerly Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, PGIM Investments LLC (2003-2006).

   None.    Since March 2010

(1) The year that each Board Member joined the Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Barry H. Evans, 2017; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Laurie Simon Hodrick, 2017; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member since 2012 and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009; Grace C. Torres, 2014.

 

Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Claudia DiGiacomo

1974

Chief Legal Officer

  

Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of PIFM Holdco, LLC (since August 2020); Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since August 2020); formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (2005-2020); formerly Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).

   Since December 2005

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Fund Officers(a)          
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of Service as Fund Officer
     

Dino Capasso

1974

Chief Compliance Officer

  

Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., and PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund; Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (June 2017-2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel (January 2016-June 2017), and Vice President and Counsel (February 2012-December 2015) of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.

   Since July 2019
     

Andrew R. French

1962

Secretary

  

Vice President (since December 2018) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Corporate Counsel (2010-2018) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.

   Since October 2006
     

Diana N. Huffman

1982

Assistant Secretary

  

Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2015) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2009-2015).

   Since March 2019
     

Melissa Gonzalez

1980

Assistant Secretary

  

Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2018) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (March 2014-September 2018) of Prudential.

   Since March 2020
     

Patrick E. McGuinness

1986

Assistant Secretary

  

Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; Director and Corporate Counsel (since February 2017) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel (2012-2017) of IIL, Inc.

   Since June 2020
     

Debra Rubano

1975

Assistant Secretary

  

Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since November 2020) of Prudential; formerly Director and Senior Counsel of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2010-2020) and Assistant Secretary of numerous funds in the Allianz fund complex (2015-2020).

   Since December 2020
     

Kelly A. Coyne

1968

Assistant Secretary

  

Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).

   Since March 2015

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Fund Officers(a)          
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of Service as Fund Officer
     

Christian J. Kelly

1975

Treasurer and Principal Financial

and Accounting Officer

   Vice President, Head of Fund Administration of PGIM Investments LLC (since November 2018); formerly Director of Fund Administration of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC (2009-2018), Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (2017-2018); Director of Accounting, Avenue Capital Group (2008-2009); Senior Manager, Investment Management Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP (1998-2007).    Since January 2019
     

Lana Lomuti

1967

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since April 2014
     

Russ Shupak

1973

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2013-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Deborah Conway

1969

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2007-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Elyse M. McLaughlin

1974

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Jonathan Corbett

1983

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Global Compliance Programs and Compliance Risk Management (since August 2019) of Prudential; formerly Vice President and Head of Key Risk Areas Compliance (March 2016 to July 2019), Chief Privacy Officer (March 2016 to July 2019) and Head of Global Financial Crimes Unit (April 2014 to March 2016) at MetLife.    Since October 2021

(a) Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with PGIM Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of PGIM Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o PGIM Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes all directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by PGIM Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PGIM Investments LLC serves as manager include the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, PGIM ETF Trust, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

As used in the Fund Officers table “Prudential” means The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

The Fund’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund (the “Fund”)1 consists of ten individuals, eight of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and two Investment Committees. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Trustees.

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”), the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc. (“PGIM”) on behalf of its PGIM Fixed Income unit (“PGIM Fixed Income”), and the Fund’s sub-subadvisory agreement with PGIM Limited (“PGIML”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on June 7-10, 2021 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2022, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments, PGIM, and where appropriate, affiliates of PGIM. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments, the subadviser, and, as relevant, its affiliates, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 7-10, 2021.

 

 

 

1

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, between PGIM Investments and PGIM, which, through its PGIM Fixed Income unit, serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, and between PGIM and PGIML, which serves as the Fund’s sub-subadviser pursuant to the terms of a sub-subadvisory agreement with PGIM, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML. The Board noted that PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML are affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadviser and sub-subadviser for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund, and PGIM Investments’ role as administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadviser and sub-subadviser, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments’ senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser and sub-subadviser. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Trustees of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML, including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadviser and sub-subadviser, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser and sub-subadviser, to renew the subadvisory and sub-subadvisory agreements.

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Fixed Income’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’, PGIM Fixed Income’s, and PGIML’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

information pertaining to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML.

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments, the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIM Fixed Income, and the sub-subadvisory services provided by PGIML, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML under the management, subadvisory and sub-subadvisory agreements.

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PGIM Investments may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment. The Board also considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, PGIML and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PGIM Investments), as well as benefits to its reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML included the ability to use soft dollar credits, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to their reputations. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one, three-, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2020.

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

The mutual funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of mutual fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information, for reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

         

Net Performance

   1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
       
     4th Quartile    3rd Quartile    3rd Quartile    N/A
 

Actual Management Fees: 2nd Quartile

 

Net Total Expenses: 1st Quartile

 

  ·  

The Board noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index over the three-and five-year periods, though it underperformed over the one-year period.

 

  ·  

The Board considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that the Fund’s low-duration credit profile was out of favor over the one-year period, and as this changes, PGIM Investments expects the Fund to outperform. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for all periods and its peer group for the one-year period ended March 31, 2021.

 

  ·  

The Board and PGIM Investments agreed to retain the existing contractual expense cap, which (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) caps total annual operating expenses at 0.70% for Class R6 shares, and 0.73% for Class Z shares through February 28, 2022.

 

  ·  

In addition, PGIM Investments will waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class and has agreed that total annual fund operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class Z shares.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

*  *  *

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund


 

     

  MAIL

  

  TELEPHONE

  

  WEBSITE

     

655 Broad Street

  

(800) 225-1852

  

pgim.com/investments

     

Newark, NJ 07102

         

 

PROXY VOTING

The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadviser the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

TRUSTEES

Ellen S. Alberding · Kevin J. Bannon · Scott E. Benjamin · Linda W. Bynoe · Barry H. Evans · Keith F. Hartstein · Laurie Simon Hodrick · Stuart S. Parker · Brian K. Reid · Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS

Stuart S. Parker, President · Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President · Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer · Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer · Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer · Jonathan Corbett, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer · Andrew R. French, Secretary · Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary · Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary · Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Secretary · Patrick E. McGuinness, Assistant Secretary · Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary · Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer · Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer · Elyse M. McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer · Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER    PGIM Investments LLC   

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

SUBADVISER    PGIM Fixed Income   

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

     PGIM Limited   

Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand

Trafalgar Square

London, WC2N 5HR

United Kingdom

DISTRIBUTOR    Prudential Investment Management Services LLC   

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

CUSTODIAN    The Bank of New York Mellon   

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

TRANSFER AGENT    Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC   

PO Box 9658

Providence, RI 02940

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP   

300 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

FUND COUNSEL    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP   

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019


An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain the prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

E-DELIVERY

To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRUSTEES

Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Trustees by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Trustees, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that Trustee at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

Mutual Funds:

 

     

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

   MAY LOSE VALUE    ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


LOGO

 

 

PGIM ABSOLUTE RETURN BOND FUND

 

  SHARE CLASS    A    C    Z    R6

  NASDAQ

   PADAX    PADCX    PADZX    PADQX

  CUSIP

   74441J852    74441J845    74441J829    74441J837

MF213E


LOGO

 

 

PGIM QMA LARGE-CAP CORE EQUITY FUND

 

[Effective 12/29/21, fund name changes to PGIM Quant Solutions Large-Cap Core Fund]

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

LOGO

 

To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery  

 


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

 

    

3

 

 

Your Fund’s Performance

 

    

4

 

 

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

    

5

 

 

Strategy and Performance Overview

 

    

8

 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

    

10

 

 

Holdings and Financial Statements

 

    

13

 

 

Approval of Advisory Agreements

 

    

 

 

 

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

 

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, a Prudential Financial company, member SIPC. PGIM Quantitative Solutions is the primary business name of PGIM Quantitative Solutions LLC (formerly known as QMA LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser and Prudential Financial company. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

2  

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Letter from the President

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the annual report for the PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2021.

 

The global economy and markets continued to recover throughout the period from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and kept them near zero to encourage borrowing. Congress passed stimulus bills worth several trillion dollars to help consumers and businesses. And several effective COVID-19

vaccines received regulatory approval. Those measures were enough to offset the fear of rising inflation and supply chain challenges that threatened to disrupt growth.

 

At the start of the period, stocks had recovered most of the steep losses they had suffered at the onset of the pandemic. Equities rallied as states reopened their economies but became more volatile as investors worried that a surge in COVID-19 infections would stall the recovery. However, rising corporate profits and economic growth, the resolution of the US presidential election, and the global rollout of approved vaccines lifted equity markets to record levels, helping stocks around the globe post gains for the full period.

 

Throughout this volatile period, investors sought safety in fixed income. Investment-grade bonds in the US and the overall global bond market declined slightly during the period as the economy recovered, but emerging market debt rose. While the 10-year US Treasury yield hovered near record lows early in the period after a significant rally in interest rates, rates moved higher later on as investors began to focus on stronger economic growth and the prospects of higher inflation. The Fed also took several aggressive actions to keep the bond markets running smoothly, implementing many of the relief programs that proved to be successful in helping end the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

 

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

 

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. This scale and investment expertise allow us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

 

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Stuart S. Parker, President

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

December 15, 2021

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

    3  


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

    Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21
  One Year (%)   Five Years (%)   Ten Years (%)   Since Inception (%)
Class A        
(with sales charges)   34.42   15.31   14.23  
(without sales charges)   42.24   16.62   14.87  
Class C        
(with sales charges)   40.25   15.77   14.02  
(without sales charges)   41.25   15.77   14.02  
Class Z        
(without sales charges)   42.44   16.88   15.14  
Class R6        
(without sales charges)   42.79   N/A   N/A   16.06 (12/28/2016)
S&P 500 Index        
    42.90

 

  18.92

 

  16.20

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21 Since Inception (%)
        Class R6
(12/28/2016)

S&P 500 Index

 

     

18.26

 

 

Since Inception returns are provided for any share class with less than 10 fiscal years of returns. Since Inception returns for the Index are measured from the closest month-end to the class’ inception date.

 

4  

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

Growth of a $10,000 Investment (unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class Z shares with a similar investment in the S&P 500 Index by portraying the initial account values at the beginning of the 10-year period for Class Z shares (October 31, 2011) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (October 31, 2021), as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and (b) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class Z shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for other share classes will vary due to the differing fees and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursements, if any, the returns would have been lower.

 

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graph include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

    5  


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

         
    

Class A

 

Class C

 

Class Z

 

Class R6

Maximum initial sales charge   5.50% of the public offering price   None   None   None
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or the net asset value at redemption)   1.00% on sales of $1 million or more made within 12 months of purchase   1.00% on sales made within 12 months of purchase   None   None
Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)   0.30% (0.25% currently)   1.00%   None   None

 

Benchmark Definitions

 

S&P 500 Index*—The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of over 500 stocks of large US public companies. It gives a broad look at how stock prices in the United States have performed.

 

*The S&P 500 Index (“Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by PGIM, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Copyright © 2021 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit www.spdji.com. S&P® is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC.

 

Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The returns for the Index would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes that may be paid by an investor.

 

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Presentation of Fund Holdings as of 10/31/21

 

  Ten Largest Holdings    Line of Business   % of Net Assets

Microsoft Corp.

   Software   6.9%

Apple, Inc.

   Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   5.3%

Amazon.com, Inc.

   Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   3.2%

Alphabet, Inc. (Class A Stock)

   Interactive Media & Services   2.6%

Alphabet, Inc. (Class C Stock)

   Interactive Media & Services   2.3%

Meta Platforms, Inc. (Class A Stock)

   Interactive Media & Services   2.2%

Tesla, Inc.

   Automobiles   2.1%

Johnson & Johnson

   Pharmaceuticals   1.5%

Visa, Inc. (Class A Stock)

   IT Services   1.3%

Adobe, Inc.

   Software   1.3%

 

Holdings reflect only long-term investments and are subject to change.

 

    PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund       7  


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

 

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund’s Class Z shares returned 42.44% in the 12-month reporting period that ended October 31, 2021, performing in line with the 42.90% return of the S&P 500 Index (the Index).

 

What were the market conditions?

The reporting period was headlined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to several positive and negative shocks to global markets. Equity investors mostly shrugged off the negative news, with the Index rising more than 40% over the period.

 

COVID-19 vaccine approvals during the period provided a boost to equities, though risks remain with new variants of the virus appearing as existing ones become less dominant.

 

As economies reopened from the lockdowns that characterized 2020, cyclical stocks with positive fundamentals in general performed well.

 

What worked?

Overweighting “cheap” stocks (i.e., those that are inexpensive compared to industry peers) with positive quality attributes relative to the Index, while underweighting expensive stocks with negative quality traits, benefited the Fund over the reporting period.

 

What didn’t work?

Cheap stocks, or value companies, outperformed the fast-growth segment of the market over the period. While this ultimately benefited the Fund overall due to its tilt toward cheap stocks, growth factors modestly detracted from performance.

 

Did the Fund use derivatives?

The Fund held futures contracts on the Index. PGIM Quantitative Solutions used these instruments primarily to manage daily cash flows, provide liquidity, and equitize cash—not as a means of adding to performance. Consequently, the effect on Fund performance was minimal.

 

Current outlook

PGIM Quantitative Solutions believes the recovery from the pandemic-induced market decline in the first quarter of 2020 should continue into 2022, albeit at a slower pace than in 2021.

 

Inflation is an active concern for investors, and central banks are planning actions to alleviate rising prices. This includes higher interest rates, which PGIM Quantitative Solutions feels could make fixed income investments more attractive than they have been in recent years.

 

Nevertheless, in PGIM Quantitative Solutions’ view, corporate earnings should continue to be strong in 2022, driving robust economic growth. Additionally, PGIM

 

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Quantitative Solutions believes cyclical stocks with positive fundamentals are attractively valued, and this segment of the market should outperform in 2022 if pandemic fears soften.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

    9  


Fees and Expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. 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 held through the six-month period ended October 31, 2021. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on 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 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 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.

 

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of PGIM funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information

 

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provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

 

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 (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in 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.

 

       
PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core
Equity Fund
  Beginning
Account Value
May 1, 2021
  Ending
Account Value
October 31, 2021
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio Based on
the
Six-Month Period
  Expenses Paid
During the
Six-Month Period*
 Class A   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,091.10   0.72%   $3.79
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,021.58   0.72%   $3.67
 Class C   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,087.50   1.44%   $7.58
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,017.95   1.44%   $7.32
 Class Z   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,091.70   0.53%   $2.79
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,022.53   0.53%   $2.70
 Class R6   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,093.00   0.35%   $1.85
    Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,023.44   0.35%   $1.79

 

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended October 31, 2021, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

    11  


Schedule of Investments

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    98.6%

     

COMMON STOCKS

     

Aerospace & Defense    1.6%

                 

General Dynamics Corp.

     22,100      $ 4,480,775  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     16,033        5,328,086  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     804        287,205  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

     41,250        3,665,475  
     

 

 

 
                  13,761,541  

Air Freight & Logistics    0.3%

                 

FedEx Corp.

     8,100        1,907,793  

United Parcel Service, Inc. (Class B Stock)

     2,200        469,634  
     

 

 

 
        2,377,427  

Automobiles    2.2%

                 

Tesla, Inc.*

     16,400        18,269,600  

Thor Industries, Inc.

     4,500        458,820  
     

 

 

 
        18,728,420  

Banks    3.7%

                 

Bank of America Corp.

     60,100        2,871,578  

Citigroup, Inc.

     84,078        5,814,835  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     40,281        6,843,339  

Popular, Inc. (Puerto Rico)

     5,200        423,488  

Regions Financial Corp.

     121,700        2,881,856  

Signature Bank

     7,100        2,114,522  

U.S. Bancorp

     24,600        1,485,102  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     189,100        9,674,356  
     

 

 

 
        32,109,076  

Beverages    2.0%

                 

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

     161,000        9,075,570  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     52,400        8,467,840  
     

 

 

 
        17,543,410  

Biotechnology    1.2%

                 

AbbVie, Inc.

     56,151        6,438,835  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     14,672        951,919  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     4,100        2,623,754  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     3,900        721,227  
     

 

 

 
        10,735,735  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     13  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Building Products    0.4%

                 

Carrier Global Corp.

     45,000      $ 2,350,350  

UFP Industries, Inc.

     14,033        1,148,320  
     

 

 

 
        3,498,670  

Capital Markets    2.6%

                 

Ares Management Corp. (Class A Stock)

     3,800        322,012  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

     22,477        9,290,868  

Morgan Stanley

     10,400        1,068,912  

Northern Trust Corp.

     25,600        3,149,824  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     17,400        1,715,466  

State Street Corp.

     54,800        5,400,540  

Stifel Financial Corp.

     17,200        1,253,364  
     

 

 

 
                  22,200,986  

Chemicals    1.6%

                 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     14,600        829,280  

Chemours Co. (The)

     9,200        257,784  

Corteva, Inc.

     33,300        1,436,895  

Dow, Inc.

     87,000        4,869,390  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     69,600        4,844,160  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

     20,200        1,966,268  
     

 

 

 
        14,203,777  

Commercial Services & Supplies    0.2%

                 

ABM Industries, Inc.

     10,200        448,902  

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

     7,800        877,812  
     

 

 

 
        1,326,714  

Communications Equipment    0.5%

                 

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     61,382        3,435,551  

Ubiquiti, Inc.

     1,800        549,954  
     

 

 

 
        3,985,505  

Construction & Engineering    0.1%

                 

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     7,577        920,530  

Consumer Finance    1.3%

                 

Capital One Financial Corp.

     37,300        5,633,419  

Discover Financial Services

     2,200        249,304  

LendingClub Corp.*

     34,200        1,571,832  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14  


  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Consumer Finance (cont’d.)

                 

OneMain Holdings, Inc.

     39,600      $ 2,091,276  

Synchrony Financial

     45,100        2,094,895  
     

 

 

 
        11,640,726  

Distributors    0.7%

                 

Genuine Parts Co.

     21,200        2,779,532  

LKQ Corp.*

     60,900        3,354,372  
     

 

 

 
        6,133,904  

Diversified Financial Services    0.9%

                 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Class B Stock)*

     26,274        7,540,901  

Diversified Telecommunication Services    1.5%

                 

AT&T, Inc.

     211,135        5,333,270  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     138,950        7,362,961  
     

 

 

 
                  12,696,231  

Electric Utilities    0.8%

                 

Entergy Corp.

     7,400        762,348  

Exelon Corp.

     95,645        5,087,358  

FirstEnergy Corp.

     6,800        262,004  

PPL Corp.

     32,000        921,600  
     

 

 

 
        7,033,310  

Electrical Equipment    1.3%

                 

AMETEK, Inc.

     11,000        1,456,400  

Atkore, Inc.*

     28,321        2,677,184  

Emerson Electric Co.

     55,100        5,345,251  

Generac Holdings, Inc.*

     700        348,992  

Regal Rexnord Corp.

     9,900        1,508,067  
     

 

 

 
        11,335,894  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components    0.5%

                 

CDW Corp.

     13,900        2,594,435  

SYNNEX Corp.

     14,600        1,533,000  
     

 

 

 
        4,127,435  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     15  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Energy Equipment & Services    0.5%

                 

Halliburton Co.

     84,500      $ 2,111,655  

Schlumberger NV

     54,000        1,742,040  
     

 

 

 
        3,853,695  

Entertainment    1.9%

                 

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     59,300        4,636,667  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.*

     3,600        364,140  

Netflix, Inc.*

     15,300        10,561,743  

Walt Disney Co. (The)*

     6,000        1,014,420  
     

 

 

 
        16,576,970  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)    1.7%

                 

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

     71,300        1,120,123  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.*

     32,200        291,088  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

     6,000        1,184,220  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.*

     28,000        518,840  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

     25,000        1,306,750  

Prologis, Inc.

     25,700        3,725,472  

SBA Communications Corp.

     14,800        5,110,884  

Welltower, Inc.

     9,200        739,680  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

     29,500        1,053,740  
     

 

 

 
                  15,050,797  

Food & Staples Retailing    0.8%

                 

Kroger Co. (The)

     31,700        1,268,634  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

     9,600        451,392  

Walmart, Inc.

     36,693        5,482,668  
     

 

 

 
        7,202,694  

Food Products    1.2%

                 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     19,600        1,259,104  

Ingredion, Inc.

     2,900        276,167  

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

     71,700        2,573,313  

Mondelez International, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     10,800        655,992  

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     5,000        947,250  

Tyson Foods, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     61,100        4,886,167  
     

 

 

 
        10,597,993  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies    3.9%

                 

Abbott Laboratories

     30,900        3,982,701  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  


  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (cont’d.)

                 

Align Technology, Inc.*

     1,600      $ 998,992  

Baxter International, Inc.

     14,000        1,105,440  

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

     10,400        2,491,736  

Boston Scientific Corp.*

     114,600        4,942,698  

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

     40,600        2,322,726  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*

     9,300        1,114,326  

Envista Holdings Corp.*

     6,800        265,880  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

     8,400        3,033,492  

Medtronic PLC

     63,800        7,647,068  

Stryker Corp.

     20,700        5,507,649  
     

 

 

 
                  33,412,708  

Health Care Providers & Services    2.5%

                 

Anthem, Inc.

     14,200        6,178,846  

CVS Health Corp.

     44,200        3,946,176  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     10,100        2,529,646  

McKesson Corp.

     3,800        789,944  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     17,400        8,012,178  
     

 

 

 
        21,456,790  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure    2.7%

                 

Booking Holdings, Inc.*

     2,200        5,325,716  

Marriott International, Inc. (Class A Stock)*

     25,300        4,048,506  

McDonald’s Corp.

     30,700        7,538,385  

Starbucks Corp.

     41,100        4,359,477  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

     13,100        1,636,714  
     

 

 

 
        22,908,798  

Household Durables    0.2%

                 

Lennar Corp. (Class A Stock)

     10,400        1,039,272  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

     10,800        649,836  

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.*

     10,300        249,157  
     

 

 

 
        1,938,265  

Household Products    0.6%

                 

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

     33,386        4,773,864  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     17  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers    0.7%

                 

AES Corp. (The)

     186,500      $ 4,686,745  

Vistra Corp.

     57,400        1,124,466  
     

 

 

 
        5,811,211  

Industrial Conglomerates    1.4%

                 

3M Co.

     27,400        4,895,832  

Honeywell International, Inc.

     34,300        7,498,666  
     

 

 

 
        12,394,498  

Insurance    2.1%

                 

American International Group, Inc.(a)

     67,300        3,976,757  

Chubb Ltd.

     23,600        4,610,968  

MetLife, Inc.

     85,840        5,390,752  

Old Republic International Corp.

     70,500        1,821,015  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

     18,000        2,125,440  
     

 

 

 
                  17,924,932  

Interactive Media & Services    7.1%

                 

Alphabet, Inc. (Class A Stock)*

     7,494        22,189,134  

Alphabet, Inc. (Class C Stock)*

     6,868        20,366,436  

Meta Platforms, Inc. (Class A Stock)*

     59,580        19,278,301  
     

 

 

 
        61,833,871  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail    3.2%

                 

Amazon.com, Inc.*

     8,102        27,323,428  

eBay, Inc.

     3,800        291,536  
     

 

 

 
        27,614,964  

IT Services    5.0%

                 

Accenture PLC (Class A Stock)

     27,559        9,887,894  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

     10,500        2,357,145  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (Class A Stock)

     34,700        2,709,723  

EPAM Systems, Inc.*

     5,800        3,904,792  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     4,400        487,256  

Fiserv, Inc.*

     2,600        256,074  

Gartner, Inc.*

     5,300        1,759,123  

International Business Machines Corp.

     30,630        3,831,813  

Mastercard, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     13,200        4,428,864  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  


  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

IT Services (cont’d.)

                 

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

     10,300      $ 2,395,677  

Visa, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     54,725        11,589,113  
     

 

 

 
                  43,607,474  

Leisure Products    0.4%

                 

Brunswick Corp.

     29,200        2,718,228  

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

     52,800        1,135,200  
     

 

 

 
        3,853,428  

Life Sciences Tools & Services    2.5%

                 

Danaher Corp.

     11,400        3,554,178  

Illumina, Inc.*

     900        373,554  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.*

     17,300        4,522,566  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

     2,400        3,554,112  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     14,114        8,935,150  

Waters Corp.*

     2,800        1,029,140  
     

 

 

 
        21,968,700  

Machinery    2.2%

                 

AGCO Corp.

     17,800        2,175,338  

Cummins, Inc.

     20,500        4,916,720  

Deere & Co.

     12,100        4,141,951  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

     18,600        845,556  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     17,900        1,437,549  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

     6,400        1,898,176  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

     20,500        3,684,465  
     

 

 

 
        19,099,755  

Media    0.9%

                 

Comcast Corp. (Class A Stock)

     159,100        8,182,513  

Metals & Mining    0.4%

                 

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     58,600        2,210,392  

Nucor Corp.

     5,500        614,075  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

     7,000        1,023,120  
     

 

 

 
        3,847,587  

Multiline Retail    0.3%

                 

Target Corp.

     10,300        2,674,086  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     19  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Multi-Utilities    0.3%

                 

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

     41,200      $ 1,266,076  

Sempra Energy

     9,000        1,148,670  
     

 

 

 
        2,414,746  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels    3.1%

                 

Cheniere Energy, Inc.*

     20,700        2,140,380  

Chevron Corp.

     57,000        6,525,930  

ConocoPhillips

     30,800        2,294,292  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

     3,900        418,041  

EOG Resources, Inc.

     34,700        3,208,362  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     167,400        10,792,278  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     47,400        1,589,322  
     

 

 

 
                  26,968,605  

Personal Products    0.0%

                 

Medifast, Inc.

     1,300        255,151  

Pharmaceuticals    3.4%

                 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     110,400        6,447,360  

Johnson & Johnson

     82,258        13,398,183  

Merck & Co., Inc.

     37,600        3,310,680  

Pfizer, Inc.

     131,600        5,756,184  

Zoetis, Inc.

     3,500        756,700  
     

 

 

 
        29,669,107  

Professional Services    0.3%

                 

Korn Ferry

     16,200        1,250,802  

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

     14,300        1,382,095  
     

 

 

 
        2,632,897  

Real Estate Management & Development    0.1%

                 

CBRE Group, Inc. (Class A Stock)*

     11,500        1,196,920  

Road & Rail    0.4%

                 

AMERCO

     1,200        884,388  

Union Pacific Corp.

     9,800        2,365,720  
     

 

 

 
        3,250,108  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment    6.2%

                 

Analog Devices, Inc.

     35,300        6,124,197  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  


  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (cont’d.)

                 

Applied Materials, Inc.

     60,200      $ 8,226,330  

Broadcom, Inc.

     16,600        8,825,722  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

     6,700        541,427  

Intel Corp.

     163,041        7,989,009  

Lam Research Corp.

     5,700        3,212,349  

NVIDIA Corp.

     28,600        7,312,162  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     56,800        7,556,672  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     18,800        3,524,624  
     

 

 

 
                  53,312,492  

Software    10.6%

                 

Adobe, Inc.*

     16,983        11,045,064  

Autodesk, Inc.*

     2,300        730,503  

Black Knight, Inc.*

     16,600        1,163,826  

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     17,600        1,554,960  

Intuit, Inc.

     1,800        1,126,782  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

     8,900        1,615,706  

McAfee Corp. (Class A Stock)

     11,900        254,303  

Microsoft Corp.

     180,884        59,984,752  

Oracle Corp.

     28,279        2,713,087  

Paycom Software, Inc.*

     3,400        1,862,690  

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     15,900        4,765,071  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

     30,200        2,399,994  

Synopsys, Inc.*

     8,200        2,732,076  
     

 

 

 
        91,948,814  

Specialty Retail    1.9%

                 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*

     2,900        567,559  

AutoNation, Inc.*

     16,600        2,010,592  

AutoZone, Inc.*

     700        1,249,388  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     2,800        342,272  

Foot Locker, Inc.

     62,100        2,960,307  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

     4,300        773,140  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

     10,000        3,717,400  

Ross Stores, Inc.

     10,200        1,154,640  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

     52,800        3,457,872  
     

 

 

 
        16,233,170  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     21  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares      Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 5.6%

                 

Apple, Inc.

     304,780      $ 45,656,044  

Western Digital Corp.*

     46,000        2,405,340  
     

 

 

 
        48,061,384  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.4%

                 

Capri Holdings Ltd.*

     51,800        2,757,832  

Tapestry, Inc.

     23,200        904,336  
     

 

 

 
        3,662,168  

Tobacco 0.5%

                 

Altria Group, Inc.

     93,341        4,117,271  

Trading Companies & Distributors 0.2%

                 

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     2,900        282,692  

GMS, Inc.*

     8,500        421,005  

Herc Holdings, Inc.

     4,700        855,588  
     

 

 

 
        1,559,285  

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

     

    (cost $616,019,482)

                  853,767,903  
     

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 2.0%

     

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS 1.9%

     

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund(wa)

     15,957,883        15,957,883  

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund

     

    (cost $602,941; includes $602,470 of cash collateral for securities on loan)(b)(wa)

     603,303        602,941  
     

 

 

 

TOTAL AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUNDS

     

    (cost $16,560,824)

        16,560,824  
     

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  


  Description    Interest
Rate
   Maturity
Date
   Principal
Amount
(000)#
     Value  

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATION(k)(n)    0.1%

           

U.S. Treasury Bills
(cost $999,960)

   0.037%    12/09/21      1,000      $ 999,930  
           

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(cost $17,560,784)

              17,560,754  
           

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS    100.6%
(cost $633,580,266)

           871,328,657  

Liabilities in excess of other assets(z)    (0.6)%

              (5,179,506
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS    100.0%

            $ 866,149,151  
           

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the annual report:

 

USD—US Dollar

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

OTC—Over-the-counter

REITs—Real Estate Investment Trust

S&P—Standard & Poor’s

*

Non-income producing security.

#

Principal amount is shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

(a)

All or a portion of security is on loan. The aggregate market value of such securities, including those sold and pending settlement, is $587,173; cash collateral of $602,470 (included in liabilities) was received with which the Fund purchased highly liquid short-term investments. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the Fund may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities and such shortfall is remedied the following business day.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(k)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, segregated as collateral for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives. (n) Rate shown reflects yield to maturity at purchased date.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

(z)

Includes net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and/or market value of the below holdings which are excluded from the Schedule of Investments:

 

Futures contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Number of
Contracts

 

Type

  Expiration
Date
  Current
Notional
Amount
  Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

Long Position:

             
58  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

      Dec. 2021     $ 13,331,300       $575,174
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

  PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     23  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Summary of Collateral for Centrally Cleared/Exchange-traded Derivatives:

 

Cash and securities segregated as collateral, including pending settlement for closed positions, to cover requirements for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives are listed by broker as follows:

 

Broker

   Cash and/or Foreign Currency     Securities Market Value 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    $     $ 999,930
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements:

 

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

 

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2021 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

       Level 1          Level 2           Level 3    

Investments in Securities

           

Assets

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

           

Aerospace & Defense

    $   13,761,541     $         —     $

Air Freight & Logistics

      2,377,427            

Automobiles

      18,728,420            

Banks

      32,109,076            

Beverages

      17,543,410            

Biotechnology

      10,735,735            

Building Products

      3,498,670            

Capital Markets

      22,200,986            

Chemicals

      14,203,777            

Commercial Services & Supplies

      1,326,714            

Communications Equipment

      3,985,505            

Construction & Engineering

      920,530            

Consumer Finance

      11,640,726            

Distributors

      6,133,904            

Diversified Financial Services

      7,540,901            

Diversified Telecommunication Services

      12,696,231            

Electric Utilities

      7,033,310            

Electrical Equipment

      11,335,894            

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

      4,127,435            

Energy Equipment & Services

      3,853,695            

Entertainment

      16,576,970            

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

      15,050,797            

Food & Staples Retailing

      7,202,694            

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


        Level 1           Level 2           Level 3    

Investments in Securities (continued)

           

Assets (continued)

           

Long-Term Investments (continued)

           

Common Stocks (continued)

           

Food Products

    $ 10,597,993     $     $

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

      33,412,708            

Health Care Providers & Services

      21,456,790            

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

      22,908,798            

Household Durables

      1,938,265            

Household Products

      4,773,864            

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

      5,811,211            

Industrial Conglomerates

      12,394,498            

Insurance

      17,924,932            

Interactive Media & Services.

      61,833,871            

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

      27,614,964            

IT Services

      43,607,474            

Leisure Products

      3,853,428            

Life Sciences Tools & Services

      21,968,700            

Machinery

      19,099,755            

Media

      8,182,513            

Metals & Mining

      3,847,587            

Multiline Retail

      2,674,086            

Multi-Utilities

      2,414,746            

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

      26,968,605            

Personal Products

      255,151            

Pharmaceuticals

      29,669,107            

Professional Services

      2,632,897            

Real Estate Management & Development

      1,196,920            

Road & Rail

      3,250,108            

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

      53,312,492            

Software

      91,948,814            

Specialty Retail

      16,233,170            

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

      48,061,384            

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

      3,662,168            

Tobacco

      4,117,271            

Trading Companies & Distributors

      1,559,285            

Short-Term Investments

           

Affiliated Mutual Funds

      16,560,824            

U.S. Treasury Obligation

            999,930      
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    $ 870,328,727     $ 999,930     $
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments*

           

Assets

           

Futures Contracts

    $ 575,174     $     $
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

  PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     25  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

 

*

Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards and centrally cleared swap contracts, which are recorded at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument, and OTC swap contracts which are recorded at fair value.

 

Industry Classification:

 

The industry classification of investments and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2021 were as follows (unaudited):

 

Software

    10.6

Interactive Media & Services

    7.1  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    6.2  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    5.6  

IT Services

    5.0  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    3.9  

Banks

    3.7  

Pharmaceuticals

    3.4  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    3.2  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    3.1  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    2.7  

Capital Markets

    2.6  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    2.5  

Health Care Providers & Services

    2.5  

Machinery

    2.2  

Automobiles

    2.2  

Insurance

    2.1  

Beverages

    2.0  

Entertainment

    1.9  

Affiliated Mutual Funds (0.1% represents investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan)

    1.9  

Specialty Retail

    1.9  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

    1.7  

Chemicals

    1.6  

Aerospace & Defense

    1.6  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1.5  

Industrial Conglomerates

    1.4  

Consumer Finance

    1.3  

Electrical Equipment

    1.3  

Biotechnology

    1.2  

Food Products

    1.2  

Media

    0.9  

Diversified Financial Services

    0.9  

Food & Staples Retailing

    0.8

Electric Utilities

    0.8  

Distributors

    0.7  

Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers

    0.7  

Household Products

    0.6  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    0.5  

Tobacco

    0.5  

Communications Equipment

    0.5  

Energy Equipment & Services

    0.5  

Leisure Products

    0.4  

Metals & Mining

    0.4  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

    0.4  

Building Products

    0.4  

Road & Rail

    0.4  

Multiline Retail

    0.3  

Professional Services

    0.3  

Multi-Utilities

    0.3  

Air Freight & Logistics

    0.3  

Household Durables

    0.2  

Trading Companies & Distributors

    0.2  

Commercial Services & Supplies

    0.2  

Real Estate Management & Development

    0.1  

U.S. Treasury Obligation

    0.1  

Construction & Engineering

    0.1  

Personal Products

    0.0
 

 

 

 
    100.6  

Liabilities in excess of other assets

    (0.6
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Less than +/- 0.05%

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements and Primary Underlying Risk Exposure:

 

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary type of risk associated with these derivative instruments is equity contracts risk. See the Notes to Financial Statements for additional detail regarding these derivative instruments and their risks. The effect of such derivative instruments on the Fund’s financial position and financial performance as reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations is presented in the summary below.

 

Fair values of derivative instruments as of October 31, 2021 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

Derivatives not accounted for as
hedging instruments, carried  at
fair value

  

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities Location

   Fair
Value
 

Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities Location

   Fair
Value
Equity contracts    Due from/to broker-variation margin futures    $575,174*      $—
     

 

    

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the schedule of open futures and centrally cleared swap contracts. Only unsettled variation margin receivable (payable) is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging
instruments, carried at fair value

  Futures  

Equity contracts

  $ 4,367,353  
 

 

 

 

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

 

Derivatives not accounted for
as hedging instruments,
carried at fair value

  Futures  

Equity contracts

  $ 737,817  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     27  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund’s average volume of derivative activities is as follows:

 

Futures
Contracts—
Long
Positions(1)
$13,023,216

 

 

(1)

Notional Amount in USD.

 

Average volume is based on average quarter end balances as noted for the year ended October 31, 2021.

 

Financial Instruments/Transactions—Summary of Offsetting and Netting Arrangements:

 

The Fund entered into financial instruments/transactions during the reporting period that are either offset in accordance with current requirements or are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements that permit offsetting. The information about offsetting and related netting arrangements for financial instruments/transactions where the legal right to set-off exists is presented in the summary below.

 

Offsetting of financial instrument/transaction assets and liabilities:

 

Description

  Gross Market
Value of
Recognized
        Assets/(Liabilities)        
  Collateral
Pledged/(Received)(1)
  Net
Amount

Securities on Loan

  $587,173   $(587,173)   $—
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Collateral amount disclosed by the Fund is limited to the market value of financial instruments/transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Assets

        

Investments at value, including securities on loan of $587,173:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $617,019,442)

   $ 854,767,833  

Affiliated investments (cost $16,560,824)

     16,560,824  

Receivable for investments sold

     12,071,763  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     964,356  

Dividends receivable

     632,225  

Due from broker—variation margin futures

     27,550  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     47,315  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     885,071,866  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Payable for investments purchased

     14,457,718  

Payable for Fund shares purchased

     3,340,024  

Payable to broker for collateral for securities on loan

     602,470  

Management fee payable

     238,513  

Distribution fee payable

     126,748  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     95,328  

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     60,551  

Trustees’ fees payable

     1,363  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     18,922,715  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 866,149,151  
  

 

 

 
          

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Shares of beneficial interest, at par

   $ 40,686  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     510,863,834  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     355,244,631  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, October 31, 2021

   $ 866,149,151  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     29  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Class A

        

Net asset value and redemption price per share,
($ 522,600,782 ÷ 24,781,802 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 21.09  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

     1.23  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 22.32  
  

 

 

 

Class C

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($ 22,453,221 ÷ 1,212,590 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 18.52  
  

 

 

 

Class Z

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($ 25,663,489 ÷ 1,177,582 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 21.79  
  

 

 

 

Class R6

        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($ 295,431,659 ÷ 13,514,122 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 21.86  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30  


Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

        

Income

  

Unaffiliated dividend income (net of $1,236 foreign withholding tax)

   $ 11,791,552  

Affiliated dividend income

     21,778  

Income from securities lending, net (including affiliated income of $1,934)

     2,275  

Interest income

     661  
  

 

 

 

Total income

     11,816,266  
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     2,668,036  

Distribution fee(a)

     1,649,392  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $318,855)(a)

     715,864  

Custodian and accounting fees

     83,725  

Registration fees(a)

     56,097  

Shareholders’ reports

     40,453  

Audit fee

     26,155  

Legal fees and expenses

     23,038  

Trustees’ fees

     18,325  

Miscellaneous

     29,005  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     5,310,090  

Less: Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(a)

     (312,982

  Distribution fee waiver(a)

     (237,661
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     4,759,447  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     7,056,819  
  

 

 

 
Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investments        

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions (including affiliated of $6,381)

     108,024,418  

Futures transactions

     4,367,353  
  

 

 

 
     112,391,771  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments (including affiliated of $(7,761))

     133,242,810  

Futures

     737,817  
  

 

 

 
     133,980,627  
  

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investment transactions

     246,372,398  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 253,429,217  
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Class specific expenses and waivers were as follows:

 

      Class A       Class C       Class Z       Class R6   

Distribution fee

    1,425,967       223,425              

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

    594,369       35,320       84,742       1,433  

Registration fees

    17,971       11,739       17,774       8,613  

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

    (177,780     (33,352     (35,072     (66,778

Distribution fee waiver

    (237,661                  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     31  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     Year Ended
October 31,
 
     2021      2020  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                 

Operations

     

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 7,056,819      $ 7,732,239  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions

     112,391,771        7,851,246  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     133,980,627        11,587,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     253,429,217        27,170,530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

     

Distributions from distributable earnings

     

Class A

     (9,498,862      (16,111,961

Class B

            (283,506

Class C

     (464,608      (1,067,236

Class Z

     (1,395,424      (2,719,310

Class R6

     (3,717,913      (3,898,963
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (15,076,807      (24,080,976
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions)

     

Net proceeds from shares sold

     187,786,089        140,184,209  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     14,909,423        23,767,624  

Cost of shares purchased

     (158,286,541      (177,202,460
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     44,408,971        (13,250,627
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     282,761,381        (10,161,073

Net Assets:

                 

Beginning of year

     583,387,770        593,548,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 866,149,151      $ 583,387,770  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32  


Financial Highlights

 

Class A Shares  
            Year Ended October 31,         
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $15.17       $15.17       $16.76       $18.37       $15.49  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.16       0.19       0.18       0.20       0.19  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     6.14       0.43       1.19       0.80       3.51  
Total from investment operations     6.30       0.62       1.37       1.00       3.70  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.19     (0.19     (0.22     (0.18     (0.15
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.19     (0.43     (2.74     (2.43     (0.67
Total dividends and distributions     (0.38     (0.62     (2.96     (2.61     (0.82
Net asset value, end of year     $21.09       $15.17       $15.17       $16.76       $18.37  
Total Return(b):     42.24     4.02     10.61     5.67     24.73
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of year (000)     $522,601       $382,165       $400,634       $105,855       $113,343  
Average net assets (000)     $475,322       $389,009       $302,864       $112,391       $101,852  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.72     0.72     0.74     0.72     0.77
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.81     0.83     0.87     0.86     0.93
Net investment income (loss)     0.84     1.26     1.27     1.14     1.13
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     101     92     88     95     89

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     33  


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class C Shares  
            Year Ended October 31,         
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $13.38       $13.46       $15.20       $16.89       $14.31  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.02       0.07       0.08       0.07       0.06  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     5.42       0.38       1.03       0.73       3.24  
Total from investment operations     5.44       0.45       1.11       0.80       3.30  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.11     (0.10     (0.11     (0.06     (0.05
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.19     (0.43     (2.74     (2.43     (0.67
Total dividends and distributions     (0.30     (0.53     (2.85     (2.49     (0.72
Net asset value, end of year     $18.52       $13.38       $13.46       $15.20       $16.89  
Total Return(b):     41.25     3.27     9.77     4.91     23.80
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of year (000)     $22,453       $21,047       $27,333       $29,930       $31,518  
Average net assets (000)     $22,342       $24,287       $36,812       $31,783       $34,697  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.44     1.44     1.47     1.44     1.53
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.59     1.59     1.54     1.55     1.64
Net investment income (loss)     0.14     0.56     0.59     0.43     0.40
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     101     92     88     95     89

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34  


Class Z Shares                                   
     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $15.67       $15.65       $17.20       $18.78       $15.83  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.21       0.23       0.24       0.25       0.24  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     6.32       0.44       1.21       0.82       3.57  
Total from investment operations     6.53       0.67       1.45       1.07       3.81  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.22     (0.22     (0.26     (0.22     (0.19
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.19     (0.43     (2.74     (2.43     (0.67
Total dividends and distributions     (0.41     (0.65     (3.00     (2.65     (0.86
Net asset value, end of year     $21.79       $15.67       $15.65       $17.20       $18.78  
Total Return(b):     42.44     4.27     10.91     5.98     24.93
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of year (000)     $25,663       $47,730       $67,192       $61,857       $56,066  
Average net assets (000)     $60,616       $64,099       $65,923       $62,456       $54,787  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.49     0.48     0.48     0.46     0.54
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.55     0.55     0.54     0.55     0.64
Net investment income (loss)     1.10     1.54     1.59     1.40     1.42
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     101     92     88     95     89

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     35  


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class R6 Shares                                          
     Year Ended October 31,           

December 28, 2016(a)
through October 31,

2017

 
     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Per Share Operating Performance(b):                                                
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period     $15.70       $15.68       $17.23       $18.81               $16.06  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                                
Net investment income (loss)     0.23       0.25       0.26       0.27               0.21  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions     6.36       0.44       1.21       0.82               2.54  
Total from investment operations     6.59       0.69       1.47       1.09               2.75  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                                
Dividends from net investment income     (0.24     (0.24     (0.28     (0.24             -  
Distributions from net realized gains     (0.19     (0.43     (2.74     (2.43             -  
Total dividends and distributions     (0.43     (0.67     (3.02     (2.67             -  
Net asset value, end of period     $21.86       $15.70       $15.68       $17.23               $18.81  
Total Return(c):     42.79     4.39     11.05     6.10             17.12
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                    
Net assets, end of period (000)     $295,432       $132,446       $90,722       $76,551               $58,304  
Average net assets (000)     $204,016       $105,498       $86,249       $71,390               $40,448  
Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):                                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.35     0.35     0.35     0.35             0.35 %(f) 
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     0.38     0.40     0.41     0.44             0.47 %(f) 
Net investment income (loss)     1.17     1.60     1.72     1.51             1.44 %(f) 
Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)     101     92     88     95             89

 

(a)

Commencement of offering.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

(h)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36  


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.     Organization

 

Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of five separate funds: PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund and PGIM Select Real Estate Fund. These financial statements relate only to the PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital.

 

2.     Accounting Policies

 

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

 

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The RIC’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

 

For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     37  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

 

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

 

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Foreign equities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued using pricing vendor services that provide model prices derived using adjustment factors based on information such as local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable. Securities valued using such model prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The models generate an evaluated adjustment factor for each security, which is applied to the local closing price to adjust it for post closing market movements up to the time the Fund is valued. Utilizing that evaluated adjustment factor, the vendor provides an evaluated price for each security. If the vendor does not provide an evaluated price, securities are valued in accordance with exchange-traded common and preferred stock valuation policies discussed above.

 

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

 

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

 

38  


When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

 

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain (loss). When the contract expires or is closed, the gain (loss) is realized and is presented in the Statement of Operations as net realized gain (loss) on futures transactions.

 

The Fund invested in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities, or securities the Fund intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts and the underlying hedged assets. Since futures contracts are exchange-traded, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures and guarantees the futures contracts against default.

 

Master Netting Arrangements: The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of all or a portion of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. In addition to master netting arrangements, the right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     39  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Securities Lending: The Fund lends its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in an affiliated money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the previous day’s market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the financial statements may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities. Such shortfall is remedied as described above. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral.

 

The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities in the form of fees or interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The borrower receives all interest and dividends from the securities loaned and such payments are passed back to the lender in amounts equivalent thereto, which are reflected in interest income or unaffiliated dividend income based on the nature of the payment on the Statement of Operations. The Fund also continues to recognize any unrealized gain (loss) in the market price of the securities loaned and on the change in the value of the collateral invested that may occur during the term of the loan. In addition, realized gain (loss) is recognized on changes in the value of the collateral invested upon liquidation of the collateral. Net earnings from securities lending are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

 

Equity and Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (collectively REITs): The Fund invested in REITs, which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Based on current and historical information, a portion of distributions received from REITs during the period is estimated to be dividend income, capital gain or return of capital and recorded accordingly. When material, these estimates are adjusted periodically when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs.

 

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative

 

40  


proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

 

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

 

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

 

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.     Agreements

 

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services.

 

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Quantitative Solutions LLC (formerly known as QMA LLC) (“PGIM Quantitative Solutions” or the “subadviser”). The Manager pays for the services of PGIM Quantitative Solutions.

 

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to and including $5 billion and 0.34% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $5 billion. The effective management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.35% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

 

The Manager has contractually agreed through February 28, 2023, to limit net annual Fund operating expenses, exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees, shareholder servicing fee and transfer agency expenses (including sub-transfer agency and networking fees), of each class of shares to 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Separately, the Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit total annual

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     41  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements to 0.72% of average daily net assets for Class A shares and 1.44% of average daily net assets for Class C shares. This contractual waiver exclude interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and certain other Fund expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales.

 

Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class. In addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver and/or reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year.

 

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

 

Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.30% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. PIMS has contractually agreed through February 28, 2023 to limit such fees to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $243,105 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $1,000 and $752 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

 

PGIM Investments, PIMS and PGIM Quantitative Solutions are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

42  


4.     Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

 

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), and its securities lending cash collateral in the PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (the “Money Market Fund”), each a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund and the Money Market Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund and Money Market Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income” and “Affiliated income from securities lending, net”, respectively.

 

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

5.     Portfolio Securities

 

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $786,002,652 and $744,972,455, respectively.

 

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of affiliated mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows:

 

Value,
Beginning
of Year
    Cost of
Purchases
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Change in
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
    Realized
Gain
(Loss)
     Value,
End of Year
     Shares,
End
of Year
     Income  
 

Short-Term Investments - Affiliated Mutual Funds:

 
 

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (1)(wa)

            
$ 8,552,288     $ 116,371,800     $ 108,966,205     $     $      $ 15,957,883        15,957,883      $ 21,778  
 

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (1)(b)(wa)

            
  13,754,517       85,176,568       98,326,764       (7,761     6,381        602,941        603,303        1,934 (2) 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 
$ 22,306,805     $ 201,548,368     $ 207,292,969       $(7,761)     $ 6,381      $ 16,560,824         $ 23,712  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     43  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(2)

The amount, or a portion thereof, represents the affiliated securities lending income shown on the Statement of Operations.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

 

6.     Distributions and Tax Information

 

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $7,619,643 of ordinary income and $7,457,164 of long-term capital gains. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $7,298,211 of ordinary income $16,782,765 of long-term capital gains.

 

As of October 31, 2021, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis were $71,131,694 of ordinary income and $47,471,197 of long-term capital gains.

 

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of October 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis   Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation

$635,262,091

  $247,420,548   $(10,778,808)   $236,641,740

 

The difference between GAAP and tax basis were primarily attributable to deferred losses on wash sales and other cost basis differences between GAAP and tax accounting.

 

The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 are subject to such review.

 

7.     Capital and Ownership

 

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.50%. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1%, although they are not subject to an initial

 

 

44  


sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% on sales made within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately eight years (ten years prior to January 22, 2021) after purchase. Class Z and Class R6 shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available exclusively for sale to a limited group of investors.

 

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest, below.

 

The RIC has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund at $0.001 par value per share, currently divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6.

 

As of October 31, 2021, Prudential, through its affiliated entities, including affiliated funds (if applicable), owned shares of the Fund as follows:

 

    

Number of Shares

 

Percentage of

Outstanding Shares

Class A

  2,620                   0.1%                

Class C

  3                   0.1%                

Class R6

  8,747,216                   64.7%                

 

At the reporting period end, the number of shareholders holding greater than 5% of the Fund are as follows:

 

Affiliated   Unaffiliated
Number of
    Shareholders    
  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
  Number of
    Shareholders    
  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
1   5.8%   2   33.8%

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     45  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

Class A

  Shares     Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    2,091,107     $ 38,400,935  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    566,431       9,351,778  

Shares purchased

    (3,160,671     (58,723,676
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (503,133     (10,970,963

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    242,510       4,439,967  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (151,501     (2,826,352
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (412,124   $ (9,357,348
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    1,056,005     $ 15,252,702  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    1,034,820       15,853,443  

Shares purchased

    (3,820,412     (56,302,552
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (1,729,587     (25,196,407

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    614,387       8,880,281  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (106,717     (1,594,324
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (1,221,917   $ (17,910,450
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class B

           

Period ended June 26, 2020*:

   

Shares sold

    39     $ 733  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    20,811       282,819  

Shares purchased

    (39,382     (516,184
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (18,532     (232,632

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (552,420     (7,017,536
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (570,952   $ (7,250,168
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C

           

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    75,244     $ 1,234,291  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    31,819       464,240  

Shares purchased

    (182,947     (2,971,760
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (75,884     (1,273,229

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (284,445     (4,601,367
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (360,329   $ (5,874,596
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    193,697     $ 2,503,431  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    77,367       1,052,190  

Shares purchased

    (477,763     (6,055,470
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (206,699     (2,499,849

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (251,439     (3,300,159
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (458,138   $ (5,800,008
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

46  


 

Class Z

  Shares     Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    2,430,335     $ 45,745,515  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    80,721       1,375,492  

Shares purchased

    (824,320     (15,996,802
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    1,686,736       31,124,205  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    146,046       2,809,035  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (3,701,600     (77,197,081
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (1,868,818   $ (43,263,841
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    2,132,508     $ 31,936,340  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    169,741       2,680,209  

Shares purchased

    (3,734,913     (59,942,110
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (1,432,664     (25,325,561

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    190,651       2,932,932  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (6,248     (94,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (1,248,261   $ (22,487,051
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R6

           

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    5,207,231     $ 102,405,348  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    217,932       3,717,913  

Shares purchased

    (4,048,357     (80,594,303
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    1,376,806       25,528,958  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    3,703,938       77,392,006  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (758     (16,208
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    5,079,986     $ 102,904,756  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    6,113,252     $ 90,491,003  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    246,614       3,898,963  

Shares purchased

    (3,724,806     (54,386,144
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    2,635,060       40,003,822  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    12,349       193,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    2,647,409     $ 40,197,050  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Effective June 26, 2020, all of the issued and outstanding Class B shares of the Fund converted into Class A shares.

 

8.     Borrowings

 

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Participating Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The table below provides details of the current SCA in effect at the reporting period-end as well as the prior SCA.

 

      Current SCA    Prior SCA

Term of Commitment

   10/1/2021 – 9/29/2022    10/2/2020 – 9/30/2021

Total Commitment

   $ 1,200,000,000    $ 1,200,000,000
Annualized Commitment Fee on the Unused Portion of the SCA    0.15%    0.15%

 

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     47  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

      Current SCA    Prior SCA
Annualized Interest Rate on Borrowings    1.20% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent    1.30% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent

 

Certain affiliated registered investment companies that are parties to the SCA include portfolios that are subject to a predetermined mathematical formula used to manage certain benefit guarantees offered under variable annuity contracts. The formula may result in large scale asset flows into and out of these portfolios. Consequently, these portfolios may be more likely to utilize the SCA for purposes of funding redemptions. It may be possible for those portfolios to fully exhaust the committed amount of the SCA, thereby requiring the Manager to allocate available funding per a Board-approved methodology designed to treat the Participating Funds in the SCA equitably.

 

The Fund utilized the SCA during the year ended October 31, 2021. The average daily balance for the 2 days that the Fund had loans outstanding during the period was approximately $4,256,000, borrowed at a weighted average interest rate of 1.40%. The maximum loan outstanding amount during the period was $4,256,000. At October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan amount.

 

9.     Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Blend Style Risk: The Fund’s blend investment style may subject the Fund to risks of both value and growth investing. The portion of the Fund’s portfolio that makes investments pursuant to a growth strategy may be subject to above-average fluctuations as a result of seeking high quality stocks with good future growth prospects. The portion of the Fund’s portfolio that makes investments pursuant to a value strategy may be subject to the risk that the market may not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for long periods of time or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced. Issuers of value stocks may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the stock to be out of favor. If the Fund’s assessment of market conditions or a company’s value is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. Historically, growth stocks have performed best during later stages of economic expansion and value stocks have performed best during periods of economic recovery. Therefore, both styles may over time go in and out of favor with the markets. At times when a style is out of favor, that portion of the portfolio may lag the other

 

48  


portion of the portfolio, which may cause the Fund to underperform the market in general, its benchmark and other mutual funds. Growth and value stocks have historically produced similar long-term results, though each category has periods when it outperforms the other.

 

Economic and Market Events Risk: Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth or the functioning of the securities markets, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Relatively reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide.

 

Equity and Equity-Related Securities Risk: Equity and equity-related securities may be subject to changes in value, and their values may be more volatile than those of other asset classes. In addition to an individual security losing value, the value of the equity markets or a sector in which the Fund invests could go down. Different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

 

Increase in Expenses Risk: Your actual cost of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in the expense table in the Fund’s prospectus for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile. Active and frequent trading of Fund securities can increase expenses.

 

Large Capitalization Company Risk: Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. Larger companies tend to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the Fund’s value may not rise or fall as much as the value of funds that emphasize companies with smaller market capitalizations.

 

Large Shareholder and Large Scale Redemption Risk: Certain individuals, accounts, funds (including funds affiliated with the Manager) or institutions, including the Manager and its affiliates, may from time to time own or control a substantial amount of the Fund’s shares. There is no requirement that these entities maintain their investment in the Fund. There is a risk that such large shareholders or that the Fund’s shareholders generally may redeem all or a substantial portion of their investments in the Fund in a short period of time, which could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s NAV, liquidity, and brokerage costs. Large redemptions could also result in tax consequences to shareholders and impact the Fund’s ability to implement its investment strategy. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective after one or more large scale redemptions may be impaired and, as a result, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

 

Management Risk: Actively managed mutual funds are subject to management risk. The subadviser will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these techniques will produce

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     49  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the desired results. Additionally, the investments selected by the subadviser may underperform the markets in general, the Fund’s benchmark and other mutual funds with similar investment objectives.

 

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the outbreak of COVID-19 globally in 2020 or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

 

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

 

Model Design Risk: The subadviser uses certain quantitative models to help guide its investment decisions. The design of the underlying models may be flawed or incomplete. The investment models the subadviser uses are based on historical and theoretical underpinnings that it believes are sound. There can be no guarantee, however, that these underpinnings will correlate with security price behavior in the manner assumed by the subadviser’s models. Additionally, the quantitative techniques that underlie the subadviser’s portfolio construction processes may fail to fully anticipate important risks.

 

Model Implementation Risk: While the subadviser strives to mitigate the likelihood of material implementation errors, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of error in

 

50  


the implementation of the computer models that guide the subadviser’s quantitative investment processes. Additionally, it may be difficult to implement model recommendations in volatile and rapidly changing market conditions.

 

10.     Recent Regulatory Developments

 

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule took effect on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Fund.

 

11.     Subsequent Event

 

Effective December 29, 2021, the Fund’s name will change from PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund to PGIM Quant Solutions Large-Cap Core Equity Fund.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund     51  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 and Shareholders of PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund (one of the funds constituting Prudential Investment Portfolios 9, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (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 October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2019 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 19, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

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

 

We conducted our audits 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 October 31, 2021 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.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 16, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the PGIM Retail Funds complex since 2020.

 

52  


Tax Information (unaudited)

 

We are advising you that during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowed per share but not less than $0.19 for Class A, C, Z and R6 shares as a capital gain distribution in accordance with Section 852(b)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable under Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, but not less than, the following percentages of the ordinary income dividends paid as 1) qualified dividend income (QDI); and 2) eligible for corporate dividends received deduction (DRD):

 

       QDI      DRD  

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

       86.20      86.22

 

In January 2022, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV, as to the federal tax status of dividends and distributions received by you in calendar year 2021.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund

    53  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS (unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Ellen S. Alberding

1958

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); formerly Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (2011-2015); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (2009-2018); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (2009-2016); Trustee, Loyola University (since 2018).    None.    Since September 2013
       

Kevin J. Bannon

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; formerly Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.    Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).    Since July 2008

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Linda W. Bynoe

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 92

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Limited LLC (formerly Telemat Ltd) (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); formerly Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (January 2006-June 2020).    Since March 2005
       

Barry H. Evans

1960

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly President (2005-2016), Global Chief Operating Officer (2014-2016), Chief Investment Officer - Global Head of Fixed Income (1998-2014), and various portfolio manager roles (1986-2006), Manulife Asset Management (asset management).    Formerly Director, Manulife Trust Company (2011-2018); formerly Director, Manulife Asset Management Limited (2015-2017); formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manulife Asset Management U.S. (2005-2016); formerly Chairman of the Board, Declaration Investment Management and Research (2008-2016).    Since September 2017
       

Keith F. Hartstein

1956

Board Member & Independent Chair

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; Executive Committee of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Board of Governors (since October 2019); Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the IDC (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.    Since September 2013

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Laurie Simon Hodrick

1962

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 91

   A. Barton Hepburn Professor Emerita of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (since 2018); Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (since 2015); Sole Member, ReidCourt LLC (since 2008) (a consulting firm); formerly Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (2015-2021); formerly A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (1996-2017); formerly Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies, Deutsche Bank (2006-2008).    Independent Director, Roku (since December 2020) (communication services); formerly Independent Director, Synnex Corporation (2019-2021) (information technology); formerly Independent Director, Kabbage, Inc. (2018-2020) (financial services); formerly Independent Director, Corporate Capital Trust (2017-2018) (a business development company).    Since September 2017
       

Brian K. Reid

1961

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Chief Economist for the Investment Company Institute (ICI) (2005-2017); formerly Senior Economist and Director of Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1998-2004); formerly Senior Economist, Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1996-1998); formerly Staff Economist at the Federal Reserve Board (1989-1996); Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2012-2017).    None.    Since March 2018

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Grace C. Torres

1959

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of PGIM Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since January 2018) of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; formerly Director (July 2015-January 2018) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. and Sun National Bank.    Since November 2014

 

Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Stuart S. Parker

1962

Board Member & President Portfolios Overseen: 94

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer in Charge of PGIM Investments LLC (formerly known as Prudential Investments LLC) (since January 2012); formerly Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of PGIM Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011); Investment Company Institute - Board of Governors (since May 2012).    None.    Since January 2012

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)
Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Scott E. Benjamin

1973

Board Member & Vice President

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Executive Vice President (since May 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, PGIM Investments (since February 2006); formerly Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, PGIM Investments LLC (2003-2006).    None.    Since March 2010

(1) The year that each Board Member joined the Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Barry H. Evans, 2017; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Laurie Simon Hodrick, 2017; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member since 2012 and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009; Grace C. Torres, 2014.

 

Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Claudia DiGiacomo

1974

Chief Legal Officer

   Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of PIFM Holdco, LLC (since August 2020); Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since August 2020); formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (2005-2020); formerly Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since December 2005

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

     

Dino Capasso

1974

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., and PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund; Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (June 2017-2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel (January 2016-June 2017), and Vice President and Counsel (February 2012-December 2015) of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.    Since July 2019
     

Andrew R. French

1962

Secretary

   Vice President (since December 2018) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Corporate Counsel (2010-2018) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since October 2006
     

Diana N. Huffman

1982

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2015) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2009-2015).    Since March 2019
     

Melissa Gonzalez

1980

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2018) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (March 2014-September 2018) of Prudential.    Since March 2020
     

Patrick E. McGuinness

1986

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; Director and Corporate Counsel (since February 2017) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel (2012-2017) of IIL, Inc.    Since June 2020
     

Debra Rubano

1975

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since November 2020) of Prudential; formerly Director and Senior Counsel of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2010-2020) and Assistant Secretary of numerous funds in the Allianz fund complex (2015-2020).    Since December 2020
     

Kelly A. Coyne

1968

Assistant Secretary

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since March 2015

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Christian J. Kelly

1975

Treasurer and Principal Financial

and Accounting Officer

   Vice President, Head of Fund Administration of PGIM Investments LLC (since November 2018); formerly Director of Fund Administration of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC (2009-2018), Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (2017-2018); Director of Accounting, Avenue Capital Group (2008-2009); Senior Manager, Investment Management Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP (1998-2007).    Since January 2019
     

Lana Lomuti

1967

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since April 2014
     

Russ Shupak

1973

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2013-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Deborah Conway

1969

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2007-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Elyse M. McLaughlin

1974

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Jonathan Corbett

1983

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Global Compliance Programs and Compliance Risk Management (since August 2019) of Prudential; formerly Vice President and Head of Key Risk Areas Compliance (March 2016 to July 2019), Chief Privacy Officer (March 2016 to July 2019) and Head of Global Financial Crimes Unit (April 2014 to March 2016) at MetLife.    Since October 2021

(a) Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with PGIM Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of PGIM Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o PGIM Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes all directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by PGIM Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PGIM Investments LLC serves as manager include the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, PGIM ETF Trust, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

 

As used in the Fund Officers table “Prudential” means The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund (the “Fund”)1 consists of ten individuals, eight of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and two Investment Committees. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Trustees.

 

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with QMA LLC (“QMA”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on June 7-10, 2021 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2022, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments and QMA. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

 

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadviser, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 7-10, 2021.

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a

 

1 

    PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

management agreement, and between PGIM Investments and QMA, which serves as the Fund’s subadviser pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

 

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

 

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments and QMA. The Board noted that QMA is affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadviser for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund, and PGIM Investments’ role as administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadviser, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments’ senior management on the performance and operations of the subadviser. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Trustees of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by QMA, including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadviser, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadviser, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

 

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund and QMA, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of QMA’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’ and QMA’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to both PGIM Investments and QMA. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to both PGIM Investments and QMA.

 

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by QMA, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments and QMA under the management and subadvisory agreements.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. However, the Board considered that the cost of services provided by PGIM Investments during the year ended December 31, 2020 exceeded the management fees paid by the Fund, resulting in an operating loss to PGIM Investments. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

 

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PGIM Investments may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment. The Board also considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

 

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

 

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments and QMA

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, QMA and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PGIM Investments), and benefits to its reputation as well as other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by QMA included its ability to use soft dollar credits, as

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to its reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments and QMA were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

 

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2020.

 

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

 

The mutual funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of mutual fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information for reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

 

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

Net Performance   1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
   

4th Quartile

 

4th Quartile

 

3rd Quartile

 

2nd Quartile

Actual Management Fees: 1st Quartile
Net Total Expenses: 1st Quartile

 

 

The Board noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index over all periods.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

The Board considered PGIM Investments’ assertions that the Fund’s underperformance was primarily driven by the Fund’s bias toward the value style factor.

 

The Board also considered the addition of a new portfolio manager to the portfolio management team in February 2021.

 

The Board noted that PGIM Investments expects relative returns to improve as markets normalize. In this regard, the Board also considered that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index and peer group (ranking in the 8th percentile) for the first quarter of 2021 and outperformed its benchmark index and peer group for the one-year period ended March 31, 2021.

 

The Board and PGIM Investments agreed to retain the existing contractual expense cap, which (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) caps the Fund’s net annual operating expenses at 0.35% for each class of the Fund’s shares through February 28, 2022.

 

The Board and PGIM Investments also agreed to a contractual expense cap that (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) limits the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to 0.72% of the average daily net assets for Class A shares, and 1.44% of the average daily net assets for Class C shares, through February 28, 2022.

 

In addition, PGIM Investments will waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class, and has agreed that total annual fund operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class Z shares.

 

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

 

*  *  *

 

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund


     
 MAIL    TELEPHONE    WEBSITE

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

(800) 225-1852

 

pgim.com/investments

 

PROXY VOTING
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadviser the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

TRUSTEES
Ellen S. Alberding Kevin J. Bannon Scott E. Benjamin Linda W. Bynoe Barry H. Evans Keith F. Hartstein Laurie Simon Hodrick Stuart S. Parker Brian K. Reid Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS
Stuart S. Parker, President Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer Jonathan Corbett, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer Andrew R. French, Secretary Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Secretary Patrick E. McGuinness, Assistant Secretary Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer Elyse M. McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   PGIM Investments LLC  

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

SUBADVISER   PGIM Quantitative
Solutions LLC
  Gateway Center Two
100 Mulberry Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

DISTRIBUTOR   Prudential Investment Management Services LLC   655 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York
Mellon
  240 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT   Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC   PO Box 9658
Providence, RI 02940

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
  PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
  300 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

FUND COUNSEL   Willkie Farr & Gallagher
LLP
  787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019

 


An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain the prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

E-DELIVERY
To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRUSTEES
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Trustees by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Trustees, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that Trustee at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

    Mutual Funds:

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
  MAY LOSE VALUE   ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED
BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


LOGO

 

PGIM QMA LARGE-CAP CORE EQUITY FUND

 

SHARE CLASS   A   C   Z   R6
NASDAQ   PTMAX   PTMCX   PTEZX   PTMQX
CUSIP   74441J100   74441J308   74441J407   74441J688

 

MF187E


LOGO

PGIM SELECT REAL ESTATE FUND

 

    

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

LOGO

 

 

    To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery

 


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

     3  

Your Fund’s Performance

     4  

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

     5  

Strategy and Performance Overview

     8  

Fees and Expenses

     13  

Holdings and Financial Statements

     15      

Approval of Advisory Agreements

        

 

 

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), member SIPC. PGIM Real Estate is a unit of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PGIM are Prudential Financial companies. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM Real Estate, PGIM, and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

2   Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Letter from the President

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholder:

 

  We hope you find the annual report for the PGIM Select Real Estate Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2021.
 

 

The global economy and markets continued to recover throughout the period from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and kept them near zero to encourage borrowing. Congress passed stimulus bills worth several trillion dollars to help consumers and businesses. And several effective COVID-19 vaccines received regulatory approval. Those measures were enough to offset the fear of rising inflation and supply chain challenges that threatened to disrupt growth.

At the start of the period, stocks had recovered most of the steep losses they had suffered at the onset of the pandemic. Equities rallied as states reopened their economies but became more volatile as investors worried that a surge in COVID-19 infections would stall the recovery. However, rising corporate profits and economic growth, the resolution of the US presidential election, and the global rollout of approved vaccines lifted equity markets to record levels, helping stocks around the globe post gains for the full period.

Throughout this volatile period, investors sought safety in fixed income. Investment-grade bonds in the US and the overall global bond market declined slightly during the period as the economy recovered, but emerging market debt rose. While the 10-year US Treasury yield hovered near record lows early in the period after a significant rally in interest rates, rates moved higher later on as investors began to focus on stronger economic growth and the prospects of higher inflation. The Fed also took several aggressive actions to keep the bond markets running smoothly, implementing many of the relief programs that proved to be successful in helping end the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. This scale and investment expertise allow us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Stuart S. Parker, President

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund

December 15, 2021

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   3


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

    Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21    
    One Year (%)     Five Years (%)      Since Inception (%)  

Class A

      

(with sales charges)

  30.05     11.71        9.08 (08/01/2014)  

(without sales charges)

  37.61     12.98        9.94 (08/01/2014)  

Class C

      

(with sales charges)

  35.64     12.10        9.10 (08/01/2014)  

(without sales charges)

  36.64     12.10        9.10 (08/01/2014)  

Class Z

      

(without sales charges)

  38.04     13.23        10.20 (08/01/2014)  

Class R6

      

(without sales charges)

  38.10     13.26        10.21 (08/01/2014)  

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index

      
  42.12     7.00          5.60                        

S&P 500 Index

      
    42.90     18.92        14.95                        

Since Inception returns are provided since the Fund has less than 10 fiscal years of returns. Since Inception returns for the Indexes are measured from the closest month-end to the Fund’s inception date.

 

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Growth of a $10,000 Investment (unaudited)

 

LOGO

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class Z shares with a similar investment in the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index, by portraying the initial account values at the commencement of operations for Class Z shares (August 1, 2014) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (October 31, 2021), as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and (b) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class Z shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for other share classes will vary due to the differing fees and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursements, if any, the returns would have been lower.

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graph include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   5


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

       
      Class A    Class C    Class Z    Class R6
       

Maximum initial sales

charge

  

5.50% of the public

offering price

   None    None    None
         
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or the net asset value at redemption)    1.00% on sales of $1 million or more made within 12 months of purchase   

1.00% on sales made within 12 months of purchase

   None    None
       
Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)    0.30% (0.25% currently)    1.00%    None    None

Benchmark Definitions

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index—The Financial Times Stock Exchange European Public Real Estate Association/National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (FTSE EPRA/NAREIT) Developed Index reflects the stock performance of companies engaged in specific aspects of the major real estate markets/regions of the world.

S&P 500 Index*—The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of over 500 stocks of large US public companies. It gives a broad look at how stock prices in the United States have performed.

*The S&P 500 Index (“Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by PGIM, Inc. and/or its affiliates. Copyright © 2021 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit www.spdji.com. S&P® is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The returns for the Indexes would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes that may be paid by an investor.

 

6   Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

Presentation of Fund Holdings as of 10/31/21

 

 Ten Largest Holdings    Real Estate Sectors    % of Net Assets

 Prologis, Inc.

   Industrial REITs    6.9%

 Welltower, Inc.

   Health Care REITs    5.8%

 Life Storage, Inc.

   Specialized REITs    5.6%

 Equity Residential

   Residential REITs    4.9%

 Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

   Industrial REITs    4.3%

 Simon Property Group, Inc.

   Retail REITs    4.2%

 Camden Property Trust

   Residential REITs    4.0%

 American Homes 4 Rent (Class A Stock)

   Residential REITs    3.5%

 Essex Property Trust, Inc.

   Residential REITs    3.5%

 Segro PLC (United Kingdom)

   Industrial REITs    3.4%

Holdings reflect only long-term investments and are subject to change.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   7


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM Select Real Estate Fund’s Class Z shares returned 38.04% in the 12-month reporting period that ended October 31, 2021, underperforming the 42.12% return of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index (the Index).

What were conditions like in the global real estate securities market?

 

·  

Conditions in the US real estate investment trust (REIT) market during the reporting period can be characterized by a robust recovery in fundamentals following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the US commercial real estate market experienced one of its worst years ever, Pfizer Inc. announced strong efficacy results for its COVID-19 vaccine in November 2020, which kicked off a massive recovery in fundamentals and stock valuations for the REIT sector. Overall, the US REIT market rallied more than 50% during the period, with some of the harder-hit sectors, such as strip malls and shopping malls, up more than 100%. A successful vaccination effort in the US, combined with record levels of government stimulus, resulted in a highly favorable operating environment for nearly every sector in the US REIT market.

 

·  

Europe’s US-dollar total return during the period was strongly positive at 33.8%, with COVID-19 vaccines helping the region’s economies start to recover from the pandemic. Europe was the second-best-performing global region during the period, ahead of Asia but trailing North America. The United Kingdom (UK) was the quickest country to implement a vaccination program, but other countries in continental Europe rolled out successful programs as well by the summer of 2021. Sweden was the best-performing European market during the period, as its economy benefited from a less-severe recession than other countries in the region. Sweden had resisted locking down its economy, and its companies enjoyed a strong profit rebound aided by record-low interest rates and higher leverage. France was the next-best performer, with its heavily discounted and dominant retail sector experiencing a strong bounce-back as the economy emerged from lockdown. The UK’s return exceeded the European average return for the period due to its early vaccine distribution and subsequent early emergence from lockdown. The weakest European markets during the period were Germany and Finland, both heavily dominated by the multifamily residential sector. Germany, the leading performer in Europe in 2020, lagged for most of 2021 as its residential sector struggled against regulation pressures and the headwind of anticipated interest rate tightening.

 

·  

Asia recovered moderately in 2021 as the market struggled to break out of numerous macro-economic, policy, and pandemic setbacks. In Japan, riskier sectors such as developers, hotel, and office REITs outperformed, benefiting from expectations of pandemic recovery. Despite numerous states of emergency, strong residential demand and relatively resilient office occupancy for the major developers helped solidify expectations of an earnings recovery. Hospitality JREITs (i.e., a REIT established in Japan) also outperformed during the period despite a slow recovery in their fundamentals. Japanese developers and REITs with a reopening tilt (i.e., hotel and office sectors) looked well-positioned for a strong recovery with the Liberal

 

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  Democratic Party’s successful election and dwindling COVID-19 cases. Reopening was also a significant reason for outperformance in retail, office, and residential REITs in Australia. Residential REITs benefited from government subsidies for home purchases, while numerous retail tenants received mandated rent relief programs. Hong Kong commercial landlords also staged a meaningful recovery, as investors’ expectations reset from pandemic lockdowns to the eventual reopening of borders. Despite strong residential fundamentals in Hong Kong due to negative real interest rates and the lack of meaningful new supply, developers suffered from fears of the regulatory and policy tightening that affected numerous sectors in China. Investors also were concerned during the period about the financial distress of major Chinese developer China Evergrande Group, albeit these worries have abated somewhat due to some successful financing deals. In Singapore, domestic retail-centric REITs outperformed as the nation successfully vaccinated more than 80% of its population.

What worked and didn’t work?

 

·  

The Fund underperformed the Index during the reporting period. While North America outperformed, Europe and Asia underperformed on a relative basis, resulting in the Fund’s overall underperformance.

 

·  

Within North America, the US healthcare and net lease sectors made the most significant contribution to performance due to favorable security selection. Several other sectors also performed well, including data centers and storage. Data centers benefited due to an underweight position relative to the Index, as well as sound stock selection. The storage sector performed well due to positive stock selection. The specialty housing, office, and shopping centers sectors detracted from performance.

 

·  

Europe’s underperformance for the period was the result of weak stock picking in Sweden and the United Kingdom. An underweight exposure to France also negatively impacted the Fund. Strong stock selection in Belgium contributed to performance, as did a lack of exposure to Switzerland.

 

·  

The Asia Pacific region’s underperformance was driven by notably unfavorable stock selection in Hong Kong.

Current outlook

·  

PGIM Real Estate views the US REIT market as well positioned for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. In PGIM Real Estate’s view, despite strong year-to-date performance, this market’s average implied capitalization rate (i.e., the rate of return expected to be generated on a real estate investment property) remains attractive at 4.5%, a roughly 310 basis points (bps) spread relative to the 10-year US Treasury yield. (One basis point equals 0.01%.) While this spread is consistent with the long-term average, given the current depressed net operating income (NOI) levels of most REITs, PGIM Real Estate expects this spread to compress much further before reverting to its long-term average. Despite some near-term disruption to NOI growth in certain sectors, PGIM Real Estate anticipates funds-from-operations per-share growth of 7.7% in 2021 and 9.7% in 2022 (Source: PGIM). In PGIM Real Estate’s view, the

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   9


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

 

recent improvement in REITs’ equity valuations has allowed many REITs to issue new equity for acquisitions and development. A favorable cost of capital and a faster pace of economies reopening bode well for PGIM Real Estate’s higher near-term earnings expectations. Capital markets continue to be active in the REIT sector, with the market already witnessing eight REIT takeovers in 2021 across a variety of sectors, representing both public-to-public and take-private transactions. Attractive debt and equity capital, combined with a multi-year recovery outlook in fundamentals, is likely to keep private equity interest focused on additional REIT market opportunities, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. PGIM Real Estate remains diligent in its value-based investment process, emphasizing individual stock selection and looking to capitalize on sectors expected to benefit from economic reopening. PGIM Real Estate has increased its overweight allocation to the retail sectors (malls and shopping centers) on the expectation that robust consumer spending will boost fundamentals in 2021 and 2022. PGIM Real Estate has further increased its underweight allocation to data centers, given a challenged internal growth outlook and full valuation, while adding to the storage sector given the strong operating environment and upward valuation revisions. Finally, the Fund remains underweight relative to the Index to the office sector, given a challenging long-term growth outlook.

 

·  

Europe began ending remaining lockdown measures during the period that had been implemented by many countries in the region, as COVID-19 vaccinations gained momentum across the continent. More than 80% of the UK’s adult population was fully vaccinated at the end of the period, and most countries in continental Europe have largely caught up with the UK. The UK ended all remaining social distancing measures in the middle of July 2021, and continental European countries followed. While the spread of the Delta variant remains a concern, the hope is that an expected increase in cases during the winter can be managed with high vaccination rates, including booster shots. The UK REIT sector is trading around a 9% discount to its one-year forward net asset value (NAV), and continental Europe trades on a slightly lower NAV discount of 6%. However, there are wide divergences across individual sub-sectors, with retail trading at the highest discount and industrial/logistics at a significant premium. The UK trades at a 3.9% implied capitalization rate, an approximately 300-bps spread to 10-year UK bonds, while the continent trades at a 4.0% rate, a 420-bps spread to German 10-year government yields. Dividend yields on offer are still attractive at 2.7% in the UK and 3.1% on the continent. PGIM Real Estate retains a careful stance on the retail sector, given the structural challenges it still faces and the price recovery already seen in many retail shares. PGIM Real Estate has a broadly neutral weight relative to the Index in the offices sector and retains a preference for industrial/logistics and alternatives. PGIM Real Estate is still cautious on the German residential sector following the uncertain outcome of Germany’s federal elections at the end of September 2021 and the impact this could have on future regulation of the residential rental market there.

 

·  

PGIM Real Estate believes Asia should witness a more sustained recovery heading into 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a period of unprecedented global

 

10   Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

  monetary easing and fiscal stimulus as countries cope with the economic fallout. As Asia emerges from the depths of the Delta variant, there is optimism ahead with a focus now on reopening and recovery. Sectors that witnessed a significant contraction in demand (e.g., hospitality and retail) will likely see a gradual recovery in the coming months, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. Equity market investors are also looking beyond the Federal Reserve’s expected tapering of its monthly bond purchases as the Fed also considers when it might start raising interest rates. This is somewhat complicated by the current market focus on supply-chain disruption leading to stagflation concerns. In PGIM Real Estate’s view, the following themes could be in focus in the near term: (1) recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) stagflation concerns, (3) bond yield spike on inflation expectations, (4) recovery in retail and hospitality, and (5) US-China geopolitical relations. PGIM Real Estate remains positive on the Australian manufacturing housing and self-storage sectors, with demographic and market consolidation trends providing structural tailwinds. PGIM Real Estate has a slightly underweight allocation relative to the Index to Hong Kong with a preference toward non-discretionary retail, and an overweight allocation relative to the Index to Japanese developers with a preference for retail and hospitality exposures that are levered to a bigger COVID-19 recovery. PGIM Real Estate also has an overweight allocation relative to the Index to JREITs with a preference for hospitality and diversified companies that could benefit from easing COVID-19 restrictions, and an overweight to logistic JREITs given their consistent drive for accretive acquisition growth. In Singapore, PGIM Real Estate has an underweight relative to the Index allocation to developers given a lack of growth catalysts and its preference for recovery opportunities in other countries. For REITs, PGIM Real Estate favors logistic and suburban retail companies that offer resilient demand. Markets are improving but global reopening remains fraught with the risk of a subsequent wave of COVID-19 outbreaks amid growing economic and social marginalization. The effectiveness of incremental vaccine delivery via booster shots and childrens’ vaccinations likely will shape domestic recovery and determine when borders might reopen, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. At the same time, a strong recovery in the US could stoke inflationary pressures beyond what many economists currently say is a transitory trend, which could raise expectations for interest rate hikes. Supply-chain concerns could also hamper growth while creating an inflation spiral. Within PGIM Real Estate’s individual sector holdings, a sharp rise in long-term real interest rates could negatively impact regional REIT valuations.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   11


Comments on Largest Holdings (unaudited)

7.0% Prologis, Inc., Industrial REITs

Prologis is an owner, operator, and developer of industrial real estate, focusing on global and regional markets across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company also leases modern distribution facilities to customers, including manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies, third-party logistics providers, and other enterprises.

5.7% Welltower, Inc., Healthcare REITs

Welltower invests in senior housing and healthcare real estate properties.

5.6% Life Storage, Inc., Specialized REITs

Life Storage acquires and manages self-storage properties in the US.

4.9% Equity Residential, Residential REITs

Equity Residential acquires, develops, and manages apartment complexes in the US.

4.3% Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc., Industrial REITs

Rexford acquires, owns, and operates industrial properties in southern California markets.

 

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Fees and Expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. 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 held through the six-month period ended October 31, 2021. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on 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 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 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.

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of PGIM funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   13


Fees and Expenses (continued)

 

provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

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 (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in 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.

 

         
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund  

Beginning

    Account Value    

May 1, 2021

 

Ending

Account Value
  October 31, 2021  

 

Annualized

Expense

Ratio Based on

the

  Six-Month Period  

 

Expenses Paid
During the

  Six-Month Period*  

         

  Class A            

   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,110.90   1.30%     $  6.92      
   Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,018.65   1.30%     $  6.61  

  Class C

   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,106.30   2.05%     $10.88  
   Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,014.87   2.05%     $10.41  

  Class Z

   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,112.40   1.04%     $  5.54  
   Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,019.96   1.04%     $  5.30  

  Class R6

   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,112.50   0.91%     $  4.85  
     Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,020.62   0.91%     $  4.63  

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended October 31, 2021, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

14   Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Schedule of Investments

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares              Value  

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS     99.3%

     

COMMON STOCKS

     

Diversified Real Estate Activities     4.1%

                 

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd. (Japan)

     251,922      $ 9,111,532  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Hong Kong)

     341,942        4,545,527  
     

 

 

 
                13,657,059  

Diversified REITs     5.4%

                 

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp. (Japan)

     2,258        6,490,082  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

     206,524        6,152,350  

Stockland (Australia)

     1,470,580        5,046,431  
     

 

 

 
        17,688,863  

Health Care REITs     5.8%

                 

Welltower, Inc.

     235,784        18,957,034  

Hotel & Resort REITs     8.2%

                 

Invincible Investment Corp. (Japan)

     14,131        5,597,874  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp. (Japan)

     7,957        4,817,188  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.*

     321,728        5,961,620  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     281,600        6,324,736  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc.*

     238,589        4,246,884  
     

 

 

 
        26,948,302  

Industrial REITs     19.4%

                 

Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc. (Japan)

     2,234        7,459,931  

Prologis, Inc.

     157,731        22,864,686  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     209,815        14,099,568  

Segro PLC (United Kingdom)

     640,465        11,338,312  

Summit Industrial Income REIT (Canada)

     220,037        4,203,034  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC (United Kingdom)

     1,280,071        3,943,923  
     

 

 

 
        63,909,454  

Railroads     1.2%

                 

Seibu Holdings, Inc. (Japan)*

     357,234        3,898,843  

Real Estate Operating Companies     8.2%

                 

Kojamo OYJ (Finland)

     285,122        6,385,926  

Pandox AB (Sweden)*

     386,416        6,817,309  

VGP NV (Belgium)

     27,201        7,049,948  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description    Shares              Value  

COMMON STOCKS (Continued)

     

Real Estate Operating Companies (cont’d.)

                 

Vonovia SE (Germany)

     73,009      $ 4,426,527  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)

     427,311        2,414,204  
     

 

 

 
        27,093,914  

Residential REITs     19.8%

                 

American Homes 4 Rent (Class A Stock)

     285,313        11,583,708  

Camden Property Trust

     81,076        13,223,496  

Equity Residential

     185,109        15,993,417  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

     33,509        11,390,714  

Ingenia Communities Group (Australia)

     977,135        4,791,470  

InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust (Canada)

     396,678        5,811,063  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

     52,799        2,177,959  
     

 

 

 
        64,971,827  

Retail REITs     13.4%

                 

Acadia Realty Trust

     287,353        6,143,607  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC (United Kingdom)

     2,115,625        4,786,380  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     276,132        6,240,583  

Link REIT (Hong Kong)

     611,122        5,426,076  

Phillips Edison & Co., Inc.

     101,192        3,049,927  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     95,024        13,928,618  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (France)*

     60,637        4,335,705  
     

 

 

 
        43,910,896  

Specialized REITs     13.8%

                 

Big Yellow Group PLC (United Kingdom)

     177,848        3,611,154  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

     49,950        7,882,609  

EPR Properties

     118,652        5,957,517  

Life Storage, Inc.

     137,207        18,359,669  

MGM Growth Properties LLC (Class A Stock)

     100,376        3,952,807  

National Storage REIT (Australia)

     3,088,879        5,563,831  
     

 

 

 
        45,327,587  
     

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

     

(cost $291,713,913)

              326,363,779  
     

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16


    

 

    

 

  Description    Shares              Value  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT     0.9%

     

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUND

     

    PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund
  (cost $2,866,302)(wa)

     2,866,302      $ 2,866,302  
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS     100.2%

     

(cost $294,580,215)

        329,230,081  

Liabilities in excess of other assets     (0.2)%

        (722,686
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS     100.0%

      $       328,507,395  
     

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the annual report:

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

REITs—Real Estate Investment Trust

 

*

Non-income producing security.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

Fair Value Measurements:

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2021 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

    

    Level 1    

    

    Level 2    

    

Level 3

Investments in Securities

        

Assets

        

Long-Term Investments

        

Common Stocks

        

Australia

   $      $ 15,401,732        $—  

Belgium

            7,049,948         

Canada

     10,014,097                

Finland

            6,385,926         

France

            4,335,705         

Germany

            4,426,527         

Hong Kong

            12,385,807         

Japan

            37,375,450         

Sweden

            6,817,309         

United Kingdom

              23,679,769         

United States

     198,491,509                  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

    

    Level 1    

    

    Level 2    

    

 Level 3 

Investments in Securities (continued)

        

Assets (continued)

        

Short-Term Investment

        

Affiliated Mutual Fund

   $ 2,866,302      $        $—  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 211,371,908      $ 117,858,173        $—    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sector Classification:

The sector classification of investments and liabilities in excess of other assets shown as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2021 were as follows (unaudited):

 

Residential REITs

     19.8

Industrial REITs

     19.4  

Specialized REITs

     13.8  

Retail REITs

     13.4  

Hotel & Resort REITs

     8.2  

Real Estate Operating Companies

     8.2  

Health Care REITs

     5.8  

Diversified REITs

     5.4  

 

Diversified Real Estate Activities

     4.1

Railroads

     1.2  

Affiliated Mutual Fund

     0.9  
  

 

 

 
     100.2  

Liabilities in excess of other assets

     (0.2
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Assets

        

Investments at value:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $291,713,913)

   $ 326,363,779  

Affiliated investments (cost $2,866,302)

     2,866,302  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $16,062)

     15,902  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     2,060,969  

Receivable for investments sold

     980,515  

Dividends receivable

     183,422  

Tax reclaim receivable

     63,538  

Prepaid expenses

     1,791  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     332,536,218  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Payable for investments purchased

     2,585,608  

Payable for Fund shares purchased

     1,129,634  

Management fee payable

     220,394  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     87,969  

Distribution fee payable

     2,599  

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     1,539  

Trustees’ fees payable

     1,080  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     4,028,823  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 328,507,395  
  

 

 

 
          

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Shares of beneficial interest, at par

   $ 21,212  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     284,210,455  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     44,275,728  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, October 31, 2021

   $ 328,507,395  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   19


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Class A

               

Net asset value and redemption price per share,

($6,732,704 ÷ 433,338 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

  $ 15.54    

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.90                 
    

 

 

   

Maximum offering price to public

  $ 16.44    
    

 

 

   

Class C

               

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($1,636,248 ÷ 106,706 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

  $ 15.33    
    

 

 

   

Class Z

               

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($226,285,601 ÷ 14,542,088 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

  $ 15.56    
    

 

 

   

Class R6

               

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($93,852,842 ÷ 6,130,118 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

  $ 15.31    
    

 

 

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20


Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

        

Income

  

Unaffiliated dividend income (net of $139,494 foreign withholding tax)

   $ 3,752,802  

Affiliated dividend income

     4,710  

Income from securities lending, net (including affiliated income of $21)

     30  
  

 

 

 

Total income

     3,757,542  
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     1,525,192  

Distribution fee(a)

     24,617  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $7,481)(a)

     156,395  

Custodian and accounting fees

     100,475  

Registration fees(a)

     59,089  

Audit fee

     33,803  

Legal fees and expenses

     20,889  

Shareholders’ reports

     12,689  

Trustees’ fees

     11,820  

Miscellaneous

     21,112  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,966,081  

Less: Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(a)

     (19,702

          Distribution fee waiver(a)

     (2,402
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     1,943,977  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     1,813,565  
  

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investment And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions (including affiliated of $49)

     14,126,786  

Foreign currency transactions

     (38,979
  

 

 

 
     14,087,807  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     32,755,017  

Foreign currencies

     (6,617
  

 

 

 
     32,748,400  
  

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     46,836,207  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 48,649,772  
  

 

 

 

 

(a)

Class specific expenses and waivers were as follows:

 

     Class A      Class C      Class Z      Class R6  

Distribution fee

     14,410         10,207         —         —    

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

     6,403         1,420         148,142         430    

Registration fees

     10,325         9,150         21,824         17,790    

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

     (10,543)        (9,159)        —         —    

Distribution fee waiver

     (2,402)        —         —         —    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   21


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    

 

    

Year Ended

            October 31,             

 
     2021     2020  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                

Operations

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 1,813,565     $ 509,865  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     14,087,807       (3,157,913

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

     32,748,400       (896,188
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     48,649,772       (3,544,236
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

    

Distributions from distributable earnings

    

Class A

     (70,197     (249,514

Class C

     (5,910     (22,861

Class Z

     (1,699,095     (568,118

Class R6

     (918,302     (959,853
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (2,693,504     (1,800,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions)

    

Net proceeds from shares sold

     269,891,981       41,530,766  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     2,689,833       1,798,710  

Cost of shares purchased

     (39,255,864     (17,061,180
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     233,325,950       26,268,296  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     279,282,218       20,923,714  

Net Assets:

                

Beginning of year

     49,225,177       28,301,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 328,507,395     $ 49,225,177  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22


Financial Highlights

 

Class A Shares                                         
      Year Ended October 31,  
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year      $11.48       $13.18       $10.33       $10.54       $10.00  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                         
Net investment income (loss)      0.10       0.15       0.16       0.12       0.12  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      4.18       (1.16     3.10       (0.08     0.76  
Total from investment operations      4.28       (1.01     3.26       0.04       0.88  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                         
Dividends from net investment income      (0.22     (0.43     (0.21     (0.25     (0.11
Distributions from net realized gains      -       (0.26     (0.20     -       (0.23
Total dividends and distributions      (0.22     (0.69     (0.41     (0.25     (0.34
Net asset value, end of year      $15.54       $11.48       $13.18       $10.33       $10.54  
Total Return(b):      37.61     (7.90 )%      32.64     0.37     9.08
                                          
Ratios/Supplemental Data:             
Net assets, end of year (000)      $6,733       $3,878       $4,447       $2,612       $256  
Average net assets (000)      $4,803       $4,534       $3,205       $1,645       $242  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                         
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement      1.30     1.30     1.30     1.30     1.30
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      1.57     2.11     3.04     4.02     4.63
Net investment income (loss)      0.74     1.26     1.36     1.14     1.15
Portfolio turnover rate(e)      165     313     242     202     142

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   23


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class C Shares                                         
      Year Ended October 31,  
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year      $11.35       $13.03       $10.23       $10.44       $9.94  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                         
Net investment income (loss)      (0.01 )(b)      0.06       0.06       0.09       0.04  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      4.12       (1.13     3.08       (0.12     0.75  
Total from investment operations      4.11       (1.07     3.14       (0.03     0.79  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                         
Dividends from net investment income      (0.13     (0.35     (0.14     (0.18     (0.06
Distributions from net realized gains      -       (0.26     (0.20     -       (0.23
Total dividends and distributions      (0.13     (0.61     (0.34     (0.18     (0.29
Net asset value, end of year      $15.33       $11.35       $13.03       $10.23       $10.44  
Total Return(c):      36.64     (8.60 )%      31.59     (0.34 )%      8.11
                                          
Ratios/Supplemental Data:             
Net assets, end of year (000)      $1,636       $605       $351       $56       $69  
Average net assets (000)      $1,021       $532       $148       $64       $70  
Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):                                         
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement      2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      2.95     5.31     11.73     29.08     5.33
Net investment income (loss)      (0.06 )%      0.55     0.54     0.91     0.36
Portfolio turnover rate(f)      165     313     242     202     142

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

The per share amount of net investment income (loss) does not directly correlate to the amounts reported in the Statement of Operations due to class specific expenses.

(c)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


    

 

Class Z Shares                                         
      Year Ended October 31,  
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year      $11.49       $13.20       $10.34       $10.56       $10.02  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                         
Net investment income (loss)      0.13       0.16       0.19       0.22       0.15  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      4.19       (1.15     3.11       (0.16     0.76  
Total from investment operations      4.32       (0.99     3.30       0.06       0.91  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                         
Dividends from net investment income      (0.25     (0.46     (0.24     (0.28     (0.14
Distributions from net realized gains      -       (0.26     (0.20     -       (0.23
Total dividends and distributions      (0.25     (0.72     (0.44     (0.28     (0.37
Net asset value, end of year      $15.56       $11.49       $13.20       $10.34       $10.56  
Total Return(b):      38.04     (7.73 )%      33.02     0.51     9.32
                                          
Ratios/Supplemental Data:             
Net assets, end of year (000)      $226,286       $29,056       $6,366       $65       $154  
Average net assets (000)      $126,992       $14,227       $1,621       $145       $148  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                         
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement      1.04     1.05     1.05     1.05     1.05
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      1.04     1.61     2.85     14.17     4.35
Net investment income (loss)      0.92     1.40     1.48     2.07     1.43
Portfolio turnover rate(e)      165     313     242     202     142

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.
PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   25


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class R6 Shares                                         
      Year Ended October 31,  
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
   
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                         
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year      $11.31       $13.00       $10.19       $10.40       $9.88  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                         
Net investment income (loss)      0.15       0.18       0.18       0.20       0.14  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      4.11       (1.15     3.07       (0.13     0.75  
Total from investment operations      4.26       (0.97     3.25       0.07       0.89  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                         
Dividends from net investment income      (0.26     (0.46     (0.24     (0.28     (0.14
Distributions from net realized gains      -       (0.26     (0.20     -       (0.23
Total dividends and distributions      (0.26     (0.72     (0.44     (0.28     (0.37
Net asset value, end of year      $15.31       $11.31       $13.00       $10.19       $10.40  
Total Return(b):      38.10     (7.70 )%      33.02     0.62     9.25
                                          
Ratios/Supplemental Data:             
Net assets, end of year (000)      $93,853       $15,686       $17,138       $5,970       $5,932  
Average net assets (000)      $57,833       $16,060       $8,739       $6,039       $5,687  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                         
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement      0.94     1.05     1.05     1.05     1.05
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      0.94     1.42     2.25     3.07     4.02
Net investment income (loss)      1.06     1.56     1.56     1.89     1.42
Portfolio turnover rate(e)      165     313     242     202     142

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.

Organization

Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of five separate funds: PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund and PGIM Select Real Estate Fund. These financial statements relate only to the PGIM Select Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek income and capital appreciation.

 

2.

Accounting Policies

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The RIC’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   27


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign equities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued using pricing vendor services that provide model prices derived using adjustment factors based on information such as local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable. Securities valued using such model prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The models generate an evaluated adjustment factor for each security, which is applied to the local closing price to adjust it for post closing market movements up to the time the Fund is valued. Utilizing that evaluated adjustment factor, the vendor provides an evaluated price for each security. If the vendor does not provide an evaluated price, securities are valued in accordance with exchange-traded common and preferred stock valuation policies discussed above.

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

 

28


When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rate as of the valuation date;

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, holding period unrealized and realized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from the disposition of holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) arise from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates.

Master Netting Arrangements: The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of all or a portion of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   29


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. In addition to master netting arrangements, the right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law.

Securities Lending: The Fund lends its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in an affiliated money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the previous day’s market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the financial statements may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities. Such shortfall is remedied as described above. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral.

The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities in the form of fees or interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The borrower receives all interest and dividends from the securities loaned and such payments are passed back to the lender in amounts equivalent thereto, which are reflected in interest income or unaffiliated dividend income based on the nature of the payment on the Statement of Operations. The Fund also continues to recognize any unrealized gain (loss) in the market price of the securities loaned and on the change in the value of the collateral invested that may occur during the term of the loan. In addition, realized gain (loss) is recognized on changes in the value of the collateral invested upon liquidation of the collateral. Net earnings from securities lending are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

Equity and Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (collectively REITs): The Fund invested in REITs, which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Based on current and historical information, a portion of distributions received from REITs during the period is estimated to be dividend income, capital gain or return of capital and recorded accordingly. When material, these estimates are adjusted periodically when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs.

 

30


Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

Tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permits a direct REIT shareholder to claim a 20% “qualified business income” deduction for ordinary REIT dividends. The tax legislation did not expressly permit regulated investment companies (“RICs”) paying dividends attributable to such income to pass through this special treatment to its shareholders. On January 18, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations that permit RICs to pass through “qualified REIT dividends” to their shareholders.

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends from net investment income quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital and currency gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   31


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.

Agreements

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services.

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc., which provides subadvisory services to the Fund through its business unit, PGIM Real Estate, and PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PGIM, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as the “subadviser”). The Manager pays for the services of subadviser.

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to and including $1 billion, 0.78% of the next $2 billion, 0.76% of the next $2 billion, 0.75% of the next $5 billion and 0.74% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $10 billion. The effective management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.80% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit total annual operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements to 1.30% of average daily net assets for Class A shares, 2.05% of average daily net assets for Class C shares, 1.05% of average daily net assets for Class Z shares and 1.05% of average daily net assets for Class R6 shares. This contractual waiver excludes interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and certain other Fund expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales.

Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class. In addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

 

32


Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.30% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. PIMS has contractually agreed through February 28, 2023 to limit such fees to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares.The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Z or Class R6 shares of the Fund.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $17,899 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $49 in contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class C shareholders. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PGIM Investments, PGIM, Inc., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited and PIMS are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

4.

Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), and its securities lending cash collateral in the PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (the “Money Market Fund”), each a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund and the Money Market Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund and Money Market Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income” and “Income from securities lending, net”, respectively.

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   33


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.

Portfolio Securities

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $539,960,136 and $308,251,860, respectively.

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of affiliated mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows:

 

Value,

Beginning

of Year

 

Cost of

 Purchases 

    

Proceeds

from Sales

 

Change in

Unrealized

Gain

    (Loss)    

    

Realized

Gain

  (Loss)  

    

Value,

End of Year

    

Shares,

End

of Year

   

Income

 

Short-Term Investments - Affiliated Mutual Funds:

 

 

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (1)(wa)

    

$1,636,468

       $ 167,603,128            $ 166,373,294         $           $            $ 2,866,302        2,866,302        $ 4,710    

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (1)(b)(wa)

    

         2,079,687              2,079,736            —             49                                       21 (2)    

 

      

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

         

 

 

          

 

 

         

 

 

   

$1,636,468

   

            

   $ 169,682,815                                  $ 168,453,030                   $                             $ 49                 $ 2,866,302                    $ 4,731             

 

      

 

 

          

 

 

       

 

 

         

 

 

          

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

(1)

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

(2)

The amount, or a portion thereof, represents the affiliated securities lending income shown on the Statement of Operations.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

 

6.

Distributions and Tax Information

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund was $2,693,504 of ordinary income. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $1,670,983 of ordinary income and $129,363 of long-term capital gains.

As of October 31, 2021, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis were $11,148,349 of ordinary income and $1,759,316 of long-term capital gains.

 

34


The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of October 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis   

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

  

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

  

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

  

            

$297,862,018

   $39,260,591    $(7,892,528)    $31,368,063   

The GAAP basis differs from tax basis primarily due to deferred losses on wash sales, investments in passive foreign investment companies and other cost basis differences between financial and tax accounting.

The Fund utilized approximately $3,113,761 of its capital loss carryforward to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 are subject to such review.

 

7.

Capital and Ownership

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.50%. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1%, although they are not subject to an initial sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% on sales made within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately eight years (ten years prior to January 22, 2021) after purchase. Class Z and Class R6 shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available exclusively for sale to a limited group of investors.

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest, below.

The RIC has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund at $0.001 par value per share, currently divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   35


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of October 31, 2021, Prudential, through its affiliated entities, including affiliated funds (if applicable), owned shares of the Fund as follows:

 

      Number of Shares            Percentage of  
Outstanding Shares    

Class A

   211,305        48.8% 

Class C

   1,227    1.1%

Class R6

   1,132,456            18.5% 

At the reporting period end, the number of shareholders holding greater than 5% of the Fund are as follows:

 

Affiliated   Unaffiliated                     
Number of
Shareholders
  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
  Number of
Shareholders
  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares

  —%   2   74.6%

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

Class A

   Shares            Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

                  

Shares sold

     198,267        $ 2,874,733  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     5,277          69,387  

Shares purchased

     (94,647        (1,279,321
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     108,897          1,664,799  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     183          2,546  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (13,661        (205,052
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     95,419        $ 1,462,293  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     196,557        $ 2,367,915  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     20,428          248,038  

Shares purchased

     (216,412        (2,521,929
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     573          94,024  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (86        (1,034
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     487        $ 92,990  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

36


Class C    Shares            Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     71,343        $ 998,329  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     443          5,538  

Shares purchased

     (13,215                   (175,530
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     58,571          828,337  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (5,162        (65,704
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     53,409        $ 762,633  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     34,038        $ 412,624  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     1,883          22,791  

Shares purchased

     (9,292        (106,072
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     26,629          329,343  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (255        (2,886
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     26,374        $ 326,457  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class Z

       

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     13,350,960        $ 186,168,605  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     121,767          1,696,608  

Shares purchased

     (1,477,815        (21,446,422
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     11,994,912          166,418,791  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     19,401          280,074  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     12,014,313        $ 166,698,865  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     2,983,690        $ 35,135,075  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     47,282          568,028  

Shares purchased

     (985,863        (10,853,079
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     2,045,109          24,850,024  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     337          3,920  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     2,045,446        $ 24,853,944  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class R6

       

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     5,802,725        $ 79,850,314  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     67,943          918,300  

Shares purchased

     (1,126,477        (16,354,591
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     4,744,191          64,414,023  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (877        (11,864
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     4,743,314        $ 64,402,159  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     329,001        $ 3,615,152  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     80,324          959,853  

Shares purchased

     (341,140        (3,580,100
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     68,185        $ 994,905  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

8.

Borrowings

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Participating Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   37


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

funding for capital share redemptions. The table below provides details of the current SCA in effect at the reporting period-end as well as the prior SCA.

 

     
      Current SCA    Prior SCA
     
Term of Commitment    10/1/2021 – 9/29/2022    10/2/2020 – 9/30/2021
     
Total Commitment    $ 1,200,000,000    $ 1,200,000,000
     
Annualized Commitment Fee on the Unused Portion of the SCA    0.15%    0.15%
     
Annualized Interest Rate on Borrowings    1.20% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent    1.30% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent

Certain affiliated registered investment companies that are parties to the SCA include portfolios that are subject to a predetermined mathematical formula used to manage certain benefit guarantees offered under variable annuity contracts. The formula may result in large scale asset flows into and out of these portfolios. Consequently, these portfolios may be more likely to utilize the SCA for purposes of funding redemptions. It may be possible for those portfolios to fully exhaust the committed amount of the SCA, thereby requiring the Manager to allocate available funding per a Board-approved methodology designed to treat the Participating Funds in the SCA equitably.

The Fund did not utilize the SCA during the year ended October 31, 2021.

 

9.

Risks of Investing in the Fund

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Active Trading Risk: The Fund actively and frequently trades its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover results in higher transaction costs, which can affect the Fund’s performance and have adverse tax consequences. In addition, high portfolio turnover may also mean that a proportionately greater amount of distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income rather than long-term capital gains compared to investment companies with lower portfolio turnover.

Distribution Risk: The Fund’s distributions may consist of net investment income, if any, and net realized gains, if any, from the sale of investments and/or return of capital. The Fund will provide to shareholders early in each calendar year the final tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the previous year. Also, at such time that the Fund distribution is expected to be from sources other than current or accumulated net income, a notice to shareholders may be required.

 

38


Economic and Market Events Risk: Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth or the functioning of the securities markets, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Relatively reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging Markets Risk: The risks of foreign investments are greater for investments in or exposed to emerging markets. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and can be expected to be less stable, than those of more developed countries. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by non-U.S. investors, or that prevent non-U.S. investors from withdrawing their money at will.

The Fund may invest in some emerging markets that subject it to risks such as those associated with illiquidity, custody of assets, different settlement and clearance procedures and asserting legal title under a developing legal and regulatory regime to a greater degree than in developed markets or even in other emerging markets.

Equity and Equity-Related Securities Risk: Equity and equity-related securities may be subject to changes in value, and their values may be more volatile than those of other asset classes. In addition to an individual security losing value, the value of the equity markets or a sector in which the Fund invests could go down. Different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) may involve more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign political, economic and legal systems, especially those in developing and emerging market countries, may be less stable and more volatile than in the United States. Foreign legal systems generally have fewer regulatory requirements than the U.S. legal system, particularly those of emerging markets. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. companies than U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Additionally, the changing value of foreign currencies and changes in exchange rates could also affect the value of the assets the Fund holds and the Fund’s performance. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. Investments in emerging markets are subject to greater volatility and price declines.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   39


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

restrictions on the repatriation of non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation and adverse diplomatic developments. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

Increase in Expenses Risk: Your actual cost of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in the expense table in the Fund’s Prospectus for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile. Active and frequent trading of Fund securities can increase expenses.

Large Shareholder and Large Scale Redemption Risk: Certain individuals, accounts, funds (including funds affiliated with the Manager) or institutions, including the Manager and its affiliates, may from time to time own or control a substantial amount of the Fund’s shares. There is no requirement that these entities maintain their investment in the Fund. There is a risk that such large shareholders or that the Fund’s shareholders generally may redeem all or a substantial portion of their investments in the Fund in a short period of time, which could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s NAV, liquidity, and brokerage costs. Large redemptions could also result in tax consequences to shareholders and impact the Fund’s ability to implement its investment strategy. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective after one or more large scale redemptions may be impaired and, as a result, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

Market Capitalization Risk: The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. Generally, the stock prices of small- and mid-cap companies are less stable than the prices of large-cap stocks and may present greater risks. Large capitalization companies as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform compared to investments that focus on smaller capitalized companies.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the outbreak of COVID-19 globally in 2020 or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of

 

40


pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk: Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified geographically or by property/mortgage asset type, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs may be more volatile and/or more illiquid than other types of equity securities. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks. REITs may incur significant amounts of leverage. The Fund will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Fund.

REITs must also meet certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) to avoid entity level tax and be eligible to pass-through certain tax attributes of their income to shareholders. REITs are consequently subject to the risk of failing to meet these requirements for favorable tax treatment and of failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940. REITs are subject to the risks of changes in the Code affecting their tax status.

Real Estate Related Securities Risk: Because the Fund invests in real estate securities, including REITs, the Fund is subject to the risks of investing in the real estate industry, such as changes in general and local economic conditions, the supply and demand for real estate and changes in zoning and tax laws. Since the Fund concentrates in the real estate industry, its holdings can vary significantly from broad market indices. As a result, the Fund’s performance can deviate from the performance of such indices. Because the Fund invests in stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock owned by the Fund could go down or pay lower-than-expected or no dividends. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of the equity markets or of companies comprising the real estate industry could go down. An investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets. Real estate securities are subject to the same risks as direct investments in real estate and mortgages, and their value will depend on the value of the underlying properties or the underlying loans or interests. The underlying loans may be

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund   41


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

subject to the risks of default or of prepayments that occur earlier or later than expected, and such loans may also include so-called “subprime” mortgages. The value of these securities will rise and fall in response to many factors, including economic conditions, the demand for rental property and interest rates. In particular, the value of these securities may decline when interest rates rise and will also be affected by the real estate market and by the management of the underlying properties.

Selection Risk: Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by the subadviser will underperform the market, the relevant indices, or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. Individual REIT prices may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans, a dividend reduction, a disruption to the real estate investment sales market, changes in federal or state taxation policies affecting REITs, or poor management of a REIT.

Value Style Risk: Since the Fund follows a value investment style, there is the risk that the value style may be out of favor for long periods of time, that the market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. Issuers of value stocks may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the stock to be out of favor. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors, negatively affecting the Fund’s performance. If the Fund’s assessment of market conditions or a company’s value is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds.

 

10.

Recent Regulatory Developments

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule took effect on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Fund.

 

42


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 and Shareholders of PGIM Select Real Estate Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of PGIM Select Real Estate Fund (one of the funds constituting Prudential Investment Portfolios 9, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (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 October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2019 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 19, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

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

 

We conducted our audits 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 October 31, 2021 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.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 16, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the PGIM Retail Funds complex since 2020.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund

    43  


Tax Information (unaudited)

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable under Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, but not less than 10.68% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the year as qualified dividend income.

 

In January 2022, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by you in calendar year 2021.

 

44  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS (unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

 
Independent Board Members
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Ellen S. Alberding

1958

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); formerly Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (2011-2015); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (2009-2018); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (2009-2016); Trustee, Loyola University (since 2018).    None.    Since September 2013
       

Kevin J. Bannon

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; formerly Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.    Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).    Since July 2008

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


 

Independent Board Members

       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Linda W. Bynoe

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 92

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Limited LLC (formerly Telemat Ltd) (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); formerly Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (January 2006-June 2020).    Since March 2005
       

Barry H. Evans

1960

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly President (2005-2016), Global Chief Operating Officer (2014-2016), Chief Investment Officer - Global Head of Fixed Income (1998-2014), and various portfolio manager roles (1986-2006), Manulife Asset Management (asset management).    Formerly Director, Manulife Trust Company (2011-2018); formerly Director, Manulife Asset Management Limited (2015-2017); formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manulife Asset Management U.S. (2005-2016); formerly Chairman of the Board, Declaration Investment Management and Research (2008-2016).    Since September 2017
       

Keith F. Hartstein

1956

Board Member & Independent Chair

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; Executive Committee of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Board of Governors (since October 2019); Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the IDC (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.    Since September 2013

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


     
Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Laurie Simon Hodrick

1962

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 91

   A. Barton Hepburn Professor Emerita of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (since 2018); Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (since 2015); Sole Member, ReidCourt LLC (since 2008) (a consulting firm); formerly Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (2015-2021); formerly A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (1996-2017); formerly Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies, Deutsche Bank (2006-2008).    Independent Director, Roku (since December 2020) (communication services); formerly Independent Director, Synnex Corporation (2019-2021) (information technology); formerly Independent Director, Kabbage, Inc. (2018-2020) (financial services); formerly Independent Director, Corporate Capital Trust (2017-2018) (a business development company).    Since September 2017
       

Brian K. Reid

1961

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Chief Economist for the Investment Company Institute (ICI) (2005-2017); formerly Senior Economist and Director of Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1998-2004); formerly Senior Economist, Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1996-1998); formerly Staff Economist at the Federal Reserve Board (1989-1996); Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2012-2017).    None.    Since March 2018

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


     
Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Grace C. Torres

1959

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of PGIM Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since January 2018) of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; formerly Director (July 2015-January 2018) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. and Sun National Bank.    Since November 2014

 

     
Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Stuart S. Parker

1962

Board Member & President

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer in Charge of PGIM Investments LLC (formerly known as Prudential Investments LLC) (since January 2012); formerly Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of PGIM Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011); Investment Company Institute - Board of Governors (since May 2012).    None.    Since January 2012

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


     
Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

  

Length of

Board Service

       

Scott E. Benjamin

1973

Board Member & Vice President

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Executive Vice President (since May 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, PGIM Investments (since February 2006); formerly Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, PGIM Investments LLC (2003-2006).    None.    Since March 2010

(1) The year that each Board Member joined the Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Barry H. Evans, 2017; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Laurie Simon Hodrick, 2017; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member since 2012 and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009; Grace C. Torres, 2014.

 

     
Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Claudia DiGiacomo

1974

Chief Legal Officer

   Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of PIFM Holdco, LLC (since August 2020); Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since August 2020); formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (2005-2020); formerly Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since December 2005

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


     
Fund Officers(a)          
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of Service as Fund Officer
     

Dino Capasso

1974

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., and PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund; Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (June 2017-2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel (January 2016-June 2017), and Vice President and Counsel (February 2012-December 2015) of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.    Since July 2019
     

Andrew R. French

1962

Secretary

   Vice President (since December 2018) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Corporate Counsel (2010-2018) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since October 2006
     

Diana N. Huffman

1982

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2015) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2009-2015).    Since March 2019
     

Melissa Gonzalez

1980

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2018) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (March 2014-September 2018) of Prudential.    Since March 2020
     

Patrick E. McGuinness

1986

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; Director and Corporate Counsel (since February 2017) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel (2012-2017) of IIL, Inc.    Since June 2020
     

Debra Rubano

1975

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since November 2020) of Prudential; formerly Director and Senior Counsel of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2010-2020) and Assistant Secretary of numerous funds in the Allianz fund complex (2015-2020).    Since December 2020
     

Kelly A. Coyne

1968

Assistant Secretary

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since March 2015

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


     
Fund Officers(a)          
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of Service as Fund Officer
     

Christian J. Kelly

1975

Treasurer and Principal Financial

and Accounting Officer

   Vice President, Head of Fund Administration of PGIM Investments LLC (since November 2018); formerly Director of Fund Administration of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC (2009-2018), Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (2017-2018); Director of Accounting, Avenue Capital Group (2008-2009); Senior Manager, Investment Management Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP (1998-2007).    Since January 2019
     

Lana Lomuti

1967

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since April 2014
     

Russ Shupak

1973

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2013-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Deborah Conway

1969

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2007-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Elyse M. McLaughlin

1974

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Jonathan Corbett

1983

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Global Compliance Programs and Compliance Risk Management (since August 2019) of Prudential; formerly Vice President and Head of Key Risk Areas Compliance (March 2016 to July 2019), Chief Privacy Officer (March 2016 to July 2019) and Head of Global Financial Crimes Unit (April 2014 to March 2016) at MetLife.    Since October 2021

(a) Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with PGIM Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of PGIM Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o PGIM Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes all directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by PGIM Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PGIM Investments LLC serves as manager include the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, PGIM ETF Trust, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

 

As used in the Fund Officers table “Prudential” means The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

The Fund’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of PGIM Select Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”)1 consists of ten individuals, eight of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and two Investment Committees. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Trustees.

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc. (“PGIM”) on behalf of its PGIM Real Estate unit (“PGIM Real Estate”), and PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited (“PGIM RE (UK)”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on June 7-10, 2021 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2022, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments, PGIM and PGIM RE (UK). Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisers, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 7-10, 2021.

 

 

1

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between PGIM Investments and each of PGIM, which, through its PGIM Real Estate unit, and PGIM RE (UK), serve as the Fund’s subadvisers pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK). The Board noted that PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) are affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadvisers for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund, and PGIM Investments’ role as the administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadvisers, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments’ senior management on the performance and operations of the subadvisers. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Trustees of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK), including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadvisers, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadvisers, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK), and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’, PGIM Real Estate’s, PGIM’s and PGIM RE (UK)’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM and PGIM RE (UK). The Board also noted that it received favorable

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM and PGIM RE (UK).

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK), and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) under the management and subadvisory agreements.

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. However, the Board considered that the cost of services provided by PGIM Investments to the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2020 exceeded the management fees paid by the Fund, resulting in an operating loss to PGIM Investments. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PGIM Investments may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board noted that economies of scale, can be shared with the Fund in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK)

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM RE (UK) and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PGIM Investments), and benefits to its reputation as well as other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) included their ability to use soft dollar credits, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to its reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2020. The Board considered that the Fund commenced investment operations on August 1, 2014 and that longer-term performance was not yet available.

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

The mutual funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of mutual fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information for reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


    

 

impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

Net Performance   1 Year   3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
  1st Quartile   1st Quartile    1st Quartile    N/A
Actual Management Fees: 1st Quartile     

Net Total Expenses: 3rd Quartile

 

 

  ·  

The Board noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index over all periods.

 

  ·  

The Board and PGIM Investments contractually agreed to an expense cap that (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) caps total annual operating expenses at 1.30% for Class A shares, 2.05% for Class C shares, 1.05% for Class R6 shares, and 1.05% for Class Z shares through February 28, 2022.

 

  ·  

In addition, PGIM Investments will waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class, and has agreed that total annual fund operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class Z shares.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

*  *  *

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM Select Real Estate Fund


   MAIL      TELEPHONE      WEBSITE
     655 Broad Street         (800) 225-1852         pgim.com/investments

     Newark, NJ 07102

 

         

 

 
PROXY VOTING
 

The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadvisers the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

    
 
TRUSTEES
 

Ellen S. Alberding · Kevin J. Bannon · Scott E. Benjamin · Linda W. Bynoe · Barry H. Evans · Keith F. Hartstein · Laurie Simon Hodrick · Stuart S. Parker · Brian K. Reid · Grace C. Torres

 

    
 
OFFICERS
 

Stuart S. Parker, President · Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President · Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer · Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer · Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer · Jonathan Corbett, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer · Andrew R. French, Secretary · Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary · Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary · Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Secretary · Patrick E. McGuinness, Assistant Secretary · Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary · Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer · Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer · Elyse M. McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer · Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer

 

 

MANAGER    PGIM Investments LLC    655 Broad Street
          Newark, NJ 07102
SUBADVISERS    PGIM Real Estate    7 Giralda Farms
      Madison, NJ 07940
   PGIM Real Estate (UK)    Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand
   Limited    Trafalgar Square
      London, WC2N 5HR
          United Kingdom
DISTRIBUTOR    Prudential Investment    655 Broad Street
     Management Services LLC    Newark, NJ 07102
CUSTODIAN    The Bank of New York    240 Greenwich Street
     Mellon    New York, NY 10286
TRANSFER AGENT    Prudential Mutual Fund    PO Box 9658
     Services LLC    Providence, RI 02940
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED    PricewaterhouseCoopers    300 Madison Avenue
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM    LLP    New York, NY 10017
FUND COUNSEL    Willkie Farr & Gallagher    787 Seventh Avenue
     LLP    New York, NY 10019


 

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain the prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

    
 
E-DELIVERY
 

To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

    
 
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRUSTEES
 

Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Trustees by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM Select Real Estate Fund, PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Trustees, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that Trustee at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

    
AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

    
 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

 

Mutual Funds:

 

     

 

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

 

  

 

 MAY LOSE VALUE 

  

 

ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED

BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE

 


LOGO

 

 

 

 

PGIM SELECT REAL ESTATE FUND

 

 SHARE CLASS    A    C    Z    R6

 NASDAQ

   SREAX    SRECX    SREZX    SREQX

 CUSIP

   74441J811      74441J795      74441J779      74441J787  

MF223E


LOGO

 

PGIM INTERNATIONAL BOND FUND

 

    

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

 

LOGO

 

      To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

         3      

Your Fund’s Performance

         4      

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

         5      

Strategy and Performance Overview

         8      

Fees and Expenses

         12      

Holdings and Financial Statements

         15      

Approval of Advisory Agreements

        

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), member SIPC. PGIM Fixed Income is a unit of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PGIM are Prudential Financial companies. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

 

2    Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Letter from the President

 

LOGO   Dear Shareholder:
 

 

We hope you find the annual report for the PGIM International Bond Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2021.

 

 

The global economy and markets continued to recover throughout the period from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and kept them near zero to encourage borrowing. Congress passed stimulus bills worth several trillion dollars to help consumers and businesses. And several effective COVID-19 vaccines received regulatory approval. Those measures were enough to offset the fear of rising inflation and supply chain challenges that threatened to disrupt growth.

At the start of the period, stocks had recovered most of the steep losses they had suffered at the onset of the pandemic. Equities rallied as states reopened their economies but became more volatile as investors worried that a surge in COVID-19 infections would stall the recovery. However, rising corporate profits and economic growth, the resolution of the US presidential election, and the global rollout of approved vaccines lifted equity markets to record levels, helping stocks around the globe post gains for the full period.

Throughout this volatile period, investors sought safety in fixed income. Investment-grade bonds in the US and the overall global bond market declined slightly during the period as the economy recovered, but emerging market debt rose. While the 10-year US Treasury yield hovered near record lows early in the period after a significant rally in interest rates, rates moved higher later on as investors began to focus on stronger economic growth and the prospects of higher inflation. The Fed also took several aggressive actions to keep the bond markets running smoothly, implementing many of the relief programs that proved to be successful in helping end the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. This scale and investment expertise allow us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

 

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.
Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Stuart S. Parker, President
PGIM International Bond Fund
December 15, 2021

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    3


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

     Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21  
     One Year (%)   Since Inception (%)

Class A

    

(with sales charges)

   -5.11          3.98 (12/14/2016)

(without sales charges)

   -1.93          4.68 (12/14/2016)

Class C

    

(with sales charges)

   -3.62          3.90 (12/14/2016)

(without sales charges)

   -2.66          3.90 (12/14/2016)

Class Z

    

(without sales charges)

   -1.57          4.99 (12/14/2016)

Class R6

    

(without sales charges)

   -1.53          5.01 (12/14/2016)

Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD (USD Hedged) Index

         
     -1.26          3.14

Since Inception returns are provided since the Fund has less than 10 fiscal years of returns. Since Inception returns for the Index are measured from the closest month-end to the Fund’s inception date.

 

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Growth of a $10,000 Investment (unaudited)

 

LOGO

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class Z shares with a similar investment in the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD (USD Hedged) Index by portraying the initial account values at the commencement of operations for Class Z shares (December 14, 2016) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (October 31, 2021), as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and (b) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class Z shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for other share classes will vary due to the differing fees and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursements, if any, the returns would have been lower.

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graph include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    5


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

         
      Class A   Class C    Class Z    Class R6
         

Maximum initial sales charge

   3.25% of the public offering price   None    None    None

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or the net asset value at redemption)

   1.00% on sales of $500,000 or more made within 12 months of purchase   1.00% on sales made within 12 months of purchase    None    None

Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

   0.25%   1.00%    None    None

Benchmark Definitions

Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD (USD Hedged) Index—The Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD (USD Hedged) Index provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed income markets, with index components for the Pan-European Aggregate and the Asian-Pacific Aggregate excluding US dollar-denominated components.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The returns for the Index would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes that may be paid by an investor.

 

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  Distributions and Yields as of 10/31/21
    

Total Distributions

Paid for

12 Months ($)

  

SEC 30-Day

Subsidized

Yield* (%)

  

SEC 30-Day 

Unsubsidized 

Yield** (%) 

Class A

   0.29    0.82    2.24

Class C

   0.22    0.13    2.90

Class Z

   0.33    1.21    1.10

Class R6

   0.33    1.26    0.89

*SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s net expenses (net of any expense waivers or reimbursements). The investor experience is represented by the SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield.

**SEC 30-Day Unsubsidized Yield (%)—A standardized yield calculation created by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it reflects the income earned during a 30-day period, after the deduction of the Fund’s gross expenses. The investor experience is represented by the SEC 30-Day Subsidized Yield.

 

   Credit Quality expressed as a percentage of total investments as of 10/31/21 (%)     

 AAA

     6.2   

 AA

     2.9  

 A

     16.3  

 BBB

     43.4  

 BB

     15.2  

 B

     8.5  

 CCC

     0.8  

 Not Rated

     3.9  

 Cash/Cash Equivalents

     2.8  
   
Total      100.0  

Credit ratings reflect the highest rating assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) such as Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s), S&P Global Ratings (S&P), or Fitch, Inc. (Fitch). Credit ratings reflect the common nomenclature used by both S&P and Fitch. Where applicable, ratings are converted to the comparable S&P/Fitch rating tier nomenclature. These rating agencies are independent and are widely used. The Not Rated category consists of securities that have not been rated by an NRSRO. Credit ratings are subject to change.

 

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    7


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM International Bond Fund’s Class Z shares returned -1.57% in the 12-month reporting period that ended October 31, 2021, underperforming the -1.26% return of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD (USD Hedged) Index (the Index).

What were the market conditions?

·  

The strong global rebound from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic continued throughout the reporting period, as economies continued to respond to the unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus programs. The effective rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, along with clear messaging from both President Biden and the Federal Reserve (the Fed) on the potential for further stimulus, shifted the prospects for growth and inflation, kicking off a robust “reflation trade” in bond markets, which caused the US Treasury yield curve to steepen over the period. (A yield curve is a line graph that illustrates the relationship between the yields and maturities of fixed income securities. It is created by plotting the yields of different maturities for the same type of bonds.)

 

·  

Although yields for short-term Treasuries remained well anchored during the first quarter of 2021 by the Fed’s commitment to maintain its low-rate policy, longer-term Treasuries sold off sharply, with the yield on the benchmark US 10-year Treasury note rising from 0.92% on December 31, 2020, to 1.74% by March 31, 2021. Similarly, the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond rose from 1.65% to 2.41% over the same period.

 

·  

Market volatility for rates then eased in the second and third quarters of 2021, with long-term US Treasury yields declining gradually before rising again in late September after the Fed signaled it could begin tapering its monthly bond purchases shortly after its November meeting. The US 10-year and 30-year Treasury yields ended the period at 1.55% and 1.93%, respectively. Meanwhile, the yield on the 2-year Treasury note rose sharply the last month of the period as markets began pricing in two rate hikes in 2022, ending October 31, 2021, at 0.45%—a rise of 28 basis points (bps) over the period. (One basis point equals 0.01%.) Despite flattening over the last six months of the period as the market pulled forward its expectation for rate hikes, the US Treasury yield curve steepened during the period, with the 10-year and 2-year Treasury spread rising from 0.74% to 1.07% as of October 31, 2021.

 

·  

In Europe, German 10-year bond yields rose to end the period at -0.10%, as rate hike expectations were brought forward amid concerns about prolonged inflation even as the European Central Bank continued to signal rate hikes in 2022 were unlikely. Similarly, United Kingdom (UK) 10-year bond yields rose over the period to end October 31, 2021, at 1.03% amid inflation concerns driven by demand and supply-chain bottlenecks.

 

·  

Spread markets continued to tighten, supported by the Fed’s monetary responses, fiscal stimulus, the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, better-than-expected corporate earnings, and surging growth in the US, Europe, and some emerging market economies. (Spread markets are non-government-related sectors of the fixed income

 

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market, such as investment grade corporate bonds, high yield bonds, or asset-backed securities.) Strengthening economic fundamentals coupled with aggressive central bank measures (e.g., zero interest rate policies and asset purchases) drove corporate and securitized asset spreads tighter, with many sectors rallying to, or through, their pre-COVID-19 levels.

 

·  

The US investment grade corporate market performed well, with spreads tightening to near-historic levels by the end of the period, supported by better-than-expected corporate earnings, positive vaccination progress, and a favorable technical backdrop. Strengthening fundamentals generally kept securitized credit on a tightening trajectory as well, with commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) spreads trading well below their pre-pandemic tights by the end of the period. US high yield bond spreads tightened as fundamentals remained supportive. Meanwhile, emerging market spreads tightened, boosting returns as investor appetite remained strong amid a global search for yield.

What worked?

·  

Security selection and sector allocation both contributed to the Fund’s performance over the reporting period.

 

·  

Within security selection, positions in developed high yield, emerging sovereigns, emerging agencies, developed sovereigns, developed CMBS, and developed investment grade corporate were the largest contributors for the period.

 

·  

Within sector allocation, overweights to emerging sovereigns, developed asset-backed securities (ABS), developed high yield, and developed CMBS relative to the Index were the largest contributors to performance.

 

·  

Within credit, positioning in foreign non-corporates, retailers & restaurants, capital goods, and telecom contributed.

 

·  

In individual security selection, the Fund benefited from overweights to Ukraine, Greece, and Indonesia sovereign bonds relative to the Index, along with an overweight to Petroleos Mexicanos SA de CV (foreign non-corporate).

What didn’t work?

·  

During the reporting period, the Fund’s long duration bias, principally in emerging market rates, detracted from returns. (Duration measures the sensitivity of the price—the value of principal—of a bond to a change in interest rates.) The Fund’s yield curve flattener positioning in US rates also detracted as the curve steepened over the period. (A yield curve flattener is an interest rate environment in which long-term rates are decreasing more quickly than short-term rates.)

 

·  

Although overall security selection contributed to performance, positioning in emerging LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) derivatives, developed LIBOR derivatives, emerging Treasuries, and developed ABS detracted from performance.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    9


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

Within sector allocation, an underweight to developed investment grade corporates and developed local authorities, along with an overweight to emerging treasuries relative to the Index detracted from performance.

 

·  

In individual security selection, an underweight to Japan and United Kingdom sovereign bonds, along with overweights to Holdco Ltd. (food), and Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A. (banking) relative to the Index detracted from performance.

Did the Fund use derivatives?

The Fund uses derivatives when they facilitate implementation of the overall investment approach. During the reporting period, the Fund used interest rate futures, options, and swaps to help manage duration positioning and yield curve exposure. Over the period, futures and options contributed to performance while swaps detracted. Credit default swaps and credit default swap index (CDX) positions were used to either add risk exposure to certain issuers or to hedge credit risk imposed by certain issuers. Overall, credit derivative exposure contributed during the period. In addition, the Fund traded foreign-exchange derivatives, which had a negative impact on performance over the period.

Current outlook

·  

As the Fed’s tapering approached, PGIM Fixed Income believed the Fed would likely draw a clear distinction between the removal of accommodation via reduction in asset purchases and tightening of policy through rate hikes in the federal funds rate target.

 

·  

Looking beyond the next year or two, PGIM Fixed Income believes the secular fundamental drivers—such as aging demographics and high debt levels—that pushed rates lower for decades are likely to reassert themselves with even more downward force on rates in a post-COVID world of older populations and markedly higher debt levels. As a result, many central bankers may end up leaving administered rates near, or at, their effective lower bounds, and rate hike cycles will likely continue cresting at progressively lower levels. From that perspective, the third quarter 2021 increase in longer-term rates—which lifted them back up to levels that reflect a substantial and permanent rise in administered rates over the coming years—has probably already overshot fundamentals, in PGIM Fixed Income’s view.

 

·  

As for spread sectors, PGIM Fixed Income continues to expect the ongoing economic expansion to support credit fundamentals and, in turn, to allow credit products to continue outperforming. Given the relatively narrow level of spreads, however, excess returns are likely to be more modest, deriving primarily from incremental yield and rolling down the spread curve, rather than from the kinds of wholesale spread compression seen since March 2020. (Roll-down return is a strategy for selling a bond as it approaches its maturity date. In general, as a bond’s maturity date grows closer, its interest rate moves closer to zero. Since there is an inverse relationship between bond yields and prices, bond prices increase as their interest rates decrease.)

 

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·  

PGIM Fixed Income maintains its positive view of the spread sectors over the medium to long term, and the Fund holds allocations to an array of credit sectors, including both investment-grade and high yield corporates, high-quality structured products, and emerging markets. While valuations are now a bit full, with spreads in many sectors tighter than historical norms, PGIM Fixed Income generally expects ongoing spread sector outperformance. However, this outlook is not without caveats. First, the relatively narrow level of spreads diminishes the pace and magnitude of further outperformance. Additionally, narrower spreads leave little room for error, and the uncertain course of the long-term economic recovery warrants a discerning approach to credit selection.

 

·  

Within structured products, PGIM Fixed Income is biased to own the top of the capital structure, as near-zero policy rates and ongoing Fed purchases support a spread tightening environment. In investment grade corporates, PGIM Fixed Income is looking to take advantage of spread compression in select higher-yielding BBB-rated bonds, solid credits in stressed industries, and cyclicals. PGIM Fixed Income remains constructive on high yield over the medium term as improving fundamentals and a decline in defaults is expected to drive spread compression going forward, and it believes the prospects for emerging market debt performance are encouraging given the supportive backdrop, attractive valuations, and global search for yield.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    11


Fees and Expenses (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. 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 held through the six-month period ended October 31, 2021. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on 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 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 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.

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of PGIM funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information

 

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provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

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 (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in 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.

 

       
PGIM International Bond Fund  

Beginning

    Account Value    

May 1, 2021

 

Ending

Account Value

 October 31, 2021  

 

Annualized

Expense

Ratio Based on

the

 Six-Month Period  

 

Expenses Paid

During the

 Six-Month Period*  

       

Class A

 

Actual

  $1,000.00     $   996.00         0.99%   $4.98
 

Hypothetical

  $1,000.00     $1,020.21     0.99%   $5.04
       

Class C

 

Actual

  $1,000.00     $   992.20     1.74%   $8.74
 

Hypothetical

  $1,000.00     $1,016.43     1.74%   $8.84
       

Class Z

 

Actual

  $1,000.00     $   997.80     0.63%   $3.17
 

Hypothetical

  $1,000.00     $1,022.03     0.63%   $3.21
       

Class R6

 

Actual

  $1,000.00     $   998.00     0.58%   $2.92
   

Hypothetical

  $1,000.00     $1,022.28     0.58%   $2.96

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended October 31, 2021, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    13


Schedule of Investments

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS     95.7%

             

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES     4.8%

             

Cayman Islands     3.6%

                                           

HPS Loan Management Ltd.,

             

Series 10A-16, Class A1RR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.140% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.140%)

    1.274%(c)        04/20/34           500      $ 498,276  

Series 15A-19, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.320% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.320%)

    1.448(c)        07/22/32           250        250,038  

Mountain View CLO Ltd.,

             

Series 2019-01A, Class A1R, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.250% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.250%)

    1.374(c)        10/15/34           250        250,048  

Silver Creek CLO Ltd.,

             

Series 2014-01A, Class AR, 144A, 3 Month LIBOR + 1.240% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

    1.372(c)        07/20/30           246        246,347  
             

 

 

 
                1,244,709  

United States     1.2%

                                           

Oportun Funding XIII LLC,

             

Series 2019-A, Class B, 144A

    3.870        08/08/25           100        101,495  

PNMAC GMSR Issuer Trust,

             

Series 2018-GT02, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.650% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

    2.739(c)        08/25/25           100        99,970  

SoFi Alternative Trust,

             

Series 2019-D, Class 1PT, 144A

    2.847(cc)        01/16/46           82        84,355  

TH MSR Issuer Trust,

             

Series 2019-FT01, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.800% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.800%)

    2.889(c)        06/25/24           150        149,633  
             

 

 

 
                435,453  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
  (cost $1,680,330)

                1,680,162  
             

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES     6.3%

 

        

Canada     0.1%

                                           

Real Estate Asset Liquidity Trust,

             

Series 2020-01A, Class A1, 144A

    2.381(cc)        02/12/55        CAD        23        18,881  
             

 

 

 

Ireland     1.2%

                                           

Taurus DAC,

             

Series 2021-UK4A, Class B, 144A, SONIA + 1.500%

    1.550(c)        08/17/31        GBP        100        136,594  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

 

        

Ireland (cont’d.)

                                           

Taurus DAC, (cont’d.)

             

Series 2021-UK4A, Class C, 144A, SONIA + 1.750%

    1.800%(c)        08/17/31        GBP        100      $ 136,566  

Series 2021-UK4A, Class D, 144A, SONIA + 2.100%

    2.150(cc)        08/17/31        GBP        100        136,608  
             

 

 

 
                409,768  

United Kingdom    0.8%

                                           

Salus European Loan Conduit DAC,

             

Series 33A, Class A, 144A, 3 Month GBP LIBOR + 1.500% (Cap 6.500%, Floor 1.500%)

    1.704(c)        01/23/29        GBP        200        274,395  
             

 

 

 

United States    4.2%

                                           

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2019-XL, Class J, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.650% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.650%)

    2.740(c)        10/15/36           255        254,365  

Cold Storage Trust,

             

Series 2020-ICE05, Class E, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.766% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.833%)

    2.856(c)        11/15/37           98        98,240  

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates,

             

Series K111, Class X1, IO

    1.572(cc)        05/25/30           399        46,426  

Series K113, Class X1, IO

    1.387(cc)        06/25/30           1,155        119,800  

Series KG03, Class X1, IO

    1.381(cc)        06/25/30           1,290        130,334  

MKT Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2020-525M, Class F, 144A

    2.941(cc)        02/12/40           250        231,687  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust,

             

Series 2019-MEAD, Class E, 144A

    3.177(cc)        11/10/36           300        287,044  

One New York Plaza Trust,

             

Series 2020-01NYP, Class C, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.200% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.200%)

    2.290(c)        01/15/26           100        100,381  

Series 2020-01NYP, Class D, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.750%)

    2.840(c)        01/15/26           100        100,501  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust,

             

Series 2021-FCMT, Class C, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 2.400% (Cap N/A, Floor 2.400%)

    2.490(c)        05/15/31           100        100,031  
             

 

 

 
                1,468,809  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $2,148,907)

 

              2,171,853  
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16


    

    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

   

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS     31.1%

            

Australia     0.4%

                                          

Transurban Finance Co. Pty Ltd.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.000%       08/28/25        EUR        100      $ 122,989  

Belgium     0.2%

                                          

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,
  Gtd. Notes

    4.900       02/01/46           60        76,525  

Brazil     0.4%

                                          

Petrobras Global Finance BV,
  Gtd. Notes

    6.625       01/16/34        GBP        100        153,753  

Bulgaria     0.3%

                                          

Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.450       07/22/28        EUR        100        114,870  

China     0.3%

                                          

Aircraft Finance Co. Ltd.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, Series B

    4.100       03/29/26           92        94,139  

France     2.3%

                                          

Altice France SA,

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    3.375       01/15/28        EUR        100        110,890  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    2.500       01/15/25        EUR        100        113,288  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.375       01/15/28        EUR        100        110,890  

Iliad Holding SAS,

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    5.125       10/15/26        EUR        100        118,938  

La Poste SA,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    1.375       04/21/32        EUR        100        122,998  

SNCF Reseau,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, Series MPLE

    4.700       06/01/35        CAD        100        96,161  

Verallia SA,

            

Gtd. Notes

    1.625       05/14/28        EUR        100        118,201  
            

 

 

 
               791,366  

Germany     3.1%

                                          

Allianz SE,

            

Jr. Sub. Notes

    3.375(ff)       09/18/24(oo)        EUR        200        248,536  

Techem Verwaltungsgesellschaft 674 mbH,

            

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    6.000       07/30/26        EUR        88        104,297  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Germany (cont’d.)

                                           

thyssenkrupp AG,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.375%        03/03/22        EUR        150      $ 173,566  

TK Elevator Holdco GmbH,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.625        07/15/28        EUR        90        108,915  

TK Elevator Midco GmbH,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.375        07/15/27        EUR        100        118,977  

Volkswagen International Finance NV,

             

Gtd. Notes

    2.700(ff)        12/14/22(oo)        EUR        100        118,399  

Gtd. Notes

    4.625(ff)        03/24/26(oo)        EUR        150        194,194  
             

 

 

 
                1,066,884  

Hong Kong     0.8%

                                           

HKT Capital No. 3 Ltd.,

             

Gtd. Notes

    1.650        04/10/27        EUR        100        120,295  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Capital Market Ltd.,

             

Gtd. Notes, EMTN

    3.200        08/14/27        CNH        1,000        153,601  
             

 

 

 
                273,896  

Hungary     0.4%

                                           

MFB Magyar Fejlesztesi Bank Zrt,

             

Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

    1.375        06/24/25        EUR        100        120,414  

Iceland     0.3%

                                           

Landsvirkjun,

             

Gov’t. Gtd. Notes, EMTN

    0.000(cc)        07/24/26        EUR        100        114,237  

India     0.4%

                                           

NTPC Ltd.,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.750        02/01/27        EUR        100        122,650  

Indonesia     0.3%

                                           

Perusahaan Listrik Negara PT,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.875        11/05/31        EUR        100        112,396  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18


    

    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Italy     1.1%

                                           

Assicurazioni Generali SpA,

             

Sub. Notes, EMTN

    5.500%(ff)        10/27/47        EUR        100      $ 139,876  

Nexi SpA,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.125        04/30/29        EUR        200        228,618  
             

 

 

 
                368,494  

Kazakhstan     0.5%

                                           

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy National Co. JSC,

             

Gtd. Notes

    3.250        12/05/23        CHF        50        57,526  

Gtd. Notes

    3.638        06/20/22        CHF        100        111,485  
             

 

 

 
                169,011  

Luxembourg     1.3%

                                           

ARD Finance SA,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, Cash coupon 5.000% or PIK 5.750%

    5.000        06/30/27        EUR        100        118,855  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A, Cash coupon 5.000% or PIK 5.750%

    5.000        06/30/27        EUR        100        118,855  

Matterhorn Telecom SA,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    3.125        09/15/26        EUR        200        228,876  
             

 

 

 
                466,586  

Mexico     1.3%

                                           

Petroleos Mexicanos,

             

Gtd. Notes

    3.625        11/24/25        EUR        200        233,498  

Gtd. Notes, EMTN

    4.875        02/21/28        EUR        200        232,669  
             

 

 

 
                466,167  

Netherlands     2.0%

                                           

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    3.500        12/14/26        AUD        100        76,646  

OCI NV,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    3.625        10/15/25        EUR        150        178,860  

United Group BV,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.125        02/15/26        EUR        200        222,530  

Ziggo Bond Co. BV,
  Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.375        02/28/30        EUR        200        227,732  
             

 

 

 
                705,768  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

Peru     0.3%

                                           

Peru Enhanced Pass-Through Finance Ltd.,
  Pass-Through Certificates

    1.963%(s)        06/02/25           119      $ 112,963  

Poland     0.9%

                                           

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego,
  Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

    1.625        04/30/28        EUR        250        309,830  

Russia     1.5%

                                           

Gazprom PJSC Via Gaz Capital SA,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.500        03/21/26        EUR        200        241,427  

Russian Railways Via RZD Capital PLC,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    0.898        10/03/25        CHF        100        109,140  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    7.487        03/25/31        GBP        100        181,623  
             

 

 

 
                532,190  

Spain     1.2%

                                           

Amadeus IT Group SA,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    1.875        09/24/28        EUR        200        244,733  

Cellnex Finance Co. SA,
  Gtd. Notes, EMTN

    2.000        02/15/33        EUR        100        110,299  

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    10.750        09/30/23(d)        EUR        35        43,990  
             

 

 

 
                399,022  

Supranational Bank     0.4%

                                           

European Bank for Reconstruction & Development,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    6.450        12/13/22        IDR        408,000        29,403  

European Investment Bank,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, EMTN

    5.400        01/05/45        CAD        100        113,280  
             

 

 

 
                142,683  

United Arab Emirates     1.0%

                                           

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. PJSC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    2.750        05/02/24        EUR        100        122,721  

DP World PLC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.250        09/25/30        GBP        100        152,481  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

    4.750        02/09/28        AUD        100        81,898  
             

 

 

 
                357,100  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20


    

    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

             

United Kingdom     4.8%

                                           

Barclays PLC,
  Sub. Notes, EMTN

    2.000%(ff)        02/07/28        EUR        100      $ 117,838  

Bellis Acquisition Co. PLC,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.250        02/16/26        GBP        200        262,163  

Bellis Finco PLC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.000        02/16/27        GBP        100        129,039  

Co-operative Group Ltd.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.125        05/17/24        GBP        100        143,597  

eG Global Finance PLC,

             

Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    6.250        10/30/25        EUR        100        117,307  

Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    6.250        10/30/25        EUR        100        117,307  

HSBC Holdings PLC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.350(ff)        02/16/24        AUD        200        154,659  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC,
  Gtd. Notes, EMTN

    1.625        10/08/24        EUR        200        239,119  

Pinewood Finance Co. Ltd.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.250        09/30/25        GBP        100        137,155  

Tesco PLC,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    5.000        03/24/23        GBP        80        115,227  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    5.000        04/15/27        GBP        100        141,303  
             

 

 

 
                1,674,714  

United States     5.6%

                                           

American International Group, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.875        06/21/27        EUR        100        123,017  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    2.125        08/15/26        EUR        150        171,113  

Avantor Funding, Inc.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes

    2.625        11/01/25        EUR        150        177,301  

Banff Merger Sub, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    8.375        09/01/26        EUR        100        120,343  

Broadcom, Inc.,
  Gtd. Notes, 144A

    3.500        02/15/41           30        29,925  

Citigroup, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    2.210        08/23/22        HKD        1,000        129,743  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.500        05/21/27        EUR        100        121,194  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The),
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    0.000(cc)        08/12/25        EUR        100        114,448  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

          

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

CORPORATE BONDS (Continued)

            

United States (cont’d.)

                                          

JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.762%(s)        03/17/48        ITL(jj     100,000      $ 15,634  

Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.388(s)        01/21/27        ITL(jj     50,000        27,995  

Morgan Stanley,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.102(ff)        04/29/33        EUR       100        115,244  

Mozart Debt Merger Sub, Inc.,
  Sr. Sec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.875        04/01/29          25        24,880  

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp.,
  Gtd. Notes

    3.375        04/24/30        GBP       150        211,341  

Spectrum Brands, Inc.,
  Gtd. Notes

    4.000        10/01/26        EUR       100        117,634  

Stryker Corp.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.625        11/30/30        EUR       100        133,650  

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP,

            

Gtd. Notes

    2.200        06/15/28          5        5,016  

Gtd. Notes

    2.850        12/15/32          5        5,178  

Verizon Communications, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.250        04/08/30        EUR       100        120,096  

Vistra Corp.,
  Jr. Sub. Notes, 144A

    8.000(ff)        10/15/26(oo)          50        52,485  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.425        12/13/26        EUR       100        125,759  
            

 

 

 
               1,941,996  
            

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(cost $10,522,143)

               10,810,643  
            

 

 

 

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES     1.6%

            

Bermuda     0.5%

                                          

Bellemeade Re Ltd.,

            

Series 2018-01A, Class M1B, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 1.600% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

    1.689(c)        04/25/28          45        44,548  

Series 2021-01A, Class M1A, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 1.750% (Cap N/A, Floor 1.750%)

    1.799(c)        03/25/31          150        150,366  
            

 

 

 
               194,914  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22


    

    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

   

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (Continued)

 

        

Ireland     0.3%

                                          

Retiro Mortgage Securities DAC,

            

Series 01A, Class A1, 144A, 3 Month EURIBOR + 2.000% (Cap 5.000%, Floor 0.000%)

    1.453 %(c)      07/30/75        EUR        89      $ 101,889  

United States     0.8%

                                          

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes,

            

Series 2020-HQA05, Class B1, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 4.000% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

    4.049(c)       11/25/50           10        10,481  

Series 2020-HQA05, Class M2, 144A, 30 Day Average SOFR + 2.600% (Cap N/A, Floor 0.000%)

    2.649(c)       11/25/50           60        60,678  

Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust,
  Series 2020-GS01, Class A1, 144A

    2.882       10/25/59           83        83,190  

PMT Credit Risk Transfer Trust,

            

Series 2020-02R, Class A, 144A, 1 Month LIBOR + 3.815% (Cap N/A, Floor 3.815%)

    3.903(c)       12/25/22           114        114,899  
            

 

 

 
               269,248  
            

 

 

 

TOTAL RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(cost $566,704)

               566,051  
            

 

 

 

SOVEREIGN BONDS     51.9%

            

Brazil     1.5%

                                          

Brazil Loan Trust 1,
  Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

    5.477       07/24/23           46        47,659  

Brazil Minas SPE via State of Minas Gerais,
  Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

    5.333       02/15/28           455        482,647  
            

 

 

 
               530,306  

Bulgaria     0.5%

                                          

Bulgaria Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    3.125       03/26/35        EUR        115        164,916  

Canada     0.7%

                                          

City of Toronto,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.500       06/02/36        CAD        100        88,062  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

             

Canada (cont’d.)

                                           

Province of Nova Scotia,
  Unsec’d. Notes

    3.450%        06/01/45        CAD        100      $ 89,333  

Province of Saskatchewan,
  Unsec’d. Notes

    2.750        12/02/46        CAD        100        79,611  
             

 

 

 
                257,006  

China   3.6%

                                           

China Government Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.900        07/04/36        CNH        1,000        169,742  

China Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    0.250        11/25/30        EUR        100        112,818  

Export-Import Bank of China (The),
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.400        05/14/24        CNH        6,000        969,922  
             

 

 

 
                1,252,482  

Colombia     2.2%

                                           

Colombia Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.875        03/22/26        EUR        600        761,388  

Croatia     0.8%

                                           

Croatia Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.700        06/15/28        EUR        200        262,698  

Cyprus     2.3%

                                           

Cyprus Government International Bond,
  Notes, EMTN

    1.500        04/16/27        EUR        200        248,025  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.375        09/25/28        EUR        200        264,852  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.750        02/26/34        EUR        200        285,333  
             

 

 

 
                798,210  

France     0.3%

                                           

Caisse Francaise de Financement Local,
  Covered Bonds, EMTN

    4.680        03/09/29        CAD        100        93,533  

Greece     4.8%

                                           

Hellenic Republic Government Bond,

             

Bonds

    4.200        01/30/42        EUR        100        171,270  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/24        EUR        75        94,375  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/25        EUR        85        110,358  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24


    

    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           

Principal    

Amount    
(000)#    

               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

             

Greece (cont’d.)

                                           

Hellenic Republic Government Bond, (cont’d.)

             

Bonds

    4.300%        02/24/26        EUR        85      $ 112,542  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/27        EUR        195        265,114  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/28        EUR        177        246,010  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/29        EUR        50        70,096  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/30        EUR        200        283,394  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/31        EUR        140        200,312  

Bonds

    4.300        02/24/42        EUR        5        8,356  

Hellenic Republic Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    5.200        07/17/34        EUR        60        98,180  
             

 

 

 
                1,660,007  

Hungary     0.4%

                                           

Hungary Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.750        06/05/35        EUR        100        120,125  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.300        12/19/21        CNH        200        31,257  
             

 

 

 
                151,382  

Indonesia     3.7%

                                           

Indonesia Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    0.900        02/14/27        EUR        100        115,456  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.400        10/30/31        EUR        100        115,651  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.450        09/18/26        EUR        300        357,204  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.750        04/24/25        EUR        200        239,797  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.150        07/18/24        EUR        140        169,310  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.750        06/14/28        EUR        200        269,348  
             

 

 

 
                1,266,766  

Israel     0.7%

                                           

Israel Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    1.500        01/16/29        EUR        200        250,964  

Italy     8.1%

                                           

Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro,
  Bonds, 144A

    2.800        03/01/67        EUR        150        202,491  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.450        03/01/36        EUR        145        167,907  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.350        03/01/35        EUR        340        485,780  

Region of Lazio,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.088        03/31/43        EUR        89        117,641  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

            Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

             

Italy (cont’d.)

                                           

Repubic of Italy Government International Bond Coupon Strips,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    1.737%(s)        02/20/31        EUR        35      $ 35,885  

Republic of Italy Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.875        10/17/29           200        204,317  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    5.345        01/27/48        EUR        50        95,252  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    6.000        08/04/28        GBP        205        351,909  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, MTN

    5.125        07/31/24        EUR        875        1,145,969  
             

 

 

 
                2,807,151  

Kazakhstan     0.4%

                                           

Kazakhstan Government International Bond,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    2.375        11/09/28        EUR        115        147,248  

Mexico     2.0%

                                           

Mexico Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.875        04/08/39        EUR        100        117,476  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    1.750        04/17/28        EUR        300        360,672  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, GMTN

    1.625        03/06/24        EUR        185        221,301  
             

 

 

 
                699,449  

New Zealand     0.2%

                                           

New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Bond,
 Local Gov’t. Gtd. Notes

    2.000        04/15/37        NZD        100        59,597  

Peru     1.6%

                                           

Peruvian Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.750        01/30/26        EUR        100        127,607  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.750        03/01/30        EUR        300        410,533  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.900        08/12/37        PEN        100        25,347  
             

 

 

 
                563,487  

Philippines     1.3%

                                           

Philippine Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    0.700        02/03/29        EUR        300        343,145  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    0.875        05/17/27        EUR        100        116,900  
             

 

 

 
                460,045  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26


    

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

           Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

            

Portugal     4.0%

                                          

Portugal Government International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    4.090%        06/03/22       CNH        600      $ 93,898  

Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro OT,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.100        04/15/37       EUR        515        881,656  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.100        02/15/45       EUR        150        283,943  

Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.000        04/12/52       EUR        105        112,957  
            

 

 

 
               1,372,454  

Romania     1.0%

                                          

Romanian Government International Bond,

            

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, MTN

    2.500        02/08/30       EUR        100        118,490  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.500        04/03/34       EUR        50        61,794  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.875        10/29/35       EUR        100        125,789  

Unsec’d. Notes, 144A, MTN

    2.124        07/16/31       EUR        40        45,303  
            

 

 

 
               351,376  

Russia     0.7%

                                          

Russian Foreign Bond - Eurobond,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    2.875        12/04/25       EUR        200        252,900  

Saudi Arabia     0.4%

                                          

Saudi Government International Bond,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    2.000        07/09/39       EUR        125        151,152  

Serbia     0.9%

                                          

Serbia International Bond,
  Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    3.125        05/15/27       EUR        250        313,565  

Spain     7.2%

                                          

Autonomous Community of Catalonia,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    6.350        11/30/41       EUR        50        98,532  

Instituto de Credito Oficial,
 Gov’t. Gtd. Notes, GMTN

    0.963        09/22/22       SEK        1,000        117,374  

Spain Government Bond,

            

Bonds, 144A

    5.150        10/31/28(k)       EUR        185        287,202  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    0.500        04/30/30       EUR        25        29,124  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.000        10/31/50(k)       EUR        310        332,239  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.400        04/30/28(k)       EUR        70        87,317  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    1.850        07/30/35(k)       EUR        325        425,534  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    3.450        07/30/66       EUR        50        90,330  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    27


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

  Description  

Interest      

Rate

    

Maturity  

Date

            Principal    
Amount    
(000)#    
               Value            

SOVEREIGN BONDS (Continued)

             

Spain (cont’d.)

                                           

Spain Government International Bond,
 Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    5.250%        04/06/29        GBP        615      $ 1,040,443  
             

 

 

 
                2,508,095  

Ukraine     2.1%

                                           

Ukraine Government International Bond,

             

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes

    6.750        06/20/26        EUR        500        622,044  

Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, 144A

    4.375        01/27/30        EUR        100        107,651  
             

 

 

 
                729,695  

United Kingdom     0.5%

                                           

Transport for London,
Sr. Unsec’d. Notes, EMTN

    3.875        07/23/42        GBP        100        178,078  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS

             

(cost $16,879,776)

                18,043,950  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS

             

(cost $31,797,860)

                33,272,659  
             

 

 

 
                        

Shares

        

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS     0.1%

             

AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUND     0.1%

             

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund
      (cost $30,869)(wb)

             30,869        30,869  
             

 

 

 

OPTIONS PURCHASED*~     0.0%

             

(cost $6,300)

                6,446  
             

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

             

(cost $37,169)

                37,315  
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28


    

 

  Description                      

    

                         Value            

TOTAL INVESTMENTS, BEFORE OPTION WRITTEN     95.8%

             

(cost $31,835,029)

              $ 33,309,974  
             

 

 

 

OPTIONS WRITTEN*~     (0.0)%

             

(premiums received $7,500)

                (8,144
             

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS, NET OF OPTION WRITTEN     95.8%

             

(cost $31,827,529)

                33,301,830  

Other assets in excess of liabilities(z)     4.2%

                1,468,922  
             

 

 

 

NET ASSETS     100.0%

              $ 34,770,752  
             

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the annual report:

AUD—Australian Dollar

BRL—Brazilian Real

CAD—Canadian Dollar

CHF—Swiss Franc

CLP—Chilean Peso

CNH—Chinese Renminbi

COP—Colombian Peso

CZK—Czech Koruna

EUR—Euro

GBP—British Pound

HKD—Hong Kong Dollar

HUF—Hungarian Forint

IDR—Indonesian Rupiah

ILS—Israeli Shekel

ITL—Italian Lira

JPY—Japanese Yen

KRW—South Korean Won

MXN—Mexican Peso

MYR—Malaysian Ringgit

NOK—Norwegian Krone

NZD—New Zealand Dollar

PEN—Peruvian Nuevo Sol

PLN—Polish Zloty

RUB—Russian Ruble

SAR—Saudi Arabian Riyal

SEK—Swedish Krona

SGD—Singapore Dollar

THB—Thai Baht

USD—US Dollar

ZAR—South African Rand

144A—Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and, pursuant to the requirements of Rule 144A, may not be resold except to qualified institutional buyers.

A—Annual payment frequency for swaps

BBR—New Zealand Bank Bill Rate

BBSW—Australian Bank Bill Swap Reference Rate

BROIS—Brazil Overnight Index Swap

BUBOR—Budapest Interbank Offered Rate

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    29


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

CDOR—Canadian Dollar Offered Rate

CDX—Credit Derivative Index

CLO—Collateralized Loan Obligation

CLOIS—Sinacofi Chile Interbank Rate Average

CME—Chicago Mercantile Exchange

COOIS—Colombia Overnight Interbank Reference Rate

CPI—Consumer Price Index

EMTN—Euro Medium Term Note

ESTR—Euro Short-Term Rate

EURIBOR—Euro Interbank Offered Rate

FHLMC—Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

GMTN—Global Medium Term Note

HICP—Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices

IO—Interest Only (Principal amount represents notional)

JIBAR—Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate

KLIBOR—Kuala Lumpur Interbank Offered Rate

KWCDC—Korean Won Certificate of Deposit

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

LP—Limited Partnership

M—Monthly payment frequency for swaps

MosPRIME—Moscow Prime Offered Rate

MPLE—Maple Bonds

MTN—Medium Term Note

NIBOR—Norwegian Interbank Offered Rate

NSA—Non-Seasonally Adjusted

OAT—Obligations Assimilables du Tresor

OTC—Over-the-counter

PIK—Payment-in-Kind

PJSC—Public Joint-Stock Company

PRIBOR—Prague Interbank Offered Rate

Q—Quarterly payment frequency for swaps

S—Semiannual payment frequency for swaps

SOFR—Secured Overnight Financing Rate

SONIA—Sterling Overnight Index Average

SORA—Singapore Overnight Rate Average

STIBOR—Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate

Strips—Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities

T—Swap payment upon termination

TELBOR—Tel Aviv Interbank Offered Rate

THBFIX—Thai Baht Interest Rate Fixing

USOIS—United States Overnight Index Swap

WIBOR—Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate

 

*

Non-income producing security.

#

Principal or notional amount is shown in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

~

See tables subsequent to the Schedule of Investments for options detail.

(c)

Variable rate instrument. The interest rate shown reflects the rate in effect at October 31, 2021.

(cc)

Variable rate instrument. The rate shown is based on the latest available information as of October 31, 2021. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description.

(d)

Represents issuer in default on interest payments and/or principal repayment. Non-income producing security. Such securities may be post-maturity.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

30


    

    

 

(ff)

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(jj)

Represents original contract currency denomination, settlement to occur in Euro currency.

(k)

Represents security, or a portion thereof, segregated as collateral for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives.

(oo)

Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.

(s)

Represents zero coupon bond or principal only security. Rate represents yield to maturity at purchase date.

(wb)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund.

(z)

Includes net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) and/or market value of the below holdings which are excluded from the Schedule of Investments:

Options Purchased:

OTC Swaptions

 

Description

   Call/
Put
    

Counterparty

   Expiration
Date
     Strike      Receive      Pay      Notional
Amount
(000)#
    Value  

2- Year Interest Rate Swap, 05/21/25

     Call      Deutsche Bank AG      05/17/23        2.05%        2.05%(A)       
3 Month
SAIBOR(Q)
 
 
     SAR 1,875     $ 1,483  

2- Year Interest Rate Swap, 05/21/25

     Put      Deutsche Bank AG      05/17/23        2.05%        3 Month SAIBOR(Q)        2.05%(A)        SAR 1,875       4,963  
                      

 

 

 
Total Options Purchased (cost $6,300)

 

              $ 6,446  
                      

 

 

 
Options Written:                       
OTC Swaptions                       

 

Description

   Call/
Put
    

Counterparty

   Expiration
Date
   Strike      Receive      Pay      Notional
Amount
(000)#
    Value  

2- Year Interest Rate Swap, 05/19/25

     Call      Deutsche Bank AG    05/17/23      1.13%       
3 Month
LIBOR(Q)
 
 
     1.13%(S)        500     $ (2,340

2- Year Interest Rate Swap, 05/19/25

     Put      Deutsche Bank AG    05/17/23      1.13%        1.13%(S)       
3 Month
LIBOR(Q)
 
 
     500       (5,804
                      

 

 

 
Total Options Written (premiums received $7,500)

 

           $ (8,144
                      

 

 

 

Futures contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Number

of

Contracts

 

Type

  

Expiration
      Date      

    Current
Notional
Amount
   

Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Long Positions:

 

   

3

  10 Year Australian Treasury Bonds      Dec. 2021     $ 304,326       $   (20,618         

1

  10 Year Canadian Government Bonds      Dec. 2021       113,890         (4,744  

8

  10 Year U.S. Ultra Treasury Notes      Dec. 2021       1,160,250         (13,514  

16

  20 Year U.S. Treasury Bonds      Dec. 2021         2,573,500         (27,831  

3

  30 Year Euro Buxl      Dec. 2021       724,743                (5,759  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    31


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Futures contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Number

of

Contracts

 

Type

  

Expiration
     Date     

     Current
Notional
Amount
   

Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Long Positions (cont’d):

 

     

6

  30 Year U.S. Ultra Treasury Bonds      Dec. 2021      $ 1,178,438       $ (5,218  

6

  Euro-OAT      Dec. 2021        1,137,504         (33,969  
           

 

 

   
              (111,653  
           

 

 

   

Short Positions:

 

        

39

  2 Year U.S.Treasury Notes      Dec. 2021        8,550,750         33,710    

3

  3 Month CME SOFR      Jun. 2022        749,100         1,045    

33

  5 Year Euro-Bobl      Dec. 2021        5,102,676         72,256    

4

  5 Year U.S.Treasury Notes      Dec. 2021        487,000         276    

30

  10 Year Euro-Bund      Dec. 2021        5,830,402         150,404    

4

  10 Year U.K. Gilt      Dec. 2021        683,837         8,672           

4

  10 Year U.S. Treasury Notes      Dec. 2021        522,813         3,305    

163

  Euro Currency      Dec. 2021        23,570,819         520,736    

44

  Euro Schatz Index      Dec. 2021        5,694,733         17,226    
           

 

 

   
                807,630    
           

 

 

   
            $ 695,977    
           

 

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Purchase

Contracts

 

Counterparty

 

Notional

Amount

(000)

  Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
   

Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:

 

 

Australian Dollar,

                 

Expiring 01/19/22

  Bank of America, N.A.   AUD   72   $ 53,793     $ 53,863          $ 70                   $           

Brazilian Real,

                     

Expiring 12/02/21

  Citibank, N.A.   BRL   933     166,146       164,187                   (1,959  

British Pound,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  BNP Paribas S.A.   GBP   2,892     3,988,107       3,957,885                   (30,222  

Chilean Peso,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.   CLP   28,015     34,614       34,255                   (359  

Expiring 12/15/21

  HSBC Bank PLC   CLP   27,651     35,362       33,811                   (1,551  

Chinese Renminbi,

                     

Expiring 11/18/21

  Goldman Sachs International   CNH   296     46,153       46,103                   (50  

Euro,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  Bank of America, N.A.   EUR   143     165,407       165,856         449              

Expiring 11/02/21

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.   EUR   244     283,410       282,517                   (893  

Expiring 11/02/21

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.   EUR   16     19,036       18,976                   (60  

Expiring 11/02/21

  Standard Chartered Bank   EUR   615     720,326       711,123                   (9,203  

Expiring 12/02/21

  Bank of America, N.A.   EUR   956     1,110,741       1,105,653                   (5,088  

Expiring 12/02/21

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC   EUR   28     32,388       32,390         2              

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32


    

    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Purchase

Contracts

 

Counterparty

 

Notional

Amount

(000)

  Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
   

Unrealized
Appreciation

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

 

Euro (cont’d.),

 

 

Expiring 01/19/22

  Goldman Sachs International   EUR   42   $ 48,286     $ 48,236          $  —          $ (50         

Israeli Shekel,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Bank of America, N.A.   ILS   55     17,434       17,393               (41  

Japanese Yen,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  Citibank, N.A.   JPY   44,451     390,895       390,015               (880  

Expiring 11/02/21

  UBS AG   JPY   96,242     847,026       844,438               (2,588  

Mexican Peso,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  HSBC Bank PLC   MXN   392     18,884       18,906       22            

New Zealand Dollar,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Bank of America, N.A.   NZD   66     47,508       47,563       55            

Norwegian Krone,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Citibank, N.A.   NOK   191     22,186       22,540       354            

Polish Zloty,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Barclays Bank PLC   PLN   150     37,954       37,623               (331  

Russian Ruble,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.   RUB   1,846     25,814       25,749               (65  

South African Rand,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Barclays Bank PLC   ZAR   282     18,537       18,329               (208  

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.   ZAR   285     18,636       18,531               (105  

South Korean Won,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.   KRW   28,440     24,202       24,186               (16  

Swedish Krona,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Citibank, N.A.   SEK   188     21,937       21,937                         
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

     

 

 

   
        $ 8,194,782     $ 8,142,065       952         (53,669  
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

     

 

 

   

 

Sale

Contracts

 

Counterparty

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

  Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
   

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:

                      

Australian Dollar,

               

Expiring 01/19/22

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC   AUD   579   $ 426,612     $ 435,575              $                $     (8,963  

British Pound,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  Bank of America, N.A.   GBP   116     158,109       159,293                   (1,184  

Expiring 11/02/21

  BNP Paribas S.A.   GBP   2,741     3,752,926       3,750,939         1,987              

Expiring 11/02/21

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC   GBP   35     47,899       47,653         246              

Expiring 12/02/21

  BNP Paribas S.A.   GBP   2,892     3,988,080       3,958,071         30,009                     

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    33


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

 

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
   

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

 

Canadian Dollar,

 

 

Expiring 01/19/22

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.     CAD       822     $ 658,955     $ 663,967              $                $ (5,012         

Chinese Renminbi,

                     

Expiring 11/18/21

  Barclays Bank PLC     CNH       242       37,323       37,761                   (438  

Expiring 11/18/21

  HSBC Bank PLC     CNH       8,532       1,306,720       1,329,557                     (22,837  

Expiring 11/18/21

  HSBC Bank PLC     CNH       956       146,156       149,023                   (2,867  

Colombian Peso,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.     COP       53,534       14,169       14,170                   (1  

Euro,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  Bank of America, N.A.     EUR       956         1,110,109         1,104,971         5,138              

Expiring 11/02/21

  Goldman Sachs International     EUR       64       74,064       73,502         562                     

Expiring 12/02/21

  Citibank, N.A.     EUR       93       107,611       107,184         427              

Hong Kong Dollar,

                     

Expiring 11/18/21

  HSBC Bank PLC     HKD       1,026       131,945       131,924         21              

Indonesian Rupiah,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.     IDR       2,724,990       186,694       190,617                   (3,923  

Israeli Shekel,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Goldman Sachs International     ILS       23       7,148       7,226                   (78  

Japanese Yen,

                     

Expiring 11/02/21

  Citibank, N.A.     JPY       140,693       1,272,885       1,234,453         38,432              

Expiring 12/02/21

  Citibank, N.A.     JPY       44,451       390,971       390,110         861              

Malaysian Ringgit,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Barclays Bank PLC     MYR       94       22,553       22,671                   (118  

Mexican Peso,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  HSBC Bank PLC     MXN       365       18,082       17,620         462              

New Zealand Dollar,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  HSBC Bank PLC     NZD       178       123,292       127,169                   (3,877  

Peruvian Nuevo Sol,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Citibank, N.A.     PEN       93       22,546       23,181                   (635  

Polish Zloty,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Barclays Bank PLC     PLN       154       38,744       38,580         164              

Singapore Dollar,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  Goldman Sachs International     SGD       30       22,329       22,253         76              

South African Rand,

                     

Expiring 12/15/21

  UBS AG     ZAR       1,448       99,177       94,239         4,938              

Swedish Krona,

                     

Expiring 01/19/22

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     SEK       1,538       175,536       179,344                   (3,808  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34


    

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Sale

Contracts

 

Counterparty

  Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value at
Settlement
Date
    Current
Value
   

Unrealized
Appreciation

   

Unrealized
Depreciation

 

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (cont’d.):

 

   

Swiss Franc,

                          

Expiring 01/19/22

  Barclays Bank PLC     CHF                316     $ 342,147     $ 346,003              $                $ (3,856         
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

   
        $ 14,682,782     $ 14,657,056         83,323           (57,597  
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

   
              $ 84,275         $ (111,266  
             

 

 

       

 

 

   

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation                     

   Termination
Date
     Fixed
Rate
     Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
   

Fair   Value 

 

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

 (Received) 

 

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   Counterparty  

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Buy Protection(1):

 

Republic of France

     12/20/26        0.250%(Q)        60              $ (119               $ (121       $ 2                 Barclays Bank PLC  

Republic of Italy

     06/20/28        1.000%(Q)      EUR  105         (2,614                 4,342                  (6,956        Barclays Bank PLC  
            

 

 

        

 

 

       

 

 

      
             $ (2,733        $ 4,221                $ (6,954     
            

 

 

        

 

 

       

 

 

      

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation                

  Termination
Date
  Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
  Fair
Value
   

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

 (Received) 

    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Counterparty
                                                         

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2):

Boeing Co.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       100     0.331%   $ 213       $ 73                         $ 140         Bank of America, N.A.

Boeing Co.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       50     0.331%     107         31           76         Goldman Sachs International

Devon Energy Corp.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       50     0.333%     107         52           55         Goldman Sachs International

DP World PLC

  12/20/24     1.000%(Q)       100     0.577%     1,443         295           1,148         Barclays Bank PLC

Electricite de France S.A.

  12/20/22     1.000%(Q)     EUR  60     0.148%     767         627           140         Goldman Sachs International

EQT Corp.

  06/20/22     5.000%(Q)       30     1.068%     937         689           248         Credit Suisse International

General Electric Co.

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       110     0.164%     725         493           232         Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC

Generalitat de Cataluna

  12/20/22     1.000%(Q)       110     *     804         (3,584 )              4,388         Citibank, N.A.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    35


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation                         

  Termination
Date
  Fixed
Rate
    Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
    Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
  Fair
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Counterparty

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2)(cont’d.):

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       80     0.243%     $ 181       $      88       $       93     Barclays Bank PLC

Halliburton Co.

  12/20/26     1.000%(Q)       30     0.713%     464       295       169     Goldman Sachs International

Hellenic Republic

  12/20/27     1.000%(Q)       140     1.027%     (55     566       (621   Barclays Bank PLC

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       50     0.206%     116       59       57     Barclays Bank PLC

Naturgy Energy Group S.A.

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       EUR   200     0.192%     1,486       1,134       352     Goldman Sachs International

Republic of Chile

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       40     0.236%     91       47       44     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of France

  12/20/26     0.250%(Q)       60     0.217%     119       473       (354   Barclays Bank PLC

Republic of Hungary

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       450     0.125%     3,083       (353     3,436     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of Indonesia

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       220     0.292%     2,835       (462     3,297     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of Ireland

  06/20/27     1.000%(Q)       100     0.170%     4,728       1,417       3,311     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

Republic of Italy

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       350     0.294%     4,497       (6,416     10,913     Bank of America, N.A.

Republic of Kazakhstan

  06/20/23     1.000%(Q)       115     0.241%     1,581             1,581     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of Panama

  06/20/22     1.000%(Q)       100     0.295%     575       113       462     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of Panama

  12/20/26     1.000%(Q)       80     0.933%     362       237       125     Citibank, N.A.

Republic of Portugal

  12/20/23     1.000%(Q)       100     0.130%     1,994       (24     2,018     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

Republic of Serbia

  12/20/21     1.000%(Q)       50     0.110%     122       58       64     BNP Paribas S.A.

Republic of South Africa

  12/20/23     1.000%(Q)       400     1.048%     53       (9,193     9,246     Bank of America, N.A.

Republic of Ukraine

  12/20/23     5.000%(Q)       100     3.212%     4,289       3,056       1,233     Deutsche Bank AG

Republic of Ukraine

  06/20/25     5.000%(Q)       30     3.810%     1,376       (244     1,620     Barclays Bank PLC

Republic of Ukraine

  12/20/25     5.000%(Q)       85     3.952%     3,847       (1,467 )        5,314       Barclays Bank PLC

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36


    

    

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation                         

   Termination
Date
        Fixed   
Rate
     Notional
Amount
(000)#(3)
     Implied
Credit
Spread at
October 31,
2021(4)
    Fair
Value
   

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    

Counterparty

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements on corporate and/or sovereign issues - Sell Protection(2)(cont’d.):

Russian Federation

     12/20/22        1.000%(Q)        50        0.260%     $ 486       $ (30       $ 516        Citibank, N.A.

Russian Federation

     06/20/23        1.000%(Q)        200        0.330%       2,450         (1,257         3,707        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

Russian Federation

     06/20/23        1.000%(Q)        150        0.330%       1,838         (790         2,628        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

Russian Federation

     06/20/23        1.000%(Q)        60        0.330%       735         (371         1,106        BNP Paribas S.A.

Russian Federation

     12/20/26        1.000%(Q)        100        0.830%       970         (5,760         6,730        Barclays Bank PLC

Simon Property Group LP

     06/20/26        1.000%(Q)        80        0.578%       1,629         862           767        Goldman Sachs International

State of Illinois

     12/20/22        1.000%(Q)        100        0.403%       802         (901         1,703        Citibank, N.A.

State of Illinois

     12/20/24        1.000%(Q)        100        0.700%       1,035         (3,115         4,150        Goldman Sachs International

Teck Resources Ltd.

     06/20/26        5.000%(Q)        100        1.084%       18,162         17,410           752        Barclays Bank PLC

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

     12/20/21        1.000%(Q)        10        1.111%       10         3           7        Barclays Bank PLC

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

     12/20/21        5.000%(Q)        30        0.488%       370         192           178        Barclays Bank PLC
             

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

      
              $ 65,334              $ (5,697                     $ 71,031              
             

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

      

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation              

 

Termination

        Date         

 

Fixed

    Rate    

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#(3)

 

Implied Credit

Spread at

October 31,

      2021(4)      

 

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement on credit indices - Sell Protection(2):

 

iTraxx.X0.36.V1

  12/20/26   5.000%(Q)   EUR 400   2.616%          $ 52,825                           $ 54,476                           $ 1,651             
           

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    37


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Credit default swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Reference

Entity/

Obligation                         

   Termination
Date
   Fixed
Rate
  

Notional

Amount

(000)#(3)

  

Implied

Credit

Spread at

October 31,

2021(4)

 

Fair

 Value 

   

Upfront

Premiums

Paid

(Received)

    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
      Counterparty   
                                              

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreement on credit indices - Sell Protection(2):

 

   

CDX.NA.HY.BB.36.V1

   06/20/26    5.000%(Q)    100    1.775%            $ 14,648                        $ 14,270                          $ 378                    Citibank, N.A.  
               

 

 

        

 

 

       

 

 

      

The Fund entered into credit default swaps (“CDS”) to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness. CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases.

 

(1)

If the Fund is a buyer of protection, it pays the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and make delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

(2)

If the Fund is a seller of protection, it receives the fixed rate. When a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index.

 

(3)

Notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement.

 

(4)

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the fair value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of the reporting date serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/ performance risk and represent the likelihood of risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include up-front payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

*

When an implied credit spread is not available, reference the fair value of credit default swap agreements on credit indices and asset-backed securities. Where the Fund is the seller of protection, it serves as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represents the likelihood of an expected liability (or profit) for the credit

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38


    

    

 

  derivative should the notional amount of the swap agreement be closed/sold as of the reporting date. Increasing fair value in absolute terms, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represents a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

Currency swap agreement outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

   Fund
    Receives    
   Notional
Amount
(000)#
   Fund
Pays
   Counterparty      Termination
Date
   

Fair

 Value 

    Upfront
Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
                                                
                                                

OTC Currency Swap Agreement:

                       
IDR 2,000,000    8.22%(S)    138    6 Month
LIBOR(S)
     Citibank, N.A.        11/29/23              $ 17,925                        $                         $ 17,925            
                  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Inflation swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

     Termination
Date
    

Fixed
Rate

       

Floating

Rate

 

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
                                           

Centrally Cleared Inflation Swap Agreements:

 

EUR

    200        05/15/23      1.485%(T)       France CPI ex Tobacco Household(1)(T)     $         $ (2,994       $ (2,994  

EUR

    200        05/15/23      1.510%(T)       Eurostat Eurozone HICP ex Tobacco(2)(T)                 (2,219         (2,219  
    100        01/13/31      2.230%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (9,017         (9,017  
    110        04/07/31      2.469%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (6,731         (6,731  
    40        04/09/31      2.435%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (2,591         (2,591  
    80        04/09/31      2.448%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (5,071         (5,071  
    70        04/13/31      2.450%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (4,404         (4,404  
    70        04/14/31      2.450%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (4,394         (4,394  
    160        04/15/31      2.465%(T)       U.S. CPI Urban Consumers NSA Index(2)(T)                 (9,769         (9,769  
                 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   
                       $                         $ (47,190                     $ (47,190         
                 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

(1)

The Fund pays the fixed rate and receives the floating rate.

(2)

The Fund pays the floating rate and receives the fixed rate.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    39


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021:

 

Notional

Amount

     (000)#     

  

Termination

Date

  

Fixed

Rate

   Floating
Rate
  Value at
Trade Date
  Value at
October 31,
2021
 

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

                                

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements:

 

   

AUD

  560    09/25/22    2.958%(S)    6 Month BBSW(2)(S)     $        —       $    11,239       $    11,239    

AUD

  380    11/27/28    2.847%(S)    6 Month BBSW(2)(S)     (4     20,690       20,694  

AUD

  350    12/03/29    2.700%(S)    6 Month BBSW(2)(S)     27,515       16,271       (11,244

AUD

  150    05/09/32    3.140%(S)    6 Month BBSW(2)(S)     (3     12,170       12,173  

AUD

  165    07/19/32    3.130%(S)    6 Month BBSW(2)(S)     (4     12,639       12,643  

BRL

  6,910    01/02/24    4.920%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (147,662     (147,662

BRL

  287    01/02/25    6.540%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (5,067     (5,067

BRL

  1,710    01/02/25    6.670%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (28,186     (28,186

BRL

  657    01/02/25    9.475%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           12,845       12,845  

BRL

  724    01/02/25    9.943%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           20,951       20,951  

BRL

  305    01/02/25    11.080%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           12,264       12,264  

BRL

  98    01/02/25    12.090%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           5,120       5,120  

BRL

  1,008    01/04/27    6.490%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (35,350     (35,350

BRL

  1,027    01/04/27    6.493%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (35,762     (35,762

BRL

  991    01/04/27    6.820%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (34,345     (34,345

BRL

  1,091    01/02/29    7.250%(T)    1 Day BROIS(2)(T)           (44,901     (44,901

CAD

  620    04/05/22    1.445%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     (2,515     2,253       4,768  

CAD

  500    09/03/25    0.733%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     (2     (17,239     (17,237

CAD

  200    12/03/28    2.600%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     1,408       7,417       6,009  

CAD

  320    05/30/37    2.240%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     (13,839     (1,749     12,090  

CAD

  50    01/09/38    2.720%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     (1     2,320       2,321  

CAD

  160    12/03/40    2.800%(S)    3 Month CDOR(1)(S)     (26,736     (9,419     17,317  

CAD

  150    05/30/47    2.240%(S)    3 Month CDOR(2)(S)     (7,322     (2,722     4,600  

CHF

  140    01/31/29    0.260%(A)    6 Month CHF LIBOR(2)(S)           2,019       2,019  

CHF

  80    04/03/33    0.687%(A)    6 Month CHF LIBOR(2)(S)     2,738        4,154       1,416  

CLP

  47,300    07/12/29    3.135%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)           (8,537     (8,537

CLP

  91,000    11/22/29    3.203%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)           (17,291     (17,291

CLP

  100,000    02/10/30    3.010%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)           (21,087     (21,087

CLP

  164,000    11/17/30    2.420%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)           (44,745     (44,745

CNH

  800    08/15/23    3.115%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)     (4     1,774       1,778  

CNH

  800    03/13/24    2.945%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)     (1     1,518       1,519  

CNH

  1,400    04/01/24    2.923%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)           2,522       2,522  

CNH

  2,440    06/20/24    2.900%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)     2       4,287       4,285  

CNH

  2,300    09/03/24    2.860%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)     (3     3,956       3,959  

CNH

  2,600    10/10/24    2.860%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)     (1     4,202        4,203  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40


    

    

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount
(000)#

 

Termination

Date

 

Fixed

      Rate     

  

Floating

Rate

  

Value at

Trade Date

 

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

 

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

                               

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):

 

   

CNH

  1,780   11/01/24   3.120%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      $    (6)        $    5,486         $    5,492   

CNH

  2,500   02/04/25   2.600%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)            1,238       1,238  

CNH

  3,900   03/06/25   2.425%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      (9)       (2,022)       (2,013)  

CNH

  6,000   03/12/25   2.400%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      (2)       (4,147     (4,145)  

CNH

  2,880   06/01/25   1.973%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      2       (9,118)       (9,120)  

CNH

  5,039   08/06/25   2.555%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      (7)       15       22  

CNH

  11,480   11/02/25   2.588%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      26       1,657       1,631  

CNH

  1,270   04/12/26   2.810%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      (5)       1,691       1,696  

COP

  690,000   04/20/26   4.190%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)            (13,227     (13,227)  

COP

  907,840   07/27/28   6.200%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)      8,048       (1,321     (9,369)  

CZK

  3,300   06/29/27   1.175%(A)    6 Month PRIBOR(2)(S)      (5,546)       (14,562     (9,016)  

EUR

  620   05/11/22   (0.250)%(A)    1 Day ESTR(2)(A)      (953)       2,295       3,248  

EUR

  225   04/27/30   (0.016)%(A)    6 Month EURIBOR(2)(S)            (5,093     (5,093)  

EUR

  171   08/15/30   (0.191)%(A)    1 Day ESTR(2)(A)      (81)       (3,740     (3,659)  

EUR

  130   05/11/31   0.750%(A)    1 Day ESTR(1)(A)      888       (11,037     (11,925)  

EUR

  1,335   06/28/32   0.785%(A)    6 Month EURIBOR(2)(S)      (72,175)       86,542       158,717  

EUR

  60   05/11/49   1.450%(A)    6 Month EURIBOR(2)(S)      1,589       21,597       20,008  

GBP

  50   05/08/29   1.100%(A)    1 Day SONIA(2)(A)      2,237       645       (1,592)  

GBP

  190   05/08/31   1.150%(A)    1 Day SONIA(2)(A)      9,557       5,458       (4,099)  

GBP

  100   09/30/40   0.262%(A)    1 Day SONIA(2)(A)      (4,066)       (15,099     (11,033)  

GBP

  525   05/08/46   1.250%(A)    1 Day SONIA(2)(A)      125,600       68,015       (57,585)  

GBP

  80   09/03/50   0.328%(A)    1 Day SONIA(2)(A)      (1)       (13,018     (13,017)  

HUF

  95,000   01/12/27   4.150%(A)    6 Month BUBOR(2)(S)            5,534       5,534  

HUF

  99,345   06/12/28   3.750%(A)    6 Month BUBOR(2)(S)            (2,153     (2,153)  

HUF

  26,000   07/15/29   1.650%(A)    6 Month BUBOR(2)(S)            (11,564     (11,564)  

HUF

  57,000   09/03/30   1.705%(A)    6 Month BUBOR(2)(S)            (28,636     (28,636)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    41


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount
(000)#

 

Termination

Date

 

Fixed

      Rate     

  

Floating

Rate

  

Value at

Trade Date

 

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

 

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

                               
                               

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):

 

   

JPY

  301,250   12/20/24   0.126%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)      $    (3,419)        $    9,465         $    12,884   

JPY

  46,500   07/04/28   0.282%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)      2,907       6,101       3,194  

JPY

  100,000   11/12/28   0.011%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)            (4,116)       (4,116)  

JPY

  57,765   12/03/28   0.200%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)      3,819       4,757       938  

JPY

  70,000   12/22/36   0.641%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)            36,276       36,276  

JPY

  95,000   07/26/37   0.676%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)            53,751       53,751  

JPY

  35,000   02/06/40   0.223%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)            (6,338)       (6,338)  

JPY

  45,000   12/22/41   0.731%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)            28,504       28,504  

JPY

  90,000   11/24/47   0.888%(S)    6 Month JPY LIBOR(2)(S)      51,581       85,317       33,736  

KRW

  75,700   04/17/29   1.740%(Q)    3 Month KWCDC(2)(Q)            (2,114)       (2,114)  

KRW

  184,000   04/27/30   1.065%(Q)    3 Month KWCDC(2)(Q)            (14,311)       (14,311)  

MXN

  6,545   03/19/26   6.050%(M)    28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)      (13)       (17,527)       (17,514)  

MXN

  2,080   06/11/27   7.210%(M)    28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)      162       (1,496)       (1,658)  

MXN

  4,020   02/27/29   8.260%(M)    28 Day Mexican Interbank Rate(2)(M)      733       7,810       7,077  

NOK

  1,500   12/11/28   2.177%(A)    6 Month NIBOR(2)(S)            6,263       6,263  

NOK

  500   02/07/29   2.083%(A)    6 Month NIBOR(2)(S)      668       1,508       840  

NOK

  3,360   01/19/31   1.346%(A)    6 Month NIBOR(2)(S)            (16,311)       (16,311)  

NZD

  470   01/10/27   3.420%(S)    3 Month BBR(2)(Q)            16,472       16,472  

NZD

  70   11/28/28   2.950%(S)    3 Month BBR(2)(Q)      1,390       1,486       96  

NZD

  90   07/22/29   1.768%(S)    3 Month BBR(2)(Q)            (3,882)       (3,882)  

NZD

  80   11/05/29   1.393%(S)    3 Month BBR(2)(Q)            (5,127)       (5,127)  

NZD

  220   03/01/31   2.098%(S)    3 Month BBR(2)(Q)      2,339       (7,797)       (10,136)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42


    

    

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount
(000)#

   

Termination

Date

  

Fixed

Rate

  

Floating

Rate

 

Value at

Trade Date

   

Value at

October 31,

      2021      

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
                                                                           

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):

 

               

PLN

    1,120     08/24/23    2.390%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)        $       —                        $ 1,917                        $ 1,917           

PLN

    935     11/13/23    2.570%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)                  6,391            6,391    

PLN

    500     04/11/24    2.020%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)                  49            49    

PLN

    1,300     06/21/24    1.750%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)                  (4,292          (4,292  

PLN

    1,000     01/10/27    3.030%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)                  10,379            10,379    

PLN

    515     04/27/31    1.788%(A)    6 Month WIBOR(2)(S)                  (9,349          (9,349  

SEK

    2,500     12/30/26    1.106%(A)    3 Month STIBOR(2)(Q)                  7,316            7,316    

SEK

    300     07/11/28    1.141%(A)    3 Month STIBOR(2)(Q)       378            695            317    

SEK

    990     11/28/28    1.188%(A)    3 Month STIBOR(2)(Q)                  3,463            3,463    

SEK

    1,000     06/20/29    0.550%(A)    3 Month STIBOR(2)(Q)                  (3,166          (3,166  

SEK

    1,500     01/24/30    0.605%(A)    3 Month STIBOR(2)(Q)                  (4,258          (4,258  

SGD

    250     07/29/31    1.120%(S)    1 Day SORA(2)(S)                  (12,161          (12,161  

THB

    4,200     07/03/30    1.028%(S)    6 Month THBFIX(2)(S)                  (6,795          (6,795  
    1,155     03/10/22    0.330%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  (2,949          (2,949  
    1,160     05/29/22    0.014%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  975            975    
    680     11/09/22    0.050%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  1,301            1,301    
    4,000     11/09/22    0.061%(A)    1 Day SOFR(1)(A)                  4,162            4,162    
    2,220     10/30/23    0.072%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  20,752            20,752    
    3,165     11/02/23    0.070%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  30,105            30,105    
    2,754     11/06/23    0.063%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  27,063            27,063    
    1,950     11/09/23    0.064%(A)    1 Day USOIS(1)(A)                  19,276            19,276    
    247     08/15/28    1.220%(A)    1 Day SOFR(1)(A)                  (740          (740  

ZAR

    3,500     07/16/28    8.170%(Q)    3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)       6            11,183            11,177    

ZAR

    11,910     09/15/30    6.940%(Q)    3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)       (125          (36,008          (35,883  

ZAR

    830     10/07/31    7.670%(Q)    3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)       (6)            (675          (669)    
             

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

   
              $ 106,744          $   15,310          $   (91,434  
             

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    43


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

     Termination
Date
    

Fixed

Rate

  

Floating

Rate

   Fair
Value
    Upfront
Premiums
Paid(Received)
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Counterparty

                                            

OTC Interest Rate Swap Agreements:

CLP

    85,000        11/15/27      4.130%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)    $ (5,703   $—       $  (5,703 )        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

CLP

    55,000        12/20/27      4.260%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)      (3,759        (3,759 )     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

CLP

    19,100        01/23/28      4.245%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)      (1,329        (1,329 )     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

CLP

    33,000        01/26/28      4.210%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)      (2,425        (2,425 )     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

CLP

    23,000        05/17/28      4.270%(S)    1 Day CLOIS(2)(S)      (1,475        (1,475 )     Citibank, N.A.

CNH

    500        04/02/26      3.120%(Q)    7 Day China Fixing Repo Rates(2)(Q)      1,697     (1)      1,698     Citibank, N.A.

COP

    123,000        01/23/28      6.035%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)      (337        (337 )     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

COP

    336,000        01/26/28      6.000%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)      (1,080        (1,080 )     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

COP

    263,000        02/01/28      6.020%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)      (100        (100   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

COP

    118,000        07/12/29      5.165%(Q)    1 Day COOIS(2)(Q)      (2,325        (2,325   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

ILS

    200        09/07/27      0.488%(A)    3 Month TELBOR(2)(Q)      (2,332        (2,332   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

ILS

    390        07/16/28      2.045%(A)    3 Month TELBOR(2)(Q)      7,248          7,248     JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

ILS

    115        02/07/29      1.965%(A)    3 Month TELBOR(2)(Q)      2,264          2,264     JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

ILS

    450        04/24/30      0.710%(A)    3 Month TELBOR(2)(Q)      (6,912   (4)      (6,908   Goldman Sachs International

ILS

    800        05/07/30      0.810%(A)    3 Month TELBOR(2)(Q)      (10,343        (10,343   Goldman Sachs International

KRW

    850,000        01/06/27      1.800%(Q)    3 Month KWCDC(2)(Q)      (14,380   (10)        (14,370   Citibank, N.A.

MYR

    1,000        11/27/23      3.900%(Q)    3 Month KLIBOR(2)(Q)      7,096     (2)      7,098     Citibank, N.A.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44


    

    

 

Interest rate swap agreements outstanding at October 31, 2021 (continued):

 

Notional

Amount

(000)#

     Termination
Date
     Fixed
Rate
   

Floating

Rate

   Fair
Value
   

Upfront

Premiums
Paid(Received)

   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    Counterparty  
                                              

OTC Interest Rate Swap Agreements (cont’d.):

 

MYR      200        11/19/29        3.245%(Q)     3 Month KLIBOR(2)(Q)    $ (194     $         $ (194      
Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
 
 

MYR

     200        02/04/30        3.060%(Q)     3 Month KLIBOR(2)(Q)      (937                 (937      
Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
 
 

RUB

     19,000        01/12/26        6.360%(A)     3 Month MosPRIME(2)(Q)      (14,713                 (14,713      
Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
 
 

RUB

     20,000        02/27/26        6.680%(A)     3 Month MosPRIME(2)(Q)      (12,765                 (12,765      
Morgan Stanley &
Co. International PLC
 
 

THB

     5,000        05/07/25        0.795%(S)     6 Month THBFIX(2)(S)      (1,593       1           (1,594       HSBC Bank PLC  

THB

     3,500        02/14/29        2.180%(S)     6 Month THBFIX(2)(S)      4,557                   4,557         Citibank, N.A.  

ZAR

     3,300        09/22/42        8.020%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(2)(Q)      (12,265       (24         (12,241       Citibank, N.A.  

ZAR

     3,100        09/22/47        7.890%(Q)     3 Month JIBAR(1)(Q)      16,758         20           16,738         Citibank, N.A.  
             

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     
              $ (55,347             $ (20                        $ (55,327             
             

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

(1)

The Fund pays the fixed rate and receives the floating rate.

(2)

The Fund pays the floating rate and receives the fixed rate.

Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for OTC Swap Agreements:

 

     Premiums Paid     Premiums Received    

Unrealized

  Appreciation  

 

Unrealized

  Depreciation  

OTC Swap Agreements

  $46,903   $(34,129)   $129,914   $(102,861)

Summary of Collateral for Centrally Cleared/Exchange-traded Derivatives:

Cash and securities segregated as collateral, including pending settlement for closed positions, to cover requirements for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives are listed by broker as follows:

 

Broker                                                                     

       Cash and/or Foreign Currency            Securities Market Value    

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

     $      $ 1,046,553

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

       870,000       
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 870,000      $ 1,046,553
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    45


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

Fair Value Measurements:

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2021 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

      Level 1       Level 2       Level 3 

Investments in Securities

        

Assets

        

Long-Term Investments

        

Asset-Backed Securities

        

Cayman Islands

   $      $ 1,244,709        $—    

United States

            435,453         

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

        

Canada

            18,881         

Ireland

            409,768         

United Kingdom

            274,395         

United States

              1,468,809         

Corporate Bonds

        

Australia

            122,989         

Belgium

            76,525         

Brazil

            153,753         

Bulgaria

            114,870         

China

            94,139         

France

            791,366         

Germany

            1,066,884         

Hong Kong

            273,896         

Hungary

            120,414         

Iceland

            114,237         

India

            122,650         

Indonesia

            112,396         

Italy

            368,494         

Kazakhstan

            169,011         

Luxembourg

            466,586         

Mexico

            466,167         

Netherlands

            705,768         

Peru

            112,963         

Poland

            309,830         

Russia

            532,190         

Spain

            399,022         

Supranational Bank

            142,683         

United Arab Emirates

            357,100         

United Kingdom

            1,674,714         

United States

            1,941,996         

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

        

Bermuda

            194,914         

Ireland

            101,889         

United States

            269,248         

Sovereign Bonds

        

Brazil

            530,306         

Bulgaria

            164,916         

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46


    

    

 

      Level 1      Level 2    

Level 3

Investments in Securities (continued)

          

Assets (continued)

          

Long-Term Investments (continued)

          

Sovereign Bonds (continued)

          

Canada

   $     $ 257,006       $    

China

           1,252,482            

Colombia

           761,388            

Croatia

           262,698            

Cyprus

           798,210            

France

           93,533            

Greece

           1,660,007            

Hungary

           151,382            

Indonesia

           1,266,766            

Israel

           250,964            

Italy

           2,807,151            

Kazakhstan

           147,248            

Mexico

           699,449            

New Zealand

           59,597            

Peru

           563,487                 

Philippines

           460,045            

Portugal

           1,372,454            

Romania

           351,376            

Russia

           252,900            

Saudi Arabia

           151,152            

Serbia

           313,565            

Spain

           2,508,095            

Ukraine

           729,695            

United Kingdom

           178,078            

Short-Term Investments

          

Affiliated Mutual Fund

     30,869                  

Options Purchased

           6,446            
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

   $ 30,869     $ 33,279,105       $    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Liabilities

          

Options Written

   $     $ (8,144     $    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Other Financial Instruments*

          

Assets

          

Futures Contracts

   $ 807,630     $       $    

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           84,275            

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreement

           1,651            

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements

           80,037            

OTC Currency Swap Agreement

           17,925            

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           718,995            

OTC Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           39,620            
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

Total

   $ 807,630     $ 942,503       $    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Liabilities

          

Futures Contracts

   $ (111,653   $       $    

OTC Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

           (111,266          

OTC Credit Default Swap Agreements

           (2,788          

Centrally Cleared Inflation Swap Agreements

           (47,190          

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           (810,429          

OTC Interest Rate Swap Agreements

           (94,967          
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

   $ (111,653   $ (1,066,640     $    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    47


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

 

*

Other financial instruments are derivative instruments not reflected in the Schedule of Investments, such as futures, forwards and centrally cleared swap contracts, which are recorded at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument, and OTC swap contracts which are recorded at fair value.

Industry Classification:

The industry classification of investments and other assets in excess of liabilities shown as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2021 were as follows (unaudited):

 

Sovereign Bonds

     51.9

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

     6.3  

Banks

     3.6  

Collateralized Loan Obligations

     3.6  

Telecommunications

     2.7  

Commercial Services

     2.5  

Oil & Gas

     2.4  

Transportation

     2.0  

Foods

     1.9  

Electric

     1.9  

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

     1.6  

Insurance

     1.5  

Packaging & Containers

     1.4  

Healthcare-Products

     1.4  

Media

     1.1  

Auto Manufacturers

     0.9  

Lodging

     0.7  

Machinery-Diversified

     0.7  

Retail

     0.6  

Internet

     0.6  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     0.6  

Diversified Financial Services

     0.6  

Consumer Loans

     0.6  

Entertainment

     0.6  

Chemicals

     0.5

Iron/Steel

     0.5  

Real Estate

     0.4  

Other

     0.4  

Multi-National

     0.4  

Software

     0.4  

Computers

     0.3  

Household Products/Wares

     0.3  

Engineering & Construction

     0.3  

Student Loan

     0.2  

Beverages

     0.2  

Affiliated Mutual Fund

     0.1  

Semiconductors

     0.1  

Options Purchased

     0.0
  

 

 

 
     95.8  

Options Written

     (0.0 )* 

Other assets in excess of liabilities

     4.2  
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

                                                                                                  

*     Less than +/- 0.05%

 

 

Effects of Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements and Primary Underlying Risk Exposure:

The Fund invested in derivative instruments during the reporting period. The primary types of risk associated with these derivative instruments are credit contracts risk, foreign exchange contracts risk and interest rate contracts risk. See the Notes to Financial Statements for additional detail regarding these derivative instruments and their risks. The effect of such derivative instruments on the Fund’s financial position and financial performance as reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations is presented in the summary below.

Fair values of derivative instruments as of October 31, 2021 as presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

48


    

    

 

        

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 

Derivatives not accounted for

as hedging instruments,

carried at fair value                      

 

  

  

Statement of

Assets and

Liabilities Location

        Fair
Value
   

Statement of

Assets and

Liabilities Location

 

  

  Fair
Value
 

Credit contracts

     Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps            $ 1,651       $  

Credit contracts

     Premiums paid for OTC swap agreements       46,882     Premiums received for OTC swap agreements       34,088  

Credit contracts

     Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements       72,386     Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements       7,931  

Foreign exchange contracts

     Due from/to broker-variation margin futures       520,736          

Foreign exchange contracts

     Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts       84,275     Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts       111,266  

Interest rate contracts

     Due from/to broker-variation margin futures       286,894   Due from/to broker-variation margin futures       111,653

Interest rate contracts

     Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps       718,995   Due from/to broker-variation margin swaps       857,619

Interest rate contracts

     Premiums paid for OTC swap agreements       21     Premiums received for OTC swap agreements       41  

Interest rate contracts

     Unaffiliated investments       6,446     Options written outstanding, at value       8,144  

Interest rate contracts

     Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements       57,528     Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements       94,930  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 
         $ 1,795,814         $ 1,225,672  
        

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) as reported in the schedule of open futures and centrally cleared swap contracts. Only unsettled variation margin receivable (payable) is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    49


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

The effects of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for as hedging

instruments, carried at fair value

  

Options

Purchased(1)

  Options
Written
    Futures    Forward
& Cross
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
      Swaps

Credit contracts

     $ (3,760 )     $ 4,302      $     $         $ 255,178

Foreign exchange contracts

       934       6,416        60,643       (646,855 )        

Interest rate contracts

                    (684,418 )               457,831
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

     $ (2,826 )     $ 10,718      $ (623,775 )     $ (646,855 )       $ 713,009
    

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

 
(1)    Included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions in the Statement of Operations.    

 

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Derivatives not accounted for

as hedging instruments,

carried at fair value

  

Options

Purchased(2)

   Options
Written
   Futures    

Forward

& Cross

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

      Swaps

Credit contracts

     $      $     $      $       $ 140,095

Foreign exchange contracts

       38        (835 )       308,671        13,359        

Interest rate contracts

       146        (644 )       505,423                  (1,899,180 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

     $ 184      $ (1,479 )     $ 814,094      $ 13,359       $ (1,759,085 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 

(2)    Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50


    

    

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund’s average volume of derivative activities is as follows:

 

Options
Purchased(1)

  Options
Written(2)
  Futures
Contracts—
Long
Positions(2)
  Futures
Contracts—
Short
Positions(2)
  Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts— Purchased(3)
$2,938     $ 596,563     $ 9,679,177     $ 61,337,230   $8,102,276

 

  Forward Foreign

Currency Exchange

Contracts—Sold(3)

   Cross
Currency
Exchange
Contracts(4)
   Interest Rate
Swap
Agreements(2)
   Credit Default
Swap Agreements—
Buy Protection(2)

      $18,292,515

   $6,127    $56,442,284    $3,551,257

 

Credit Default
Swap Agreements—
  Currency
Swap
  Inflation Swap

Sell Protection(2)

  Agreements(2)   Agreements(2)
$9,403,400   $138,169   $871,816

 

 

 

(1)

Cost.

(2)

Notional Amount in USD.

(3)

Value at Settlement Date.

(4)

Value at Trade Date.

Average volume is based on average quarter end balances as noted for the year ended October 31, 2021.

Financial Instruments/Transactions—Summary of Offsetting and Netting Arrangements:

The Fund invested in OTC derivatives during the reporting period that are either offset in accordance with current requirements or are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements that permit offsetting. The information about offsetting and related netting arrangements for OTC derivatives where the legal right to set-off exists is presented in the summary below.

Offsetting of OTC derivative assets and liabilities:

 

    Counterparty    Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Assets(1)
   Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities(1)
  Net Amounts of
Recognized
Assets/(Liabilities)
   Collateral
Pledged/(Received)(2)
  

Net Amount

Bank of America, N.A.

     $ 26,084      $ (21,922 )     $ 4,162      $      $ 4,162

Barclays Bank PLC

       39,493        (20,474 )       19,019               19,019

BNP Paribas S.A.

       33,224        (30,593 )       2,631               2,631

Citibank, N.A.

       118,707        (41,395 )       77,312               77,312

Credit Suisse International

       937              937               937

Deutsche Bank AG

       10,735        (8,144 )       2,591               2,591

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    51


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

    Counterparty    Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Assets(1)
   Gross Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities(1)
  Net Amounts of
Recognized
Assets/(Liabilities)
  Collateral
Pledged/(Received)(2)
  

Net Amount

Goldman Sachs International

     $ 9,348      $ (20,548 )     $ (11,200 )     $      $ (11,200 )

HSBC Bank PLC

       506        (32,726 )       (32,220 )              (32,220 )

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

       9,512        (5,966 )       3,546              3,546

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

       14,054        (62,841 )       (48,787 )              (48,787 )

Standard Chartered Bank

              (9,203 )       (9,203 )              (9,203 )

UBS AG

       4,938        (2,588 )       2,350              2,350
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 267,538      $ (256,400 )     $ 11,138     $      $ 11,138
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on swaps and forwards, premiums paid/(received) on swap agreements and market value of purchased and written options, as represented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(2)

Collateral amount disclosed by the Fund is limited to the market value of financial instruments/transactions and the Fund’s OTC derivative exposure by counterparty.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

52


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Assets

        

Investments at value:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $31,804,160)

   $ 33,279,105  

Affiliated investments (cost $30,869)

     30,869  

Cash

     677  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $37,505)

     37,346  

Deposit with broker for centrally cleared/exchange-traded derivatives

     870,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

     388,027  

Due from broker—variation margin futures

     315,359  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements

     129,914  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     84,275  

Premiums paid for OTC swap agreements

     46,903  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     15,197  

Prepaid expenses

     1,756  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     35,199,428  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

        

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     111,266  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements

     102,861  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     55,920  

Audit fee payable

     50,501  

Payable for Fund shares purchased

     39,728  

Premiums received for OTC swap agreements

     34,129  

Due to broker—variation margin swaps

     19,990  

Options written outstanding, at value (premiums received $7,500)

     8,144  

Management fee payable

     5,035  

Trustees’ fees payable

     803  

Distribution fee payable

     149  

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     134  

Dividends payable

     16  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     428,676  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 34,770,752  
  

 

 

 
             

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Shares of beneficial interest, at par

   $ 3,601  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     34,487,431  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     279,720  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, October 31, 2021

   $ 34,770,752  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    53


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Class A

                 

Net asset value and redemption price per share,

($275,313 ÷ 28,520 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.65              

Maximum sales charge (3.25% of offering price)

     0.32     
  

 

 

    

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 9.97     
  

 

 

    

Class C

                 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($95,432 ÷ 9,892 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.65     
  

 

 

    

Class Z

                 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($2,537,117 ÷ 262,817 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.65     
  

 

 

    

Class R6

                 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,

($31,862,890 ÷ 3,300,107 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 9.66     
  

 

 

    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

54


Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

        

Income

  

Interest income (net of $143 foreign withholding tax)

   $ 898,446  

Affiliated dividend income

     987  
  

 

 

 

Total income

     899,433  
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Management fee

     199,036  

Distribution fee(a)

     3,494  

Custodian and accounting fees

     77,141  

Audit fee

     52,305  

Registration fees(a)

     30,589  

Legal fees and expenses

     20,450  

Shareholders’ reports

     13,137  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $794)(a)

     12,033  

Trustees’ fees

     10,019  

Miscellaneous

     29,271  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     447,475  

Less: Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(a)

     (207,255
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     240,220  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     659,213  
  

 

 

 

Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investment And Foreign Currency Transactions

        

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investment transactions

     1,001,552  

Futures transactions

     (623,775

Forward currency contract transactions

     (646,855

Options written transactions

     10,718  

Swap agreement transactions

     713,009  

Foreign currency transactions

     1,167,299  
  

 

 

 
     1,621,948  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (1,671,896

Futures

     814,094  

Forward and cross currency contracts

     13,359  

Options written

     (1,479

Swap agreements

     (1,759,085

Foreign currencies

     (35,027
  

 

 

 
     (2,640,034
  

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     (1,018,086
  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ (358,873 ) 
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    55


Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

                                                                                                                                           

(a)

Class specific expenses and waivers were as follows:

 

     Class A   Class C   Class Z   Class R6

Distribution fee

     992       2,502              

Registration fees

     7,103       5,702       10,831       6,953  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

     1,155       363       10,388       127  

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

     (9,332     (6,750     (46,738     (144,435

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

56


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    

 

    

Year Ended

               October 31,              

 
     2021     2020  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

                

Operations

    

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 659,213     $ 774,803  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

     1,621,948       (2,408,363

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

     (2,640,034     2,560,740  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (358,873     927,180  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

    

Distributions from distributable earnings

    

Class A

     (11,618     (20,297

Class C

     (5,396     (6,132

Class Z

     (221,194     (433,454

Class R6

     (1,074,118     (2,110,870
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,312,326     (2,570,753
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax return of capital distributions

    

Class A

           (7,942

Class C

           (2,400

Class Z

           (169,614

Class R6

           (825,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
           (1,005,954
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions)

    

Net proceeds from shares sold

     2,351,743       22,469,556  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     1,312,012       3,575,887  

Cost of shares purchased

     (16,437,684     (9,379,252
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

     (12,773,929     16,666,191  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

     (14,445,128     14,016,664  

Net Assets:

                

Beginning of year

     49,215,880       35,199,216  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 34,770,752     $ 49,215,880  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    57


Financial Highlights

 

       
Class A Shares                 
      Year Ended October 31,     December 14, 2016(a)
through October 31,
2017
 

    

 
      2021     2020     2019     2018  

Per Share Operating Performance(b):

                                                

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $10.13       $10.83       $10.22       $10.44       $10.00              

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                                

Net investment income (loss)

     0.13       0.14       0.14       0.12       0.07          
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      (0.32     0.10       1.43       (0.08     0.57          

Total from investment operations

     (0.19     0.24       1.57       0.04       0.64          

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.29     (0.53     (0.96     (0.26     -          

Tax return of capital distributions

     -       (0.24     -       -       (0.20        

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.17     -       -       -          

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.29     (0.94     (0.96     (0.26     (0.20        

Net asset value, end of period

     $9.65       $10.13       $10.83       $10.22       $10.44          

Total Return(c):

     (1.93 )%      2.30     16.52     0.40     6.42        
                
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $275       $523       $267       $103       $91          

Average net assets (000)

     $397       $383       $163       $99       $38          

Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):

                                                

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.99     0.99     0.99     0.99     0.99 %(f)         
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      3.34     4.24     9.63     17.44     3.39 %(f)         

Net investment income (loss)

     1.29     1.42     1.35     1.14     0.85 %(f)         

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

     29     16     49     35     66        

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

58


    

    

 

       
Class C Shares                 
      Year Ended October 31,     December 14, 2016(a)
through October 31,
        
     

 

2021

   

 

2020

   

 

2019

   

 

2018

    2017

Per Share Operating Performance(b):

                                                

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $10.13       $10.83       $10.22       $10.44       $10.00          

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                                
Net investment income (loss)      0.05       0.06       0.03       0.04       -          
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      (0.31     0.10       1.46       (0.07     0.57           

Total from investment operations

     (0.26     0.16       1.49       (0.03     0.57          

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.22     (0.45     (0.88     (0.19     -          

Tax return of capital distributions

     -       (0.24     -       -       (0.13        

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.17     -       -       -          

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.22     (0.86     (0.88     (0.19     (0.13        

Net asset value, end of period

     $9.65       $10.13       $10.83       $10.22       $10.44          

Total Return(c):

     (2.66 )%      1.61     15.65     (0.34 )%      5.73        
                
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $95       $311       $45       $16       $11          

Average net assets (000)

     $250       $222       $31       $13       $10          

Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):

                                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement      1.74     1.74     1.74     1.74     1.74 %(f)         
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement      4.44     6.58     43.49     124.78     3.26 %(f)         

Net investment income (loss)

     0.54     0.63     0.33     0.41     0.06 %(f)         

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

     29     16     49     35     66        

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    59


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

       
Class Z Shares                 
            December 14, 2016(a)      
      Year Ended October 31,     through October 31,      
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017      

Per Share Operating Performance(b):

                                                

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $10.13       $10.83       $10.23       $10.44       $10.00                 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                                

Net investment income (loss)

     0.17       0.18       0.14       0.15       0.09          
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      (0.32     0.09       1.45       (0.07     0.57          

Total from investment operations

     (0.15     0.27       1.59       0.08       0.66          

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.33     (0.56     (0.99     (0.29     -          

Tax return of capital distributions

     -       (0.24     -       -       (0.22        

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.17     -       -       -          

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.33     (0.97     (0.99     (0.29     (0.22        

Net asset value, end of period

     $9.65       $10.13       $10.83       $10.23       $10.44          

Total Return(c):

     (1.57 )%      2.66     16.80     0.75     6.67        
                                                  
             
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                         

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $2,537       $16,104       $3,466       $160       $11          

Average net assets (000)

     $6,683       $10,840       $1,763       $140       $10          

Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):

                                                

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.63     0.63     0.74     0.74     0.74 %(f)          

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     1.33     1.31     2.16     12.47     2.24 %(f)          

Net investment income (loss)

     1.66     1.74     1.28     1.43     1.09 %(f)         

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

     29     16     49     35     66        

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

60


    

 

       
Class R6 Shares                 
            December 14, 2016(a)         
      Year Ended October 31,     through October 31,      
   
      2021     2020     2019     2018     2017      

Per Share Operating Performance(b):

                                                

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $10.13       $10.84       $10.23       $10.44       $10.00          

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                                                

Net investment income (loss)

     0.17       0.19       0.18       0.14       0.09          
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions      (0.31     0.08       1.42       (0.06     0.57          

Total from investment operations

     (0.14     0.27       1.60       0.08       0.66          

Less Dividends and Distributions:

                                                

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.33     (0.57     (0.99     (0.29     -          

Tax return of capital distributions

     -       (0.24     -       -       (0.22        

Distributions from net realized gains

     -       (0.17     -       -       -          

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.33     (0.98     (0.99     (0.29     (0.22        

Net asset value, end of period

     $9.66       $10.13       $10.84       $10.23       $10.44          

Total Return(c):

     (1.53 )%      2.71     16.81     0.75     6.65        
                                                  
   
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                         

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $31,863       $32,278       $31,421       $26,850       $26,654          

Average net assets (000)

     $32,477       $31,522       $29,104       $26,854       $25,767          

Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):

                                                

Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     0.58     0.59     0.74     0.74     0.74 %(f)         

Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement

     1.02     1.13     1.40     1.55     1.99 %(f)         

Net investment income (loss)

     1.67     1.84     1.75     1.39     1.07 %(f)         

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

     29     16     49     35     66        

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

PGIM International Bond Fund    61


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.

Organization

Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of five separate funds: PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund and PGIM Select Real Estate Fund. These financial statements relate only to the PGIM International Bond Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return, made up of current income and capital appreciation.

 

2.

Accounting Policies

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The RIC’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

 

62


For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

Fixed income securities traded in the OTC market are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such fixed income securities are typically valued using the market approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach as the primary method to value securities when market prices of identical or comparable instruments are available. The third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated bid price are based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, yield curves, yield spreads, credit ratings, deal terms, tranche level attributes, default rates, cash flows, prepayment speeds, broker/dealer quotations and reported trades. Certain Level 3 securities are also valued using the market approach when obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing transaction prices for identical securities that have been used in excess of five business days. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

OTC and centrally cleared derivative instruments are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Such derivative instruments are typically valued using the market approach and/or income approach which generally involves obtaining data from an approved independent third-party vendor source. The Fund utilizes the market approach

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    63


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

when quoted prices in broker-dealer markets are available but also includes consideration of alternative valuation approaches, including the income approach. In the absence of reliable market quotations, the income approach is typically utilized for purposes of valuing derivatives such as interest rate swaps based on a discounted cash flow analysis whereby the value of the instrument is equal to the present value of its future cash inflows or outflows. Such analysis includes projecting future cash flows and determining the discount rate (including the present value factors that affect the discount rate) used to discount the future cash flows. In addition, the third-party vendors’ valuation techniques used to derive the evaluated derivative price is based on evaluating observable inputs, including but not limited to, underlying asset prices, indices, spreads, interest rates and exchange rates. Certain derivatives may be classified as Level 3 when valued using the market approach by obtaining a single broker quote or when utilizing unobservable inputs in the income approach. During the reporting period, there were no changes to report with respect to the valuation approach and/or valuation techniques discussed above.

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rate as of the valuation date;

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

 

64


Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, holding period unrealized and realized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations. Notwithstanding the above, the Fund does isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates when determining the gain (loss) upon the sale or maturity of foreign currency denominated debt obligations; such amounts are included in net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions.

Additionally, net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from the disposition of holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) arise from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates.

Forward and Cross Currency Contracts: A forward currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. The Fund enters into forward currency contracts, as defined in the prospectus, in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign portfolio holdings or on specific receivables and payables denominated in a foreign currency and to gain exposure to certain currencies. The contracts are valued daily at current forward exchange rates and any unrealized gain (loss) is included in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on forward and cross currency contracts. Gain (loss) is realized on the settlement date of the contract equal to the difference between the settlement value of the original and negotiated forward contracts. This gain (loss), if any, is included in net realized gain (loss) on forward and cross currency contract transactions. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. Forward currency contracts involve risks from currency exchange rate and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the net value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty at the end of the contract’s life. A cross currency contract is a forward contract where a specified amount of one foreign currency will be exchanged for a specified amount of another foreign currency.

Options: The Fund purchased and/or wrote options in order to hedge against adverse market movements or fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates,

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    65


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

value of equities or foreign currency exchange rates with respect to securities or financial instruments which the Fund currently owns or intends to purchase. The Fund may also use options to gain additional market exposure. The Fund’s principal reason for writing options is to realize, through receipt of premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying security alone. When the Fund purchases an option, it pays a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as an asset. When the Fund writes an option, it receives a premium and an amount equal to that premium is recorded as a liability. The asset or liability is adjusted daily to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain (loss) to the extent of the premium received or paid. If an option is exercised, the premium received or paid is recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or the cost of the purchase in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain (loss). The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid at the closing of a purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain (loss). Gain (loss) on purchased options is included in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions. Gain (loss) on written options is presented separately as net realized gain (loss) on options written transactions.

The Fund, as writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities or financial instruments may be sold (called) or purchased (put). As a result, the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security or financial instrument underlying the written option. The Fund, as purchaser of an OTC option, bears the risk of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. With exchange-traded options contracts, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded options and guarantees the options contracts against default.

When the Fund writes an option on a swap, an amount equal to any premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the written option on the swap. If a call option on a swap is exercised, the Fund becomes obligated to pay a fixed interest rate (noted as the strike price) and receive a variable interest rate on a notional amount. If a put option on a swap is exercised, the Fund becomes obligated to pay a variable interest rate and receive a fixed interest rate (noted as the strike price) on a notional amount. Premiums received from writing options on swaps that expire or are exercised are treated as realized gains upon the expiration or exercise of such options on swaps. The risk associated with writing put and call options on swaps is that the Fund will be obligated to be party to a swap agreement if an option on a swap is exercised.

Financial Futures Contracts: A financial futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities at a set price for delivery on a future date. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount.

 

66


This amount is known as the “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security. Such variation margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as unrealized gain (loss). When the contract expires or is closed, the gain (loss) is realized and is presented in the Statement of Operations as net realized gain (loss) on futures transactions.

The Fund invested in financial futures contracts in order to hedge its existing portfolio securities, or securities the Fund intends to purchase, against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. Since futures contracts are exchange-traded, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchanges’ clearinghouse acts as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures and guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Swap Agreements: The Fund entered into certain types of swap agreements detailed in the disclosures below. A swap agreement is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are negotiated in the OTC market and may be executed either directly with a counterparty (“OTC-traded”) or through a central clearing facility, such as a registered exchange. Swap agreements are valued daily at current market value and any change in value is included in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on swap agreements. Centrally cleared swaps pay or receive an amount known as “variation margin”, based on daily changes in the valuation of the swap contract. For OTC-traded, upfront premiums paid and received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swap agreements outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Schedule of Investments.

Interest Rate Swaps: Interest rate swaps represent an agreement between counterparties to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates, applied to a notional principal amount for a specified period. The Fund is subject to interest rate risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund used interest rate swaps to maintain its ability to generate steady cash flow by receiving a stream of fixed rate payments or to increase exposure to prevailing market rates by receiving floating rate payments. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the discounted net present value of the cash flows to be received from the counterparty over the contract’s remaining life.

Inflation Swaps: The Fund entered into inflation swap agreements to protect against fluctuations in inflation rates. Inflation swaps are characterized by one party paying a fixed

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    67


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

rate in exchange for a floating rate that is derived from an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index or UK Retail Price Index. Inflation swaps subject the Fund to interest rate risk.

Credit Default Swaps (“CDS”): CDS involve one party (the protection buyer) making a stream of payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for the right to receive a specified payment in the event of a default or as a result of a default (collectively a “credit event”) for the referenced entity (typically corporate issues or sovereign issues of an emerging country) on its obligation; or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index.

The Fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, and as such, has entered into CDS contracts to provide a measure of protection against defaults or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default or the reference entity’s credit soundness. CDS contracts generally trade based on a spread which represents the cost a protection buyer has to pay the protection seller. The protection buyer is said to be short the credit as the value of the contract rises the more the credit deteriorates. The value of the CDS contract increases for the protection buyer if the spread increases. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk for purchased CDS is the inability of the counterparty to honor the contract up to the notional value due to a credit event.

As a seller of protection on credit default swap agreements, the Fund generally receives an agreed upon payment from the buyer of protection throughout the term of the swap, provided no credit event occurs. As the seller, the Fund effectively increases its investment risk because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund may be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The maximum amount of the payment that the Fund, as a seller of protection, could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be equal to the notional amount of the underlying security or index contract as a result of a credit event. This potential amount will be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements which the Fund entered into for the same referenced entity or index. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements where the Fund is the seller of protection as of period end are disclosed in the footnotes to the Schedule of Investments, if applicable. These spreads serve as indicators of the current status of the payment/performance risk and

 

68


represent the likelihood of default risk for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and increased market value in absolute terms, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood of risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

Currency Swaps: The Fund entered into currency swap agreements primarily to gain yield exposure on foreign bonds. Currency swap agreements involve two parties exchanging two different currencies with an agreement to reverse the exchange at a later date at specified exchange rates.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities: Mortgage-backed securities are pass-through securities, meaning that principal and interest payments made by the borrower on the underlying mortgages are passed through to the Fund. Asset-backed securities directly or indirectly represent a participation interest in, or are secured by and payable from, a stream of payments generated by particular assets such as motor vehicle or credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities may be classified as pass-through certificates or collateralized obligations, such as collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and other similarly structured securities. The value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities varies with changes in interest rates and may be affected by changes in credit quality or value of the mortgage loans or other assets that support the securities.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (“IO”) and principal (“PO”) distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. Payments received for IOs are included in interest income on the Statements of Operations. Because no principal will be received at the maturity of an IO, adjustments are made to the cost of the security on a monthly basis until maturity. These adjustments are included in interest income on the Statements of Operations. Payments received for POs are treated as reductions to the cost and par value of the securities.

Master Netting Arrangements: The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of all or a portion of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. In addition to master netting arrangements, the right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    69


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is a party to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements with certain counterparties that govern OTC derivative and foreign exchange contracts entered into from time to time. The Master Agreements may contain provisions regarding, among other things, the parties’ general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral requirements, events of default and early termination. With respect to certain counterparties, in accordance with the terms of the Master Agreements, collateral posted to the Fund is held in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian and with respect to those amounts which can be sold or re-pledged, is presented in the Schedule of Investments. Collateral pledged by the Fund is segregated by the Fund’s custodian and identified in the Schedule of Investments. Collateral can be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. Government or related agencies or other securities as agreed to by the Fund and the applicable counterparty. Collateral requirements are determined based on the Fund’s net position with each counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund may occur upon a decline in the Fund’s net assets below a specified threshold over a certain period of time. Termination events applicable to counterparties may occur upon a decline in the counterparty’s long-term and short-term credit ratings below a specified level. In each case, upon occurrence, the other party may elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all derivative and foreign exchange contracts outstanding, including the payment of any losses and costs resulting from such early termination, as reasonably determined by the terminating party. Any decision by one or more of the Fund’s counterparties to elect early termination could impact the Fund’s future derivative activity.

In addition to each instrument’s primary underlying risk exposure (e.g. interest rate, credit, equity or foreign exchange, etc.), swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that no liquid market for these agreements will exist, the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree on the contractual terms of the agreement, and changes in net interest rates will be unfavorable. In connection with these agreements, securities in the portfolio may be identified or received as collateral from the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide or receive assets of value and to serve as recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency of either party. Such OTC derivative agreements include conditions which, when materialized, give the counterparty the right to cause an early termination of the transactions under those agreements. Any election by the counterparty for early termination of the contract(s) may impact the amounts reported on financial statements.

Short sales and OTC contracts, including forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, forward rate agreements and written options involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, if applicable. Such risks may be mitigated by engaging in master netting arrangements.

 

70


Payment-In-Kind: The Fund invested in the open market or received pursuant to debt restructuring, securities that pay-in-kind (PIK) the interest due on such debt instruments. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified, is added to the existing principal balance of the debt when issued bonds have same terms as the bond or recorded as a separate bond when terms are different from the existing debt, and is recorded as interest income.

Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities, as required, is recorded on the accrual basis. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to declare dividends of its net investment income daily and pay such dividends monthly. Distributions of net realized capital and currency gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    71


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.

Agreements

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services.

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc., which provides subadvisory services to the Fund through its business unit PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIM Limited (collectively referred to herein as the “subadviser). The Manager pays for the services of the subadviser.

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $2 billion and 0.485% of such assets in excess of $2 billion. The effective management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.50% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit total annual operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements to 0.99% of average daily net assets for Class A shares, 1.74% of average daily net assets for Class C shares, 0.63% of average daily net assets for Class Z shares and 0.58% of average daily net assets for Class R6 shares. This contractual waiver excludes interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and certain other Fund expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales.

Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class. In addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver and/or reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for the fiscal year.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (”PIMS“), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.25% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the

 

72


Class A and Class C shares, respectively. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Z or Class R6 shares of the Fund.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $458 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS did not receive any contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PGIM Investments, PGIM, Inc., PGIM Limited and PIMS are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

 

4.

Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income”.

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

5.

Portfolio Securities

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $10,648,796 and $22,916,769, respectively.

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of an affiliated mutual fund for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows:

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    73


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Value,
Beginning

of Year

   

Cost of

Purchases

   

Proceeds
from Sales

   

Change in

Unrealized

Gain

    (Loss)    

   

Realized

Gain

  (Loss)  

   

Value,

End of Year

    Shares,
End
of Year
   

Income

 
                                             
  Short-Term Investments - Affiliated Mutual Fund:                  
  PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (1)(wb)                                                              
$ 2,608,423                        $ 16,463,989                    $ 19,041,543                  $                           $                      $ 30,869         30,869       $ 987    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

(1)

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

(wb)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund.

 

6.

Distributions and Tax Information

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund was $1,312,326 of ordinary income. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $2,448,226 of ordinary income, $122,527 of long-term capital gains and $1,005,954 of tax return of capital.

As of October 31, 2021, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis was $654,548 of ordinary income.

The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of October 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis   

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

  

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

  

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

$33,577,189

   $3,570,970    $(3,274,489)    $296,481

The differences between GAAP and tax basis were primarily attributable to forward foreign currency exchange contracts, straddles, premium on bonds and other cost basis differences between financial and tax accounting.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward as of October 31, 2021 of approximately $671,000 which can be carried forward for an unlimited period. The Fund utilized approximately $909,000 of its capital loss carryforward to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. No capital gains distributions are expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been realized in excess of such losses.

 

74


The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 are subject to such review.

 

7.

Capital and Ownership

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 3.25%. Investors who purchase $500,000 or more of Class A shares and sell those shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% on sales although these purchases are not subject to a front-end sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% on sales made within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately eight years (ten years prior to January 22, 2021) after purchase. Class Z and Class R6 shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available exclusively for sale to a limited group of investors.

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest, below.

The RIC has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund at $0.001 par value per share, currently divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6.

As of October 31, 2021, Prudential, through its affiliated entities, including affiliated funds (if applicable), owned shares of the Fund as follows:

 

      Number of Shares     

Percentage of    

Outstanding Shares  

Class C

   1,249    12.6%    

Class R6

   3,287,950            99.6%    

At the reporting period end, the number of shareholders holding greater than 5% of the Fund are as follows:

 

Affiliated    Unaffiliated

Number of

                  Shareholders                   

  

Percentage of

              Outstanding Shares               

  

Number of

                  Shareholders                   

  

Percentage of

              Outstanding Shares               

1

   91.3%       —%

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    75


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

Class A

   Shares          Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     21,689        $ 223,463  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     1,136          11,418  

Shares purchased

     (45,960        (468,504
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (23,135      $ (233,623
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     65,742        $ 672,165  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     2,691          27,494  

Shares purchased

     (41,452        (410,400
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     26,981        $ 289,259  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class C

       

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     532        $ 5,336  

Shares purchased

     (12,035        (119,657
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (11,503        (114,321

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

     (9,268        (92,894
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (20,771      $ (207,215
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     26,752        $ 271,956  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     843          8,536  

Shares purchased

     (1,108        (10,959
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     26,487        $ 269,533  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class Z

       

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     203,980        $ 2,083,183  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     21,985          221,149  

Shares purchased

     (1,559,263        (15,844,416
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     (1,333,298        (13,540,084

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     6,534          65,645  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     (1,326,764      $ (13,474,439
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     2,113,296        $ 21,478,375  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     59,329          602,980  

Shares purchased

     (902,952        (8,900,228
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     1,269,673        $ 13,181,127  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

76


Class R6

   Shares          Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

     4,585          $ 45,097  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     107,453          1,074,109  

Shares purchased

     (518        (5,107
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

     111,520          1,114,099  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

     2,733          27,249  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     114,253        $ 1,141,348  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

     4,643        $ 47,060  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

     286,988          2,936,877  

Shares purchased

     (5,688        (57,665
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

     285,943        $   2,926,272  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

8.

Borrowings

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Participating Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The table below provides details of the current SCA in effect at the reporting period-end as well as the prior SCA.

 

      Current SCA    Prior SCA

Term of Commitment

   10/1/2021 – 9/29/2022    10/2/2020 – 9/30/2021

Total Commitment

   $ 1,200,000,000    $ 1,200,000,000

Annualized Commitment Fee on the    

Unused Portion of the SCA

   0.15%    0.15%

Annualized Interest Rate on

Borrowings

  

1.20% plus the higher of (1)

the effective federal funds

rate, (2) the one-month

LIBOR rate or (3) zero

percent

  

1.30% plus the higher of (1)

the effective federal funds

rate, (2) the one-month

LIBOR rate or (3) zero

percent

Certain affiliated registered investment companies that are parties to the SCA include portfolios that are subject to a predetermined mathematical formula used to manage certain benefit guarantees offered under variable annuity contracts. The formula may result in large scale asset flows into and out of these portfolios. Consequently, these portfolios may be more likely to utilize the SCA for purposes of funding redemptions. It may be possible for those portfolios to fully exhaust the committed amount of the SCA, thereby requiring the Manager to allocate available funding per a Board-approved methodology designed to treat the Participating Funds in the SCA equitably.

The Fund utilized the SCA during the year ended October 31, 2021. The average daily balance for the 18 days that the Fund had loans outstanding during the period was approximately $2,038,722, borrowed at a weighted average interest rate of 1.44%. The maximum loan outstanding amount during the period was $7,013,000. At October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan amount.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    77


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

9.

Risks of Investing in the Fund

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Credit Risk: This is the risk that the issuer, the guarantor or the insurer of a fixed income security, or the counterparty to a contract, may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Additionally, fixed income securities could lose value due to a loss of confidence in the ability of the issuer, guarantor, insurer or counterparty to pay back debt. The longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a bond, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.

Credit Risk/Counterparty Risk: The ability, or perceived ability, of the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty (the party on the other side of the transaction) to a derivatives contract or other financial contract to meet its financial obligations will affect the value of the security or derivative. Counterparty and credit risk are especially important in the context of privately negotiated instruments. The Fund expects to enter into certain privately negotiated agreements where the counterparty assumes the physical settlement obligations of the Fund under such transactions. Under this type of arrangement, there is a risk that the relevant counterparty or intermediary would, due to insolvency or other reasons, be unable to or fail to assume the physical settlement obligations of the Fund, in which case the Fund could be required to sell portfolio instruments at unfavorable times or prices or could have insufficient assets to satisfy its physical settlement obligations.

Credit ratings are intended to provide a measure of credit risk. However, credit ratings are only the opinions of the credit rating agency issuing the ratings and are not guarantees as to quality. The lower the rating of a debt security held by the Fund, the greater the degree of credit risk that is perceived to exist by the credit rating agency with respect to that security. Increasing the amount of Fund assets allocated to lower-rated securities generally will increase the credit risk to which the Fund is subject. Not all securities in which the Fund invests are rated. The longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a bond, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.

Currency Risk: The Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in exchange rates, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments in currencies, or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues related to, currencies, or in derivatives that provide exposure to currencies. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

 

78


Debt Obligations Risk: Debt obligations are subject to credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk. The Fund’s holdings, share price, yield and total return may also fluctuate in response to bond market movements. The value of bonds may decline for issuer-related reasons, including management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services. Certain types of fixed income obligations also may be subject to “call and redemption risk,” which is the risk that the issuer may call a bond held by the Fund for redemption before it matures and the Fund may lose income.

Derivatives Risk: Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund. The successful use of derivatives requires sophisticated management, and, to the extent that derivatives are used, the Fund will depend on the subadviser’s ability to analyze and manage derivatives transactions. The prices of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal market conditions. Some derivatives are “leveraged” and therefore may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders. Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivative instruments will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Over-the-counter derivative instruments also involve the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations to the Fund.

The U.S. Government and foreign governments have adopted (and may adopt further) regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements and risk exposure limitations. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, or otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.

Economic and Market Events Risk: Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth or the functioning of the securities markets, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Relatively reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging Markets Risk: The risks of foreign investments are greater for investments in or exposed to emerging markets. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and can be expected to be less stable, than those of more developed countries. For example, the economies of such countries can be subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by non-U.S. investors, or that prevent non-U.S. investors from withdrawing their money at will.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    79


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund may invest in some emerging markets that subject it to risks such as those associated with illiquidity, custody of assets, different settlement and clearance procedures and asserting legal title under a developing legal and regulatory regime to a greater degree than in developed markets or even in other emerging markets.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) may involve more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign political, economic and legal systems, especially those in developing and emerging market countries, may be less stable and more volatile than in the United States. Foreign legal systems generally have fewer regulatory requirements than the U.S. legal system, particularly those of emerging markets. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. companies than U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Additionally, the changing value of foreign currencies and changes in exchange rates could also affect the value of the assets the Fund holds and the Fund’s performance. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. Investments in emerging markets are subject to greater volatility and price declines.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation and adverse diplomatic developments. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

Futures and Forward Contracts Risk: The primary risks associated with the use of futures or forward contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures or forward contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures or forward contract and the resulting inability to close a futures or forward contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the failure to predict correctly the direction of securities or commodities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty to the futures or forward contract will default in the performance of its obligations. Additionally, not all forward contracts require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

Increase in Expenses Risk: Your actual cost of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in the expense table in the Fund’s prospectus for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease.

 

80


Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile. Active and frequent trading of Fund securities can increase expenses.

Interest Rate Risk: The value of your investment may go down when interest rates rise. A rise in rates tends to have a greater impact on the prices of longer term or duration debt securities. For example, a fixed income security with a duration of three years is expected to decrease in value by approximately 3% if interest rates increase by 1%. This is referred to as “duration risk.” When interest rates fall, the issuers of debt obligations may prepay principal more quickly than expected, and the Fund may be required to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate. This is referred to as “prepayment risk.” When interest rates rise, debt obligations may be repaid more slowly than expected, and the value of the Fund’s holdings may fall sharply. This is referred to as “extension risk.” The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply or in a manner not anticipated by the subadviser.

Junk Bonds Risk: High-yield, high-risk bonds have predominantly speculative characteristics, including particularly high credit risk. Junk bonds tend to have lower market liquidity than higher-rated securities. The liquidity of particular issuers or industries within a particular investment category may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning. The non-investment grade bond market can experience sudden and sharp price swings and become illiquid due to a variety of factors, including changes in economic forecasts, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, a high profile default or a change in the market’s psychology.

Large Shareholder and Large Scale Redemption Risk: Certain individuals, accounts, funds (including funds affiliated with the Manager) or institutions, including the Manager and its affiliates, may from time to time own or control a substantial amount of the Fund’s shares. There is no requirement that these entities maintain their investment in the Fund. There is a risk that such large shareholders or that the Fund’s shareholders generally may redeem all or a substantial portion of their investments in the Fund in a short period of time, which could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s NAV, liquidity, and brokerage costs. Large redemptions could also result in tax consequences to shareholders and impact the Fund’s ability to implement its investment strategy. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective after one or more large scale redemptions may be impaired and, as a result, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

Leverage Risk: Certain transactions in which the Fund may engage may give rise to leverage. The use of leverage exaggerates the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s holdings, and makes any change in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) greater than it would be without the use of leverage. This could result in increased volatility of investment return. There is a possibility that segregation involving a large percentage of the assets of the Fund could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations or that the Fund may be required to dispose of some of its investments at unfavorable prices or times.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    81


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Fund may invest in instruments that trade in lower volumes and are more illiquid than other investments. If the Fund is forced to sell these investments to pay redemption proceeds or for other reasons, the Fund may lose money. In addition, when there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the instrument at all. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.

Management Risk: The value of your investment may decrease if judgments by the subadviser about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry or sector or about market movements are incorrect.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the outbreak of COVID-19 globally in 2020 or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

 

82


Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities tend to increase in value less than other debt securities when interest rates decline, but are subject to similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. The values of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities become more volatile as interest rates rise. In a period of declining interest rates, the Fund may be required to reinvest more frequent prepayments on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities in lower-yielding investments.

Non-Diversified Investment Company Risk: The Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). This means that the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single company or other issuer than a diversified fund. Investing in a non-diversified fund involves greater risk than investing in a diversified fund because a loss resulting from the decline in value of any one security may represent a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified fund.

Short Position Risk: The Fund may take short positions in derivative instruments that present various risks, including credit/counterparty risk and leverage risk. A short position on a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying security or instrument and, thus, the risk of a theoretically unlimited loss for the Fund. Short positions also involve transaction and other costs that will reduce potential Fund gains and increase potential Fund losses.

Sovereign Debt Risk: The Fund may invest in sovereign debt issued by governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, or other government-related entities. Holders of sovereign debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. In addition, there is no bankruptcy proceeding by which defaulted sovereign debt may be collected.

 

10.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement and Regulatory Developments

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, which provides optional guidance for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. ASU 2020-04 is elective and is effective on March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of certain provisions of the ASU and any impact on the financial statement disclosures has not yet been determined.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule took effect on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Fund.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund    83


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 and Shareholders of PGIM International Bond Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of PGIM International Bond Fund (one of the funds constituting Prudential Investment Portfolios 9, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (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 October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2019 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 19, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits 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 October 31, 2021 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.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 16, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the PGIM Retail Funds complex since 2020.

 

84  


Tax Information (unaudited)

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable but not less than 6.19% as interest-related dividends in accordance with Section 871(k)(1) and 881(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In January 2022, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV, as to the federal tax status of dividends and distributions received by you in calendar year 2021.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund

    85  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS (unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members        
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Ellen S. Alberding

1958

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); formerly Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (2011-2015); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (2009-2018); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (2009-2016); Trustee, Loyola University (since 2018).    None.    Since September 2013
       

Kevin J. Bannon

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; formerly Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.    Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).    Since July 2008

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Independent Board Members

          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Linda W. Bynoe

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 92

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Limited LLC (formerly Telemat Ltd) (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); formerly Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (January 2006-June 2020).    Since March 2005
       

Barry H. Evans

1960

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly President (2005-2016), Global Chief Operating Officer (2014-2016), Chief Investment Officer - Global Head of Fixed Income (1998-2014), and various portfolio manager roles (1986-2006), Manulife Asset Management (asset management).   

Formerly Director, Manulife Trust Company (2011-2018); formerly Director, Manulife Asset Management Limited (2015-2017); formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manulife Asset Management U.S. (2005-2016); formerly Chairman of the Board, Declaration Investment Management and Research (2008-2016).

 

   Since September 2017
       

Keith F. Hartstein

1956

Board Member &

Independent Chair

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; Executive Committee of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Board of Governors (since October 2019); Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the IDC (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.    Since September 2013

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Independent Board Members        
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Laurie Simon Hodrick

1962

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 91

   A. Barton Hepburn Professor Emerita of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (since 2018); Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (since 2015); Sole Member, ReidCourt LLC (since 2008) (a consulting firm); formerly Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (2015-2021); formerly A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (1996-2017); formerly Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies, Deutsche Bank (2006-2008).    Independent Director, Roku (since December 2020) (communication services); formerly Independent Director, Synnex Corporation (2019-2021) (information technology); formerly Independent Director, Kabbage, Inc. (2018-2020) (financial services); formerly Independent Director, Corporate Capital Trust (2017-2018) (a business development company).    Since September 2017
       

Brian K. Reid

1961

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Chief Economist for the Investment Company Institute (ICI) (2005-2017); formerly Senior Economist and Director of Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1998-2004); formerly Senior Economist, Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1996-1998); formerly Staff Economist at the Federal Reserve Board (1989-1996); Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2012-2017).    None.    Since March 2018

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Independent Board Members        
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Grace C. Torres

1959

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of PGIM Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since January 2018) of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; formerly Director (July 2015-January 2018) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. and Sun National Bank.    Since November 2014

 

Interested Board Members        
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Stuart S. Parker

1962

Board Member &

President

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer in Charge of PGIM Investments LLC (formerly known as Prudential Investments LLC) (since January 2012); formerly Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of PGIM Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011); Investment Company Institute - Board of Governors (since May 2012).    None.    Since January 2012

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Interested Board Members        
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Scott E. Benjamin

1973

Board Member & Vice

President

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Executive Vice President (since May 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, PGIM Investments (since February 2006); formerly Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, PGIM Investments LLC (2003-2006).    None.    Since March 2010

(1) The year that each Board Member joined the Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Barry H. Evans, 2017; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Laurie Simon Hodrick, 2017; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member since 2012 and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009; Grace C. Torres, 2014.

 

Fund Officers(a)           
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of
Service as Fund

Officer

     

Claudia DiGiacomo

1974

Chief Legal Officer

   Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of PIFM Holdco, LLC (since August 2020); Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since August 2020); formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (2005-2020); formerly Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since December 2005

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Fund Officers(a)           
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

     

Dino Capasso

1974

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., and PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund; Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (June 2017-2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel (January 2016-June 2017), and Vice President and Counsel (February 2012-December 2015) of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.    Since July 2019
     

Andrew R. French

1962

Secretary

   Vice President (since December 2018) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Corporate Counsel (2010-2018) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since October 2006
     

Diana N. Huffman

1982

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2015) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2009-2015).    Since March 2019
     

Melissa Gonzalez

1980

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2018) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (March 2014-September 2018) of Prudential.    Since March 2020
     

Patrick E. McGuinness

1986

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; Director and Corporate Counsel (since February 2017) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel (2012-2017) of IIL, Inc.    Since June 2020
     

Debra Rubano

1975

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since November 2020) of Prudential; formerly Director and Senior Counsel of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2010-2020) and Assistant Secretary of numerous funds in the Allianz fund complex (2015-2020).    Since December 2020
     

Kelly A. Coyne

1968

Assistant Secretary

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since March 2015

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Fund Officers(a)           
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

     

Christian J. Kelly

1975

Treasurer and Principal

Financial

and Accounting Officer

   Vice President, Head of Fund Administration of PGIM Investments LLC (since November 2018); formerly Director of Fund Administration of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC (2009-2018), Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (2017-2018); Director of Accounting, Avenue Capital Group (2008-2009); Senior Manager, Investment Management Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP (1998-2007).    Since January 2019
     

Lana Lomuti

1967

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since April 2014
     

Russ Shupak

1973

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2013-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Deborah Conway

1969

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2007-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Elyse M. McLaughlin

1974

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Jonathan Corbett

1983

Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Global Compliance Programs and Compliance Risk Management (since August 2019) of Prudential; formerly Vice President and Head of Key Risk Areas Compliance (March 2016 to July 2019), Chief Privacy Officer (March 2016 to July 2019) and Head of Global Financial Crimes Unit (April 2014 to March 2016) at MetLife.    Since October 2021

(a) Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with PGIM Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of PGIM Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o PGIM Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes all directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by PGIM Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PGIM Investments LLC serves as manager include the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, PGIM ETF Trust, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

 

As used in the Fund Officers table “Prudential” means The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

The Fund’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of PGIM International Bond Fund (the “Fund”)1 consists of ten individuals, eight of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and two Investment Committees. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Trustees.

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc. (“PGIM”) on behalf of its PGIM Fixed Income unit (“PGIM Fixed Income”) and PGIM Limited (“PGIML”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on June 7-10, 2021 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2022, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments, PGIM and PGIML. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisers, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 7-10, 2021.

 

 

1

PGIM International Bond Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between each of PGIM Investments and PGIM, which, through its PGIM Fixed Income unit, and PGIML, which serve as the Fund’s subadvisers pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML. The Board noted that PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML are affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadvisers for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund, and PGIM Investments’ role as administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadvisers, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments senior management on the performance and operations of the subadvisers. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Trustees of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML, including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadvisers, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadvisers, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Fixed Income’s portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’, PGIM Fixed Income’s, and PGIML’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


        

 

The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments, the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML, and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML under the management and subadvisory agreements.

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PGIM Investments may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment. The Board also considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, PGIML and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

(which is affiliated with PGIM Investments), as well as benefits to its reputation or other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Fixed Income and PGIML included the ability to use soft dollar credits, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to their reputations. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments, PGIM Fixed Income, and PGIML were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-year and the three-year periods ended December 31, 2020. The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on December 14, 2016 and that longer-term performance was not yet available.

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

The mutual funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of mutual fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information, for reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


        

 

Net Performance    1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years
     3rd Quartile    1st Quartile    N/A    N/A

Actual Management Fees: 1st Quartile

Net Total Expenses: 1st Quartile                                

 

  ·  

The Board noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index over all periods.

 

  ·  

The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on December 14, 2016 and that longer-term performance was not yet available.

 

  ·  

The Board and PGIM Investments agreed to retain the existing contractual expense cap that (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) caps total annual operating expenses at 0.99% for Class A shares, 1.74% for Class C shares, 0.58% for Class R6 shares and 0.63% for Class Z shares through February 28, 2022.

 

  ·  

In addition, PGIM Investments will waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class, and has agreed that total annual fund operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class Z shares.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to continue to allow the Fund to create a longer-term performance record, and to renew the agreements.

 

  ·  

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

*  *  *

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM International Bond Fund


MAIL    TELEPHONE    WEBSITE
     

    655 Broad Street

  

    (800) 225-1852

  

    pgim.com/investments

    Newark, NJ 07102

         

 

PROXY VOTING

The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadvisers the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.

 

TRUSTEES

Ellen S. Alberding · Kevin J. Bannon • Scott E. Benjamin · Linda W. Bynoe · Barry H. Evans · Keith F. Hartstein · Laurie Simon Hodrick · Stuart S. Parker · Brian K. Reid · Grace C. Torres

 

OFFICERS

Stuart S. Parker, President · Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President · Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer · Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer · Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer · Jonathan Corbett, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer · Andrew R. French, Secretary · Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary · Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary · Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Secretary · Patrick E. McGuinness, Assistant Secretary · Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary · Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer · Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer · Elyse M. McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer · Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer

 

MANAGER   

PGIM Investments LLC

  

655 Broad Street

         

Newark, NJ 07102

SUBADVISERS   

PGIM Fixed Income

  

655 Broad Street

     

Newark, NJ 07102

  

PGIM Limited

  

Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand

     

Tragalgar Square

     

London, WC2N 5HR

         

United Kingdom

DISTRIBUTOR   

Prudential Investment

  

655 Broad Street

    

Management Services LLC

  

Newark, NJ 07102

CUSTODIAN   

The Bank of New York

  

240 Greenwich Street

    

Mellon

  

New York, NY 10286

TRANSFER AGENT   

Prudential Mutual Fund

  

PO Box 9658

    

Services LLC

  

Providence, RI 02940

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED   

PricewaterhouseCoopers

  

300 Madison Avenue

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   

LLP

  

New York, NY 10017

FUND COUNSEL   

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

  

787 Seventh Avenue

         

New York, NY 10019


 
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain the prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

 

E-DELIVERY

To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRUSTEES

Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Trustees by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Trustees, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that Trustee at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

  Mutual Funds:

 

     
ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY    MAY LOSE VALUE    ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


LOGO

 

 

PGIM INTERNATIONAL BOND FUND

 

SHARE CLASS

   A    C    Z    R6

NASDAQ

   PXBAX    PXBCX    PXBZX    PXBQX

CUSIP

   74441J738    74441J720    74441J696    74441J712

MF234E


LOGO

 

 

PGIM REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

 

 

LOGO

 

To enroll in e-delivery, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery


Table of Contents

 

Letter from the President

 

    

 

3

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Performance

 

    

 

4

 

 

 

Growth of a $10,000 Investment

 

    

 

5

 

 

 

Strategy and Performance Overview

 

    

 

8

 

 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

    

 

13

 

 

 

Holdings and Financial Statements

 

    

 

15

 

 

 

Approval of Advisory Agreements

 

        

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

The views expressed in this report and information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings are for the period covered by this report and are subject to change thereafter.

Mutual funds are distributed by Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (PIMS), member SIPC. PGIM Real Estate is a unit of PGIM, Inc. (PGIM), a registered investment adviser. PIMS and PGIM are Prudential Financial companies. © 2021 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. PGIM Real Estate, PGIM, and the PGIM logo are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.

 

2  

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Letter from the President

 

LOGO

 

 

   

Dear Shareholder:

 

We hope you find the annual report for the PGIM Real Estate Income Fund informative and useful. The report covers performance for the 12-month period that ended October 31, 2021.

 

The global economy and markets continued to recover throughout the period from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Reserve slashed interest rates and kept them near zero to encourage borrowing. Congress passed stimulus bills worth several trillion dollars to help consumers and businesses. And several

effective COVID-19 vaccines received regulatory approval. Those measures were enough to offset the fear of rising inflation and supply chain challenges that threatened to disrupt growth.

At the start of the period, stocks had recovered most of the steep losses they had suffered at the onset of the pandemic. Equities rallied as states reopened their economies but became more volatile as investors worried that a surge in COVID-19 infections would stall the recovery. However, rising corporate profits and economic growth, the resolution of the US presidential election, and the global rollout of approved vaccines lifted equity markets to record levels, helping stocks around the globe post gains for the full period.

Throughout this volatile period, investors sought safety in fixed income. Investment-grade bonds in the US and the overall global bond market declined slightly during the period as the economy recovered, but emerging market debt rose. While the 10-year US Treasury yield hovered near record lows early in the period after a significant rally in interest rates, rates moved higher later on as investors began to focus on stronger economic growth and the prospects of higher inflation. The Fed also took several aggressive actions to keep the bond markets running smoothly, implementing many of the relief programs that proved to be successful in helping end the global financial crisis in 2008-09.

Regarding your investments with PGIM, we believe it is important to maintain a diversified portfolio of funds consistent with your tolerance for risk, time horizon, and financial goals. Your financial advisor can help you create a diversified investment plan that may include funds covering all the basic asset classes and that reflects your personal investor profile and risk tolerance. However, diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

At PGIM Investments, we consider it a great privilege and responsibility to help investors participate in opportunities across global markets while meeting their toughest investment challenges. PGIM is a top-10 global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. This scale and investment expertise allow us to deliver actively managed funds and strategies to meet the needs of investors around the globe.

Thank you for choosing our family of funds.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Stuart S. Parker, President

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

December 15, 2021

 

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    3  


Your Fund’s Performance (unaudited)

 

Performance data quoted represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the past performance data quoted. An investor may obtain performance data as of the most recent month-end by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852.

 

    Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21
    One Year (%)   Five Years (%)   Since Inception (%)  
  Class A      
  (with sales charges)   31.20   5.73   5.11 (06/03/2015)
  (without sales charges)   38.84   6.94   6.04 (06/03/2015)
  Class C      
  (with sales charges)   36.84   6.15   5.27 (06/03/2015)
  (without sales charges)   37.84   6.15   5.27 (06/03/2015)
  Class Z      
  (without sales charges)   39.19   7.25   6.34 (06/03/2015)
  Class R6      
  (without sales charges)   39.11   N/A   8.00 (12/28/2016)
  Custom Blend Index      
    34.24   6.91  

 

Average Annual Total Returns as of 10/31/21 Since Inception (%)
   

Class A, Class C, Class Z

(06/03/2015)

 

Class R6

(12/28/2016)  

  Custom Blend Index   6.02   7.35

Since Inception returns are provided since the Fund has less than 10 fiscal years of returns. Since Inception returns for the Index are measured from the closest month-end to the class’ inception date.

 

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Growth of a $10,000 Investment (unaudited)

 

LOGO

The graph compares a $10,000 investment in the Fund’s Class Z shares with a similar investment in the Custom Blend Index by portraying the initial account values at the commencement of operations for Class Z shares (June 3, 2015) and the account values at the end of the current fiscal year (October 31, 2021), as measured on a quarterly basis. For purposes of the graph, and unless otherwise indicated, it has been assumed that (a) all recurring fees (including management fees) were deducted and (b) all dividends and distributions were reinvested. The line graph provides information for Class Z shares only. As indicated in the tables provided earlier, performance for other share classes will vary due to the differing fees and expenses applicable to each share class (as indicated in the following paragraphs). Without waiver of fees and/or expense reimbursements, if any, the returns would have been lower.

Past performance does not predict future performance. Total returns and the ending account values in the graph include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions in a hypothetical investment for the periods shown. The Fund’s total returns do not reflect the deduction of income taxes on an individual’s investment. Taxes may reduce your actual investment returns on income or gains paid by the Fund or any gains you may realize if you sell your shares.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    5  


Your Fund’s Performance (continued)

 

The returns in the tables do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or following the redemption of Fund shares. The average annual total returns take into account applicable sales charges, which are described for each share class in the table below.

 

         
    

Class A

 

 

Class C

 

 

Class Z

 

 

Class R6

 

Maximum initial sales charge   5.50% of the public offering price   None   None   None
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) (as a percentage of the lower of the original purchase price or the net asset value at redemption)   1.00% on sales of $1 million or more made within 12 months of purchase   1.00% on sales made within 12 months of purchase   None   None
Annual distribution and service (12b-1) fees (shown as a percentage of average daily net assets)   0.30% (0.25% currently)   1.00%   None   None

Benchmark Definitions

Custom Blend Index—The Custom Blend Index is a model portfolio consisting of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index (80%), which is an unmanaged index and reflects the stock performance of companies engaged in specific aspects of the major real estate markets/regions of the world, and the ICE BofA Merrill Lynch 7% Constrained REIT Preferred Securities Index (20%), which is an unmanaged index that is a subset of the ICE BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index including all REIT-issued preferred securities.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index. The returns for the Index would be lower if they included the effects of sales charges, operating expenses of a mutual fund, or taxes that may be paid by an investor.

 

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Presentation of Fund Holdings as of 10/31/21

 

 

  Ten Largest Holdings

  

 

Real Estate Sectors

 

 

% of Net Assets  

  Global Medical REIT, Inc.    Health Care REITs   6.7%
  EPR Properties    Specialized REITs   5.5%
  Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.    Health Care REITs   5.1%
  Postal Realty Trust, Inc. (Class A Stock)    Office REITs   4.9%
  Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.    Retail REITs   4.6%
  Simon Property Group, Inc.    Retail REITs   4.5%
  EPR Properties, Series G    Specialized REITs   4.0%
  NETSTREIT Corp.    Retail REITs   3.8%
  Highwoods Properties, Inc.    Office REITs   3.8%
  Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.    Health Care REITs   3.6%

Holdings reflect only long-term investments and are subject to change.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    7  


Strategy and Performance Overview (unaudited)

 

How did the Fund perform?

The PGIM Real Estate Income Fund’s Class Z shares returned 39.19% in the 12-month reporting period that ended October 31, 2021, outperforming the 34.24% return of the Custom Blend Index (the Index). The Index is a model portfolio consisting of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index (80%) and the BofA Merrill Lynch 7% Constrained REIT Preferred Securities Index (20%).

What were conditions like in the global real estate securities market?

 

Conditions in the US real estate investment trust (REIT) market during the reporting period can be characterized by a robust recovery in fundamentals following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the US commercial real estate market experienced one of its worst years ever, Pfizer Inc. announced strong efficacy results for its COVID-19 vaccine in November 2020, which kicked off a massive recovery in fundamentals and stock valuations for the REIT sector. Overall, the US REIT market rallied more than 50% during the period, with some of the harder-hit sectors, such as strip malls and shopping malls, up more than 100%. A successful vaccination effort in the US, combined with record levels of government stimulus, resulted in a highly favorable operating environment for nearly every sector in the US REIT market.

 

 

Europe’s US-dollar total return during the period was strongly positive at 33.8%, with COVID-19 vaccines helping the region’s economies start to recover from the pandemic. Europe was the second-best-performing global region during the period, ahead of Asia but trailing North America. The United Kingdom (UK) was the quickest country to implement a vaccination program, but other countries in continental Europe rolled out successful programs as well by the summer of 2021. Sweden was the best-performing European market during the period, as its economy benefited from a less-severe recession than other countries in the region. Sweden had resisted locking down its economy, and its companies enjoyed a strong profit rebound aided by record-low interest rates and higher leverage. France was the next-best performer, with its heavily discounted and dominant retail sector experiencing a strong bounce-back as the economy emerged from lockdown. The UK’s return exceeded the European average return for the period due to its early vaccine distribution and subsequent early emergence from lockdown. The weakest European markets during the period were Germany and Finland, both heavily dominated by the multifamily residential sector. Germany, the leading performer in Europe in 2020, lagged for most of 2021 as its residential sector struggled against regulation pressures and the headwind of anticipated interest rate tightening.

 

 

Asia recovered moderately in 2021 as the market struggled to break out of numerous macro-economic, policy, and pandemic setbacks. In Japan, riskier sectors such as developers, hotel, and office REITs outperformed, benefiting from expectations of pandemic recovery. Despite numerous states of emergency, strong residential demand and relatively resilient office occupancy for the major developers helped solidify expectations of an earnings recovery. Hospitality JREITs (i.e., a REIT established in Japan) also outperformed during the period despite a slow recovery in

 

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  their fundamentals. Japanese developers and REITs with a reopening tilt (i.e., hotel and office sectors) looked well-positioned for a strong recovery with the Liberal Democratic Party’s successful election and dwindling COVID-19 cases. Reopening was also a significant reason for outperformance in retail, office, and residential REITs in Australia. Residential REITs benefited from government subsidies for home purchases, while numerous retail tenants received mandated rent relief programs. Hong Kong commercial landlords also staged a meaningful recovery, as investors’ expectations reset from pandemic lockdowns to the eventual reopening of borders. Despite strong residential fundamentals in Hong Kong due to negative real interest rates and the lack of meaningful new supply, developers suffered from fears of the regulatory and policy tightening that affected numerous sectors in China. Investors also were concerned during the period about the financial distress of major Chinese developer China Evergrande Group, albeit these worries have abated somewhat due to some successful financing deals. In Singapore, domestic retail-centric REITs outperformed as the nation successfully vaccinated more than 80% of its population.

What worked and didn’t work?

 

The Fund outperformed the Index during the reporting period. North America and Europe saw positive relative performance while Asia slightly lagged.

 

 

Within North America, numerous sectors performed well. The net lease sector’s contribution to performance was noteworthy and was the result of positive stock selection. The gaming, healthcare, and office sectors positively impacted results, also due to strong security selection. An underweight position in data centers relative to the Index was beneficial to relative performance, as was a relative overweight position to malls. The residential, industrial, and hotels sectors underperformed for the period, detracting from performance.

 

 

Europe’s outperformance came largely from Germany, as an underweight allocation relative to the index yet strong stock selection in the country’s REIT market produced favorable relative results. France was the largest detractor due to an underweight position relative to the index and weak security selection.

 

 

Asia lagged the Index for the period. Hong Kong and Singapore negatively impacted performance due to a combination of asset allocation and unfavorable stock selection in both countries’ REIT markets. Conversely, Japan contributed positively to relative performance as a result of an underweight position.

Current outlook

 

PGIM Real Estate views the US REIT market as well positioned for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. In PGIM Real Estate’s view, despite strong year-to-date performance, this market’s average implied capitalization rate (i.e., the rate of return expected to be generated on a real estate investment property) remains attractive at 4.5%, a roughly 310 basis points (bps) spread relative to the 10-year US Treasury yield. (One basis point equals 0.01%.) While this spread is consistent with the long-term average, given the current depressed net operating income (NOI) levels of

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    9  


Strategy and Performance Overview (continued)

 

  most REITs, PGIM Real Estate expects this spread to compress much further before reverting to its long-term average. Despite some near-term disruption to NOI growth in certain sectors, PGIM Real Estate anticipates funds-from-operations per-share growth of 7.7% in 2021 and 9.7% in 2022 (Source: PGIM). In PGIM Real Estate’s view, the recent improvement in REITs’ equity valuations has allowed many REITs to issue new equity for acquisitions and development. A favorable cost of capital and a faster pace of economies reopening bode well for PGIM Real Estate’s higher near-term earnings expectations. Capital markets continue to be active in the REIT sector, with the market already witnessing eight REIT takeovers in 2021 across a variety of sectors, representing both public-to-public and take-private transactions. Attractive debt and equity capital, combined with a multi-year recovery outlook in fundamentals, is likely to keep private equity interest focused on additional REIT market opportunities, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. PGIM Real Estate remains diligent in its value-based investment process, emphasizing individual stock selection and looking to capitalize on sectors expected to benefit from economic reopening. PGIM Real Estate has increased its overweight allocation to the retail sectors (malls and shopping centers) on the expectation that robust consumer spending will boost fundamentals in 2021 and 2022. PGIM Real Estate has further increased its underweight allocation to data centers, given a challenged internal growth outlook and full valuation, while adding to the storage sector given the strong operating environment and upward valuation revisions. Finally, the Fund remains underweight to the office sector, given a challenging long-term growth outlook.

 

   

Europe began ending remaining lockdown measures during the period that had been implemented by many countries in the region, as COVID-19 vaccinations gained momentum across the continent. More than 80% of the UK’s adult population was fully vaccinated at the end of the period, and most countries in continental Europe have largely caught up with the UK. The UK ended all remaining social distancing measures in the middle of July 2021, and continental European countries followed. While the spread of the Delta variant remains a concern, the hope is that an expected increase in cases during the winter can be managed with high vaccination rates, including booster shots. The UK REIT sector is trading around a 9% discount to its one-year forward net asset value (NAV), and continental Europe trades on a slightly lower NAV discount of 6%. However, there are wide divergences across individual sub-sectors, with retail trading at the highest discount and industrial/logistics at a significant premium. The UK trades at a 3.9% implied capitalization rate, an approximately 300-bps spread to 10-year UK bonds, while the continent trades at a 4.0% rate, a 420-bps spread to German 10-year government yields. Dividend yields on offer are still attractive at 2.7% in the UK and 3.1% on the continent. PGIM Real Estate retains a careful stance on the retail sector, given the structural challenges it still faces and the price recovery already seen in many retail shares. PGIM Real Estate has a broadly neutral weight relative to the Index in the offices sector and retains a preference for industrial/logistics and alternatives. PGIM Real Estate is still cautious

 

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  on the German residential sector following the uncertain outcome of Germany’s federal elections at the end of September 2021 and the impact this could have on future regulation of the residential rental market there.

 

   

PGIM Real Estate believes Asia should witness a more sustained recovery heading into 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a period of unprecedented global monetary easing and fiscal stimulus as countries cope with the economic fallout. As Asia emerges from the depths of the Delta variant, there is optimism ahead with a focus now on reopening and recovery. Sectors that witnessed a significant contraction in demand (e.g., hospitality and retail) will likely see a gradual recovery in the coming months, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. Equity market investors are also looking beyond the Federal Reserve’s expected tapering of its monthly bond purchases as the Fed also considers when it might start raising interest rates. This is somewhat complicated by the current market focus on supply-chain disruption leading to stagflation concerns. In PGIM Real Estate’s view, the following themes could be in focus in the near term: (1) recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) stagflation concerns, (3) bond yield spike on inflation expectations, (4) recovery in retail and hospitality, and (5) US-China geopolitical relations. PGIM Real Estate remains positive on the Australian manufacturing housing and self-storage sectors, with demographic and market consolidation trends providing structural tailwinds. PGIM Real Estate has a slightly underweight allocation relative to the Index to Hong Kong with a preference toward non-discretionary retail, and an overweight allocation relative to the Index to Japanese developers with a preference for retail and hospitality exposures that are levered to a bigger COVID-19 recovery. PGIM Real Estate also has an overweight allocation relative to the Index to JREITs with a preference for hospitality and diversified companies that could benefit from easing COVID-19 restrictions, and an overweight to logistic JREITs given their consistent drive for accretive acquisition growth. In Singapore, PGIM Real Estate has an underweight relative to the Index allocation to developers given a lack of growth catalysts and its preference for recovery opportunities in other countries. For REITs, PGIM Real Estate favors logistic and suburban retail companies that offer resilient demand. Markets are improving but global reopening remains fraught with the risk of a subsequent wave of COVID-19 outbreaks amid growing economic and social marginalization. The effectiveness of incremental vaccine delivery via booster shots and childrens’ vaccinations likely will shape domestic recovery and determine when borders might reopen, in PGIM Real Estate’s view. At the same time, a strong recovery in the US could stoke inflationary pressures beyond what many economists currently say is a transitory trend, which could raise expectations for interest rate hikes. Supply-chain concerns could also hamper growth while creating an inflation spiral. Within PGIM Real Estate’s individual sector holdings, a sharp rise in long-term real interest rates could negatively impact regional REIT valuations.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    11  


Comments on Largest Holdings (unaudited)

 

6.7% Global Medical REIT, Inc., Healthcare REITs

Global Medical acquires and manages real estate assets in the healthcare industry, including the real estate of hospitals, medical centers, nursing facilities, and retirement homes.

5.5% EPR Properties, Specialized REITs

EPR Properties acquires and develops properties leased to entertainment and entertainment-related business operators, generally under long-term triple net leases. The company plans to focus primarily on megaplex theaters and entertainment-themed retail centers.

5.1% Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., Healthcare REITs

Omega Healthcare invests in and provides financing to the long-term care industry. It operates healthcare facilities in the US that are run by independent healthcare operating companies.

4.9% Postal Realty Trust, Inc. (Class A Stock), Office REITs

Postal Realty owns, operates, leases, and manages properties, and it also offers fee-based third-party property management services.

4.6% Spirit Realty Capital, Inc., Retail REITs

Spirit Realty Capital invests in single-tenant and triple-net basis real estate properties in the US that are engaged in retail, service, and distribution industries.

 

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Fees and Expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemptions, as applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses, as applicable. 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 held through the six-month period ended October 31, 2021. The example is for illustrative purposes only; you should consult the Prospectus for information on initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements.

Actual Expenses

The first line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on 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 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During the Six-Month Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line for each share class in the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 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.

The Fund’s transfer agent may charge additional fees to holders of certain accounts that are not included in the expenses shown in the table on the following page. These fees apply to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and Section 403(b) accounts. As of the close of the six-month period covered by the table, IRA fees included an annual maintenance fee of $15 per account (subject to a maximum annual maintenance fee of $25 for all accounts held by the same shareholder). Section 403(b) accounts are charged an annual $25 fiduciary maintenance fee. Some of the fees may vary in amount, or may be waived, based on your total account balance or the number of PGIM funds, including the Fund, that you own. You should consider the additional fees that were charged to your Fund account over the six-month period when you estimate the total ongoing expenses paid over the period and the impact of these fees on your ending account value, as these additional expenses are not reflected in the information

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    13  


Fees and Expenses (continued)

 

provided in the expense table. Additional fees have the effect of reducing investment returns.

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 (loads). Therefore, the second line for each share class in 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.

 

       
  PGIM Real Estate Income Fund   Beginning
    Account Value    
May 1, 2021
 

Ending

Account Value
    October 31, 2021    

 

Annualized

Expense
Ratio Based on

the

    Six-Month Period    

 

Expenses Paid

During the

    Six-Month Period*    

       
  Class A   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,055.60   1.35%   $  6.99
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,018.40   1.35%   $  6.87
       
  Class C   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,051.70   2.10%   $10.86
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,014.62   2.10%   $10.66
       
  Class Z   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,056.70   1.10%   $  5.70
  Hypothetical   $1,000.00   $1,019.66   1.10%   $  5.60
       
  Class R6   Actual   $1,000.00   $1,056.80   1.10%   $  5.70
   

Hypothetical

 

  $1,000.00

 

  $1,019.66

 

  1.10%

 

  $  5.60

 

*Fund expenses (net of fee waivers or subsidies, if any) for each share class are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each share class (provided in the table), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the 184 days in the six-month period ended October 31, 2021, and divided by the 365 days in the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 (to reflect the six-month period). Expenses presented in the table include the expenses of any underlying portfolios in which the Fund may invest.

 

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Schedule of Investments

as of October 31, 2021

 

 Description    Shares     Value  
 LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS    99.5%             
 COMMON STOCKS    80.5%             
 Diversified Real Estate Activities    1.9%               

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. (Hong Kong)

     61,136     $ 812,697  
 Diversified REITs    10.7%               

Activia Properties, Inc. (Japan)

     117       479,803  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp. (Japan)

     144       413,894  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

     20,114       599,196  

Nexus Real Estate Investment Trust (Canada)

     86,838       931,109  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund, Inc. (Japan)

     488       730,508  

Stockland (Australia)

     402,393       1,380,849  
    

 

 

 
       4,535,359  
 Health Care REITs    20.3%               

Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.

     32,038       1,532,698  

Global Medical REIT, Inc.

     172,195       2,854,993  

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     36,340       1,213,392  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

     73,866       2,168,706  

Welltower, Inc.

     10,482       842,753  
    

 

 

 
       8,612,542  
Industrial REITs    2.7%               

Mapletree Logistics Trust (Singapore)

     772,578       1,160,132  
 Office REITs    10.5%               

Boston Properties, Inc.

     6,625       752,865  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     36,280       1,626,795  

Postal Realty Trust, Inc. (Class A Stock)

     106,720       2,073,570  
    

 

 

 
       4,453,230  
 Real Estate Operating Companies    2.8%               

Swire Properties Ltd. (Hong Kong)

     443,076       1,191,245  
 Retail REITs    24.1%               

Federal Realty Investment Trust

     8,539       1,027,669  

Kimco Realty Corp.

     21,669       489,719  

Link REIT (Hong Kong)

     149,136       1,324,160  

NETSTREIT Corp.

     67,153       1,627,789  

Phillips Edison & Co., Inc.

     33,309       1,003,933  

Regency Centers Corp.

     4,385       308,748  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     12,872       1,886,778  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    15  


Schedule of Investments (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

 Description    Shares     Value  
 COMMON STOCKS (Continued)             
 Retail REITs (cont’d.)               

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     40,106     $ 1,962,386  

Supermarket Income REIT PLC (United Kingdom)

     354,600       577,407  
    

 

 

 
       10,208,589  
 Specialized REITs    7.5%               

EPR Properties

     46,599       2,339,736  

MGM Growth Properties LLC (Class A Stock)

     21,977       865,454  
    

 

 

 
       3,205,190  
    

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
  
(cost $31,868,697)

       34,178,984  
    

 

 

 
 PREFERRED STOCKS    19.0%             
 Diversified REITs    5.3%               

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc., Series A, 6.750%, Maturing 06/18/24(oo)

     31,474       876,866  

Gladstone Commercial Corp., Series G, 6.000%, Maturing 06/28/26(oo)

     50,000       1,370,500  
    

 

 

 
       2,247,366  
 Hotel & Resort REITs    3.4%               

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, Series H, 5.700%, Maturing 07/27/26(oo)

     55,000       1,431,650  
 Residential REITs    6.3%               

American Homes 4 Rent, Series G, 5.875%, Maturing 07/17/22(oo)

     45,180       1,183,716  

Centerspace, Series C, 6.625%, Maturing 10/02/22(oo)

     27,444       719,170  

UMH Properties, Inc., Series C, 6.750%, Maturing 07/26/22(oo)

     28,516       749,686  
    

 

 

 
       2,652,572  
 Specialized REITs    4.0%               

EPR Properties, Series G, 5.750%, Maturing 11/30/22(oo)

     65,611       1,712,447  
    

 

 

 

 TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
  
(cost $7,438,194)

       8,044,035  
    

 

 

 

 TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
  
(cost $39,306,891)

       42,223,019  
    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16  


 

 

 Description    Shares     Value  
 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT    0.2%             
 AFFILIATED MUTUAL FUND             

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund

    

(cost $108,325)(wa)

     108,325     $ 108,325  
    

 

 

 

 TOTAL INVESTMENTS    99.7%
  
(cost $39,415,216)

       42,331,344  

 Other assets in excess of liabilities    0.3%

       111,375  
    

 

 

 

 NET ASSETS    100.0%

     $     42,442,719  
    

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of the abbreviation(s) used in the annual report:

LIBOR—London Interbank Offered Rate

REITs—Real Estate Investment Trust

(oo)

Perpetual security. Maturity date represents next call date.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

Fair Value Measurements:

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices generally in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates and yield curves, prepayment speeds, foreign currency exchange rates and other observable inputs.

Level 3—unobservable inputs for securities valued in accordance with Board approved fair valuation procedures.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2021 in valuing such portfolio securities:

 

       Level 1           Level 2        Level 3  

Investments in Securities

     

Assets

                

Long-Term Investments

                

Common Stocks

                

Diversified Real Estate Activities

  $     $ 812,697     $ —        

Diversified REITs

    1,530,305       3,005,054       —        

Health Care REITs

    8,612,542             —        

Industrial REITs

          1,160,132       —        

Office REITs

    4,453,230             —        

Real Estate Operating Companies

          1,191,245       —        

Retail REITs

    8,307,022       1,901,567       —        

Specialized REITs

    3,205,190             —        

Preferred Stocks

     

Diversified REITs

    2,247,366             —        

Hotel & Resort REITs

    1,431,650             —        

Residential REITs

    1,933,402       719,170       —        

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    17  


Schedule of Investments (continued)

as of October 31, 2021

 

       Level 1           Level 2        Level 3  

Investments in Securities (continued)

     

Assets (continued)

     

Long-Term Investments (continued)

     

Preferred Stocks (continued)

     

Specialized REITs

  $ 1,712,447     $       $—        

Short-Term Investment

     

Affiliated Mutual Fund

    108,325             —        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 33,541,479     $ 8,789,865       $—        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sector Classification:

The sector classification of investments and other assets in excess of liabilities shown as a percentage of net assets as of October 31, 2021 were as follows (unaudited):

 

Retail REITs

    24.1

Health Care REITs

    20.3  

Diversified REITs

    16.0  

Specialized REITs

    11.5  

Office REITs

    10.5  

Residential REITs

    6.3  

Hotel & Resort REITs

    3.4  

Real Estate Operating Companies

    2.8  

 

Industrial REITs

    2.7

Diversified Real Estate Activities

    1.9  

Affiliated Mutual Fund

    0.2  
 

 

 

 
    99.7  

Other assets in excess of liabilities

    0.3  
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Assets

        

Investments at value:

  

Unaffiliated investments (cost $39,306,891)

   $ 42,223,019  

Affiliated investments (cost $108,325)

     108,325  

Receivable for investments sold

     3,026,539  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     73,450  

Dividends receivable

     54,808  

Tax reclaim receivable

     4,928  

Prepaid expenses

     1,450  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

     45,492,519  
  

 

 

 
  Liabilities        

Payable for investments purchased

     2,891,080  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     61,374  

Payable for Fund shares purchased

     49,991  

Management fee payable

     45,512  

Trustees’ fees payable

     963  

Distribution fee payable

     572  

Affiliated transfer agent fee payable

     288  

Payable to custodian

     20  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     3,049,800  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 42,442,719  
  

 

 

 

    

        

Net assets were comprised of:

  

Shares of beneficial interest, at par

   $ 4,130  

Paid-in capital in excess of par

     32,190,419  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     10,248,170  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, October 31, 2021

   $ 42,442,719  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    19  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of October 31, 2021

 

Class A

        

Net asset value and redemption price per share,
($1,581,733 ÷ 154,160 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 10.26  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

     0.60  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price to public

   $ 10.86  
  

 

 

 
  Class C        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($277,164 ÷ 27,024 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 10.26  
  

 

 

 
  Class Z        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($10,941,398 ÷ 1,063,084 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 10.29  
  

 

 

 
  Class R6        

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share,
($29,642,424 ÷ 2,886,220 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)

   $ 10.27  
  

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20  


 

Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

              

Income

      

Unaffiliated dividend income (net of $23,499 foreign withholding tax)

     $ 1,837,697  

Income from securities lending, net (including affiliated income of $8)

       1,515  

Affiliated dividend income

       747  
    

 

 

   

Total income

       1,839,959  
    

 

 

   

Expenses

      

Management fee

       372,916  

Distribution fee(a)

       7,306  

Custodian and accounting fees

       58,245  

Audit fee

       33,703  

Registration fees(a)

       27,404  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses (including affiliated expense of $1,598)(a)

       21,216  

Legal fees and expenses

       19,317  

Trustees’ fees

       10,193  

Shareholders’ reports

       8,911  

Miscellaneous

       27,747  
    

 

 

   

Total expenses

       586,958  

Less: Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement(a)

       (65,863 )  

    Distribution fee waiver(a)

       (714 )  
    

 

 

   

Net expenses

       520,381  
    

 

 

   

Net investment income (loss)

       1,319,578  
    

 

 

   
  Realized And Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investment And Foreign Currency Transactions           

Net realized gain (loss) on:

      

Investment transactions

       9,194,907  

Foreign currency transactions

       (10,597 )  
    

 

 

   
       9,184,310  
    

 

 

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

      

Investments

       4,313,041  

Foreign currencies

       (712 )  
    

 

 

   
       4,312,329  
    

 

 

   

Net gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

       13,496,639  
    

 

 

   

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 14,816,217  
    

 

 

   

 

(a)

Class specific expenses and waivers were as follows:

 

    Class A     Class C     Class Z     Class R6  

Distribution fee

    4,285       3,021              

Registration fees

    7,628       5,878       8,819       5,079  

Transfer agent’s fees and expenses

    2,634       564       17,885       133  

Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

    (10,869     (6,565     (31,123     (17,306

Distribution fee waiver

    (714                  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    21  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    Year Ended
October 31,
 
    2021     2020  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

               

Operations

   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 1,319,578     $ 419,247  

Net realized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions

    9,184,310       (870,363

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currencies

    4,312,329       (2,992,877
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    14,816,217       (3,443,993
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

   

Distributions from distributable earnings

   

Class A

    (54,882     (63,029

Class C

    (9,354     (42,882

Class Z

    (433,149     (975,513

Class R6

    (1,310,830     (18,654
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,808,215     (1,100,078
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax return of capital distributions

   

Class A

          (10,694

Class C

          (7,275

Class Z

          (165,505

Class R6

          (3,165
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
          (186,639
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fund share transactions (Net of share conversions)

   

Net proceeds from shares sold

    21,122,631       28,004,160  

Net asset value of shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    1,805,219       1,279,740  

Cost of shares purchased

    (25,640,300     (10,568,326
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

    (2,712,450     18,715,574  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease)

    10,295,552       13,984,864  

Net Assets:

               

Beginning of year

    32,147,167       18,162,303  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 42,442,719     $ 32,147,167  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22  


Financial Highlights

 

 

Class A Shares  
     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $7.67       $10.66       $8.76       $9.62       $9.66  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.25       0.27       0.28       0.34       0.39  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     2.70       (2.43     1.97       (0.63     0.05  
Total from investment operations     2.95       (2.16     2.25       (0.29     0.44  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.36     (0.63     (0.35     (0.50     (0.48
Tax return of capital distributions     -       (0.14     -       (0.07     -  
Distributions from net realized gains     -       (0.06     -       -       -  
Total dividends and distributions     (0.36     (0.83     (0.35     (0.57     (0.48
Net asset value, end of year     $10.26       $7.67       $10.66       $8.76       $9.62  
Total Return(b):     38.84     (21.25 )%      26.26     (3.15 )%      4.60

    

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $1,582       $866       $915       $621       $914  
Average net assets (000)     $1,428       $796       $677       $878       $744  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.35     1.36     1.35     1.36     1.35
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     2.16     4.78     4.65     4.85     3.30
Net investment income (loss)     2.56     3.18     2.91     3.73     4.00
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     201     235     257     153     137

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    23  


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class C Shares  
     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $7.67       $10.66       $8.76       $9.62       $9.66  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.18       0.23       0.21       0.27       0.32  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     2.70       (2.45     1.97       (0.63     0.05  
Total from investment operations     2.88       (2.22     2.18       (0.36     0.37  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.29     (0.57     (0.28     (0.44     (0.41
Tax return of capital distributions     -       (0.14     -       (0.06     -  
Distributions from net realized gains     -       (0.06     -       -       -  
Total dividends and distributions     (0.29     (0.77     (0.28     (0.50     (0.41
Net asset value, end of year     $10.26       $7.67       $10.66       $8.76       $9.62  
Total Return(b):     37.84     (21.86 )%      25.34     (3.85 )%      3.83

    

Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $277       $268       $639       $336       $293  
Average net assets (000)     $302       $500       $510       $314       $309  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     2.10     2.11     2.10     2.11     2.10
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     4.27     6.45     5.86     8.85     4.00
Net investment income (loss)     1.92     2.62     2.21     2.98     3.29
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     201     235     257     153     137

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads. Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24  


 

Class Z Shares  
     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Per Share Operating Performance(a):                                        
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year     $7.69       $10.69       $8.78       $9.62       $9.66  
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss)     0.28       0.34       0.31       0.39       0.40  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     2.71       (2.49     1.98       (0.64     0.06  
Total from investment operations     2.99       (2.15     2.29       (0.25     0.46  
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                        
Dividends from net investment income     (0.39     (0.65     (0.38     (0.52     (0.50
Tax return of capital distributions     -       (0.14     -       (0.07     -  
Distributions from net realized gains     -       (0.06     -       -       -  
Total dividends and distributions     (0.39     (0.85     (0.38     (0.59     (0.50
Net asset value, end of year     $10.29       $7.69       $10.69       $8.78       $9.62  
Total Return(b):     39.19     (21.08 )%      26.62     (2.70 )%      4.85

    

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:  
Net assets, end of year (000)     $10,941       $7,797       $16,451       $6,951       $10,681  
Average net assets (000)     $11,287       $9,743       $12,060       $8,632       $8,961  
Ratios to average net assets(c)(d):                                        
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.10     1.11     1.10     0.98     1.10
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.38     2.54     2.31     2.81     2.96
Net investment income (loss)     2.92     3.81     3.17     4.25     4.17
Portfolio turnover rate(e)(f)     201     235     257     153     137

 

(a)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each year reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP.

(c)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(d)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(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.

(f)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    25  


Financial Highlights (continued)

 

Class R6 Shares                                             
                                 December 28, 2016(a)       
     Year Ended October 31,         through October 31,       
     2021     2020     2019     2018         2017       
Per Share Operating Performance(b):                                                
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period     $7.68       $10.67       $8.76       $9.62           $9.33       
Income (loss) from investment operations:                                                
Net investment income (loss)     0.27       0.12       0.31       0.25           0.31      
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment and foreign currency transactions     2.71       (2.26     1.98       (0.52         0.38      
Total from investment operations     2.98       (2.14     2.29       (0.27         0.69      
Less Dividends and Distributions:                                                
Dividends from net investment income     (0.39     (0.65     (0.38     (0.50         (0.40)      
Tax return of capital distributions     -       (0.14     -       (0.09               -      
Distributions from net realized gains     -       (0.06     -       -                 -      
Total dividends and distributions     (0.39     (0.85     (0.38     (0.59         (0.40)      
Net asset value, end of period     $10.27       $7.68       $10.67       $8.76           $9.62        
Total Return(c):     39.11     (21.03 )%      26.54     (2.92 )%             7.43%      
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:                                       
Net assets, end of period (000)     $29,642       $23,216       $158       $70              $11      
Average net assets (000)     $33,597       $675       $115       $17              $11      
Ratios to average net assets(d)(e):                                                
Expenses after waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.10     1.10     1.10     1.10                 1.10%(f)      
Expenses before waivers and/or expense reimbursement     1.15     3.80     8.55     91.97                 2.79%(f)      
Net investment income (loss)     2.82     1.36     3.15     2.70                 3.78%(f)      
Portfolio turnover rate(g)(h)     201     235     257     153                 137%      

 

(a)

Commencement of offering.

(b)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)

Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of a share on the first day and a sale on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestment of dividends and distributions, if any. Total returns may reflect adjustments to conform to GAAP. Total returns for periods less than one full year are not annualized.

(d)

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(e)

Effective November 1, 2017, class specific expenses include transfer agent fees and expenses and registration fees, which are charged to their respective share class.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

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.

(h)

Portfolio turnover excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind fund share transactions (if any).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26  


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.    Organization

Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 (the “Registered Investment Company” or “RIC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The RIC is organized as a Delaware Statutory Trust and currently consists of five separate funds: PGIM Absolute Return Bond Fund, PGIM International Bond Fund, PGIM QMA Large-Cap Core Equity Fund, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund and PGIM Select Real Estate Fund. These financial statements relate only to the PGIM Real Estate Income Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek income and capital appreciation.

2.    Accounting Policies

The Fund follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Fund consistently follows such policies in the preparation of its financial statements.

Securities Valuation: The Fund holds securities and other assets and liabilities that are fair valued as of the close of each day (generally, 4:00 PM Eastern time) the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As described in further detail below, the Fund’s investments are valued daily based on a number of factors, including the type of investment and whether market quotations are readily available. The RIC’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has adopted valuation procedures for security valuation under which fair valuation responsibilities have been delegated to PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments” or the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Board’s delegation, the Manager has established a Valuation Committee responsible for supervising the fair valuation of portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities. The valuation procedures permit the Fund to utilize independent pricing vendor services, quotations from market makers, and alternative valuation methods when market quotations are either not readily available or not deemed representative of fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A record of the Valuation Committee’s actions is subject to the Board’s review at its first quarterly meeting following the quarter in which such actions take place.

For the fiscal reporting year-end, securities and other assets and liabilities were fair valued at the close of the last U.S. business day. Trading in certain foreign securities may occur when

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    27  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

the NYSE is closed (including weekends and holidays). Because such foreign securities trade in markets that are open on weekends and U.S. holidays, the values of some of the Fund’s foreign investments may change on days when investors cannot purchase or redeem Fund shares.

Various inputs determine how the Fund’s investments are valued, all of which are categorized according to the three broad levels (Level 1, 2, or 3) detailed in the Schedule of Investments and referred to herein as the “fair value hierarchy” in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Common or preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and derivative instruments, if applicable, that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of trading on the applicable exchange where the security principally trades. Securities traded via NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. To the extent these securities are valued at the last sale price or NASDAQ official closing price, they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. In the event that no sale or official closing price on valuation date exists, these securities are generally valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices, or at the last bid price in the absence of an ask price. These securities are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Foreign equities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued using pricing vendor services that provide model prices derived using adjustment factors based on information such as local closing price, relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable. Securities valued using such model prices are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The models generate an evaluated adjustment factor for each security, which is applied to the local closing price to adjust it for post closing market movements up to the time the Fund is valued. Utilizing that evaluated adjustment factor, the vendor provides an evaluated price for each security. If the vendor does not provide an evaluated price, securities are valued in accordance with exchange-traded common and preferred stock valuation policies discussed above.

Investments in open-end funds (other than exchange-traded funds) are valued at their net asset values as of the close of the NYSE on the date of valuation. These securities are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy since they may be purchased or sold at their net asset values on the date of valuation.

Securities and other assets that cannot be priced according to the methods described above are valued based on pricing methodologies approved by the Board. In the event that unobservable inputs are used when determining such valuations, the securities will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Altering one or more unobservable inputs may result in a significant change to a Level 3 security’s fair value measurement.

 

28  


When determining the fair value of securities, some of the factors influencing the valuation include: the nature of any restrictions on disposition of the securities; assessment of the general liquidity of the securities; the issuer’s financial condition and the markets in which it does business; the cost of the investment; the size of the holding and the capitalization of the issuer; the prices of any recent transactions or bids/offers for such securities or any comparable securities; any available analyst media or other reports or information deemed reliable by the Manager regarding the issuer or the markets or industry in which it operates. Using fair value to price securities may result in a value that is different from a security’s most recent closing price and from the price used by other unaffiliated mutual funds to calculate their net asset values.

Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:

(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rate as of the valuation date;

(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not generally isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities held at the end of the period. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of long-term portfolio securities sold during the period. Accordingly, holding period unrealized and realized foreign currency gains (losses) are included in the reported Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and Net realized gains (losses) on investment transactions on the Statements of Operations.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from the disposition of holdings of foreign currencies, currency gains (losses) realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of interest, dividends and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) arise from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities (other than investments) at period end exchange rates.

Master Netting Arrangements: The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, is subject to various Master Agreements, or netting arrangements, with select counterparties. These are agreements which a subadviser may have negotiated and entered into on behalf of all or a portion of the Fund. A master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty permits the Fund to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received; and by the receipt of collateral from the counterparty by the Fund to cover the

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    29  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Fund’s exposure to the counterparty. However, there is no assurance that such mitigating factors are easily enforceable. In addition to master netting arrangements, the right to set-off exists when all the conditions are met such that each of the parties owes the other determinable amounts, the reporting party has the right to set-off the amount owed with the amount owed by the other party, the reporting party intends to set-off and the right of set-off is enforceable by law.

Securities Lending: The Fund lends its portfolio securities to banks and broker-dealers. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Collateral pledged by each borrower is invested in an affiliated money market fund and is marked to market daily, based on the previous day’s market value, such that the value of the collateral exceeds the value of the loaned securities. In the event of significant appreciation in value of securities on loan on the last business day of the reporting period, the financial statements may reflect a collateral value that is less than the market value of the loaned securities. Such shortfall is remedied as described above. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the loaned securities. The remaining maturities of the securities lending transactions are considered overnight and continuous. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral.

The Fund recognizes income, net of any rebate and securities lending agent fees, for lending its securities in the form of fees or interest on the investment of any cash received as collateral. The borrower receives all interest and dividends from the securities loaned and such payments are passed back to the lender in amounts equivalent thereto, which are reflected in interest income or unaffiliated dividend income based on the nature of the payment on the Statement of Operations. The Fund also continues to recognize any unrealized gain (loss) in the market price of the securities loaned and on the change in the value of the collateral invested that may occur during the term of the loan. In addition, realized gain (loss) is recognized on changes in the value of the collateral invested upon liquidation of the collateral. Net earnings from securities lending are disclosed in the Statement of Operations.

Equity and Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (collectively REITs): The Fund invested in REITs, which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Based on current and historical information, a portion of distributions received from REITs during the period is estimated to be dividend income, capital gain or return of capital and recorded accordingly. When material, these estimates are adjusted periodically when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the REITs.

 

30  


Securities Transactions and Net Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains (losses) from investment and currency transactions are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-date, or for certain foreign securities, when the Fund becomes aware of such dividends. Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis, which may require the use of certain estimates by management that may differ from actual. Net investment income or loss (other than class specific expenses and waivers, which are allocated as noted below) and unrealized and realized gains (losses) are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of adjusted net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Class specific expenses and waivers, where applicable, are charged to the respective share classes. Such class specific expenses and waivers include distribution fees and distribution fee waivers, shareholder servicing fees, transfer agent’s fees and expenses, registration fees and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable.

Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable net investment income and capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, interest and capital gains, if any, are recorded, net of reclaimable amounts, at the time the related income is earned.

Tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permits a direct REIT shareholder to claim a 20% “qualified business income” deduction for ordinary REIT dividends. The tax legislation did not expressly permit regulated investment companies (“RICs”) paying dividends attributable to such income to pass through this special treatment to its shareholders. On January 18, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations that permit RICs to pass through “qualified REIT dividends” to their shareholders.

Dividends and Distributions: The Fund expects to pay dividends from net investment income quarterly. Distributions from net realized capital and currency gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Dividends and distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date. Permanent book/tax differences relating to income and gain (loss) are reclassified between total distributable earnings (loss) and paid-in capital in excess of par, as appropriate.

Estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    31  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.    Agreements

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a management agreement with the Manager. Pursuant to this agreement, the Manager has responsibility for all investment advisory services and supervises the subadviser’s performance of such services.

The Manager has entered into a subadvisory agreement with PGIM, Inc., which provides subadvisory services to the Fund through its business unit, PGIM Real Estate, and PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PGIM, Inc. (collectively referred to herein as the “subadviser”). The Manager pays for the services of the subadviser.

The management fee paid to the Manager is accrued daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to and including $1 billion, 0.78% of the next $2 billion, 0.76% of the next $2 billion, 0.75% of the next $5 billion and 0.74% of the Fund’s average daily net assets in excess of $10 billion. The effective management fee rate before any waivers and/or expense reimbursements was 0.80% for the year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has contractually agreed, through February 28, 2023, to limit total annual operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements to 1.35% of average daily net assets for Class A shares, 2.10% of average daily net assets for Class C shares, 1.10% of average daily net assets for Class Z shares and 1.10% of average daily net assets for Class R6 shares. This contractual waiver excludes interest, brokerage, taxes (such as income and foreign withholding taxes, stamp duty and deferred tax expenses), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and certain other Fund expenses such as dividend and interest expense and broker charges on short sales.

Where applicable, the Manager agrees to waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class. In addition, total annual operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual operating expenses for Class Z shares. Fees and/or expenses waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager may be recouped by the Manager within the same fiscal year during which such waiver/reimbursement is made if such recoupment can be realized without exceeding the expense limit in effect at the time of the recoupment for that fiscal year.

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, has a distribution agreement with Prudential Investment Management Services LLC (“PIMS”), which acts as the distributor of the Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares of the Fund. The Fund compensates PIMS for distributing and servicing the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, pursuant to the plans of distribution (the “Distribution Plans”), regardless of expenses actually incurred by PIMS.

 

32  


Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Fund compensates PIMS for distribution related activities at an annual rate of up to 0.30% and 1% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class C shares, respectively. PIMS has contractually agreed through February 28, 2023 to limit such fees to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares. The distribution fees are accrued daily and payable monthly. No distribution or service fees are paid to PIMS as distributor of the Class Z or Class R6 shares of the Fund.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS received $17,458 in front-end sales charges resulting from sales of Class A shares. Additionally, for the year ended October 31, 2021, PIMS did not receive any contingent deferred sales charges imposed upon redemptions by certain Class A and Class C shareholders. From these fees, PIMS paid such sales charges to broker-dealers, who in turn paid commissions to salespersons and incurred other distribution costs.

PGIM Investments, PGIM, Inc., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited and PIMS are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Prudential Financial, Inc. (“Prudential”).

4.    Other Transactions with Affiliates

Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (“PMFS”), an affiliate of PGIM Investments and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent. Transfer agent’s fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations include certain out-of-pocket expenses paid to non-affiliates, where applicable.

The Fund may invest its overnight sweep cash in the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (the “Core Fund”), and its securities lending cash collateral in the PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (the “Money Market Fund”), each a fund of Prudential Investment Portfolios 2, registered under the 1940 Act and managed by PGIM Investments. PGIM Investments and/or its affiliates are paid fees or reimbursed for providing their services to the Core Fund and the Money Market Fund. In addition to the realized and unrealized gains on investments in the Core Fund and Money Market Fund, earnings from such investments are disclosed on the Statement of Operations as “Affiliated dividend income” and “Income from securities lending, net”, respectively.

The Fund may enter into certain securities purchase or sale transactions under Board approved Rule 17a-7 procedures. Rule 17a-7 is an exemptive rule under the 1940 Act, that subject to certain conditions, permits purchase and sale transactions among affiliated investment companies, or between an investment company and a person that is affiliated solely by reason of having a common (or affiliated) investment adviser, common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. For the year ended October 31, 2021, no 17a-7 transactions were entered into by the Fund.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    33  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.    Portfolio Securities

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Government securities) for the year ended October 31, 2021, were $91,612,672 and $94,524,283, respectively.

A summary of the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of shares of affiliated mutual funds for the year ended October 31, 2021, is presented as follows:

 

Value,
Beginning
of Year
   

Cost of

Purchases

   

Proceeds

from Sales

    Change in
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
    Realized
Gain
(Loss)
   

Value,

End of Year

   

Shares,

End

of Year

    Income  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Short-Term Investments - Affiliated Mutual Funds:

 
 

PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund (1)(wa)

 
  $36,440               $31,245,981       $31,174,096       $—             $—             $108,325         108,325       $747  
 

PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund (1)(b)(wa)

 
  —               993,000       993,000       —             —             —               8 (2)  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $36,440               $32,238,981       $32,167,096       $—             $—             $108,325           $755  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund did not have any capital gain distributions during the reporting period.

(2)

The amount, or a portion thereof, represents the affiliated securities lending income shown on the Statement of Operations.

(b)

Represents security, or portion thereof, purchased with cash collateral received for securities on loan and includes dividend reinvestment.

(wa)

PGIM Investments LLC, the manager of the Fund, also serves as manager of the PGIM Core Ultra Short Bond Fund and PGIM Institutional Money Market Fund, if applicable.

6.    Distributions and Tax Information

Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations and which may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-date.

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund was $1,808,215 of ordinary income. For the year ended October 31, 2020, the tax character of dividends paid by the Fund were $1,100,078 of ordinary income and $186,639 of tax return of capital.

As of October 31, 2021, the accumulated undistributed earnings on a tax basis was $7,532,936 of ordinary income.

 

34  


The United States federal income tax basis of the Fund’s investments and the net unrealized appreciation as of October 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

Tax Basis  

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

 

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

 

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

$39,613,539   $3,842,167   $(1,124,362)   $2,717,805

The difference between GAAP and tax basis were primarily due to deferred losses on wash sales and book/tax differences in the treatment of passive foreign investment companies.

The Fund utilized approximately $1,286,000 of its capital loss carryforward to offset net taxable gains realized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.

The Manager has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state and local income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements for the current reporting period. Since tax authorities can examine previously filed tax returns, the Fund’s U.S. federal and state tax returns for each of the four fiscal years up to the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 are subject to such review.

7.    Capital and Ownership

The Fund offers Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6 shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.50%. Investors who purchase $1 million or more of Class A shares and sell these shares within 12 months of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1%, although they are not subject to an initial sales charge. The Class A CDSC is waived for certain retirement and/or benefit plans. A special exchange privilege is also available for shareholders who qualified to purchase Class A shares at net asset value. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1% on sales made within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis approximately eight years (ten years prior to January 22, 2021) after purchase. Class Z and Class R6 shares are not subject to any sales or redemption charges and are available exclusively for sale to a limited group of investors.

Under certain circumstances, an exchange may be made from specified share classes of the Fund to one or more other share classes of the Fund as presented in the table of transactions in shares of beneficial interest, below.

The RIC has authorized an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund at $0.001 par value per share, currently divided into four classes, designated Class A, Class C, Class Z and Class R6.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    35  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

As of October 31, 2021, Prudential, through its affiliated entities, including affiliated funds (if applicable), owned shares of the Fund as follows:

 

       Number of Shares     Percentage of
  Outstanding Shares  

Class Z

      720,800       67.8%

Class R6

      2,629,619       91.1%

At the reporting period end, the number of shareholders holding greater than 5% of the Fund are as follows:

 

Affiliated   Unaffiliated

Number of

Shareholders

  Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
  Number of
Shareholders
 

Percentage of

Outstanding Shares

2   81.1%   1   15.8%

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

Class A

  Shares     Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    79,927     $ 748,083  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    5,448       53,702  

Shares purchased

    (47,077     (456,874
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    38,298       344,911  

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

    2,962       28,998  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    41,260     $ 373,909  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    73,503     $ 633,458  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    7,918       70,705  

Shares purchased

    (54,331     (478,284
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    27,090     $ 225,879  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class C

           

Year ended October 31, 2021:

   

Shares sold

    3,450     $ 34,123  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    961       9,354  

Shares purchased

    (9,335     (94,421
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

    (4,924     (50,944

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

    (2,962     (28,998
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (7,886   $ (79,942
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

   

Shares sold

    16,306     $ 169,704  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    5,405       50,157  

Shares purchased

    (46,711     (387,442
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

    (25,000   $ (167,581
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

36  


Class Z

     Shares      Amount  

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

       450,856      $ 4,063,420  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       44,107        431,334  

Shares purchased

       (217,541      (2,132,230
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       277,422        2,362,524  

Shares purchased upon conversion into other share class(es)

       (227,572      (2,384,950
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       49,850      $ (22,426
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

       317,921      $ 2,882,817  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       122,355        1,137,059  

Shares purchased

       (966,399      (9,534,838
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (526,123    $ (5,514,962
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class R6

               

Year ended October 31, 2021:

       

Shares sold

       1,745,152      $ 16,277,005  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       134,512        1,310,829  

Shares purchased

       (2,245,276      (22,956,775
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding before conversion

       (365,612      (5,368,941

Shares issued upon conversion from other share class(es)

       228,225        2,384,950  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       (137,387    $ (2,983,991
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2020:

       

Shares sold

       3,027,301      $ 24,318,181  

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

       2,578        21,819  

Shares purchased

       (21,124      (167,762
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

       3,008,755      $ 24,172,238  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

8.  Borrowings

The RIC, on behalf of the Fund, along with other affiliated registered investment companies (the “Participating Funds”), is a party to a Syndicated Credit Agreement (“SCA”) with a group of banks. The purpose of the SCA is to provide an alternative source of temporary funding for capital share redemptions. The table below provides details of the SCA.

 

      Current SCA    Prior SCA

Term of Commitment

   10/1/2021 – 9/29/2022    10/2/2020 – 9/30/2021
     

Total Commitment

   $ 1,200,000,000    $ 1,200,000,000
     
Annualized Commitment Fee on the Unused Portion of the SCA    0.15%    0.15%
     
Annualized Interest Rate on Borrowings    1.20% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent    1.30% plus the higher of (1) the effective federal funds rate, (2) the one-month LIBOR rate or (3) zero percent

Certain affiliated registered investment companies that are parties to the SCA include portfolios that are subject to a predetermined mathematical formula used to manage certain benefit guarantees offered under variable annuity contracts. The formula may result in large scale asset flows into and out of these portfolios. Consequently, these portfolios may be more likely to utilize the SCA for purposes of funding redemptions. It may be possible for those

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    37  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

portfolios to fully exhaust the committed amount of the SCA, thereby requiring the Manager to allocate available funding per a Board-approved methodology designed to treat the Participating Funds in the SCA equitably.

The Fund utilized the SCA during the year ended October 31, 2021. The average daily balance for the 25 days that the Fund had loans outstanding during the period was approximately $1,075,040, borrowed at a weighted average interest rate of 1.38%. The maximum loan outstanding amount during the period was $14,783,000. At October 31, 2021, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan amount.

9.  Risks of Investing in the Fund

The Fund’s risks include, but are not limited to, some or all of the risks discussed below. For further information on the Fund’s risks, please refer to the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Active Trading Risk: The Fund actively and frequently trades its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover results in higher transaction costs, which can affect the Fund’s performance and have adverse tax consequences. In addition, high portfolio turnover may also mean that a proportionately greater amount of distributions to shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income rather than long-term capital gains compared to investment companies with lower portfolio turnover.

Distribution Risk: The Fund’s distributions may consist of net investment income, if any, and net realized gains, if any, from the sale of investments and/or return of capital. The Fund will provide to shareholders early in each calendar year the final tax character of the Fund’s distributions for the previous year. Also, at such time that the Fund distribution is expected to be from sources other than current or accumulated net income, a notice to shareholders may be required.

Economic and Market Events Risk: Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth or the functioning of the securities markets, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Relatively reduced liquidity in credit and fixed income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide.

Emerging Markets Risk: The risks of foreign investments are greater for investments in or exposed to emerging markets. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and can be expected to be less stable, than those of more developed countries. For example, the economies of such countries can be

 

38  


subject to rapid and unpredictable rates of inflation or deflation. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by non-U.S. investors, or that prevent non-U.S. investors from withdrawing their money at will.

The Fund may invest in some emerging markets that subject it to risks such as those associated with illiquidity, custody of assets, different settlement and clearance procedures and asserting legal title under a developing legal and regulatory regime to a greater degree than in developed markets or even in other emerging markets.

Equity and Equity-Related Securities Risk: Equity and equity-related securities may be subject to changes in value, and their values may be more volatile than those of other asset classes. In addition to an individual security losing value, the value of the equity markets or a sector in which the Fund invests could go down. Different parts of a market can react differently to adverse issuer, market, regulatory, political and economic developments.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) may involve more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign political, economic and legal systems, especially those in developing and emerging market countries, may be less stable and more volatile than in the United States. Foreign legal systems generally have fewer regulatory requirements than the U.S. legal system, particularly those of emerging markets. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. companies than U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Additionally, the changing value of foreign currencies and changes in exchange rates could also affect the value of the assets the Fund holds and the Fund’s performance. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. Investments in emerging markets are subject to greater volatility and price declines.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation and adverse diplomatic developments. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

Increase in Expenses Risk: Your actual cost of investing in the Fund may be higher than the expenses shown in the expense table in the Fund’s prospectus for a variety of reasons. For example, expense ratios may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile. Active and frequent trading of Fund securities can increase expenses.

Large Shareholder and Large Scale Redemption Risk: Certain individuals, accounts, funds (including funds affiliated with the Manager) or institutions, including the Manager and its

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    39  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

affiliates, may from time to time own or control a substantial amount of the Fund’s shares. There is no requirement that these entities maintain their investment in the Fund. There is a risk that such large shareholders or that the Fund’s shareholders generally may redeem all or a substantial portion of their investments in the Fund in a short period of time, which could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s NAV, liquidity, and brokerage costs. Large redemptions could also result in tax consequences to shareholders and impact the Fund’s ability to implement its investment strategy. The Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective after one or more large scale redemptions may be impaired and, as a result, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

Market Capitalization Risk: The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. Generally, the stock prices of small- and mid-cap companies are less stable than the prices of large-cap stocks and may present greater risks. Large capitalization companies as a group could fall out of favor with the market, causing the Fund to underperform compared to investments that focus on smaller capitalized companies.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risks: International wars or conflicts and geopolitical developments in foreign countries, along with instability in regions such as Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, possible terrorist attacks in the United States or around the world, public health epidemics such as the outbreak of infectious diseases like the outbreak of COVID-19 globally in 2020 or the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa of the Ebola virus, and other similar events could adversely affect the U.S. and foreign financial markets, including increases in market volatility, reduced liquidity in the securities markets and government intervention, and may cause further long-term economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide generally. The coronavirus pandemic and the related governmental and public responses have had and may continue to have an impact on the Fund’s investments and net asset value and have led and may continue to lead to increased market volatility and the potential for illiquidity in certain classes of securities and sectors of the market. Preventative or protective actions that governments may take in respect of pandemic or epidemic diseases may result in periods of business disruption, business closures, inability to obtain raw materials, supplies and component parts, and reduced or disrupted operations for the issuers in which the Fund invests. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility and security pricing. The occurrence, reoccurrence and pendency of such diseases could adversely affect the economies (including through changes in business activity and increased unemployment) and financial markets either in specific countries or worldwide.

Market Risk: Securities markets may be volatile and the market prices of the Fund’s securities may decline. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in an issuer’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the Fund fall, the value of your investment in the Fund will decline.

 

40  


Non-Diversified Investment Company Risk: The Fund is non-diversified for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act). This means that the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single company or other issuer than a diversified fund. Investing in a non-diversified fund involves greater risk than investing in a diversified fund because a loss resulting from the decline in value of any one security may represent a greater portion of the total assets of a non-diversified fund.

Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk: Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified geographically or by property/mortgage asset type, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs may be more volatile and/or more illiquid than other types of equity securities. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are subject to interest rate risks. REITs may incur significant amounts of leverage. The Fund will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Fund.

REITs must also meet certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) to avoid entity level tax and be eligible to pass-through certain tax attributes of their income to shareholders. REITs are consequently subject to the risk of failing to meet these requirements for favorable tax treatment and of failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940. REITs are subject to the risks of changes in the Code affecting their tax status.

Real Estate Related Securities Risk: Because the Fund invests in real estate securities, including REITs, the Fund is subject to the risks of investing in the real estate industry, such as changes in general and local economic conditions, the supply and demand for real estate and changes in zoning and tax laws. Since the Fund concentrates in the real estate industry, its holdings can vary significantly from broad market indices. As a result, the Fund’s performance can deviate from the performance of such indices. Because the Fund invests in stocks, there is the risk that the price of a particular stock owned by the Fund could go down or pay lower-than-expected or no dividends. In addition to an individual stock losing value, the value of the equity markets or of companies comprising the real estate industry could go down. An investment in the Fund will be closely linked to the performance of the real estate markets. Real estate securities are subject to the same risks as direct investments in real estate and mortgages, and their value will depend on the value of the underlying properties or the underlying loans or interests. The underlying loans may be subject to the risks of default or of prepayments that occur earlier or later than expected, and such loans may also include so-called “subprime” mortgages. The value of these securities will rise and fall in response to many factors, including economic conditions, the demand for rental property and interest rates. In particular, the value of these securities may decline when interest rates rise and will also be affected by the real estate market and by the management of the underlying properties.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    41  


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Selection Risk: Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by the subadviser will underperform the market, the relevant indices, or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. Individual REIT prices may drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans, a dividend reduction, a disruption to the real estate investment sales market, changes in federal or state taxation policies affecting REITs, or poor management of a REIT.

Value Style Risk: Since the Fund follows a value investment style, there is the risk that the value style may be out of favor for long periods of time, that the market will not recognize a security’s intrinsic value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. Issuers of value stocks may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the stock to be out of favor. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors, negatively affecting the Fund’s performance. If the Fund’s assessment of market conditions or a company’s value is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds.

10.    Recent Regulatory Developments

On December 3, 2020, the SEC announced that it voted to adopt a new rule that establishes an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation practices (the “Rule”). The Rule, in part, provides (i) a framework for determining fair value in good faith and (ii) provides for a fund Board’s assignment of its responsibility for the execution of valuation-related activities to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Rule took effect on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the Rule and its impact to the Fund.

 

42  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9 and Shareholders of PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of PGIM Real Estate Income Fund (one of the funds constituting Prudential Investment Portfolios 9, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (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 October 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2019 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 16, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinion

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

 

We conducted our audits 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 October 31, 2021 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.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 16, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the PGIM Retail Funds complex since 2020.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund

    43  


Tax Information (unaudited)

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund reports the maximum amount allowable, but not less than 1.38% of the ordinary income dividends paid during the year as qualified dividend income in accordance with Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

In January 2022, you will be advised on IRS Form 1099-DIV or substitute 1099-DIV as to the federal tax status of the dividends received by you in calendar year 2021.

 

44  


INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS (unaudited)

Information about Board Members and Officers of the Fund is set forth below. Board Members who are not deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, are referred to as “Independent Board Members.” Board Members who are deemed to be “interested persons” of the Fund are referred to as “Interested Board Members.” The Board Members are responsible for the overall supervision of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Board in turn elects the Officers, who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Ellen S. Alberding

1958

Board Member Portfolios Overseen: 95

   President and Board Member, The Joyce Foundation (charitable foundation) (since 2002); formerly Vice Chair, City Colleges of Chicago (community college system) (2011-2015); Trustee, National Park Foundation (charitable foundation for national park system) (2009-2018); Trustee, Economic Club of Chicago (2009-2016); Trustee, Loyola University (since 2018).    None.    Since September 2013
       

Kevin J. Bannon

1952

Board Member Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; formerly Managing Director (April 2008-May 2015) and Chief Investment Officer (October 2008-November 2013) of Highmount Capital LLC (registered investment adviser); formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer (April 1993-August 2007) of Bank of New York Company; President (May 2003-May 2007) of BNY Hamilton Family of Mutual Funds.    Director of Urstadt Biddle Properties (equity real estate investment trust) (since September 2008).    Since July 2008

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Linda W. Bynoe

1952

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 92

   President and Chief Executive Officer (since March 1995) and formerly Chief Operating Officer (December 1989-February 1995) of Telemat Limited LLC (formerly Telemat Ltd) (management consulting); formerly Vice President (January 1985-June 1989) at Morgan Stanley & Co. (broker-dealer).    Trustee of Equity Residential (residential real estate) (since December 2009); Director of Northern Trust Corporation (financial services) (since April 2006); formerly Director of Anixter International, Inc. (communication products distributor) (January 2006-June 2020).    Since March 2005
       

Barry H. Evans

1960

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly President (2005-2016), Global Chief Operating Officer (2014-2016), Chief Investment Officer - Global Head of Fixed Income (1998-2014), and various portfolio manager roles (1986-2006), Manulife Asset Management (asset management).    Formerly Director, Manulife Trust Company (2011-2018); formerly Director, Manulife Asset Management Limited (2015-2017); formerly Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manulife Asset Management U.S. (2005-2016); formerly Chairman of the Board, Declaration Investment Management and Research (2008-2016).    Since September 2017
       

Keith F. Hartstein

1956

Board Member & Independent Chair Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Retired; Executive Committee of the Independent Directors Council (IDC) Board of Governors (since October 2019); Member (since November 2014) of the Governing Council of the IDC (organization of independent mutual fund directors); formerly President and Chief Executive Officer (2005-2012), Senior Vice President (2004-2005), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing (1997-2004), and various executive management positions (1990-1997), John Hancock Funds, LLC (asset management); Chairman, Investment Company Institute’s Sales Force Marketing Committee (2003-2008).    None.    Since September 2013

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Laurie Simon Hodrick

1962

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 91

   A. Barton Hepburn Professor Emerita of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (since 2018); Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University (since 2015); Sole Member, ReidCourt LLC (since 2008) (a consulting firm); formerly Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (2015-2021); formerly A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Business, Columbia Business School (1996-2017); formerly Managing Director, Global Head of Alternative Investment Strategies, Deutsche Bank (2006-2008).    Independent Director, Roku (since December 2020) (communication services); formerly Independent Director, Synnex Corporation (2019-2021) (information technology); formerly Independent Director, Kabbage, Inc. (2018-2020) (financial services); formerly Independent Director, Corporate Capital Trust (2017-2018) (a business development company).    Since September 2017
       

Brian K. Reid

1961

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Chief Economist for the Investment Company Institute (ICI) (2005-2017); formerly Senior Economist and Director of Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1998-2004); formerly Senior Economist, Industry and Financial Analysis at the ICI (1996-1998); formerly Staff Economist at the Federal Reserve Board (1989-1996); Director, ICI Mutual Insurance Company (2012-2017).    None.    Since March 2018

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Independent Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Grace C. Torres

1959

Board Member

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   Retired; formerly Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, Prudential Variable Contract Accounts and The Prudential Series Fund (1998-June 2014); Assistant Treasurer (March 1999-June 2014) and Senior Vice President (September 1999-June 2014) of PGIM Investments LLC; Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) and Vice President (June 2005-June 2014) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (May 2003-June 2014) of Prudential Annuities Advisory Services, Inc.    Director (since January 2018) of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and OceanFirst Bank; formerly Director (July 2015-January 2018) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. N.A. and Sun National Bank.    Since November 2014

 

Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Stuart S. Parker

1962

Board Member &

President

Portfolios Overseen: 94

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Officer in Charge of PGIM Investments LLC (formerly known as Prudential Investments LLC) (since January 2012); formerly Executive Vice President of Jennison Associates LLC and Head of Retail Distribution of PGIM Investments LLC (June 2005-December 2011); Investment Company Institute - Board of Governors (since May 2012).    None.    Since January 2012

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Interested Board Members          
       

Name

Year of Birth

Position(s)

Portfolios Overseen

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships

Held During

Past Five Years

   Length of
Board Service
       

Scott E. Benjamin

1973

Board Member & Vice President

Portfolios Overseen: 95

   Executive Vice President (since May 2009) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President (since June 2012) of Prudential Investment Management Services LLC; Executive Vice President (since September 2009) of AST Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, PGIM Investments (since February 2006); formerly Vice President of Product Development and Product Management, PGIM Investments LLC (2003-2006).    None.    Since March 2010

(1) The year that each Board Member joined the Board is as follows:

Ellen S. Alberding, 2013; Kevin J. Bannon, 2008; Linda W. Bynoe, 2005; Barry H. Evans, 2017; Keith F. Hartstein, 2013; Laurie Simon Hodrick, 2017; Michael S. Hyland, 2008; Richard A. Redeker, 1993; Stephen G. Stoneburn, 2003; Stuart S. Parker, Board Member since 2012 and President since 2012; Scott E. Benjamin, Board Member since 2010 and Vice President since 2009; Grace C. Torres, 2014.

 

Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   

Length of

Service as Fund

Officer

     

Claudia DiGiacomo

1974

Chief Legal Officer

   Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since August 2020); Chief Legal Officer of PIFM Holdco, LLC (since August 2020); Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since January 2005) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel of AST Investment Services, Inc. (since August 2020); formerly Vice President and Assistant Secretary of PGIM Investments LLC (2005-2020); formerly Associate at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (1999-2004).    Since December 2005

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Dino Capasso

1974

Chief Compliance Officer

   Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2019) of the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, Advanced Series Trust, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., and PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund; Vice President and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (June 2017-2019) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel (January 2016-June 2017), and Vice President and Counsel (February 2012-December 2015) of Pacific Investment Management Company LLC.    Since July 2019
     

Andrew R. French

1962

Secretary

   Vice President (since December 2018) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Vice President and Corporate Counsel (2010-2018) of Prudential; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (2006-2010) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of PGIM Investments LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since January 2007) of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC.    Since October 2006
     

Diana N. Huffman

1982

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2015) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2009-2015).    Since March 2019
     

Melissa Gonzalez

1980

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since September 2018) of Prudential; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; formerly Director and Corporate Counsel (March 2014-September 2018) of Prudential.    Since March 2020
     

Patrick E. McGuinness

1986

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since August 2020) of PGIM Investments LLC; Director and Corporate Counsel (since February 2017) of Prudential; and Corporate Counsel (2012-2017) of IIL, Inc.    Since June 2020
     

Debra Rubano

1975

Assistant Secretary

   Vice President and Corporate Counsel (since November 2020) of Prudential; formerly Director and Senior Counsel of Allianz Global Investors U.S. Holdings LLC (2010-2020) and Assistant Secretary of numerous funds in the Allianz fund complex (2015-2020).    Since December 2020
     

Kelly A. Coyne

1968

Assistant Secretary

   Director, Investment Operations of Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC (since 2010).    Since March 2015

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


Fund Officers(a)            
     

Name

Year of Birth

Fund Position

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Length of
Service as Fund
Officer
     

Christian J. Kelly

1975

Treasurer and Principal Financial

and Accounting Officer

   Vice President, Head of Fund Administration of PGIM Investments LLC (since November 2018); formerly Director of Fund Administration of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC (2009-2018), Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (2017-2018); Director of Accounting, Avenue Capital Group (2008-2009); Senior Manager, Investment Management Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP (1998-2007).    Since January 2019
     

Lana Lomuti

1967

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2007) and Director (2005-2007), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration; formerly Assistant Treasurer (December 2007-February 2014) of The Greater China Fund, Inc.    Since April 2014
     

Russ Shupak

1973

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2013-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Deborah Conway

1969

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2007-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Elyse M. McLaughlin

1974

Assistant Treasurer

   Vice President (since 2017) and Director (2011-2017), within PGIM Investments Fund Administration.    Since September 2019
     

Jonathan Corbett

1983

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

   Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Global Compliance Programs and Compliance Risk Management (since August 2019) of Prudential; formerly Vice President and Head of Key Risk Areas Compliance (March 2016 to July 2019), Chief Privacy Officer (March 2016 to July 2019) and Head of Global Financial Crimes Unit (April 2014 to March 2016) at MetLife.    Since October 2021

(a) Excludes Mr. Parker and Mr. Benjamin, interested Board Members who also serve as President and Vice President, respectively.

Explanatory Notes to Tables:

 

Board Members are deemed to be “Interested,” as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of their affiliation with PGIM Investments LLC and/or an affiliate of PGIM Investments LLC.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, the address of all Board Members and Officers is c/o PGIM Investments LLC, 655 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102-4410.

 

 

There is no set term of office for Board Members or Officers. The Board Members have adopted a retirement policy, which calls for the retirement of Board Members on December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 75.

 

 

“Other Directorships Held” includes all directorships of companies required to register or file reports with the SEC under the 1934 Act (that is, “public companies”) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

 

 

“Portfolios Overseen” includes all investment companies managed by PGIM Investments LLC. The investment companies for which PGIM Investments LLC serves as manager include the PGIM Funds, Target Funds, The Prudential Variable Contract Accounts, PGIM ETF Trust, PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc., PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc., PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund, The Prudential Series Fund, Prudential’s Gibraltar Fund, Inc. and the Advanced Series Trust.

 

 

As used in the Fund Officers table “Prudential” means The Prudential Insurance Company of America.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of PGIM Real Estate Income Fund (the “Fund”)1 consists of ten individuals, eight of whom are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Fund and its operations, and performs the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Trustees have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Board has established four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and two Investment Committees. Each committee is chaired by, and composed of, Independent Trustees.

Annual Approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreements

As required under the 1940 Act, the Board determines annually whether to renew the Fund’s management agreement with PGIM Investments LLC (“PGIM Investments”) and the Fund’s subadvisory agreement with PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited (“PGIM RE (UK)”) and PGIM, Inc. (“PGIM”) on behalf of its PGIM Real Estate unit (“PGIM Real Estate”). In considering the renewal of the agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met on June 7-10, 2021 and approved the renewal of the agreements through July 31, 2022, after concluding that the renewal of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

In advance of the meetings, the Board requested and received materials relating to the agreements, and had the opportunity to ask questions and request further information in connection with its consideration. Among other things, the Board considered comparative fee information from PGIM Investments, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM. Also, the Board considered comparisons with other mutual funds in relevant Peer Universes and Peer Groups, as is further discussed below.

In approving the agreements, the Board, including the Independent Trustees advised by independent legal counsel, considered the factors it deemed relevant, including the nature, quality and extent of services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisers, the performance of the Fund, the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates, expenses and fees, and the potential for economies of scale that may be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund’s assets grow. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any single factor which alone was responsible for the Board’s decision to approve the agreements with respect to the Fund. In connection with its deliberations, the Board considered information provided by PGIM Investments throughout the year at regular Board meetings, presentations from portfolio managers and other information, as well as information furnished at or in advance of the meetings on June 7-10, 2021.

 

 

1 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund is a series of Prudential Investment Portfolios 9.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

The Trustees determined that the overall arrangements between the Fund and PGIM Investments, which serves as the Fund’s investment manager pursuant to a management agreement, and between PGIM Investments and each of PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM, which serve as the Fund’s subadvisers pursuant to the terms of a subadvisory agreement with PGIM Investments, are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders in light of the services performed, fees charged and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their business judgment.

The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees’ reaching their determinations to approve the continuance of the agreements are separately discussed below.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board received and considered information regarding the nature, quality and extent of services provided to the Fund by PGIM Investments, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM Real Estate. The Board noted that PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) are affiliated with PGIM Investments. The Board considered the services provided by PGIM Investments, including but not limited to the oversight of the subadvisers for the Fund, as well as the provision of fund recordkeeping, compliance and other services to the Fund and PGIM Investments’ role as the administrator for the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. With respect to PGIM Investments’ oversight of the subadvisers, the Board noted that PGIM Investments’ Strategic Investment Research Group (“SIRG”), which is a business unit of PGIM Investments, is responsible for monitoring and reporting to PGIM Investments’ senior management on the performance and operations of the subadvisers. The Board also considered that PGIM Investments pays the salaries of all of the officers and interested Trustees of the Fund who are part of Fund management. The Board also considered the investment subadvisory services provided by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK), including investment research and security selection, as well as adherence to the Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with applicable Fund policies and procedures. The Board considered PGIM Investments’ evaluation of the subadvisers, as well as PGIM Investments’ recommendation, based on its review of the subadvisers, to renew the subadvisory agreement.

The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of PGIM Investments’ senior management responsible for the oversight of the Fund, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM Real Estate, and also considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM Real Estate portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Board was provided with information pertaining to PGIM Investments’, PGIM Real Estate’s, PGIM RE (UK)’s and PGIM’s organizational structure, senior management, investment operations, and other relevant information pertaining to PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM. The Board also noted that it received favorable compliance reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) as to PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM.

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


The Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services provided by PGIM Investments and the subadvisory services provided to the Fund by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK), and that there was a reasonable basis on which to conclude that the Fund benefits from the services provided by PGIM Investments, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM Real Estate under the management and subadvisory agreements.

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by PGIM Investments

The Board was provided with information on the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in serving as the Fund’s investment manager. The Board discussed with PGIM Investments the methodology utilized in assembling the information regarding profitability and considered its reasonableness. The Board recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from fund management contracts because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocations and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. However, the Board considered that the cost of services provided by PGIM Investments to the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2020 exceeded the management fees paid by the Fund, resulting in an operating loss to PGIM Investments. Taking these factors into account, the Board concluded that the profitability of PGIM Investments and its affiliates in relation to the services rendered was not unreasonable.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed information concerning economies of scale that PGIM Investments may realize as the Fund’s assets grow beyond current levels. The Board noted that the management fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints, which have the effect of decreasing the fee rate as assets increase. During the course of time, the Board has considered information regarding the launch date of the Fund, the management fees of the Fund compared to those of similarly managed funds and PGIM Investments’ investment in the Fund over time. The Board noted that economies of scale can be shared with the Fund in other ways, including low management fees from inception, additional technological and personnel investments to enhance shareholder services, and maintaining existing expense structures in the face of a rising cost environment. The Board also considered PGIM Investments’ assertion that it continually evaluates the management fee schedule of the Fund and the potential to share economies of scale through breakpoints or fee waivers as asset levels increase.

The Board recognized the inherent limitations of any analysis of economies of scale, stemming largely from the Board’s understanding that most of PGIM Investments’ costs are not specific to individual funds, but rather are incurred across a variety of products and services.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


Approval of Advisory Agreements (continued)

 

Other Benefits to PGIM Investments, PGIM RE (UK) and PGIM Real Estate

The Board considered potential ancillary benefits that might be received by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate, PGIM RE (UK) and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund. The Board concluded that potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Investments included transfer agency fees received by the Fund’s transfer agent (which is affiliated with PGIM Investments), and benefits to its reputation as well as other intangible benefits resulting from PGIM Investments’ association with the Fund. The Board concluded that the potential benefits to be derived by PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) included the ability to use soft dollar credits, as well as the potential benefits consistent with those generally resulting from an increase in assets under management, specifically, potential access to additional research resources and benefits to its reputation. The Board concluded that the benefits derived by PGIM Investments, PGIM Real Estate and PGIM RE (UK) were consistent with the types of benefits generally derived by investment managers and subadvisers to mutual funds.

Performance of the Fund / Fees and Expenses

The Board considered certain additional factors and made related conclusions relating to the historical performance of the Fund for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2020. The Board considered that the Fund commenced operations on June 3, 2015 and that longer-term performance was not yet available.

The Board also considered the Fund’s actual management fee, as well as the Fund’s net total expense ratio, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. The Board considered the management fee for the Fund as compared to the management fee charged by PGIM Investments to other funds and the fee charged by other advisers to comparable mutual funds in a Peer Group. The actual management fee represents the fee rate actually paid by Fund shareholders and includes any fee waivers or reimbursements. The net total expense ratio for the Fund represents the actual expense ratio incurred by Fund shareholders.

The mutual funds included in the Peer Universe, which was used to consider performance, and the Peer Group, which was used to consider expenses and fees, were objectively determined by Broadridge, an independent provider of mutual fund data. In certain circumstances, PGIM Investments also provided supplemental Peer Universe or Peer Group information for reasons addressed with the Board. The comparisons placed the Fund in various quartiles over various periods, with the first quartile being the best 25% of the mutual funds (for performance, the best performing mutual funds and, for expenses, the lowest cost mutual funds).

The section below summarizes key factors considered by the Board and the Board’s conclusions regarding the Fund’s performance, fees and overall expenses. The table sets forth net performance comparisons (which reflect the impact on performance of fund expenses, or any subsidies, expense caps or waivers that may be applicable) with the Peer Universe, actual management fees with the Peer Group (which reflect the

 

Visit our website at pgim.com/investments


 

impact of any subsidies or fee waivers), and net total expenses with the Peer Group, each of which were key factors considered by the Board.

 

Net Performance   1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
    4th Quartile   3rd Quartile   2nd Quartile   N/A
Actual Management Fees: 1st Quartile
Net Total Expenses: 3rd Quartile

 

   

The Board noted that the Fund underperformed its benchmark index over the one-year period and outperformed over the three- and five-year periods.

 

   

The Board considered that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index and peer group for the fourth quarter of 2020 and first quarter of 2021 (ranking in the 44th and 22nd percentile, respectively) and also outperformed its benchmark index and peer group for all rolling periods ended March 31, 2021.

 

   

The Board and PGIM Investments agreed to retain the Fund’s existing contractual expense cap, which (exclusive of certain fees and expenses) caps the Fund’s annual operating expenses at 1.35% for Class A shares, 2.10% for Class C shares, 1.10% for Class R6 shares, and 1.10% for Class Z shares through February 28, 2022.

 

   

In addition, PGIM Investments will waive management fees or shared operating expenses on any share class to the same extent that it waives such expenses on any other share class, and has agreed that total annual fund operating expenses for Class R6 shares will not exceed total annual fund operating expenses for Class Z shares.

 

   

The Board concluded that, in light of the above, it would be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to renew the agreements.

 

   

The Board concluded that the management fees (including subadvisory fees) and total expenses were reasonable in light of the services provided.

* * *

After full consideration of these factors, the Board concluded that the approval of the agreements was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

PGIM Real Estate Income Fund


     
 MAIL    TELEPHONE    WEBSITE

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

(800) 225-1852

 

pgim.com/investments

 

PROXY VOTING
The Board of Trustees of the Fund has delegated to the Fund’s subadvisers the responsibility for voting any proxies and maintaining proxy recordkeeping with respect to the Fund. A description of these proxy voting policies and procedures is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852 or by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website.
 

 

TRUSTEES
Ellen S. Alberding Kevin J. Bannon Scott E. Benjamin Linda W. Bynoe Barry H. Evans Keith F. Hartstein Laurie Simon Hodrick Stuart S. Parker Brian K. Reid Grace C. Torres
 

 

OFFICERS
Stuart S. Parker, President Scott E. Benjamin, Vice President Christian J. Kelly, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Claudia DiGiacomo, Chief Legal Officer Dino Capasso, Chief Compliance Officer Jonathan Corbett, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer Andrew R. French, Secretary Melissa Gonzalez, Assistant Secretary Diana N. Huffman, Assistant Secretary Kelly A. Coyne, Assistant Secretary Patrick E. McGuinness, Assistant Secretary Debra Rubano, Assistant Secretary Lana Lomuti, Assistant Treasurer Russ Shupak, Assistant Treasurer Elyse M. McLaughlin, Assistant Treasurer Deborah Conway, Assistant Treasurer
 

 

MANAGER   PGIM Investments LLC  

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

SUBADVISERS  

PGIM Real Estate

 

PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited

 

7 Giralda Farms

Madison, NJ 07940

 

Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand

Trafalgar Square

London, WC2N 5HR

United Kingdom

 

 

DISTRIBUTOR   Prudential Investment Management Services LLC  

655 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

 

CUSTODIAN   The Bank of New York Mellon  

240 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10286

 

TRANSFER AGENT   Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC  

PO Box 9658

Providence, RI 02940

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP  

300 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10017

 

FUND COUNSEL   Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP  

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

 


An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Fund. An investor may obtain the prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting our website at pgim.com/investments or by calling (800) 225-1852. The prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.

 

E-DELIVERY
To receive your mutual fund documents online, go to pgim.com/investments/resource/edelivery and enroll. Instead of receiving printed documents by mail, you will receive notification via email when new materials are available. You can cancel your enrollment or change your email address at any time by visiting the website address above.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRUSTEES
Shareholders can communicate directly with the Board of Trustees by writing to the Chair of the Board, PGIM Real Estate Income Fund, PGIM Investments, Attn: Board of Trustees, 655 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102. Shareholders can communicate directly with an individual Trustee by writing to that Trustee at the same address. Communications are not screened before being delivered to the addressee.

 

AVAILABILITY OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund’s Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 225-1852.

  Mutual Funds:

 

 

ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

   MAY LOSE VALUE   

 

  ARE NOT A DEPOSIT OF OR GUARANTEED   BY ANY BANK OR ANY BANK AFFILIATE


LOGO

 

 

PGIM REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND

SHARE CLASS      A      C      Z      R6
NASDAQ      PRKAX      PRKCX      PRKZX      PRKQX
CUSIP      74441J761      74441J753      74441J746      74441J670

MF228E


Item 2 – Code of Ethics — See Exhibit (a)

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies – Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers”) that applies to the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.

The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant 800-225-1852, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.

Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert –

The registrant’s Board has determined that Ms. Grace C. Torres, member of the Board’s Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert,” and that she is “independent,” for purposes of this item.

Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services –

(a) Audit Fees

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), the Registrant’s principal accountant, billed the Registrant $206,750 and $206,750 respectively, for professional services rendered for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.

(b) Audit-Related Fees

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020, PwC did not bill the Registrant for audit-related services.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, fees of $10,057 were billed to the Registrant for services rendered by KPMG LLP (the Registrant’s prior principal accountant) in connection with the auditor transition.

(c) Tax Fees

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020: none.

(d) All Other Fees

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020: none.

(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

THE PGIM MUTUAL FUNDS

AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICY

on

Pre-Approval of Services Provided by the Independent

Accountants


The Audit Committee of each PGIM Mutual Fund is charged with the responsibility to monitor the independence of the Fund’s independent accountants. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee must pre-approve the independent accounting firm’s engagement to render audit and/or permissible non-audit services, as required by law. In evaluating a proposed engagement of the independent accountants, the Audit Committee will assess the effect that the engagement might reasonably be expected to have on the accountant’s independence. The Committee’s evaluation will be based on:

 

   

a review of the nature of the professional services expected to be provided,

 

   

a review of the safeguards put into place by the accounting firm to safeguard independence, and

 

   

periodic meetings with the accounting firm.

Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services Provided to the Funds

On an annual basis, the scope of audits for each Fund, audit fees and expenses, and audit-related and non-audit services (and fees proposed in respect thereof) proposed to be performed by the Fund’s independent accountants will be presented by the Treasurer and the independent accountants to the Audit Committee for review and, as appropriate, approval prior to the initiation of such services.

Such presentation shall be accompanied by confirmation by both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed

non-audit services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants. Such proposed non-audit services shall be described in sufficient detail to enable the Audit Committee to assess the appropriateness of such services and fees, and the compatibility of the provision of such services with the auditor’s independence. The Committee shall receive periodic reports on the progress of the audit and other services which are approved by the Committee or by the Committee Chair pursuant to authority delegated in this Policy.

The categories of services enumerated under “Audit Services”, “Audit-related Services”, and “Tax Services” are intended to provide guidance to the Treasurer and the independent accountants as to those categories of services which the Committee believes are generally consistent with the independence of the independent accountants and which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would expect upon the presentation of specific proposals to pre-approve. The enumerated categories are not intended as an exclusive list of audit, audit-related or tax services, which the Committee (or the Committee Chair) would consider for pre-approval.

Audit Services

The following categories of audit services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Annual Fund financial statement audits

 

   

Seed audits (related to new product filings, as required)

 

   

SEC and regulatory filings and consents

Audit-related Services

The following categories of audit-related services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Accounting consultations

 

   

Fund merger support services

 

   

Agreed Upon Procedure Reports

 

   

Attestation Reports

 

   

Other Internal Control Reports

Individual audit-related services that fall within one of these categories (except for fund merger support services) and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process are subject to an authorized pre-approval by the Audit Committee so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000. Any services provided under such pre-approval will be reported to the Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. Should the amount of such services exceed $30,000 any additional fees will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated). Fees related to fund merger support services are subject to a separate authorized pre-approval by the Audit Committee with fees determined on a per occurrence and merger complexity basis.


Tax Services

The following categories of tax services are considered to be consistent with the role of the Fund’s independent accountants:

 

   

Tax compliance services related to the filing or amendment of the following:

 

   

Federal, state and local income tax compliance; and,

 

   

Sales and use tax compliance

 

   

Timely RIC qualification reviews

 

   

Tax distribution analysis and planning

 

   

Tax authority examination services

 

   

Tax appeals support services

 

   

Accounting methods studies

 

   

Fund merger support services

 

   

Tax consulting services and related projects

Individual tax services that fall within one of these categories and are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process are subject to an authorized pre-approval by the Audit Committee so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000. Any services provided under such pre-approval will be reported to the Audit Committee at its next regular meeting. Should the amount of such services exceed $30,000 any additional fees will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated).

Other Non-Audit Services

Certain non-audit services that the independent accountants are legally permitted to render will be subject to pre-approval by the Committee or by one or more Committee members to whom the Committee has delegated this authority and who will report to the full Committee any pre-approval decisions made pursuant to this Policy. Non-audit services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.

Proscribed Services

The Fund’s independent accountants will not render services in the following categories of non-audit services:

 

   

Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund

 

   

Financial information systems design and implementation

 

   

Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports

 

   

Actuarial services

 

   

Internal audit outsourcing services

 

   

Management functions or human resources

 

   

Broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services

 

   

Legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit

 

   

Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval of Non-Audit Services Provided to Other Entities Within the PGIM Fund Complex

Certain non-audit services provided to PGIM Investments LLC or any of its affiliates that also provide ongoing services to the PGIM Mutual Funds will be subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The only non-audit services provided to these entities that will require pre-approval are those related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Funds. Individual projects that are not presented to the Audit Committee as part of the annual pre-approval process will be subject


to pre-approval by the Committee Chair (or any other Committee member on whom this responsibility has been delegated) so long as the estimated fee for those services does not exceed $30,000. Services presented for pre-approval pursuant to this paragraph will be accompanied by a confirmation from both the Treasurer and the independent accountants that the proposed services will not adversely affect the independence of the independent accountants.

Although the Audit Committee will not pre-approve all services provided to PGIM Investments LLC and its affiliates, the Committee will receive an annual report from the Fund’s independent accounting firm showing the aggregate fees for all services provided to PGIM Investments and its affiliates.

(e) (2) Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) – 4(d) that were approved by the audit committee

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020, 100% of the services referred to in Item 4(b) was approved by the audit committee.

(f) Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of principal accountant if greater than 50%.

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.

(g) Non-Audit Fees

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Registrant’s principal accountant for services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 was $0 and $0, respectively.

(h) Principal Accountant’s Independence

Not applicable as the Registrant’s principal accountant has not provided non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X.

 

Item 5 –

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not applicable.

 

Item 6 –

Schedule of Investments – The schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

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 these procedures.

 

Item 11 –

Controls and Procedures

 

  (a)

It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information


 

required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b)

There has been no significant change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12 – Controls and Procedures - Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not applicable.

Item 13 – Exhibits

 

  (a)

(1) Code of Ethics – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CODE-ETH.

 

    

(2) Certifications pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.CERT.

 

    

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not applicable.

 

  (b)

Certifications pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act – Attached hereto as Exhibit EX-99.906CERT.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Registrant:         Prudential Investment Portfolios 9
By:   /s/ Andrew R. French
  Andrew R. French
  Secretary
Date:   December 17, 2021

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

 

By:   /s/ Stuart S. Parker
  Stuart S. Parker
  President and Principal Executive Officer
Date:                  December 17, 2021
By:   /s/ Christian J. Kelly
  Christian J. Kelly
  Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
Date:   December 17, 2021