485BPOS 1 aafwrapper.htm ASSET ALLOCATION FUND - PEA #408

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 26, 2015

1933 Act No. 333-74295
1940 Act No. 811-09253

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 408 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 409 [X]

WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

525 Market Street
San Francisco, California 94105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(800) 222-8222
(Registrant's Telephone Number)

C. David Messman
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, California 94105
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

With a copy to:

Marco E. Adelfio, Esq.
Goodwin Procter LLP
901 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001

It is propsed that this filing will become effective: (check appropriate box)

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

X

on September 1, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b)

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

on [ ] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

on [ ] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate, check the following box:

this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment

Explanatory Note: This Post-Effective Amendment No. 408 to the Registration Statement of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the "Trust") is being filed primarily to add the audited financial statements and certain related financial information for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2015 for the Wells Fargo Advantage Asset Allocation Fund and to make certain other non-material changes to the Registration Statement.


WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST
PART A
PROSPECTUS


Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 | 

September 1, 2015

Allocation Funds

Prospectus

Classes A, B, C

Asset Allocation Fund

Class A - EAAFX, Class B - EABFX, Class C - EACFX


As with all mutual funds, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.

Fund shares are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., its affiliates or any other depository institution. Fund shares are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency and may lose value.

Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

2

The Fund

Key Fund Information

7

Asset Allocation Fund

8

Description of Principal Investment Risks

10

Portfolio Holdings Information

14

Management of the Fund

The Manager and Portfolio Managers

15

Multi-Manager Arrangement

16

Your Account

A Choice of Share Classes

17

Reductions and Waivers of Sales Charges

19

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents

22

Pricing Fund Shares

23

How to Open an Account

24

How to Buy Shares

25

How to Sell Shares

27

How to Exchange Shares

29

Account Policies

31

Other Information

Distributions

33

Taxes

34

Description of Underlying Funds

35

Additional Performance Information

55

Financial Highlights

56

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Fees and Expenses

These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the aggregate in specified classes of certain Wells Fargo Advantage Funds®. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in "A Choice of Share Classes" and "Reductions and Waivers of Sales Charges" on pages 17 and 19 of the Prospectus and "Additional Purchase and Redemption Information" on page 27 of the Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class B

Class C

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of
offering price)

5.75%

None

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)

None1

5.00%

1.00%

1. Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales charge but generally will be subject to a deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed within 18 months from the date of purchase.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1

Class A

Class B

Class C

Management Fees

0.32%

0.32%

0.32%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

0.00%

0.75%

0.75%

Other Expenses

0.47%

0.47%

0.47%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.55%

0.55%

0.55%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.34%

2.09%

2.09%

Fee Waivers

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver2

1.34%

2.09%

2.09%

1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Adviser has contractually committed through August 31, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 0.87% for Class A, 1.62% for Class B, and 1.62% for Class C. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (including the expenses of Asset Allocation Trust), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Example of Expenses

The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. The example also assumes that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver shown above will only be in place for the length of the current waiver commitment. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Assuming Redemption at End of Period

Assuming No Redemption

After:

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class B

Class C

1 Year

$704

$712

$312

$212

$212

3 Years

$975

$955

$655

$655

$655

5 Years

$1,267

$1,324

$1,124

$1,124

$1,124

10 Years

$2,095

$2,139

$2,421

$2,139

$2,421

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio. In addition, the portfolio turnover rate for Asset Allocation Trust, in which the Fund invests all of its assets, was 42% for its fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

An investment in the Fund may lose money, is not a deposit of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.

Credit Risk. The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due, which could cause the value of an investment to decline and a Fund to lose money.

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk. Investments focused in countries, regions, sectors, industries, or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors and investments whose prices are strongly correlated are subject to greater overall risk than investments that are more diversified.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.

High Yield Securities Risk. High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default or of not returning principal and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. When interest rates decline, interest that a Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, but the value of those securities may increase.

Investment Style Risk. Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.

Large Shareholder Risk. To the extent that a large number of shares of the Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by that shareholder of all or a large portion of its Fund shares will cause the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices or otherwise will disrupt the Fund's operations.

Management Risk. Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. Geopolitical and other events may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Those events, as well as other changes in non-U.S. and U.S. economic and political conditions, could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.

Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may decline in value and become less liquid when defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets occur and may exhibit additional volatility in periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. When interest rates decline or are low, the prepayment of mortgages or assets underlying such securities can reduce a Fund's returns.

Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of a loss of premiums without offsetting gains. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments.

Short Sales Risk. Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.

Underlying Funds Risk. The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests.

Performance

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year. The Fund's average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Calendar Year Total Returns for Class A as of 12/31 each year
(Returns do not reflect sales charges and would be lower if they did)

Highest Quarter: 2nd Quarter 2009

+12.10%

Lowest Quarter: 4th Quarter 2008

-11.80%

Year-to-date total return as of 6/30/2015 is +0.95%

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2014 (Returns reflect applicable sales charges)

Inception Date of Share Class

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Class A (before taxes)

7/29/1996

-5.41%

4.75%

4.57%

Class A (after taxes on distributions)

7/29/1996

-6.56%

4.08%

3.36%

Class A (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)

7/29/1996

-3.06%

3.51%

3.29%

Class B (before taxes)

10/3/2002

-5.30%

4.88%

4.65%

Class C (before taxes)

10/3/2002

-1.44%

5.19%

4.41%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

5.97%

4.45%

4.71%

GMO Global Asset Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.87%

7.78%

5.54%

MSCI ACWI Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.16%

9.17%

6.09%

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts. After-tax returns are shown only for the Class A shares. After-tax returns for the Class B and Class C shares will vary.

Fund Management

 

Manager

Portfolio Manager1, Title/Managed Since

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Ben Inker, CFA, Portfolio Manager/1996
Sam Wilderman, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2012

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.

 

Minimum Investments

To Buy or Sell Shares

Minimum Initial Investment
Regular Accounts: $1,000
IRAs, IRA rollovers, Roth IRAs: $250
UGMA/UTMA accounts: $50
Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans: No Minimum
(Class B shares are generally closed to new investment)

Minimum Additional Investment
Regular Accounts, IRAs, IRA rollovers, Roth IRAs: $100
UGMA/UTMA accounts: $50
Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans: No Minimum

Mail: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266
Online: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222

Contact your financial professional.

Tax Information

Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Web site for more information.

Key Fund Information


This Prospectus contains information about the Fund within the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds® family and is designed to provide you with important information to help you with your investment decisions. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

In this Prospectus, "we" generally refers to Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management) or the portfolio managers. "We" may also refer to the Fund's other service providers. "You" refers to the shareholder or potential investor.


Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies

The investment objective of the Fund in this Prospectus is non-fundamental; that is, it can be changed by a vote of the Board of Trustees ("Board") alone. The objective and strategies description for the Fund tells you:

what the Fund is trying to achieve; and

how we intend to invest your money.

This section also provides a summary of the Fund's principal investment policies and practices. Unless otherwise indicated, these investment policies and practices apply on an ongoing basis.

Principal Investment Risks

This section lists the principal investment risks for the Fund. A complete description of these and other risks is found in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

Asset Allocation Fund

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager

Ben Inker, CFA; Sam Wilderman, CFA1

Fund Inception:

July 29, 1996

Class A

Ticker: EAAFX

Fund Number: 4312

Class B

Ticker: EABFX

Fund Number: 389

Class C

Ticker: EACFX

Fund Number: 4518

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

The Fund's Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash and AAT may also invest in certain other investments, including cash or various cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and other short-term instruments, including notes, certain short-term asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker's acceptances, bank deposits, U.S. government securities or shares of registered investment companies, to either maintain liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes, when we or GMO believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During these periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.

 

Credit Risk

Derivatives Risk

Emerging Markets Risk

Focused Investment Risk

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Foreign Investment Risk

High Yield Securities Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Investment Style Risk

Large Shareholder Risk

Management Risk

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Market Risk

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

Options Risk

Short Sales Risk

Smaller Company Securities Risk

Underlying Funds Risk

These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund's net asset value, yield and total return. These risks are described in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section.

Description of Principal Investment Risks


Understanding the risks involved in mutual fund investing will help you make an informed decision that takes into account your risk tolerance and preferences. The risks that are most likely to have a material effect on a particular Fund as a whole are called "principal risks."

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market price of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the underlying fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors,industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The principal risks for the Fund have been previously identified and are described below. Additional information about the principal risks is included in the Statement of Additional Information.

Credit Risk
The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due. In these instances, the value of an investment could decline and the Fund could lose money. Credit risk increases as an issuer's credit quality declines.

Derivatives Risk
The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when derivatives are used to enhance a Fund's return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or mitigate) the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. The success of a derivative strategy will be affected by the portfolio manager's ability to assess and predict market or economic developments and their impact on the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves. Certain derivative instruments may become illiquid and, as a result, may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so. Certain derivatives create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of their underlying assets, indexes or rates and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. Certain derivatives (e.g., over-the-counter swaps) are also subject to the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, which may cause a Fund to lose money, suffer delays or incur costs arising from holding or selling an underlying asset. Changes in laws or regulations may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.

Emerging Markets Risk
Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to recessions in other countries. Emerging markets tend to have less developed legal and financial systems and a smaller market capitalization than markets in developed countries. Some emerging markets are subject to greater political instability. Additionally, emerging markets may have more volatile currencies and be more sensitive than developed markets to a variety of economic factors, including inflation. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk
Funds with investments that are focused in particular countries, regions, sectors, industries or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors, and funds with investments whose prices are strongly correlated, are subject to greater overall risk than funds with investments that are more diversified. A Fund that invests in the securities of a small number of issuers has greater exposure to adverse developments affecting those issuers and to a decline in the market price of particular securities than a Fund investing in the securities of a larger number of issuers.

Securities, sectors or companies that share common characteristics are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and often react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

Similarly, a Fund that has a significant portion of its assets in investments tied economically (or related) to a particular geographic region, country (e.g., Taiwan or Japan) or market (e.g., emerging markets) has more exposure to regional and country economic risks than a fund making investments throughout the world. The political and economic prospects of one country or group of countries within the same geographic region may affect other countries in that region, and a recession, debt crisis, or decline in the value of the currency of one country can spread to other countries. Furthermore, companies in a particular geographic region or country are vulnerable to events affecting other companies in that region or country because they often share common characteristics, are exposed to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

To the extent an underlying fund concentrates its investments in the natural resources sector, it is particularly exposed to adverse developments, including adverse price movements, affecting issuers in the natural resources sector and is subject to greater risks than a fund that invests in a wider range of industries. In addition, the market prices of securities of companies in the natural resources sector may be more volatile than those of securities of companies in other industries. Some of the commodities used as raw materials or produced by these companies are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of industry-wide supply and demand factors. Companies in the natural resources sector often have limited pricing power over the supplies they purchase and the products they sell, which can affect their profitability. Companies in the natural resources sector also may be subject to special risks associated with natural or man-made disasters. In addition, the natural resources sector can be especially affected by political and economic developments, government regulations including changes in tax law or interpretations of law, energy conservation, and the success of exploration projects. Specifically, the natural resource sector can be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. An underlying fund's concentration in the securities of natural resource companies exposes it to the price movements of natural resources to a greater extent than if it were more broadly diversified. An underlying fund that invests primarily in the natural resources sector runs the risk of performing poorly during an economic downturn or a decline in demand for natural resources.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes. The Fund's gains from positions in foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund's losses from such positions may also lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders.

Foreign Investment Risk
Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such changes may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the investments. Foreign investments may be subject to additional risks such as potentially higher withholding and other taxes, and may also be subject to greater trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks than domestic investments. Certain foreign markets may also be characterized by less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards.

High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default (or in the case of bonds currently in default, of not returning principal) and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities. Additionally, these securities tend to be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.

Interest Rate Risk
When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. The longer the terms of the debt securities held by a Fund, the more the Fund is subject to this risk. If interest rates decline, interest that the Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, which could cause the Fund to reduce the dividends it pays to shareholders, but the value of those securities may increase. Some debt securities give the issuers the option to call, redeem or prepay the securities before their maturity dates. If an issuer calls, redeems or prepays a debt security during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in a security offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the debt securities market, reduced liquidity for certain Fund investments and an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.

Investment Style Risk
Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. As a result, a Fund's performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly or in securities of a different investment style.

Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large number of shares of a Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor or another GMO Fund) or a group of shareholders with a common investment strategy (e.g., GMO asset allocation accounts), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by those shareholders of all or a large portion of their Fund shares will adversely affect the Fund's performance by forcing the Fund to sell portfolio securities to raise the cash needed to satisfy the redemption request. In addition, the Funds and other accounts over which GMO has investment discretion that invest in the Funds are not limited in how often they may purchase or sell Fund shares. GMO Asset Allocation Funds and separate accounts managed by GMO for its clients hold substantial percentages of the shares of many underlying funds, and asset allocation decisions by GMO may result in substantial redemptions from (or investments in) those underlying funds. These transactions may adversely affect the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund is required to sell investments (or invest cash) when it would not otherwise do so. Redemptions of a large number of shares also may increase transaction costs or, by necessitating a sale of portfolio securities, have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders. Additionally, redemptions by a large shareholder also potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any) and may limit or prevent a Fund's use of tax equalization. In addition, to the extent a Fund invests in other GMO Funds subject to Large Shareholder Risk, the Fund is indirectly subject to this risk.

Management Risk
Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical and other events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund's investments. Sudden or significant changes in the supply or prices of commodities or other economic inputs (e.g., the marked decline in oil prices in late 2014) may have material and unexpected effects on both global securities markets and individual countries, regions, sectors, companies, or industries, which could significantly reduce the value of a Fund's investments. Terrorism in the United States and around the world has increased geopolitical risk. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 resulted in the closure of some U.S. securities markets for four days, and similar attacks are possible in the future. Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or reduce the value of investments traded in them, including investments of the Fund. While the U.S. government has always honored its credit obligations, a default by the U.S. government (as has been threatened in recent years) would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly reduce the value of the Fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could adversely affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of several European Union countries, as well as the continued existence of the European Union itself, has disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more country changes its currency or leaves the European Union or if the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Substantial government interventions (e.g., currency controls), also could adversely affect the Fund. War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and systemic market dislocations of the kind surrounding the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund's investments. During such market disruptions, the Fund's exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this section will likely increase. Market disruptions, including sudden government interventions, can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment programs and achieving its investment objectives. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause the Fund's derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some underlying commodities, securities, reference rates or indices, or to offer them on a more limited basis. To the extent that the Fund has focused its investments in the stock index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events in that region could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund. 

Market Risk
The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets may cause such securities to decline in value and become less liquid. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility. When interest rates decline or are low, borrowers may pay off their mortgage or other debts sooner than expected, which can reduce the returns of a Fund. Funds that may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions are subject to the risk that the market value of the securities that are required to be repurchased in the future may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price. They also involve the risk that the party to whom the securities are sold may become insolvent, limiting the fund's ability to repurchase securities at the agreed upon price.

Options Risk
A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that gains, if any, realized on the position, will be less than the amount paid as premiums to the writer of the option. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments. A Fund that writes covered call options gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price while the option is in effect. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options and their underlying securities and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options.

Short Sales Risk
Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. If the price of a security which the Fund has sold short increases between the time of the short sale and when the position is closed out, the Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time of the short sale plus any related interest payments, dividends, transaction or other costs. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise, potentially exacerbating a loss or reducing a gain. In addition, the Fund is subject to the risk that the lender of a security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same instrument from another lender. A Fund that uses short sales is subject to the risk that its prime broker will be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations. Regulatory restrictions limit the extent to which the Fund may engage in short sales.

Smaller Company Securities Risk
Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, limited financial resources or may be newly public companies. Some of these companies have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, or are involved in rapidly growing or changing industries and/or new technologies.

Underlying Funds Risk
The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. To the extent that an Underlying Fund actively trades its securities, the Fund will experience the consequences of a higher-than-average portfolio turnover rate, such as increased trading expenses and higher short-term capital gains. Investments in the Fund result in your incurring higher expenses than if you were to invest directly in the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

Portfolio Holdings Information


A description of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' portfolio holdings is available in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. In addition, Funds Management will, from time to time, include portfolio holdings information in periodic commentaries for the Fund. The substance of the information contained in such commentaries will also be posted to the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Management of the Fund


The Manager and Portfolio Managers

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC ("Funds Management"), headquartered at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, provides advisory and Fund level administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement"). Funds Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, a publicly traded diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer financial services. Funds Management is a registered investment adviser that provides advisory services for registered mutual funds, closed-end funds and other funds and accounts.

Funds Management is responsible for implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. Funds Management's investment professionals review and analyze the Fund's performance, including relative to peer funds, and monitor the Fund's compliance with its investment objective and strategies. Funds Management is responsible for reporting to the Board on investment performance and other matters affecting the Fund. When appropriate, Funds Management recommends to the Board enhancements to Fund features, including changes to Fund investment objectives, strategies and policies. Funds Management also communicates with shareholders and intermediaries about Fund performance and features. 

Funds Management is also responsible for providing Fund-level administrative services, which include, among others, providing such services in connection with the Funds' operations; developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and providing any other Fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds other than those services that are provided by the Funds' transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian, and fund accountant.

For providing these investment management services, Funds Management is entitled to receive the fees disclosed in the row captioned "Management Fees" in the Fund's table of Annual Fund Operating Expenses. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the management agreement for the Fund is available in the Fund's semi-annual shareholder report for the six-month period ended October 31st.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"). The Management Agreement, which became effective July 1, 2015, combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Funds' prior Amended and Restated Administration Agreement applicable to Fund-level administrative services. For a Fund's most recent fiscal year end, the advisory fee paid to Funds Management pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, net of any applicable waivers and reimbursements, was as follows:

Advisory Fees Paid

As a % of average daily net assets

Asset Allocation Fund

0.22%

 

Ben Inker, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Inker has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of the Fund since 1996 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014.

Sam Wilderman, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team, allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Wilderman has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of GMO's asset allocation portfolios since 2012 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014. Previously, Mr. Wilderman was Co-Head of GMO's Global Equity Team.

Multi-Manager Arrangement

The Fund and Funds Management have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Funds Management, subject to Board approval, to select certain sub-advisers and enter into or amend sub-advisory agreements with them, without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC order extends to sub-advisers that are not otherwise affiliated with Funds Management or the Fund, as well as sub-advisers that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Funds Management or of a company that wholly owns Funds Management ("Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers").

Pursuant to the order, Funds Management, with Board approval, may hire or replace Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers for the Fund. Funds Management, subject to Board oversight, has the responsibility to oversee Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. If a new sub-adviser is hired for the Fund pursuant to the order, the Fund is required to notify shareholders within 90 days. The Fund is not required to disclose the individual fees that Funds Management pays to a Multi-Manager Sub-Adviser.

A Choice of Share Classes


After choosing a Fund, your next most important choice will be which share class to buy. The table below summarizes the features of the classes of shares available through this Prospectus. Specific Fund charges may vary, so you should review each Fund's fee table as well as the sales charge schedules that follow. Finally, you should review the "Reductions and Waivers of Sales Charges" section of the Prospectus before making your decision as to which share class to buy.

Class A

Class B1

Class C

Initial Sales Charge

5.75%

None. Your entire investment goes to work immediately.

None. Your entire investment goes to work immediately.

Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)

None (except that a charge of 1% applies to certain redemptions made within eighteen months, following purchases of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge).

5% and declines until it reaches 0% at the beginning of the 7th year.

1% if shares are sold within one year after purchase.

Ongoing distribution (12b-1) fees

None.

0.75%

0.75%

Purchase maximum

None. Volume reductions given upon providing adequate proof of eligibility.

$100,000

$1,000,000

Annual Expenses

Lower ongoing expenses than Classes B and C.

Higher ongoing expenses than Class A because of higher 12b-1 fees.

Higher ongoing expenses than Class A because of higher 12b-1 fees.

Conversion feature

Not applicable.

Yes. Converts to Class A shares after a certain number of years depending on the Fund, so annual expenses decrease.

No. Does not convert to Class A shares, so annual expenses do not decrease.

1. Class B shares are closed to new investors and additional investments from existing shareholders, except in connection with the reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges and in connection with the closing of a reorganization. For Class B shares currently outstanding and Class B shares acquired upon reinvestment of dividends, all Class B share attributes, including associated CDSC schedules, conversion features, any applicable CDSC waivers, and distribution plan and shareholder services plan fees, will continue in effect.

Information regarding the Fund's sales charges, breakpoints, and waivers is available free of charge on our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. You may wish to discuss this choice with your financial consultant.

Class A Shares Sales Charge Schedule

If you choose to buy Class A shares, you will pay the public offering price (POP) which is the net asset value (NAV) plus the applicable sales charge. Since sales charges are reduced for Class A share purchases above certain dollar amounts, known as "breakpoint levels," the POP is lower for these purchases. The dollar amount of the sales charge is the difference between the POP of the shares purchased (based on the applicable sales charge in the table below) and the NAV of those shares. Because of rounding in the calculation of the POP, the actual sales charge you pay may be more or less than that calculated using the percentages shown below.

 

Class A Shares Sales Charge Schedule

Amount of Purchase

Front-end Sales Charge As %
of Public Offering Price

Front-end Sales Charge As %
of Net Amount Invested

Dealer Reallowance As %
of Public Offering Price

Less than $50,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%

$50,000 - $99,999

4.75%

4.99%

4.00%

$100,000 - $249,999

3.75%

3.90%

3.00%

$250,000 - $499,999

2.75%

2.83%

2.25%

$500,000 - $999,999

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 and over1

0.00%

0.00%

1.00%

1. We will assess a 1.00% CDSC on Class A share purchases of $1,000,000 or more if they are redeemed within eighteen months from the date of purchase. Certain exceptions apply (see "CDSC Waivers"). The CDSC percentage you pay is applied to the NAV of the shares on the date of original purchase.

Class B Shares Sales Charges

Class B shares are closed to new investors and additional investments from existing shareholders, except that existing shareholders of Class B shares may reinvest any distributions into Class B shares and exchange their Class B shares for Class B shares of other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds (as permitted by our exchange policy) and specified persons may acquire Class B shares of a Fund in connection with the closing of a reorganization. No new or subsequent investments, including through automatic investment plans, will be allowed in Class B shares of the Fund, except through a distribution reinvestment or permitted exchange or in connection with the closing of a reorganization. For Class B shares currently outstanding and Class B shares acquired upon reinvestment of dividends, all Class B shares attributes, including associated CDSC schedules, conversion features, any applicable CDSC waivers, and distribution plan and shareholder services plan fees, will continue in effect. You will not be assessed a CDSC on Fund shares you redeem that were purchased with reinvested distributions. Class B share exchanges will not trigger the CDSC and the new shares will continue to age according to their original schedule and will be charged the CDSC applicable to the original shares upon redemption.

If you exchange Class B shares received in a reorganization for Class B shares of another Fund, you will retain the CDSC schedules of your exchanged shares.

Class C Shares Sales Charges

If you choose Class C shares, you buy them at NAV and agree that if you redeem your shares within one year of the purchase date, you will pay a CDSC of 1.00%. At the time of purchase, the Fund's distributor pays sales commissions of up to 1.00% of the purchase price to selling agents and up to 1.00% annually thereafter. The CDSC percentage you pay is applied to the NAV of the shares on the date of original purchase. For Class C shares received in a reorganization, your date of purchase is the original purchase date of your predecessor Fund. To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Fund will first redeem shares acquired by reinvestment of any distributions and then will redeem shares in the order in which they were purchased (such that shares held the longest are redeemed first). Class C shares do not convert to Class A shares, and therefore continue to pay higher ongoing expenses.

Reductions and Waivers of Sales Charges


Generally, we offer more sales charge reductions or waivers for Class A shares than for Class B and Class C shares, particularly if you intend to invest greater amounts. You should consider whether you are eligible for any of the potential reductions or waivers when you are deciding which share class to buy. Consult the Statement of Additional Information for further details regarding reductions and waivers of sales charges.

Class A Shares Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
You can pay a lower or no sales charge for the following types of purchases. If you believe you are eligible for any of the following reductions or waivers, it is up to you to ask the selling agent or shareholder servicing agent for the reduction or waiver and to provide appropriate proof of eligibility.

You pay no sales charges on Fund shares you buy with reinvested distributions.

You pay a lower sales charge if you are investing an amount over a breakpoint level. See "Class A Shares Sales Charge Schedule" above.

You pay no sales charges on Fund shares you purchase with the proceeds of a redemption of either Class A or Class B shares of the same Fund within 90 days of the date of the redemption. (Please note, you will still be charged any applicable CDSC on Class B shares you redeem.) Subject to the Fund's policy regarding frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, you may not be able to exercise this provision for the first 30 days after your redemption.

By signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) prior to purchase, you pay a lower sales charge now in exchange for promising to invest an amount over a specified breakpoint within the next 13 months. Purchases made prior to signing the LOI as well as reinvested dividends and capital gains do not count as purchases made during this period.We will hold in escrow shares equal to approximately 5% of the amount you say you intend to buy. If you do not invest the amount specified in the LOI before the expiration date, we will redeem enough escrowed shares to pay the difference between the reduced sales load you paid and the sales load you should have paid. Otherwise, we will release the escrowed shares when you have invested the agreed amount.

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) allow you to combine Class A, Class B, Class C and WealthBuilder Portfolio shares of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund already owned (excluding Wells Fargo Advantage money market fund shares, unless you notify us that you previously paid a sales load on these assets) in order to reach breakpoint levels and to qualify for sales load discounts on subsequent purchases of Class A or WealthBuilder Portfolio shares. The purchase amount used in determining the sales charge on your purchase will be calculated by multiplying the maximum public offering price by the number of Class A, Class B, Class C and WealthBuilder Portfolio shares of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund already owned and adding the dollar amount of your current purchase.

How a Letter of Intent Can Save You Money!
If you plan to invest, for example, $100,000 in a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund in installments over the next year, by signing a letter of intent you would pay only 3.75% sales load on the entire purchase. Otherwise, you would pay 5.75% on the first $49,999, then 4.75% on the next $50,000!

Accounts That Can Be Aggregated
You may aggregate the following types of accounts indicated below to qualify for a volume discount:

 

Can this type of account be aggregated?

Yes

No

Individual accounts

X

Joint accounts

X

UGMA/UTMA accounts

X

Trust accounts over which the shareholder has individual or shared authority

X

Solely owned business accounts

X

Retirement Plans

Traditional and Roth IRAs

X

SEP IRAs

X

SIMPLE IRAs that use the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds prototype agreement1

X

SIMPLE IRAs that do not use the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds prototype agreement

X

Group Retirement Plans

X

Other Accounts

529 Plan accounts1

X

Accounts held through other brokerage firms

X

1. These accounts may be aggregated at the plan level for purposes of establishing eligibility for volume discounts. When plan assets in Fund Class A, Class B, Class C and WealthBuilder Portfolio shares (excluding Wells Fargo Advantage money market fund shares) reach a breakpoint, all plan participants benefit from the reduced sales charge. Participant accounts will not be aggregated with personal accounts.

Based on the above chart, if you believe that you own shares in one or more accounts that can be combined with your current purchase to achieve a sales charge breakpoint, you must, at the time of your purchase specifically identify those shares to your selling agent or shareholder servicing agent. For an account to qualify for a volume discount, it must be registered in the name of, or held for, the shareholder, his or her spouse or domestic partner, as recognized by applicable state law, or his or her children under the age of 21. Class A shares purchased at NAV will not be aggregated with other shares for purposes of receiving a volume discount.

Class A Shares Sales Charge Waivers for Certain Parties
We reserve the right to enter into agreements that reduce or waive sales charges for groups or classes of shareholders. If you own Fund shares as part of another account or package such as an IRA or a sweep account, you should read the materials for that account. Those terms may supercede the terms and conditions discussed here. If you fall into any of the following categories, you can buy Class A shares at NAV:

Current and retired employees, directors/trustees and officers of:
1) Wells Fargo Advantage Funds (including any predecessor funds);
2) Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates; and
3) family members (spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above.

Current employees of:
1) the Fund's transfer agent;
2) broker-dealers who act as selling agents;
3) family members (spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings (including step and in-law)) of any of the above; and
4) each Fund's sub-adviser, but only for the Fund(s) for which such sub-adviser provides investment advisory services.

Qualified registered investment advisers who buy through a broker-dealer or service agent who has entered into an agreement with the Fund's distributor that allows for load-waived Class A purchases.

Investment companies exchanging shares or selling assets pursuant to a reorganization, merger, acquisition, or exchange offer to which the Fund is a party.

Section 529 college savings plan accounts.

Insurance company separate accounts.

Fund of Funds, including those advised by Funds Management (Wells Fargo Advantage WealthBuilder PortfoliosSM), subject to review and approval by Funds Management.

Group employer-sponsored retirement and deferred compensation plans and group employer-sponsored employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans. Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, Keogh plans, individual 401(k) plans, individual 403(b) plans as well as shares held in commission-based broker-dealer accounts do not qualify under this waiver.

Investors who purchase shares that are to be included in certain "wrap accounts," including such specified investors who trade through an omnibus account maintained with a Fund by a broker-dealer.

Effective upon the conversion of Investor Class shares to Class A shares, expected to occur on or about the close of business on October 23, 2015, former Investor Class shareholders of a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund whose shares were converted to Class A shares, provided such shareholders held their shares directly with the Funds at the time of conversion or move their shares from an intermediary account to a direct-to-fund account within 90 days of the conversion.

Effective October 1, 2015, investors who purchase shares through a self-directed brokerage account program offered by a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund's distributor. Financial intermediaries offering such programs may or may not charge transaction fees.

Effective October 1, 2015, investors opening IRA accounts with assets directly transferred from a qualified retirement plan using Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement Trust or another Wells Fargo affiliate for recordkeeping services. For such IRAs to qualify, a Wells Fargo-affiliated entity must hold the account directly on the books of the Fund's transfer agent, and the services of another financial intermediary may not be utilized with respect to the IRA.

CDSC Waivers

You will not be assessed a CDSC on Fund shares you redeem that were purchased with reinvested distributions.

We waive the CDSC for all redemptions made because of scheduled (Internal Revenue Code Section 72(t)(2) withdrawal schedule) or mandatory distributions (withdrawals generally made after age 70½ according to Internal Revenue Service guidelines) from traditional IRAs and certain other retirement plans. (See your retirement plan information for details.) 

We waive the CDSC for redemptions made in the event of the last surviving shareholder's death or for a disability suffered after purchasing shares. ("Disabled" is defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(m)(7).) 

We waive the CDSC for redemptions made at the direction of Funds Management in order to, for example, complete a merger or effect a Fund liquidation. 

We waive the Class C shares CDSC for redemptions by employer-sponsored retirement plans where the dealer of record waived its commission at the time of purchase.

We also reserve the right to enter into agreements that reduce or eliminate sales charges for groups or classes of shareholders, or for Fund shares included in other investment plans such as "wrap accounts." If you own Fund shares as part of another account or package, such as an IRA or a sweep account, you should read the terms and conditions that apply for that account. Those terms and conditions may supercede the terms and conditions discussed here. Contact your selling agent for further information.

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents


Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (12b-1 Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Class B and Class C shares. The 12b-1 Plan authorizes the payment of all or part of the cost of preparing and distributing prospectuses and distribution-related services. The 12b-1 Plan also provides that, if and to the extent any shareholder servicing payments are recharacterized as payments for distribution-related services, they are approved and payable under the 12b-1 Plan. Fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan by Class B shares that are closed to new investors and additional investments (except in connection with reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges) primarily cover past sales and distribution services, as well as ongoing services to shareholders. The fees paid under this 12b-1 Plan are as follows:

Fund

Class B

Class C

Asset Allocation Fund

0.75%

0.75%

These fees are paid out of each Class's assets on an ongoing basis. Over time, these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.

Shareholder Servicing Plan
The Fund has a shareholder servicing plan. Under this plan, various shareholder servicing agents have been authorized to process purchase and redemption requests, to service shareholder accounts, and to provide other related services for each Class of the Fund. For these services, each Class pays an annual fee of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets.

Additional Payments to Dealers
In addition to dealer reallowances and payments made by the Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing, the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates make additional payments ("Additional Payments") to certain selling or shareholder servicing agents for the Fund, which include broker-dealers and 401(k) service providers and recordkeepers. These Additional Payments are made in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and its shareholders. These Additional Payments, which may be significant, are paid by the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates, out of their revenues, which generally come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the entire Fund complex.

In return for these Additional Payments, the Fund's manager and distributor expect the Fund to receive certain marketing or servicing advantages that are not generally available to mutual funds that do not make such payments. Such advantages are expected to include, without limitation, placement of the Fund on a list of mutual funds offered as investment options to the selling agent's clients (sometimes referred to as "Shelf Space"); access to the selling agent's registered representatives; and/or ability to assist in training and educating the selling agent's registered representatives.

Certain selling or shareholder servicing agents receive these Additional Payments to supplement amounts payable by the Fund under the shareholder servicing plans. In exchange, these agents provide services including, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining accounts and records; answering inquiries regarding purchases, exchanges and redemptions; processing and verifying purchase, redemption and exchange transactions; furnishing account statements and confirmations of transactions; processing and mailing monthly statements, prospectuses, shareholder reports and other SEC-required communications; and providing the types of services that might typically be provided by the Fund's transfer agent (e.g., the maintenance of omnibus or omnibus-like accounts, the use of the National Securities Clearing Corporation for the transmission of transaction information and the transmission of shareholder mailings).

The Additional Payments may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and a selling agent who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. Before investing, you should consult with your financial consultant and review carefully any disclosure by the selling agent as to what monies they receive from mutual fund advisers and distributors, as well as how your financial consultant is compensated.

The Additional Payments are typically paid in fixed dollar amounts, or based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the selling or shareholder servicing agent, or based on a percentage of sales and/or assets under management, or a combination of the above. The Additional Payments are either up-front or ongoing or both. The Additional Payments differ among selling and shareholder servicing agents. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on its customers' assets typically range between 0.05% and 0.30% in a given year of assets invested in a Fund by the selling agent's customers. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on a percentage of sales typically range between 0.10% and 0.15% of the gross sales of a Fund attributable to the selling agent. In addition, representatives of the Fund's distributor visit selling agents on a regular basis to educate their registered representatives and to encourage the sale of Fund shares. The costs associated with such visits may be paid for by the Fund's manager, distributor, or their affiliates, subject to applicable FINRA regulations.

More information on the FINRA member firms that have received the Additional Payments described in this section is available in the Statement of Additional Information, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Pricing Fund Shares


The Fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is normally calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open. The NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of a multiple-class Fund. The most recent NAV for each class of a Fund is available at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. To calculate the NAV of the Fund's shares, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The price at which a purchase or redemption request is processed is based on the next NAV calculated after the request is received in good order. NAV is not calculated, and purchase and redemption requests are not processed, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading.

Because the Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust, which in turn invests its assets in various underlying funds, the value of the Fund's shares is based on the NAV of the shares of Asset Allocation Trust, which is itself based on the NAV of the shares of the underlying funds. The valuation methods used by the underlying funds in pricing their shares, including the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, are described in their prospectuses.

How to Open an Account


You can open a Wells Fargo Advantage Funds account through any of the following means:

directly with the Fund. Complete a Wells Fargo Advantage Funds application, which you may obtain by visiting our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com or by calling Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222. Be sure to indicate the Fund name and the share class into which you intend to invest when completing the application;

through a brokerage account with an approved selling agent; or

through certain retirement, benefit and pension plans or certain packaged investment products. (Please contact the providers of the plan or product for instructions.)

How to Buy Shares


This section explains how you can buy shares directly from Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. If you're opening a new account, an account application is available on-line at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com or by calling Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222. For Fund shares held through brokerage and other types of accounts, please consult your selling agent.

Minimum Investments

Initial Purchase

Subsequent Purchases

Regular accounts
IRAs, IRA rollovers, Roth IRAs
UGMA/UTMA accounts
Employer Sponsored
Retirement Plans

$1,000
$250
$50
No minimum

$100
$100
$50
No minimum

Buying Shares

Opening an Account

Adding to an Account

Online

A new account may not be opened online unless you have another Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account with your bank information on file. If you do not currently have an account, refer to the section on buying shares by mail or wire.

To buy additional shares or buy shares of a new Fund, visit
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Subsequent online purchases have a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $100,000. You may be eligible for an exception to this maximum. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

By Mail

Complete and sign your account application.

Mail the application with your check made payable to the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds to Investor Services at:

Regular Mail
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266

Overnight Only
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
c/o Boston Financial Data Services
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021-2809

Enclose a voided check (for checking accounts) or a deposit slip (savings accounts). Alternatively, include a note with your name, the Fund name, and your account number.

Mail the deposit slip or note with your check made payable to the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds to the address on the left.

By Telephone

A new account may not be opened by telephone unless you have another Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account with your bank information on file. If you do not currently have an account, refer to the section on buying shares by mail or wire.

To buy additional shares or to buy shares of a new Fund call:

Investor Services at
1-800-222-8222 or

1-800-368-7550 for the
automated phone system.

 

By Wire

Complete, sign and mail your account application (refer to the section on buying shares by mail)

Provide the following instructions to your financial institution:

Receiving bank: State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston, MA
Bank ABA/routing number: 011000028
Bank account number: 9905-437-1
For credit to: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
For further credit to: [Your name (as registered on your fund account) and your fund and account number]

To buy additional shares, instruct your bank or financial institution to use the same wire instructions shown to the left.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes for Buying Shares

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your new account application or purchase request in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to process your transaction.

Earning Distributions. You are eligible to earn distributions beginning on the business day after the transfer agent receives your purchase in proper form.

U.S. Dollars Only. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars and all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. 

Insufficient Funds. You will be charged a $25.00 fee for every check or Electronic Funds Transfer that is returned to us as unpaid. 

No Fund Named. When all or a portion of a payment is received for investment without a clear Fund designation, we may direct the undesignated portion or the entire amount, as applicable, into the Wells Fargo Advantage Money Market Fund. We will treat your inaction as approval of this purchase until you later direct us to sell or exchange these shares of the Money Market Fund, at the next NAV calculated after we receive your order in proper form. 

Right to Refuse an Order. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason, including if we believe that doing so would be in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders. 

Minimum Initial and Subsequent Investment Waivers. We allow a reduced minimum initial investment of $50 if you sign up for at least a $50 monthly automatic investment purchase plan. If you opened your account with the set minimum amount shown in the above chart, we allow reduced subsequent purchases for a minimum of $50 a month if you purchase through an automatic investment plan. We may also waive or reduce the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for purchases made through certain retirement, benefit and pension plans, certain packaged investment products, or for certain classes of shareholders as permitted by the SEC. Check specific disclosure statements and applications for the program through which you intend to invest.

Other Share Classes. You may be eligible to invest in one or more classes of shares offered by a Fund. Each of the Fund's share classes bears varying expenses and may differ in other features. Consult your financial intermediary for more information regarding the Fund's available share classes.

Special Considerations When Investing Through Financial Intermediaries
If a financial intermediary purchases shares on your behalf, you should understand the following:

Minimum Investments and Other Terms of Your Account. Share purchases are made through a customer account at your financial intermediary following that firm's terms. Financial intermediaries may require different minimum investment amounts. Please consult an account representative from your financial intermediary for specifics.

Records are Held in Financial Intermediary's Name. Financial intermediaries are usually the holders of record for shares held through their customer accounts. The financial intermediaries maintain records reflecting their customers' beneficial ownership of the shares.

Purchase/Redemption Orders. Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting their customers' purchase and redemption orders to a Fund and for delivering required payment on a timely basis.

Shareholder Communications. Financial intermediaries are responsible for delivering shareholder communications and voting information from a Fund, and for transmitting shareholder voting instructions to a Fund.

The information provided in this Prospectus is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Fund shares to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.

The Fund is distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") information and brochure are available at SIPC.org or by calling SIPC at (202) 371-8300.

How to Sell Shares


The following section explains how you can sell shares held directly through an account with Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. For Fund shares held through brokerage or other types of accounts, please consult your selling agent.

Selling Shares

To Sell Some or All of Your Shares

Online

Visit our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. Redemptions requested online are limited to a maximum of $100,000. You may be eligible for an exception to this maximum. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

By Mail

Send a Letter of Instruction providing your name, account number, the Fund from which you wish to redeem and the dollar amount you wish to receive (or write "Full Redemption" to redeem your remaining account balance) to the address below.

Make sure all account owners sign the request exactly as their names appear on the account application.

A Medallion guarantee may be required under certain circumstances (see "General Notes for Selling Shares").

Regular Mail
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266
Overnight Only
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
c/o Boston Financial Data Services
30 Dan Road
Canton, MA 02021-2809

By Wire

To arrange for a Federal Funds wire to a linked bank account,, call 1-800-222-8222.

Wire requests are sent to your bank account next business day if your request to redeem is received before the NYSE close.

By Telephone/
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Call an Investor Services representative at 1-800-222-8222 or use the automated phone system 1-800-368-7550.

Telephone privileges are automatically made available to you unless you specifically decline them on your account application or subsequently in writing.

Redemption requests may not be made by phone if the address on your account was changed in the last 15 days. In this event, you must request your redemption by mail (refer to the section on selling shares by mail).

A check will be mailed to the address on record (if there have been no changes communicated to us within the last 15 days) or transferred to a linked bank account.

Transfers made to a Wells Fargo Bank account are made available sooner than transfers to an unaffiliated institution.

Redemptions processed by EFT to a linked Wells Fargo Bank account occur same day for Wells Fargo Advantage money market funds, and next day for all other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds.

Redemptions to any other linked bank account may post in two business days. Please check with your financial institution for timing of posting and availability of funds.

Note: Telephone transactions such as redemption requests made over the phone generally require only one of the account owners to call unless you have instructed us otherwise.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes For Selling Shares 

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your request to sell shares in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your request to sell shares is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, it will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to sell your shares.

CDSC Fees. Your redemption proceeds are net of any applicable CDSC fees. 

Form of Redemption Proceeds. You may request that your redemption proceeds be sent to you by check, by EFT into a linked bank account, or by wire to a linked bank account. Please call Investor Services regarding requirements for linking bank accounts. Although generally we pay redemption requests in cash, we reserve the right to determine in our sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities (known as a redemption in kind). In such case, we may pay all or part of the redemption in securities of equal value as permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder. The redeeming shareholder should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received. 

Earning Distributions. Your shares are eligible to earn distributions through the date of redemption.  If you redeem shares on a Friday or prior to a holiday, your shares will continue to be eligible to earn distributions until the next business day.

Telephone/Online Redemptions. We will take reasonable steps to confirm that telephone and online instructions are genuine. For example, we require proof of your identification, such as a Taxpayer Identification Number or username and password, before we will act on instructions received by telephone or online. We will not be liable for any losses incurred if we follow telephone or online instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine. Your call may be recorded.

Right to Delay Payment. We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you wish to redeem shares purchased by check or Electronic Funds Transfer within seven days of purchase, you may need to resubmit your redemption request if your payment has not yet cleared. Our ability to determine with reasonable certainty that investments have been finally collected is greater for investments coming from accounts with banks affiliated with Funds Management than it is for investments coming from accounts with unaffiliated banks. Redemption payments also may be delayed under extraordinary circumstances or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders. Such extraordinary circumstances are discussed further in the Statement of Additional Information.

Retirement Plans and Other Products. If you purchased shares through a packaged investment product or retirement plan, read the directions for selling shares provided by the product or plan. There may be special requirements that supercede the directions in this Prospectus. 

Medallion Guarantees. Medallion guarantees are only required for mailed redemption requests under the following circumstances: (1) if the address on your account was changed within the last 15 days; (2) if the amount of the redemption exceeds $100,000 and includes bank account information that is not currently on file with Wells Fargo Advantage Funds or if all of the owners of your Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account are not included in the registration of the bank account provided; or (3) if the redemption is made payable to a third party. You can get a Medallion guarantee at a financial institution such as a bank or brokerage house. We do not accept notarized signatures.

How to Exchange Shares


Exchanges between Wells Fargo Advantage Funds involve two transactions: (1) a sale of shares of one Fund; and (2) the purchase of shares of another. In general, the same rules and procedures that apply to sales and purchases apply to exchanges. There are, however, additional factors you should keep in mind while making or considering an exchange: 

In general, exchanges may be made between like share classes of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund offered to the general public for investment (i.e., a Fund not closed to new accounts), with the following exception: Class A shares of non-money market funds may also be exchanged for Service Class shares of any money market fund.

Same-fund exchanges between share classes are permitted subject to the following conditions: (1) exchanges out of Class A and Class C shares would not be allowed if shares are subject to a CDSC; (2) for exchanges into Class A shares, the shareholder must meet all qualifications to purchase Class A shares at net asset value based on current prospectus guidelines; and (3) the shareholder must meet the eligibility guidelines of the class being purchased in the exchange.

An exchange request will be processed on the same business day, provided that both Funds are open at the time the request is received. If one or both Funds are closed, the exchange will be processed on the following business day.

You should carefully read the prospectus for the Wells Fargo Advantage Fund into which you wish to exchange. 

Every exchange involves selling Fund shares, which may produce a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. 

If you are making an initial investment into a Fund through an exchange, you must exchange at least the minimum initial purchase amount for the new Fund, unless your balance has fallen below that amount due to investment performance. 

Any exchange between two Wells Fargo Advantage Funds must meet the minimum subsequent purchase amounts.

Class B and Class C share exchanges will not trigger the CDSC. The new shares will continue to age according to their original schedule and will be charged the CDSC applicable to the original shares upon redemption.

Generally, we will notify you at least 60 days in advance of any changes in our exchange policy.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason. Purchases or exchanges that a Fund determines could harm the Fund may be rejected.

Excessive trading by Fund shareholders can negatively impact a Fund and its long-term shareholders in several ways, including disrupting Fund investment strategies, increasing transaction costs, decreasing tax efficiency, and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Excessive trading in Fund shares can negatively impact a Fund's long-term performance by requiring it to maintain more assets in cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. Certain Funds may be more susceptible than others to these negative effects. For example, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in non-U.S. securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities resulting from pricing variations due to time zone differences across international financial markets. Similarly, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in small company securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities due to the less liquid nature of small company securities. Both types of Funds also may incur higher transaction costs in liquidating portfolio holdings to meet excessive redemption levels. Fair value pricing may reduce these arbitrage opportunities, thereby reducing some of the negative effects of excessive trading.

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, other than the Adjustable Rate Government Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short-Term Income Fund and Ultra Short-Term Municipal Income Fund ("Ultra-Short Funds") and the money market funds, (the "Covered Funds"). The Covered Funds are not designed to serve as vehicles for frequent trading. The Covered Funds actively discourage and take steps to prevent the portfolio disruption and negative effects on long-term shareholders that can result from excessive trading activity by Covered Fund shareholders. The Board has approved the Covered Funds' policies and procedures, which provide, among other things, that Funds Management may deem trading activity to be excessive if it determines that such trading activity would likely be disruptive to a Covered Fund by increasing expenses or lowering returns. In this regard, the Covered Funds take steps to avoid accommodating frequent purchases and redemptions of shares by Covered Fund shareholders. Funds Management monitors available shareholder trading information across all Covered Funds on a daily basis. If a shareholder redeems $5,000 or more (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) from a Covered Fund, that shareholder is "blocked" from purchasing shares of that Covered Fund (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption. This policy does not apply to:

Money market funds;

Ultra-Short Funds;

Dividend reinvestments;

Systematic investments or exchanges where the financial intermediary maintaining the shareholder account identifies the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase at the time of the transaction;

Rebalancing transactions within certain asset allocation or "wrap" programs where the financial intermediary maintaining a shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as part of an asset allocation program approved by Funds Management;

Transactions initiated by a "fund of funds" or Section 529 Plan into an underlying fund investment;

Permitted exchanges between share classes of the same Fund;

Certain transactions involving participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including: participant withdrawals due to mandatory distributions, rollovers and hardships, withdrawals of shares acquired by participants through payroll deductions, and shares acquired or sold by a participant in connection with plan loans; and

Purchases below $5,000 (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction).

The money market funds and the Ultra-Short Funds. Because the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds are often used for short-term investments, they are designed to accommodate more frequent purchases and redemptions than the Covered Funds. As a result, the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not anticipate that frequent purchases and redemptions, under normal circumstances, will have significant adverse consequences to the money market funds or Ultra-Short Funds or their shareholders. Although the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not prohibit frequent trading, Funds Management will seek to prevent an investor from utilizing the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds to facilitate frequent purchases and redemptions of shares in the Covered Funds in contravention of the policies and procedures adopted by the Covered Funds.

All Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. In addition, Funds Management reserves the right to accept purchases, redemptions and exchanges made in excess of applicable trading restrictions in designated accounts held by Funds Management or its affiliate that are used at all times exclusively for addressing operational matters related to shareholder accounts, such as testing of account functions, and are maintained at low balances that do not exceed specified dollar amount limitations.

In the event that an asset allocation or "wrap" program is unable to implement the policy outlined above, Funds Management may grant a program-level exception to this policy. A financial intermediary relying on the exception is required to provide Funds Management with specific information regarding its program and ongoing information about its program upon request.

A financial intermediary through whom you may purchase shares of the Fund may independently attempt to identify excessive trading and take steps to deter such activity. As a result, a financial intermediary may on its own limit or permit trading activity of its customers who invest in Fund shares using standards different from the standards used by Funds Management and discussed in this Prospectus. Funds Management may permit a financial intermediary to enforce its own internal policies and procedures concerning frequent trading rather than the policies set forth above in instances where Funds Management reasonably believes that the intermediary's policies and procedures effectively discourage disruptive trading activity. If you purchase Fund shares through a financial intermediary, you should contact the intermediary for more information about whether and how restrictions or limitations on trading activity will be applied to your account.

Account Policies


Automatic Plans
These plans help you conveniently purchase and/or redeem shares each month. Once you select a plan, tell us the day of the month you would like the transaction to occur. If you do not specify a date, we will process the transaction on or about the 25th day of the month. Call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information. 

Automatic Investment Plan —With this plan, you can regularly purchase shares of a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund with money automatically transferred from a linked bank account. 

Automatic Exchange Plan —With this plan, you can regularly exchange shares of a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund you own for shares of another Wells Fargo Advantage Fund. See the "How to Exchange Shares" section of this Prospectus for the conditions that apply to your shares. In addition, each transaction in an Automatic Exchange Plan must be for a minimum of $100. This feature may not be available for certain types of accounts. 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan —With this plan, you can regularly redeem shares and receive the proceeds by check or by transfer to a linked bank account. To participate in this plan, you: 

must have a Fund account valued at $10,000 or more; 

must request a minimum redemption of $100; 

must have your distributions reinvested; and 

may not simultaneously participate in the Automatic Investment Plan. 

Payroll Direct Deposit —With this plan, you may transfer all or a portion of your paycheck, social security check, military allotment, or annuity payment for investment into the Fund of your choice.

It generally takes about ten business days to establish a plan once we have received your instructions. It generally takes about five business days to change or cancel participation in a plan.We may automatically cancel your plan if the linked bank account you specified is closed, or for other reasons.

Householding
To help keep Fund expenses low, a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report may be sent to shareholders of the same household. If your household currently receives a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report and you would prefer to receive multiple copies, please contact your financial intermediary.

Retirement Accounts
We offer a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call 1-800-222-8222 for information on: 

Individual Retirement Plans, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. 

Qualified Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs and SEP IRAs.

There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholdings. For more information, call the number listed above. For retirement accounts held directly with the Fund, certain fees may apply, including an annual account maintenance fee.

Small Account Redemptions
We reserve the right to redeem certain accounts that fall below the minimum initial investment amount as the result of shareholder redemptions (as opposed to market movement). Before doing so, we will give you approximately 60 days to bring your account above the minimum investment amount. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 or contact your selling agent for further details.

Statements and Confirmations
Statements summarizing activity in your account are mailed quarterly. Confirmations are mailed following each purchase, sale, exchange, or transfer of Fund shares, except generally for Automatic Investment Plan transactions, Systematic Withdrawal Plan transactions using Electronic Funds Transfer, and purchases of new shares through the automatic reinvestment of distributions. Upon your request and for the applicable fee, you may obtain a reprint of an account statement. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

Electronic Delivery of Fund Documents
You may elect to receive your Fund prospectuses, shareholder reports and other Fund documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery. If you make this election, you will be notified by e-mail when the most recent Fund documents are available for electronic viewing and downloading.

To receive Fund documents electronically, you must have an e-mail account and an internet browser that meets the requirements described in the Privacy & Security section of the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. You may change your electronic delivery preferences or revoke your election to receive Fund documents electronically at any time by visiting wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

Statement Inquiries
Contact us in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies noted on your account statement within 60 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. We may deny your ability to refute a transaction if we do not hear from you within those 60 days.

Transaction Authorizations
Telephone, electronic, and clearing agency privileges allow us to accept transaction instructions by anyone representing themselves as the shareholder and who provides reasonable confirmation of their identity. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Advantage Funds will be liable for any losses incurred if we follow such instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine. For transactions through the automated phone system and our Web site, we will assign personal identification numbers (PINs) and/or passwords to help protect your account information. To safeguard your account, please keep your PINs and passwords confidential. Contact us immediately if you believe there is a discrepancy on your confirmation statement or if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your account, PIN or password.

USA PATRIOT Act
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, all financial institutions (including mutual funds) at the time an account is opened, are required to obtain, verify and record the following information for all registered owners or others who may be authorized to act on the account: full name, date of birth, taxpayer identification number (usually your Social Security Number), and permanent street address. Corporate, trust and other entity accounts require additional documentation. This information will be used to verify your identity. We will return your application if any of this information is missing, and we may request additional information from you for verification purposes. In the rare event that we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to redeem your account at the current day's NAV. You will be responsible for any losses, taxes, expenses, fees, or other results of such a redemption.

Distributions


The Fund generally makes distributions of any net investment income and any realized net capital gains at least annually. Please note, distributions have the effect of reducing the NAV per share by the amount distributed.

We offer the following distribution options. To change your current option for payment of distributions, please call 1-800-222-8222.

Automatic Reinvestment Option—Allows you to buy new shares of the same class of the Fund that generated the distributions. The new shares are purchased at NAV generally on the day the distribution is paid. This option is automatically assigned to your account unless you specify another option.

Check Payment Option—Allows you to have checks for distributions mailed to your address of record or to another name and address which you have specified in written instructions. A medallion guarantee may also be required. If checks remain uncashed for six months or are undeliverable by the Post Office, we will reinvest the distributions at the earliest date possible, and future distributions will be automatically reinvested.

Bank Account Payment Option—Allows you to receive distributions directly in a checking or savings account through Electronic Funds Transfer. The bank account must be linked to your Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account. Any distribution returned to us due to an invalid banking instruction will be sent to your address of record by check at the earliest date possible, and future distributions will be automatically reinvested.

Directed Distribution Purchase Option—Allows you to buy shares of a different Wells Fargo Advantage Fund of the same share class. The new shares are purchased at NAV generally on the day the distribution is paid. In order to establish this option, you need to identify the Fund and account the distributions are coming from, and the Fund and account to which the distributions are being directed. You must meet any required minimum purchases in both Funds prior to establishing this option.

Taxes


The following discussion regarding federal income taxes is based on laws that were in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and you as a shareholder. It does not apply to foreign or tax-exempt shareholders or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) Plan or IRA. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional federal income tax information.

We will pass on to a Fund's shareholders substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and realized net capital gains, if any. Distributions from a Fund's ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from a Fund's net long-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain.

Corporate shareholders may be able to deduct a portion of their distributions when determining their taxable income.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended certain tax rates except those that applied to individual taxpayers with taxable incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for married taxpayers, $425,000 for heads of households). Taxpayers that are not in the new highest tax bracket continue to be subject to a maximum 15% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. For taxpayers in the new highest tax bracket, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends will be 20%. Beginning in 2013, U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly), a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will apply on "net investment income," including interest, dividends, and capital gains.

Distributions from a Fund normally will be taxable to you when paid, whether you take distributions in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Following the end of each year, we will notify you of the federal income tax status of your distributions for the year.

If you buy shares of a Fund shortly before it makes a taxable distribution, your distribution will, in effect, be a taxable return of part of your investment. Similarly, if you buy shares of a Fund when it holds appreciated securities, you will receive a taxable return of part of your investment if and when the Fund sells the appreciated securities and distributes the gain. The Fund has built up, or has the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation.

Your redemptions (including redemptions in-kind) and exchanges of Fund shares ordinarily will result in a taxable capital gain or loss, depending on the amount you receive for your shares (or are deemed to receive in the case of exchanges) and the amount you paid (or are deemed to have paid) for them. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your redeemed or exchanged Fund shares for more than one year at the time of redemption or exchange. In certain circumstances, losses realized on the redemption or exchange of Fund shares may be disallowed.

In certain circumstances, Fund shareholders may be subject to backup withholding taxes.

Description of Underlying Funds


The following information has been provided to the Fund by GMO and the underlying funds in which the Asset Allocation Trust invests. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the prospectus and SAI of each underlying fund.

GMO may change the investment policies and/or programs of the underlying funds at any time without notice to shareholders of the Fund. Each of the underlying funds is subject to some or all of the risks detailed in this prospectus under "Principal Risks." For a more detailed explanation of each underlying fund's principal investments, investment methodology and risks, as well as a definition of each underlying fund's benchmark, see "Underlying Funds" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. References below to the "Manager" are to GMO.

GMO Equity Funds

The GMO Equity Funds (other than GMO Global Focused Equity Fund) normally do not take temporary defensive positions. GMO Global Focused Equity Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Countries Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging countries. "Emerging countries" include all countries that are not treated as "developed market countries" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging countries. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging countries, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. In general, the Fund typically invests in companies with larger market capitalizations than does GMO Emerging Markets Fund. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund
MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Seeks total return. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies whose prospects are linked to the internal ("domestic") development and growth of the world's non-developed markets ("emerging markets"), including companies that provide goods and services to emerging market consumers. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments related to emerging markets. The Fund's investments are not limited to investments in companies located in any particular country or geographic region, and often include investments in companies located in developed markets (e.g., the United States) that are related to, or whose prospects are linked to, emerging markets. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any index or benchmark. GMO primarily uses fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and companies that it believes are likely to benefit from domestic growth in emerging markets. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In evaluating and selecting investments, GMO may consider many factors, including GMO's assessment of a country's and/or sector's fundamentals or growth prospects as well as a company's positioning relative to its competitors. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk, transaction costs, and liquidity. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Markets Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging markets. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging markets. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging markets, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Fund
MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund
S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries) whose outstanding publicly traded equities are in the lowest 25% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) in a particular country ("small companies"). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies that are tied economically to countries other than the United States. The market capitalization range of companies whose equities are held by the Fund is generally within the market capitalization range of companies in the Fund's benchmark, which represents the lowest 15% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) of the S&P Broad Market Index in each country. Depending on the country, as of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company in a particular country included in the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index ranged from approximately $571 million (New Zealand) to $16.8 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). As of May 31, 2015, the publicly traded market capitalization of the largest small company (as defined by the Fund) ranged from approximately $504 million (Egypt) to $30.0 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund
MSCI ACWI

Seeks total return. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities traded in any of the world's securities markets, including emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund is permitted to invest in equities of all types, including equities issued by non-U.S. and U.S. companies, growth and value style equities, and equities of companies of any market capitalization. In addition, the Fund is not limited in how much it may invest in any market or in the types of equity investments it may make, and it may often invest all its assets in the securities of companies in only a few countries and securities having similar market capitalizations. The Fund could experience material losses from a single investment. The Fund focuses its investments in a relatively small number of securities that GMO believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities in U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities of large- and mid-cap companies. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The term "large- and mid-cap companies" means non-U.S. companies that issue stocks included in the MSCI Standard Indices and international stock indices that target approximately 85% of each market's free-float adjusted market capitalization, and companies with similar market capitalizations. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Small Companies Fund
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of non-U.S. small companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies. For these purposes, non-U.S. companies are companies tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries ("Non-U.S. Companies"). GMO considers "small companies" to be all Non-U.S. Companies other than (i) the largest 500 companies in developed countries based on full, non-float adjusted market capitalization and (ii) any company in an emerging country with a full, non-float adjusted market capitalization that is greater than or equal to that of the smallest excluded developed country companies. A company's full, non-float adjusted market capitalization includes all of the company's outstanding equities. As of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company included within the Fund's definition of small companies was approximately $31.5 billion. For purposes of the Fund's investments, the term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO Quality Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes to be of high quality. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In assessing a company's quality, GMO may consider several factors, including, in particular, profitability, profit stability, and leverage. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities  in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Resources Fund
MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, or regions. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund has a fundamental policy to concentrate its investments in the natural resources sector, and, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of companies in that sector. The Fund considers the "natural resources sector" to include companies that own, produce, refine, process, transport, and market natural resources and companies that provide related equipment, infrastructure, and services. The sector includes, for example, the following industries: integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron ore production, energy services and technology, base metal production, forest products, farming products, paper products, chemicals, building materials, coal, water, alternative energy sources, and environmental services. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in securities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. In addition to its investments in companies in the natural resources sector, the Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of any type of company. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the S&P 500 Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, industry and sector exposure, and market capitalization. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single sector. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in equities tied economically to the United States. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

GMO Fixed Income Funds

If deemed prudent by GMO, the GMO Fixed Income Funds (other than GMO U.S. Treasury Fund) may take temporary defensive positions. Many of the GMO Fixed Income Funds have previously taken temporary defensive positions and have exercised the right to honor redemption requests in-kind. To the extent a GMO Fund takes temporary defensive positions or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective. With respect to the GMO Fixed Income Funds' investments, the term "investment grade" refers to a rating of Baa3/P-2 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB-/A-2 or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and the term "below investment grade" refers to any rating by Moody's or by S&P below those ratings. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as high yield or "junk" bonds. In addition, securities and commercial paper that are rated Aa/P-1 or better by Moody's or AA/A-1 or better by S&P are sometimes referred to as "high quality." Securities referred to as investment grade, below investment grade, or high quality include securities rated by Moody's, S&P, or both, and also unrated securities that GMO determines have comparable credit qualities.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund invests in a portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by bonds, forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts, or swap agreements. GMO uses a variety of fundamental and quantitative processes to manage the Fund. GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). The Fund is permitted to invest in bonds of any kind (e.g., bonds of any maturity, duration, or credit quality). The Fund may invest in any sector of the bond market and is not required to maintain a minimum or maximum allocation of investments in any one sector. The sectors and types of bonds in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to: investment grade bonds denominated in various currencies, including bonds issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporations and municipalities (taxable and tax-exempt); below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"); inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government (including Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS)) and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments) and inflation-indexed bonds issued by corporations; bonds issued in emerging countries (including sovereign debt and below investment grade bonds); asset-backed securities, including mortgage related and mortgage-backed securities; pooled investment vehicles, including both vehicles managed by GMO and vehicles unaffiliated with GMO; and commodities. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including futures contracts, currency options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), interest rate options, and other types of derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may gain exposure to the investments described above by investing in shares of other GMO Funds, including GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets), GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities), GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments), and GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to gain exposure to global interest rate, currency, and credit markets). The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in below investment grade bonds. GMO does not seek to maintain a specified interest rate duration for the Fund, and the Fund's interest rate duration will change depending on the Fund's investments and GMO's assessment of different sectors of the bond market. The Fund's interest rate duration may be positive or negative. The Fund's performance may differ significantly from that of its benchmark.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that do not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives and short sales, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund,GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 5.5 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex Japan ex U.S. (Hedged)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., United Kingdom) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund generally attempts to hedge at least 75% of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.9 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks positive total return. The Fund invests primarily in debt investments (including both direct and indirect investments) and is not restricted in its exposure to any type of debt investment. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality and has no limit on how much it may invest in below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"). The Fund's debt investments may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. The Fund may invest in debt investments issued by a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. private issuers and by federal, state, local, and non-U.S. governments (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments). The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities (including, but not limited to, securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages (including sub-prime mortgages), credit-card receivables, home equity loans, automobile loans, educational loans, corporate and sovereign bonds, and bank loans made to corporations), corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper. As of the date of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund has invested a substantial portion of its assets in asset-backed securities, many of which are below investment grade. In selecting debt investments for the Fund's portfolio, GMO uses analytical techniques to evaluate the relative attractiveness of particular sectors and securities. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund does not maintain a specified interest rate duration for its portfolio. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund may have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund may be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may, but is not required to, hedge part or all of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund
J.P. Morgan EMBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund invests primarily in debt of emerging countries that is issued by a sovereign or its instrumentalities and that usually is denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs or British pounds sterling. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments tied economically to emerging countries. The term "emerging countries" means the world's less developed countries. In general, the Fund considers "emerging countries" to be the countries included in the Fund's benchmark, as well as other countries with similar national domestic products or default histories. The Fund typically gains its investment exposure by purchasing debt investments or by using derivatives, typically credit default swaps. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of all credit qualities, including securities that are in default. (These may include below investment grade debt investments, which are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities.) Generally, at least 75% of the Fund's assets are denominated in, or hedged into, U.S. dollars. The Fund's performance is likely to be more volatile than that of its benchmark. GMO relies principally on a bottom-up approach in selecting investments, using fundamental analytical techniques. GMO also considers its outlook for a country in making investment decisions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund typically invests in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including options, swap contracts (in addition to credit default swaps), currency forwards (including currency forwards on currencies of the developed markets), reverse repurchase agreements and futures. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration for the Fund that is similar to that of its benchmark (approximately 7 years as of 5/31/15).

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.4 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund seeks to add value relative to its benchmark to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund will invest primarily in high quality U.S. and non-U.S. fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund also may invest in other exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically will be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. While the Fund primarily invests in high quality bonds, it may invest in securities that are not high quality and may hold bonds and other fixed income securities whose ratings after they were acquired were reduced below high quality. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. In selecting fixed income securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the securities' credit quality. GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to identify the credit risk associated with investments in fixed income securities and bases its investment decisions on that assessment. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO will normally seek to maintain an estimated interest rate duration of 365 days or less for the Fund's portfolio (which may be substantially shorter than the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity). GMO estimates the Fund's dollar-weighted average interest rate duration by aggregating the durations of the Fund's direct and indirect individual holdings and weighting each holding based on its market value. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in high quality bonds.

 

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex U.S.

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 8.2 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO U.S. Treasury Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks liquidity and safety of principal with current income as a secondary objective. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations and repurchase agreements collateralized by these Obligations. "Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations" include U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and notes and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS) and other zero-coupon securities. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration of one year or less for the Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may enter into repurchase agreements, under which the Fund purchases a security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government from a seller who simultaneously commits to repurchase, on an agreed upon date in the future, the security from the Fund at the original purchase price plus an agreed upon amount representing the original purchase price plus interest. The counterparties in repurchase agreements are typically brokers and banks, and the safety of the arrangement depends on, among other things, the Fund's having an interest in the security that it can realize in the event of the insolvency of the counterparty. In addition to Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations, the Fund may invest in other fixed income securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as fixed income securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Fund also may invest in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. Although the fixed income securities purchased by the Fund normally will have a stated or remaining maturity of one year or less, Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations purchased pursuant to repurchase agreements may not, and, therefore, if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults, the Fund may end up owning a security with a stated or remaining maturity of more than one year. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the duration, quality, diversification and other requirements applicable to money market funds. In selecting U.S. Treasury securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the relative attractiveness of different obligations (such as bonds, notes or bills), which can vary depending on the general level of interest rates as well as supply and demand imbalances and other market conditions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by attempting to identify and estimate relative misvaluation of global interest rate, credit, and currency markets. Based on those estimates, GMO establishes the Fund's positions across those markets. Those positions may include direct investments and derivatives. The Fund's direct investments in fixed income securities include U.S. and non-U.S. asset-backed securities and other fixed income securities (including Treasury Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS), Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS), Treasury Securities and global bonds). The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. Derivatives used by the Fund are primarily interest rate swaps and futures contracts, currency forwards and options, and credit default swaps on single-issuers or indices. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have higher volatility than its benchmark. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund typically holds asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in government securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. Because of the deterioration in credit markets that became acute in 2008, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds").

GMO Alternative Investment Funds

The GMO Alternative Investment Funds normally do not take temporary defensive positions. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Alpha Only Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund's investment program involves having both long and short investment exposures. GMO seeks to construct a portfolio in which the Fund has long investment exposure to asset classes and sub-asset classes that GMO expects will outperform relative to the asset classes and sub-asset classes to which the Fund has short investment exposure. To gain long investment exposure, the Fund invests directly in securities and may invest in other GMO Funds (collectively, the "underlying Funds"). To gain short investment exposure, the Fund may invest in over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives (including futures, swaps and currency forwards) and sell securities short, including short sales of securities the Fund does not own. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the relative risks of such asset classes, to determine the Fund's long and short positions. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO changes the Fund's holdings in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and may use redemptions or purchases of Fund shares to rebalance the Fund's investments. To the extent that the Fund's long and short positions are effective, the performance of the Fund is expected to have a low correlation to the performance of U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Risk Premium Fund
MSCI World Index

Seeks total return. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund seeks to capture returns commensurate with the equity risk premium over a full market cycle with less sensitivity to equity valuations by writing put options on stock indices and by engaging in merger arbitrage strategies. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund primarily uses options by selling (writing) put options on U.S. and non-U.S. (e.g., Europe, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia) stock indices. GMO determines the Fund's put-writing allocations among stock indices by using a proprietary indicator to assess the relative premiums available. The Fund's portfolio allocations are based on the relative attractiveness of each index in conjunction with other factors such as the liquidity available in each index's options markets. The Fund may have substantial exposures to relatively few U.S. and international stock indices. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options of any type, including options on global, regional and country stock indices and options on exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may purchase and sell exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options, including options that are cash-settled as well as physically settled. The Fund may purchase and sell options and other securities tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to manage its currency exposure. GMO expects that the Fund's option positions typically will be fully collateralized at the time the Fund sells them. GMO, therefore, expects that the Fund will hold sufficient assets to cover the maximum possible loss the Fund might sustain upon the exercise of an option sold by the Fund. The Fund may engage in transactions in which it purchases securities at prices below the value of the consideration GMO expects to be paid for them upon consummation of a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer, or other similar transaction ("merger arbitrage transactions"). Purchase prices may substantially exceed the market price of the securities before the announcement of the transaction. In conjunction with merger arbitrage transactions, the Fund may invest in derivatives or sell securities short in an effort to protect against market fluctuations or other risks or to adjust long or short investment exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. For collateral and cash management purposes, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund, in U.S. Treasury bills and other highly rated securities, and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

Additional Performance Information


This section contains additional information regarding the performance of the Fund. The sub-section below titled "Index Descriptions" defines the market indices that are referenced in the Fund Summary. The sub-section below titled "Share Class Performance" provides history for specified share classes of the Fund.

Index Descriptions
The "Average Annual Total Returns" table in the Fund's Fund Summary compares the Fund's returns with those of at least one broad-based market index. Below are descriptions of each such index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BCABI)

The BCABI is an unmanaged fixed income index covering the U.S. investment grade fixed-rate bond market, including U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities, corporate securities, and asset-backed securities.

Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index (Net) (MSCI ACWI)

The MSCI ACWI is an independently maintained and published international (including emerging) equity index.

Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI)

The Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI) is a composite benchmark computed by GMO. Prior to May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consisted of (1) the S&P 500 Index; (2) the MSCI ACWI ex-US; and (3) the BCABI in the following proportions: 48.75% (S&P 500), 16.25% (MSCI ACWI ex-U.S.), and 35% (BCABI). Effective May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consists of (1) the MSCI ACWI; and (2) the BCABI in the following proportions: 65% (MSCI ACWI), and 35% (BCABI).

Share Class Performance
The following provides additional information about the performance history of the Funds contained in this prospectus, including information regarding predecessor funds, if any, and whether performance information presented is based on the history of an older share class. 

Asset Allocation Fund - Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010 is based on the performance of the Fund's predecessor, Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

A Fund's past performance is no guarantee of future results. A Fund's investment results will fluctuate over time, and any representation of the Fund's returns for any past period should not be considered as a representation of what a Fund's returns may be in any future period. The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports contain additional performance information and are available upon request, without charge, by calling the telephone number listed on the back cover page of this Prospectus.

Financial Highlights


The following tables are intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the past five years (or since inception, if shorter). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total returns represent the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund's financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is also included in the Fund's annual report, a copy of which is available upon request.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30

Class A

2015

20141

2013

2012

2011

20102,3

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

14.43

$

13.73

$

12.91

$

11.70

$

11.76

$

11.37

Net investment loss

(0.11)

(0.07)

(0.11)

(0.12)

(0.09)

(0.08)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.18

1.01

1.26

1.56

0.20

0.47

Total from investment operations

0.07

0.94

1.15

1.44

0.11

0.39

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.40)

(0.24)

(0.33)

(0.23)

(0.14)

(0.00)4

Tax basis return of capital

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

(0.03)

0.00

Total distributions to shareholders

(0.40)

(0.24)

(0.33)

(0.23)

(0.17)

(0.00)4

Net asset value, end of period

$

14.10

$

14.43

$

13.73

$

12.91

$

11.70

$

11.76

Total return5

0.53%

6.92%

9.12%

12.48%

0.94%

3.45%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses6

0.85%

0.85%

0.84%

0.84%

0.85%

0.85%

Net expenses6

0.85%

0.85%

0.84%

0.84%

0.84%

0.85%

Net investment loss6

(0.85)%

(0.85)%

(0.84)%

(0.84)%

(0.84)%

(0.85)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate7

0%

1%

0%

1%

1%

1%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

2,058,444

$

2,398,503

$

2,332,077

$

2,307,609

$

2,336,095

$

2,957,689

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

After the close of business on July 16, 2010, the Fund acquired the net assets of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund which became the accounting and performance survivor in the transaction. The information for the periods prior to July 19, 2010 is that of Class A of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

3

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30, effective September 30, 2010.

4

Amount is less than $0.005.

5

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

6

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

7

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

 

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30

Class B

2015

20141

2013

2012

2011

20102,3

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

14.28

$

13.51

$

12.66

$

11.54

$

11.60

$

11.27

Net investment loss

(0.23)4

(0.13)4

(0.21)4

(0.19)4

(0.19)4

(0.14)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.20

0.99

1.26

1.51

0.21

0.47

Total from investment operations

(0.03)

0.86

1.05

1.32

0.02

0.33

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.23)

(0.09)

(0.20)

(0.20)

(0.07)

(0.00)5

Tax basis return of capital

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

(0.01)

0.00

Total distributions to shareholders

(0.23)

(0.09)

(0.20)

(0.20)

(0.08)

(0.00)5

Net asset value, end of period

$

14.02

$

14.28

$

13.51

$

12.66

$

11.54

$

11.60

Total return6

(0.20)%

6.40%

8.40%

11.61%

0.17%

2.95%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses7

1.59%

1.60%

1.59%

1.59%

1.60%

1.60%

Net expenses7

1.59%

1.60%

1.59%

1.59%

1.59%

1.59%

Net investment loss7

(1.59)%

(1.60)%

(1.59)%

(1.59)%

(1.59)%

(1.59)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate8

0%

1%

0%

1%

1%

1%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

165,031

$

319,225

$

430,116

$

659,186

$

917,860

$

1,253,485

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

After the close of business on July 16, 2010, the Fund acquired the net assets of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund which became the accounting and performance survivor in the transaction. The information for the periods prior to July 19, 2010 is that of Class B of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

3

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30, effective September 30, 2010.

4

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

5

Amount is less than $0.005.

6

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

7

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

8

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

 

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30

Class C

2015

20141

2013

2012

2011

20102,3

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

13.92

$

13.20

$

12.40

$

11.30

$

11.36

$

11.04

Net investment loss

(0.22)4

(0.14)

(0.20)4

(0.19)4

(0.19)4

(0.14)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.18

0.99

1.22

1.49

0.21

0.46

Total from investment operations

(0.04)

0.85

1.02

1.30

0.02

0.32

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.27)

(0.13)

(0.22)

(0.20)

(0.07)

(0.00)5

Tax basis return of capital

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

(0.01)

0.00

Total distributions to shareholders

(0.27)

(0.13)

(0.22)

(0.20)

(0.08)

(0.00)5

Net asset value, end of period

$

13.61

$

13.92

$

13.20

$

12.40

$

11.30

$

11.36

Total return6

(0.23)%

6.44%

8.32%

11.64%

0.18%

2.92%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses7

1.60%

1.60%

1.59%

1.59%

1.60%

1.60%

Net expenses7

1.60%

1.60%

1.59%

1.59%

1.59%

1.60%

Net investment loss7

(1.60)%

(1.60)%

(1.59)%

(1.59)%

(1.59)%

(1.60)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate8

0%

1%

0%

1%

1%

1%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

2,060,672

$

2,377,997

$

2,399,839

$

2,604,438

$

2,736,064

$

3,290,791

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

After the close of business on July 16, 2010, the Fund acquired the net assets of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund which became the accounting and performance survivor in the transaction. The information for the periods prior to July 19, 2010 is that of Class C of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

3

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30, effective September 30, 2010.

4

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

5

Amount is less than $0.005.

6

Total return calculations do not include any sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

7

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

8

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

More information on the Fund is available free upon request, including the following documents:

Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
Supplements the disclosures made by this Prospectus. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and therefore is legally part of this Prospectus.

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports
Provide financial and other important information, including a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance over the reporting period.

To obtain copies of the above documents or for more information about Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, contact us:

By telephone:
Individual Investors: 1-800-222-8222
Retail Investment Professionals: 1-888-877-9275
Institutional Investment Professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

By e-mail: wfaf@wellsfargo.com   

By mail:
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266

Online:
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

From the SEC:
Visit the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC (phone 1-202-551-8090 for operational information
for the SEC's Public Reference Room) or the
SEC's Web site at sec.gov.

To obtain information for a fee, write or email:
SEC's Public Reference Section
100 "F" Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-0102
publicinfo@sec.gov

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved B95AFR/P501B 9-15
ICA Reg. No. 811-09253


Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 | 

September 1, 2015

Allocation Funds

Prospectus

Administrator Class

Asset Allocation Fund

EAIFX


As with all mutual funds, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.

Fund shares are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., its affiliates or any other depository institution. Fund shares are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency and may lose value.

Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

2

The Fund

Key Fund Information

7

Asset Allocation Fund

8

Description of Principal Investment Risks

10

Portfolio Holdings Information

14

Management of the Fund

The Manager and Portfolio Managers

15

Multi-Manager Arrangement

16

Your Account

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents

17

Pricing Fund Shares

18

How to Buy Shares

19

How to Sell Shares

21

How to Exchange Shares

22

Account Policies

24

Other Information

Distributions

26

Taxes

26

Description of Underlying Funds

27

Additional Performance Information

47

Financial Highlights

48

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Fees and Expenses

These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)

None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1

Management Fees

0.32%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

0.00%

Other Expenses

0.39%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.55%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.26%

Fee Waivers

(0.07)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver2

1.19%

1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Adviser has contractually committed through August 31, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 0.64% for Administrator Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (including the expenses of Asset Allocation Trust), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Example of Expenses

The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. The example also assumes that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver shown above will only be in place for the length of the current waiver commitment. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

After:

1 Year

$121

3 Years

$393

5 Years

$685

10 Years

$1,516

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio. In addition, the portfolio turnover rate for Asset Allocation Trust, in which the Fund invests all of its assets, was 42% for its fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

An investment in the Fund may lose money, is not a deposit of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.

Credit Risk. The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due, which could cause the value of an investment to decline and a Fund to lose money.

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk. Investments focused in countries, regions, sectors, industries, or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors and investments whose prices are strongly correlated are subject to greater overall risk than investments that are more diversified.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.

High Yield Securities Risk. High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default or of not returning principal and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. When interest rates decline, interest that a Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, but the value of those securities may increase.

Investment Style Risk. Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.

Large Shareholder Risk. To the extent that a large number of shares of the Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by that shareholder of all or a large portion of its Fund shares will cause the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices or otherwise will disrupt the Fund's operations.

Management Risk. Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. Geopolitical and other events may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Those events, as well as other changes in non-U.S. and U.S. economic and political conditions, could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.

Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may decline in value and become less liquid when defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets occur and may exhibit additional volatility in periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. When interest rates decline or are low, the prepayment of mortgages or assets underlying such securities can reduce a Fund's returns.

Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of a loss of premiums without offsetting gains. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments.

Short Sales Risk. Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.

Underlying Funds Risk. The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests.

Performance

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year. The Fund's average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year
Administrator Class

Highest Quarter: 2nd Quarter 2009

+12.27%

Lowest Quarter: 4th Quarter 2008

-11.79%

Year-to-date total return as of 6/30/2015 is +1.09%

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2014

Inception Date of Share Class

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Administrator Class (before taxes)

10/3/2002

0.56%

6.23%

5.44%

Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions)

10/3/2002

-0.69%

5.51%

4.16%

Administrator Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)

10/3/2002

0.32%

4.67%

3.97%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

5.97%

4.45%

4.71%

GMO Global Asset Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.87%

7.78%

5.54%

MSCI ACWI Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.16%

9.17%

6.09%

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.

Fund Management

 

Manager

Portfolio Manager1, Title/Managed Since

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Ben Inker, CFA, Portfolio Manager/1996
Sam Wilderman, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2012

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Administrator Class shares are generally available through financial intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and fund of funds including those managed by Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.

 

Minimum Investments

To Buy or Sell Shares

Minimum Initial Investment
Administrator Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Administrator Class: None

Mail: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266
Online: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com
Phone or Wire: 1-800-222-8222

Contact your financial professional.

Tax Information

Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Web site for more information.

Key Fund Information


This Prospectus contains information about the Fund within the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds® family and is designed to provide you with important information to help you with your investment decisions. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

In this Prospectus, "we" generally refers to Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management) or the portfolio managers. "We" may also refer to the Fund's other service providers. "You" refers to the shareholder or potential investor.


Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies

The investment objective of the Fund in this Prospectus is non-fundamental; that is, it can be changed by a vote of the Board of Trustees ("Board") alone. The objective and strategies description for the Fund tells you:

what the Fund is trying to achieve; and

how we intend to invest your money.

This section also provides a summary of the Fund's principal investment policies and practices. Unless otherwise indicated, these investment policies and practices apply on an ongoing basis.

Principal Investment Risks

This section lists the principal investment risks for the Fund. A complete description of these and other risks is found in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.


Asset Allocation Fund

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager

Ben Inker, CFA; Sam Wilderman, CFA1

Fund Inception:

July 29, 1996

Administrator Class

Ticker: EAIFX

Fund Number: 4706

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

The Fund's Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash and AAT may also invest in certain other investments, including cash or various cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and other short-term instruments, including notes, certain short-term asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker's acceptances, bank deposits, U.S. government securities or shares of registered investment companies, to either maintain liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes, when we or GMO believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During these periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.

 

Credit Risk

Derivatives Risk

Emerging Markets Risk

Focused Investment Risk

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Foreign Investment Risk

High Yield Securities Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Investment Style Risk

Large Shareholder Risk

Management Risk

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Market Risk

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

Options Risk

Short Sales Risk

Smaller Company Securities Risk

Underlying Funds Risk

These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund's net asset value, yield and total return. These risks are described in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section.

Description of Principal Investment Risks


Understanding the risks involved in mutual fund investing will help you make an informed decision that takes into account your risk tolerance and preferences. The risks that are most likely to have a material effect on a particular Fund as a whole are called "principal risks."

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market price of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the underlying fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors,industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The principal risks for the Fund have been previously identified and are described below. Additional information about the principal risks is included in the Statement of Additional Information.

Credit Risk
The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due. In these instances, the value of an investment could decline and the Fund could lose money. Credit risk increases as an issuer's credit quality declines.

Derivatives Risk
The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when derivatives are used to enhance a Fund's return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or mitigate) the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. The success of a derivative strategy will be affected by the portfolio manager's ability to assess and predict market or economic developments and their impact on the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves. Certain derivative instruments may become illiquid and, as a result, may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so. Certain derivatives create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of their underlying assets, indexes or rates and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. Certain derivatives (e.g., over-the-counter swaps) are also subject to the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, which may cause a Fund to lose money, suffer delays or incur costs arising from holding or selling an underlying asset. Changes in laws or regulations may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.

Emerging Markets Risk
Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to recessions in other countries. Emerging markets tend to have less developed legal and financial systems and a smaller market capitalization than markets in developed countries. Some emerging markets are subject to greater political instability. Additionally, emerging markets may have more volatile currencies and be more sensitive than developed markets to a variety of economic factors, including inflation. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk
Funds with investments that are focused in particular countries, regions, sectors, industries or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors, and funds with investments whose prices are strongly correlated, are subject to greater overall risk than funds with investments that are more diversified. A Fund that invests in the securities of a small number of issuers has greater exposure to adverse developments affecting those issuers and to a decline in the market price of particular securities than a Fund investing in the securities of a larger number of issuers.

Securities, sectors or companies that share common characteristics are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and often react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

Similarly, a Fund that has a significant portion of its assets in investments tied economically (or related) to a particular geographic region, country (e.g., Taiwan or Japan) or market (e.g., emerging markets) has more exposure to regional and country economic risks than a fund making investments throughout the world. The political and economic prospects of one country or group of countries within the same geographic region may affect other countries in that region, and a recession, debt crisis, or decline in the value of the currency of one country can spread to other countries. Furthermore, companies in a particular geographic region or country are vulnerable to events affecting other companies in that region or country because they often share common characteristics, are exposed to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

To the extent an underlying fund concentrates its investments in the natural resources sector, it is particularly exposed to adverse developments, including adverse price movements, affecting issuers in the natural resources sector and is subject to greater risks than a fund that invests in a wider range of industries. In addition, the market prices of securities of companies in the natural resources sector may be more volatile than those of securities of companies in other industries. Some of the commodities used as raw materials or produced by these companies are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of industry-wide supply and demand factors. Companies in the natural resources sector often have limited pricing power over the supplies they purchase and the products they sell, which can affect their profitability. Companies in the natural resources sector also may be subject to special risks associated with natural or man-made disasters. In addition, the natural resources sector can be especially affected by political and economic developments, government regulations including changes in tax law or interpretations of law, energy conservation, and the success of exploration projects. Specifically, the natural resource sector can be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. An underlying fund's concentration in the securities of natural resource companies exposes it to the price movements of natural resources to a greater extent than if it were more broadly diversified. An underlying fund that invests primarily in the natural resources sector runs the risk of performing poorly during an economic downturn or a decline in demand for natural resources.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes. The Fund's gains from positions in foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund's losses from such positions may also lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders.

Foreign Investment Risk
Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such changes may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the investments. Foreign investments may be subject to additional risks such as potentially higher withholding and other taxes, and may also be subject to greater trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks than domestic investments. Certain foreign markets may also be characterized by less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards.

High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default (or in the case of bonds currently in default, of not returning principal) and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities. Additionally, these securities tend to be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.

Interest Rate Risk
When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. The longer the terms of the debt securities held by a Fund, the more the Fund is subject to this risk. If interest rates decline, interest that the Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, which could cause the Fund to reduce the dividends it pays to shareholders, but the value of those securities may increase. Some debt securities give the issuers the option to call, redeem or prepay the securities before their maturity dates. If an issuer calls, redeems or prepays a debt security during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in a security offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the debt securities market, reduced liquidity for certain Fund investments and an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.

Investment Style Risk
Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. As a result, a Fund's performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly or in securities of a different investment style.

Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large number of shares of a Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor or another GMO Fund) or a group of shareholders with a common investment strategy (e.g., GMO asset allocation accounts), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by those shareholders of all or a large portion of their Fund shares will adversely affect the Fund's performance by forcing the Fund to sell portfolio securities to raise the cash needed to satisfy the redemption request. In addition, the Funds and other accounts over which GMO has investment discretion that invest in the Funds are not limited in how often they may purchase or sell Fund shares. GMO Asset Allocation Funds and separate accounts managed by GMO for its clients hold substantial percentages of the shares of many underlying funds, and asset allocation decisions by GMO may result in substantial redemptions from (or investments in) those underlying funds. These transactions may adversely affect the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund is required to sell investments (or invest cash) when it would not otherwise do so. Redemptions of a large number of shares also may increase transaction costs or, by necessitating a sale of portfolio securities, have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders. Additionally, redemptions by a large shareholder also potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any) and may limit or prevent a Fund's use of tax equalization. In addition, to the extent a Fund invests in other GMO Funds subject to Large Shareholder Risk, the Fund is indirectly subject to this risk.

Management Risk
Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical and other events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund's investments. Sudden or significant changes in the supply or prices of commodities or other economic inputs (e.g., the marked decline in oil prices in late 2014) may have material and unexpected effects on both global securities markets and individual countries, regions, sectors, companies, or industries, which could significantly reduce the value of a Fund's investments. Terrorism in the United States and around the world has increased geopolitical risk. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 resulted in the closure of some U.S. securities markets for four days, and similar attacks are possible in the future. Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or reduce the value of investments traded in them, including investments of the Fund. While the U.S. government has always honored its credit obligations, a default by the U.S. government (as has been threatened in recent years) would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly reduce the value of the Fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could adversely affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of several European Union countries, as well as the continued existence of the European Union itself, has disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more country changes its currency or leaves the European Union or if the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Substantial government interventions (e.g., currency controls), also could adversely affect the Fund. War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and systemic market dislocations of the kind surrounding the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund's investments. During such market disruptions, the Fund's exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this section will likely increase. Market disruptions, including sudden government interventions, can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment programs and achieving its investment objectives. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause the Fund's derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some underlying commodities, securities, reference rates or indices, or to offer them on a more limited basis. To the extent that the Fund has focused its investments in the stock index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events in that region could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund. 

Market Risk
The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets may cause such securities to decline in value and become less liquid. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility. When interest rates decline or are low, borrowers may pay off their mortgage or other debts sooner than expected, which can reduce the returns of a Fund. Funds that may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions are subject to the risk that the market value of the securities that are required to be repurchased in the future may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price. They also involve the risk that the party to whom the securities are sold may become insolvent, limiting the fund's ability to repurchase securities at the agreed upon price.

Options Risk
A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that gains, if any, realized on the position, will be less than the amount paid as premiums to the writer of the option. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments. A Fund that writes covered call options gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price while the option is in effect. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options and their underlying securities and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options.

Short Sales Risk
Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. If the price of a security which the Fund has sold short increases between the time of the short sale and when the position is closed out, the Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time of the short sale plus any related interest payments, dividends, transaction or other costs. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise, potentially exacerbating a loss or reducing a gain. In addition, the Fund is subject to the risk that the lender of a security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same instrument from another lender. A Fund that uses short sales is subject to the risk that its prime broker will be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations. Regulatory restrictions limit the extent to which the Fund may engage in short sales.

Smaller Company Securities Risk
Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, limited financial resources or may be newly public companies. Some of these companies have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, or are involved in rapidly growing or changing industries and/or new technologies.

Underlying Funds Risk
The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. To the extent that an Underlying Fund actively trades its securities, the Fund will experience the consequences of a higher-than-average portfolio turnover rate, such as increased trading expenses and higher short-term capital gains. Investments in the Fund result in your incurring higher expenses than if you were to invest directly in the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

Portfolio Holdings Information


A description of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' portfolio holdings is available in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. In addition, Funds Management will, from time to time, include portfolio holdings information in periodic commentaries for the Fund. The substance of the information contained in such commentaries will also be posted to the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Management of the Fund


The Manager and Portfolio Managers

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC ("Funds Management"), headquartered at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, provides advisory and Fund level administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement"). Funds Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, a publicly traded diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer financial services. Funds Management is a registered investment adviser that provides advisory services for registered mutual funds, closed-end funds and other funds and accounts.

Funds Management is responsible for implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. Funds Management's investment professionals review and analyze the Fund's performance, including relative to peer funds, and monitor the Fund's compliance with its investment objective and strategies. Funds Management is responsible for reporting to the Board on investment performance and other matters affecting the Fund. When appropriate, Funds Management recommends to the Board enhancements to Fund features, including changes to Fund investment objectives, strategies and policies. Funds Management also communicates with shareholders and intermediaries about Fund performance and features. 

Funds Management is also responsible for providing Fund-level administrative services, which include, among others, providing such services in connection with the Funds' operations; developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and providing any other Fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds other than those services that are provided by the Funds' transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian, and fund accountant.

For providing these investment management services, Funds Management is entitled to receive the fees disclosed in the row captioned "Management Fees" in the Fund's table of Annual Fund Operating Expenses. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the management agreement for the Fund is available in the Fund's semi-annual shareholder report for the six-month period ended October 31st.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"). The Management Agreement, which became effective July 1, 2015, combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Funds' prior Amended and Restated Administration Agreement applicable to Fund-level administrative services. For a Fund's most recent fiscal year end, the advisory fee paid to Funds Management pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, net of any applicable waivers and reimbursements, was as follows:

Advisory Fees Paid

As a % of average daily net assets

Asset Allocation Fund

0.22%

 

Ben Inker, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Inker has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of the Fund since 1996 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014.

Sam Wilderman, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team, allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Wilderman has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of GMO's asset allocation portfolios since 2012 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014. Previously, Mr. Wilderman was Co-Head of GMO's Global Equity Team.

Multi-Manager Arrangement

The Fund and Funds Management have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Funds Management, subject to Board approval, to select certain sub-advisers and enter into or amend sub-advisory agreements with them, without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC order extends to sub-advisers that are not otherwise affiliated with Funds Management or the Fund, as well as sub-advisers that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Funds Management or of a company that wholly owns Funds Management ("Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers").

Pursuant to the order, Funds Management, with Board approval, may hire or replace Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers for the Fund. Funds Management, subject to Board oversight, has the responsibility to oversee Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. If a new sub-adviser is hired for the Fund pursuant to the order, the Fund is required to notify shareholders within 90 days. The Fund is not required to disclose the individual fees that Funds Management pays to a Multi-Manager Sub-Adviser.

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents


Shareholder Servicing Plan
The Fund has a shareholder servicing plan. Under this plan, various shareholder servicing agents have been authorized to process purchase and redemption requests, to service shareholder accounts, and to provide other related services for the Fund's Administrator Class. For these services, the Fund's Administrator Class pays an annual fee of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets.

Additional Payments to Dealers
In addition to dealer reallowances and payments made by the Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing, the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates make additional payments ("Additional Payments") to certain selling or shareholder servicing agents for the Fund, which include broker-dealers and 401(k) service providers and recordkeepers. These Additional Payments are made in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and its shareholders. These Additional Payments, which may be significant, are paid by the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates, out of their revenues, which generally come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the entire Fund complex.

In return for these Additional Payments, the Fund's manager and distributor expect the Fund to receive certain marketing or servicing advantages that are not generally available to mutual funds that do not make such payments. Such advantages are expected to include, without limitation, placement of the Fund on a list of mutual funds offered as investment options to the selling agent's clients (sometimes referred to as "Shelf Space"); access to the selling agent's registered representatives; and/or ability to assist in training and educating the selling agent's registered representatives.

Certain selling or shareholder servicing agents receive these Additional Payments to supplement amounts payable by the Fund under the shareholder servicing plans. In exchange, these agents provide services including, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining accounts and records; answering inquiries regarding purchases, exchanges and redemptions; processing and verifying purchase, redemption and exchange transactions; furnishing account statements and confirmations of transactions; processing and mailing monthly statements, prospectuses, shareholder reports and other SEC-required communications; and providing the types of services that might typically be provided by the Fund's transfer agent (e.g., the maintenance of omnibus or omnibus-like accounts, the use of the National Securities Clearing Corporation for the transmission of transaction information and the transmission of shareholder mailings).

The Additional Payments may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and a selling agent who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. Before investing, you should consult with your financial consultant and review carefully any disclosure by the selling agent as to what monies they receive from mutual fund advisers and distributors, as well as how your financial consultant is compensated.

The Additional Payments are typically paid in fixed dollar amounts, or based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the selling or shareholder servicing agent, or based on a percentage of sales and/or assets under management, or a combination of the above. The Additional Payments are either up-front or ongoing or both. The Additional Payments differ among selling and shareholder servicing agents. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on its customers' assets typically range between 0.05% and 0.30% in a given year of assets invested in a Fund by the selling agent's customers. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on a percentage of sales typically range between 0.10% and 0.15% of the gross sales of a Fund attributable to the selling agent. In addition, representatives of the Fund's distributor visit selling agents on a regular basis to educate their registered representatives and to encourage the sale of Fund shares. The costs associated with such visits may be paid for by the Fund's manager, distributor, or their affiliates, subject to applicable FINRA regulations.

More information on the FINRA member firms that have received the Additional Payments described in this section is available in the Statement of Additional Information, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Pricing Fund Shares


The Fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is normally calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open. The NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of a multiple-class Fund. The most recent NAV for each class of a Fund is available at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. To calculate the NAV of the Fund's shares, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The price at which a purchase or redemption request is processed is based on the next NAV calculated after the request is received in good order. NAV is not calculated, and purchase and redemption requests are not processed, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading.

Because the Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust, which in turn invests its assets in various underlying funds, the value of the Fund's shares is based on the NAV of the shares of Asset Allocation Trust, which is itself based on the NAV of the shares of the underlying funds. The valuation methods used by the underlying funds in pricing their shares, including the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, are described in their prospectuses.

How to Buy Shares


Administrator Class shares are generally available through financial intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and fund of funds including those managed by Funds Management. Specific eligibility requirements that apply to these entities include:

Employee benefit plan programs;

Broker-dealer managed account or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;

Registered investment adviser mutual fund wrap programs or other accounts that are charged a fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services;

Private bank and trust company managed accounts or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;

Internal Revenue Code Section 529 college savings plan accounts;

Fund of Funds including those advised by Funds Management;

Investment Management and Trust Departments of Wells Fargo purchasing shares on behalf of their clients;

Endowments, non-profits, and charitable organizations who invest a minimum initial amount of $500,000 in a Fund;

Any other institutions or customers of financial intermediaries who invest a minimum initial investment amount of $1 million in a Fund;

Individual investors who invest a minimum initial investment amount of $1 million directly with a Fund; and

Certain investors and related accounts as detailed in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Any of the minimum initial investment amount waivers listed above may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Institutions Purchasing
Shares Directly

Opening an Account

Adding to an Account

By Telephone or Online

A new account may not be opened by telephone or online unless the institution has another Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account. If the institution does not currently have an account, contact your investment representative.

To buy additional shares or to buy
shares in a new Fund:

Call Investor Services at
1-800-222-8222 or

Call 1-800-368-7550 for the
automated phone system or

Visit our Web site at
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

By Wire

Complete and sign the Administrator Class account application

Call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for faxing instructions

Use the following wiring instructions:

Receiving bank: State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston, MA
Bank ABA/routing number: 011000028
Bank account number: 9905-437-1
For credit to: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
For further credit to: [Your name (as registered on your fund account) and your fund and account number]

To buy additional shares, instruct
your bank or financial institution to
use the same wire instructions
shown to the left.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes For Buying Shares

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your new account application or purchase request in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to process your transaction.

Earning Distributions. You are eligible to earn distributions beginning on the business day after the transfer agent receives your purchase in proper form.

U.S. Dollars Only. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars and all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks.

Right to Refuse an Order. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason, including if we believe that doing so would be in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders.

Other Share Classes. You may be eligible to invest in one or more classes of shares offered by a Fund. Each of the Fund's share classes bears varying expenses and may differ in other features. Consult your financial intermediary for more information regarding the Fund's available share classes.

Special Considerations When Investing Through Financial Intermediaries:
If a financial intermediary purchases Administrator Class shares on your behalf, you should understand the following:

Minimum Investments and Other Terms of Your Account. Share purchases are made through a customer account at your financial intermediary following that firm's terms. Financial intermediaries may require different minimum investment amounts. Please consult an account representative from your financial intermediary for specifics.

Records are Held in Financial Intermediary's Name. Financial intermediaries are usually the holders of record for Administrator Class shares held through their customer accounts. The financial intermediaries maintain records reflecting their customers' beneficial ownership of the shares.

Purchase/Redemption Orders. Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting their customers' purchase and redemption orders to a Fund and for delivering required payment on a timely basis.

Shareholder Communications. Financial intermediaries are responsible for delivering shareholder communications and voting information from a Fund, and for transmitting shareholder voting instructions to a Fund.

The information provided in this Prospectus is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Fund shares to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.

The Fund is distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") information and brochure are available at SIPC.org or by calling SIPC at (202) 371-8300.

How to Sell Shares


Administrator Class shares must be redeemed according to the terms of your customer account with your financial intermediary. You should contact your investment representative when you wish to sell Fund shares.

Institutions Selling Shares Directly

To Sell Some or All of Your Shares

By Telephone / Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

To speak with an investor services representative call 1-800-222-8222 or use the automated phone system at 1-800-368-7550.

Redemptions processed by EFT to a linked Wells Fargo Bank account occur same day for Wells Fargo Advantage money market funds, and next day for all other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds.

Transfers made to a Wells Fargo Bank account are made available sooner than transfers to an unaffiliated institution.

Redemptions to any other linked bank account may post in two business days, please check with your financial institution for funds posting and availability.

Note: Telephone transactions such as redemption requests made over the phone generally require only one of the account owners to call unless you have instructed us otherwise.

By Wire

To arrange for a Federal Funds wire to a linked bank account, call 1-800-222-8222.

Redemption proceeds are usually wired to the financial intermediary the following business day.

Online

Visit our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes for Selling Shares 

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your request to sell shares in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your request to sell shares is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, it will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to sell your shares.

Earning Distributions. Your shares are eligible to earn distributions through the date of redemption. If you redeem shares on a Friday or prior to a holiday, your shares will continue to be eligible to earn distributions until the next business day.

Right to Delay Payment. We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you wish to redeem shares purchased by check or Electronic Funds Transfer within seven days of purchase, you may need to resubmit your redemption request if your payment has not yet cleared. Our ability to determine with reasonable certainty that investments have been finally collected is greater for investments coming from accounts with banks affiliated with Funds Management than it is for investments coming from accounts with unaffiliated banks. Redemption payments also may be delayed under extraordinary circumstances or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders. Such extraordinary circumstances are discussed further in the Statement of Additional Information.

Redemption in Kind. Although generally we pay redemption requests in cash, we reserve the right to determine in our sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities (known as a redemption in kind). In such case, we may pay all or part of the redemption in securities of equal value as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules thereunder. The redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received.

Retirement Plans and Other Products. If you purchased shares through a packaged investment product or retirement plan, read the directions for selling shares provided by the product or plan. There may be special requirements that supersede the directions in this Prospectus.

How to Exchange Shares


Exchanges between Wells Fargo Advantage Funds involve two transactions: (1) a sale of shares of one Fund; and (2) the purchase of shares of another. In general, the same rules and procedures that apply to sales and purchases apply to exchanges. There are, however, additional factors you should keep in mind while making or considering an exchange: 

In general, exchanges may be made between like share classes of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund offered to the general public for investment (i.e., a Fund not closed to new accounts), with the following exception: Class A shares of non-money market funds may also be exchanged for Service Class shares of any money market fund.

Same-fund exchanges between share classes are permitted subject to the following conditions: (1) exchanges out of Class A and Class C shares would not be allowed if shares are subject to a CDSC; (2) for exchanges into Class A shares, the shareholder must meet all qualifications to purchase Class A shares at net asset value based on current prospectus guidelines; and (3) the shareholder must meet the eligibility guidelines of the class being purchased in the exchange.

An exchange request will be processed on the same business day, provided that both Funds are open at the time the request is received. If one or both Funds are closed, the exchange will be processed on the following business day.

You should carefully read the prospectus for the Wells Fargo Advantage Fund into which you wish to exchange. 

Every exchange involves selling Fund shares, which may produce a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. 

If you are making an initial investment into a Fund through an exchange, you must exchange at least the minimum initial purchase amount for the new Fund, unless your balance has fallen below that amount due to investment performance. 

Any exchange between two Wells Fargo Advantage Funds must meet the minimum subsequent purchase amounts.

Class B and Class C share exchanges will not trigger the CDSC. The new shares will continue to age according to their original schedule and will be charged the CDSC applicable to the original shares upon redemption.

Generally, we will notify you at least 60 days in advance of any changes in our exchange policy.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason. Purchases or exchanges that a Fund determines could harm the Fund may be rejected.

Excessive trading by Fund shareholders can negatively impact a Fund and its long-term shareholders in several ways, including disrupting Fund investment strategies, increasing transaction costs, decreasing tax efficiency, and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Excessive trading in Fund shares can negatively impact a Fund's long-term performance by requiring it to maintain more assets in cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. Certain Funds may be more susceptible than others to these negative effects. For example, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in non-U.S. securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities resulting from pricing variations due to time zone differences across international financial markets. Similarly, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in small company securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities due to the less liquid nature of small company securities. Both types of Funds also may incur higher transaction costs in liquidating portfolio holdings to meet excessive redemption levels. Fair value pricing may reduce these arbitrage opportunities, thereby reducing some of the negative effects of excessive trading.

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, other than the Adjustable Rate Government Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short-Term Income Fund and Ultra Short-Term Municipal Income Fund ("Ultra-Short Funds") and the money market funds, (the "Covered Funds"). The Covered Funds are not designed to serve as vehicles for frequent trading. The Covered Funds actively discourage and take steps to prevent the portfolio disruption and negative effects on long-term shareholders that can result from excessive trading activity by Covered Fund shareholders. The Board has approved the Covered Funds' policies and procedures, which provide, among other things, that Funds Management may deem trading activity to be excessive if it determines that such trading activity would likely be disruptive to a Covered Fund by increasing expenses or lowering returns. In this regard, the Covered Funds take steps to avoid accommodating frequent purchases and redemptions of shares by Covered Fund shareholders. Funds Management monitors available shareholder trading information across all Covered Funds on a daily basis. If a shareholder redeems $5,000 or more (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) from a Covered Fund, that shareholder is "blocked" from purchasing shares of that Covered Fund (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption. This policy does not apply to:

Money market funds;

Ultra-Short Funds;

Dividend reinvestments;

Systematic investments or exchanges where the financial intermediary maintaining the shareholder account identifies the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase at the time of the transaction;

Rebalancing transactions within certain asset allocation or "wrap" programs where the financial intermediary maintaining a shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as part of an asset allocation program approved by Funds Management;

Transactions initiated by a "fund of funds" or Section 529 Plan into an underlying fund investment;

Permitted exchanges between share classes of the same Fund;

Certain transactions involving participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including: participant withdrawals due to mandatory distributions, rollovers and hardships, withdrawals of shares acquired by participants through payroll deductions, and shares acquired or sold by a participant in connection with plan loans; and

Purchases below $5,000 (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction).

The money market funds and the Ultra-Short Funds. Because the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds are often used for short-term investments, they are designed to accommodate more frequent purchases and redemptions than the Covered Funds. As a result, the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not anticipate that frequent purchases and redemptions, under normal circumstances, will have significant adverse consequences to the money market funds or Ultra-Short Funds or their shareholders. Although the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not prohibit frequent trading, Funds Management will seek to prevent an investor from utilizing the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds to facilitate frequent purchases and redemptions of shares in the Covered Funds in contravention of the policies and procedures adopted by the Covered Funds.

All Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. In addition, Funds Management reserves the right to accept purchases, redemptions and exchanges made in excess of applicable trading restrictions in designated accounts held by Funds Management or its affiliate that are used at all times exclusively for addressing operational matters related to shareholder accounts, such as testing of account functions, and are maintained at low balances that do not exceed specified dollar amount limitations.

In the event that an asset allocation or "wrap" program is unable to implement the policy outlined above, Funds Management may grant a program-level exception to this policy. A financial intermediary relying on the exception is required to provide Funds Management with specific information regarding its program and ongoing information about its program upon request.

A financial intermediary through whom you may purchase shares of the Fund may independently attempt to identify excessive trading and take steps to deter such activity. As a result, a financial intermediary may on its own limit or permit trading activity of its customers who invest in Fund shares using standards different from the standards used by Funds Management and discussed in this Prospectus. Funds Management may permit a financial intermediary to enforce its own internal policies and procedures concerning frequent trading rather than the policies set forth above in instances where Funds Management reasonably believes that the intermediary's policies and procedures effectively discourage disruptive trading activity. If you purchase Fund shares through a financial intermediary, you should contact the intermediary for more information about whether and how restrictions or limitations on trading activity will be applied to your account.

Account Policies


Advance Notice of Large Transactions
We strongly urge you to begin all purchases and redemptions as early in the day as possible and to notify us at least one day in advance of transactions in excess of $5,000,000. This will allow us to manage your Fund most effectively. When you give us this advance notice, you must provide us with your name and account number.

Householding
To help keep Fund expenses low, a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report may be sent to shareholders of the same household. If your household currently receives a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report and you would prefer to receive multiple copies, please contact your financial intermediary.

Retirement Accounts
We offer a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call 1-800-222-8222 for information on:

Individual Retirement Plans, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.

Qualified Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs.

There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholdings. For more information, call the number listed above. For retirement accounts held directly with the Fund, certain fees may apply, including an annual account maintenance fee.

Small Account Redemptions
We reserve the right to redeem certain accounts that fall below the minimum initial investment amount as the result of shareholder redemptions (as opposed to market movement). Before doing so, we will give you approximately 60 days to bring your account above the minimum investment amount. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 or contact your selling agent for further details.

Statements and Confirmations
Statements summarizing activity in your account are mailed quarterly. Confirmations are mailed following each purchase, sale, exchange, or transfer of Fund shares, except generally for Automatic Investment Plan transactions, Systematic Withdrawal Plan transactions using Electronic Funds Transfer, and purchases of new shares through the automatic reinvestment of distributions. Upon your request and for the applicable fee, you may obtain a reprint of an account statement. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

Electronic Delivery of Fund Documents
You may elect to receive your Fund prospectuses, shareholder reports and other Fund documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery. If you make this election, you will be notified by e-mail when the most recent Fund documents are available for electronic viewing and downloading.

To receive Fund documents electronically, you must have an e-mail account and an internet browser that meets the requirements described in the Privacy & Security section of the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. You may change your electronic delivery preferences or revoke your election to receive Fund documents electronically at any time by visiting wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

Statement Inquiries
Contact us in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies noted on your account statement within 60 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. We may deny your ability to refute a transaction if we do not hear from you within those 60 days.

Transaction Authorizations
Telephone, electronic, and clearing agency privileges allow us to accept transaction instructions by anyone representing themselves as the shareholder and who provides reasonable confirmation of their identity. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Advantage Funds will be liable for any losses incurred if we follow such instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine. For transactions through the automated phone system and our Web site, we will assign personal identification numbers (PINs) and/or passwords to help protect your account information. To safeguard your account, please keep your PINs and passwords confidential. Contact us immediately if you believe there is a discrepancy on your confirmation statement or if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your account, PIN or password.

USA PATRIOT Act
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, all financial institutions (including mutual funds) at the time an account is opened, are required to obtain, verify and record the following information for all registered owners or others who may be authorized to act on the account: full name, date of birth, taxpayer identification number (usually your Social Security Number), and permanent street address. Corporate, trust and other entity accounts require additional documentation. This information will be used to verify your identity. We will return your application if any of this information is missing, and we may request additional information from you for verification purposes. In the rare event that we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to redeem your account at the current day's NAV. You will be responsible for any losses, taxes, expenses, fees, or other results of such a redemption.

Distributions


The Fund generally makes distributions of any net investment income and any realized net capital gains at least annually. Please contact your institution for distribution options. Remember, distributions have the effect of reducing the NAV per share by the amount distributed.

Taxes


The following discussion regarding federal income taxes is based on laws that were in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and you as a shareholder. It does not apply to foreign or tax-exempt shareholders or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) Plan or IRA. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional federal income tax information.

We will pass on to a Fund's shareholders substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and realized net capital gains, if any. Distributions from a Fund's ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from a Fund's net long-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain.

Corporate shareholders may be able to deduct a portion of their distributions when determining their taxable income.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended certain tax rates except those that applied to individual taxpayers with taxable incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for married taxpayers, $425,000 for heads of households). Taxpayers that are not in the new highest tax bracket continue to be subject to a maximum 15% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. For taxpayers in the new highest tax bracket, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends will be 20%. Beginning in 2013, U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly), a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will apply on "net investment income," including interest, dividends, and capital gains.

Distributions from a Fund normally will be taxable to you when paid, whether you take distributions in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Following the end of each year, we will notify you of the federal income tax status of your distributions for the year.

If you buy shares of a Fund shortly before it makes a taxable distribution, your distribution will, in effect, be a taxable return of part of your investment. Similarly, if you buy shares of a Fund when it holds appreciated securities, you will receive a taxable return of part of your investment if and when the Fund sells the appreciated securities and distributes the gain. The Fund has built up, or has the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation.

Your redemptions (including redemptions in-kind) and exchanges of Fund shares ordinarily will result in a taxable capital gain or loss, depending on the amount you receive for your shares (or are deemed to receive in the case of exchanges) and the amount you paid (or are deemed to have paid) for them. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your redeemed or exchanged Fund shares for more than one year at the time of redemption or exchange. In certain circumstances, losses realized on the redemption or exchange of Fund shares may be disallowed.

In certain circumstances, Fund shareholders may be subject to backup withholding taxes.

Description of Underlying Funds


The following information has been provided to the Fund by GMO and the underlying funds in which the Asset Allocation Trust invests. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the prospectus and SAI of each underlying fund.

GMO may change the investment policies and/or programs of the underlying funds at any time without notice to shareholders of the Fund. Each of the underlying funds is subject to some or all of the risks detailed in this prospectus under "Principal Risks." For a more detailed explanation of each underlying fund's principal investments, investment methodology and risks, as well as a definition of each underlying fund's benchmark, see "Underlying Funds" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. References below to the "Manager" are to GMO.

GMO Equity Funds

The GMO Equity Funds (other than GMO Global Focused Equity Fund) normally do not take temporary defensive positions. GMO Global Focused Equity Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Countries Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging countries. "Emerging countries" include all countries that are not treated as "developed market countries" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging countries. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging countries, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. In general, the Fund typically invests in companies with larger market capitalizations than does GMO Emerging Markets Fund. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund
MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Seeks total return. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies whose prospects are linked to the internal ("domestic") development and growth of the world's non-developed markets ("emerging markets"), including companies that provide goods and services to emerging market consumers. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments related to emerging markets. The Fund's investments are not limited to investments in companies located in any particular country or geographic region, and often include investments in companies located in developed markets (e.g., the United States) that are related to, or whose prospects are linked to, emerging markets. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any index or benchmark. GMO primarily uses fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and companies that it believes are likely to benefit from domestic growth in emerging markets. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In evaluating and selecting investments, GMO may consider many factors, including GMO's assessment of a country's and/or sector's fundamentals or growth prospects as well as a company's positioning relative to its competitors. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk, transaction costs, and liquidity. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Markets Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging markets. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging markets. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging markets, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Fund
MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund
S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries) whose outstanding publicly traded equities are in the lowest 25% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) in a particular country ("small companies"). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies that are tied economically to countries other than the United States. The market capitalization range of companies whose equities are held by the Fund is generally within the market capitalization range of companies in the Fund's benchmark, which represents the lowest 15% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) of the S&P Broad Market Index in each country. Depending on the country, as of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company in a particular country included in the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index ranged from approximately $571 million (New Zealand) to $16.8 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). As of May 31, 2015, the publicly traded market capitalization of the largest small company (as defined by the Fund) ranged from approximately $504 million (Egypt) to $30.0 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund
MSCI ACWI

Seeks total return. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities traded in any of the world's securities markets, including emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund is permitted to invest in equities of all types, including equities issued by non-U.S. and U.S. companies, growth and value style equities, and equities of companies of any market capitalization. In addition, the Fund is not limited in how much it may invest in any market or in the types of equity investments it may make, and it may often invest all its assets in the securities of companies in only a few countries and securities having similar market capitalizations. The Fund could experience material losses from a single investment. The Fund focuses its investments in a relatively small number of securities that GMO believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities in U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities of large- and mid-cap companies. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The term "large- and mid-cap companies" means non-U.S. companies that issue stocks included in the MSCI Standard Indices and international stock indices that target approximately 85% of each market's free-float adjusted market capitalization, and companies with similar market capitalizations. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Small Companies Fund
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of non-U.S. small companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies. For these purposes, non-U.S. companies are companies tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries ("Non-U.S. Companies"). GMO considers "small companies" to be all Non-U.S. Companies other than (i) the largest 500 companies in developed countries based on full, non-float adjusted market capitalization and (ii) any company in an emerging country with a full, non-float adjusted market capitalization that is greater than or equal to that of the smallest excluded developed country companies. A company's full, non-float adjusted market capitalization includes all of the company's outstanding equities. As of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company included within the Fund's definition of small companies was approximately $31.5 billion. For purposes of the Fund's investments, the term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO Quality Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes to be of high quality. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In assessing a company's quality, GMO may consider several factors, including, in particular, profitability, profit stability, and leverage. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities  in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Resources Fund
MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, or regions. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund has a fundamental policy to concentrate its investments in the natural resources sector, and, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of companies in that sector. The Fund considers the "natural resources sector" to include companies that own, produce, refine, process, transport, and market natural resources and companies that provide related equipment, infrastructure, and services. The sector includes, for example, the following industries: integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron ore production, energy services and technology, base metal production, forest products, farming products, paper products, chemicals, building materials, coal, water, alternative energy sources, and environmental services. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in securities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. In addition to its investments in companies in the natural resources sector, the Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of any type of company. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the S&P 500 Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, industry and sector exposure, and market capitalization. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single sector. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in equities tied economically to the United States. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

GMO Fixed Income Funds

If deemed prudent by GMO, the GMO Fixed Income Funds (other than GMO U.S. Treasury Fund) may take temporary defensive positions. Many of the GMO Fixed Income Funds have previously taken temporary defensive positions and have exercised the right to honor redemption requests in-kind. To the extent a GMO Fund takes temporary defensive positions or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective. With respect to the GMO Fixed Income Funds' investments, the term "investment grade" refers to a rating of Baa3/P-2 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB-/A-2 or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and the term "below investment grade" refers to any rating by Moody's or by S&P below those ratings. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as high yield or "junk" bonds. In addition, securities and commercial paper that are rated Aa/P-1 or better by Moody's or AA/A-1 or better by S&P are sometimes referred to as "high quality." Securities referred to as investment grade, below investment grade, or high quality include securities rated by Moody's, S&P, or both, and also unrated securities that GMO determines have comparable credit qualities.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund invests in a portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by bonds, forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts, or swap agreements. GMO uses a variety of fundamental and quantitative processes to manage the Fund. GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). The Fund is permitted to invest in bonds of any kind (e.g., bonds of any maturity, duration, or credit quality). The Fund may invest in any sector of the bond market and is not required to maintain a minimum or maximum allocation of investments in any one sector. The sectors and types of bonds in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to: investment grade bonds denominated in various currencies, including bonds issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporations and municipalities (taxable and tax-exempt); below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"); inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government (including Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS)) and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments) and inflation-indexed bonds issued by corporations; bonds issued in emerging countries (including sovereign debt and below investment grade bonds); asset-backed securities, including mortgage related and mortgage-backed securities; pooled investment vehicles, including both vehicles managed by GMO and vehicles unaffiliated with GMO; and commodities. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including futures contracts, currency options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), interest rate options, and other types of derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may gain exposure to the investments described above by investing in shares of other GMO Funds, including GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets), GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities), GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments), and GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to gain exposure to global interest rate, currency, and credit markets). The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in below investment grade bonds. GMO does not seek to maintain a specified interest rate duration for the Fund, and the Fund's interest rate duration will change depending on the Fund's investments and GMO's assessment of different sectors of the bond market. The Fund's interest rate duration may be positive or negative. The Fund's performance may differ significantly from that of its benchmark.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that do not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives and short sales, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund,GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 5.5 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex Japan ex U.S. (Hedged)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., United Kingdom) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund generally attempts to hedge at least 75% of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.9 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks positive total return. The Fund invests primarily in debt investments (including both direct and indirect investments) and is not restricted in its exposure to any type of debt investment. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality and has no limit on how much it may invest in below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"). The Fund's debt investments may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. The Fund may invest in debt investments issued by a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. private issuers and by federal, state, local, and non-U.S. governments (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments). The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities (including, but not limited to, securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages (including sub-prime mortgages), credit-card receivables, home equity loans, automobile loans, educational loans, corporate and sovereign bonds, and bank loans made to corporations), corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper. As of the date of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund has invested a substantial portion of its assets in asset-backed securities, many of which are below investment grade. In selecting debt investments for the Fund's portfolio, GMO uses analytical techniques to evaluate the relative attractiveness of particular sectors and securities. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund does not maintain a specified interest rate duration for its portfolio. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund may have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund may be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may, but is not required to, hedge part or all of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund
J.P. Morgan EMBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund invests primarily in debt of emerging countries that is issued by a sovereign or its instrumentalities and that usually is denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs or British pounds sterling. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments tied economically to emerging countries. The term "emerging countries" means the world's less developed countries. In general, the Fund considers "emerging countries" to be the countries included in the Fund's benchmark, as well as other countries with similar national domestic products or default histories. The Fund typically gains its investment exposure by purchasing debt investments or by using derivatives, typically credit default swaps. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of all credit qualities, including securities that are in default. (These may include below investment grade debt investments, which are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities.) Generally, at least 75% of the Fund's assets are denominated in, or hedged into, U.S. dollars. The Fund's performance is likely to be more volatile than that of its benchmark. GMO relies principally on a bottom-up approach in selecting investments, using fundamental analytical techniques. GMO also considers its outlook for a country in making investment decisions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund typically invests in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including options, swap contracts (in addition to credit default swaps), currency forwards (including currency forwards on currencies of the developed markets), reverse repurchase agreements and futures. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration for the Fund that is similar to that of its benchmark (approximately 7 years as of 5/31/15).

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.4 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund seeks to add value relative to its benchmark to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund will invest primarily in high quality U.S. and non-U.S. fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund also may invest in other exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically will be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. While the Fund primarily invests in high quality bonds, it may invest in securities that are not high quality and may hold bonds and other fixed income securities whose ratings after they were acquired were reduced below high quality. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. In selecting fixed income securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the securities' credit quality. GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to identify the credit risk associated with investments in fixed income securities and bases its investment decisions on that assessment. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO will normally seek to maintain an estimated interest rate duration of 365 days or less for the Fund's portfolio (which may be substantially shorter than the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity). GMO estimates the Fund's dollar-weighted average interest rate duration by aggregating the durations of the Fund's direct and indirect individual holdings and weighting each holding based on its market value. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in high quality bonds.

 

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex U.S.

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 8.2 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO U.S. Treasury Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks liquidity and safety of principal with current income as a secondary objective. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations and repurchase agreements collateralized by these Obligations. "Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations" include U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and notes and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS) and other zero-coupon securities. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration of one year or less for the Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may enter into repurchase agreements, under which the Fund purchases a security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government from a seller who simultaneously commits to repurchase, on an agreed upon date in the future, the security from the Fund at the original purchase price plus an agreed upon amount representing the original purchase price plus interest. The counterparties in repurchase agreements are typically brokers and banks, and the safety of the arrangement depends on, among other things, the Fund's having an interest in the security that it can realize in the event of the insolvency of the counterparty. In addition to Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations, the Fund may invest in other fixed income securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as fixed income securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Fund also may invest in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. Although the fixed income securities purchased by the Fund normally will have a stated or remaining maturity of one year or less, Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations purchased pursuant to repurchase agreements may not, and, therefore, if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults, the Fund may end up owning a security with a stated or remaining maturity of more than one year. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the duration, quality, diversification and other requirements applicable to money market funds. In selecting U.S. Treasury securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the relative attractiveness of different obligations (such as bonds, notes or bills), which can vary depending on the general level of interest rates as well as supply and demand imbalances and other market conditions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by attempting to identify and estimate relative misvaluation of global interest rate, credit, and currency markets. Based on those estimates, GMO establishes the Fund's positions across those markets. Those positions may include direct investments and derivatives. The Fund's direct investments in fixed income securities include U.S. and non-U.S. asset-backed securities and other fixed income securities (including Treasury Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS), Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS), Treasury Securities and global bonds). The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. Derivatives used by the Fund are primarily interest rate swaps and futures contracts, currency forwards and options, and credit default swaps on single-issuers or indices. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have higher volatility than its benchmark. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund typically holds asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in government securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. Because of the deterioration in credit markets that became acute in 2008, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds").

GMO Alternative Investment Funds

The GMO Alternative Investment Funds normally do not take temporary defensive positions. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Alpha Only Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund's investment program involves having both long and short investment exposures. GMO seeks to construct a portfolio in which the Fund has long investment exposure to asset classes and sub-asset classes that GMO expects will outperform relative to the asset classes and sub-asset classes to which the Fund has short investment exposure. To gain long investment exposure, the Fund invests directly in securities and may invest in other GMO Funds (collectively, the "underlying Funds"). To gain short investment exposure, the Fund may invest in over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives (including futures, swaps and currency forwards) and sell securities short, including short sales of securities the Fund does not own. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the relative risks of such asset classes, to determine the Fund's long and short positions. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO changes the Fund's holdings in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and may use redemptions or purchases of Fund shares to rebalance the Fund's investments. To the extent that the Fund's long and short positions are effective, the performance of the Fund is expected to have a low correlation to the performance of U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Risk Premium Fund
MSCI World Index

Seeks total return. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund seeks to capture returns commensurate with the equity risk premium over a full market cycle with less sensitivity to equity valuations by writing put options on stock indices and by engaging in merger arbitrage strategies. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund primarily uses options by selling (writing) put options on U.S. and non-U.S. (e.g., Europe, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia) stock indices. GMO determines the Fund's put-writing allocations among stock indices by using a proprietary indicator to assess the relative premiums available. The Fund's portfolio allocations are based on the relative attractiveness of each index in conjunction with other factors such as the liquidity available in each index's options markets. The Fund may have substantial exposures to relatively few U.S. and international stock indices. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options of any type, including options on global, regional and country stock indices and options on exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may purchase and sell exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options, including options that are cash-settled as well as physically settled. The Fund may purchase and sell options and other securities tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to manage its currency exposure. GMO expects that the Fund's option positions typically will be fully collateralized at the time the Fund sells them. GMO, therefore, expects that the Fund will hold sufficient assets to cover the maximum possible loss the Fund might sustain upon the exercise of an option sold by the Fund. The Fund may engage in transactions in which it purchases securities at prices below the value of the consideration GMO expects to be paid for them upon consummation of a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer, or other similar transaction ("merger arbitrage transactions"). Purchase prices may substantially exceed the market price of the securities before the announcement of the transaction. In conjunction with merger arbitrage transactions, the Fund may invest in derivatives or sell securities short in an effort to protect against market fluctuations or other risks or to adjust long or short investment exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. For collateral and cash management purposes, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund, in U.S. Treasury bills and other highly rated securities, and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

Additional Performance Information


This section contains additional information regarding the performance of the Fund. The sub-section below titled "Index Descriptions" defines the market indices that are referenced in the Fund Summary. The sub-section below titled "Share Class Performance" provides history for specified share classes of the Fund.

Index Descriptions
The "Average Annual Total Returns" table in the Fund's Fund Summary compares the Fund's returns with those of at least one broad-based market index. Below are descriptions of each such index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BCABI)

The BCABI is an unmanaged fixed income index covering the U.S. investment grade fixed-rate bond market, including U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities, corporate securities, and asset-backed securities.

Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index (Net) (MSCI ACWI)

The MSCI ACWI is an independently maintained and published international (including emerging) equity index.

Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI)

The Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI) is a composite benchmark computed by GMO. Prior to May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consisted of (1) the S&P 500 Index; (2) the MSCI ACWI ex-US; and (3) the BCABI in the following proportions: 48.75% (S&P 500), 16.25% (MSCI ACWI ex-U.S.), and 35% (BCABI). Effective May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consists of (1) the MSCI ACWI; and (2) the BCABI in the following proportions: 65% (MSCI ACWI), and 35% (BCABI).

Share Class Performance
The following provides additional information about the performance history of the Funds contained in this prospectus, including information regarding predecessor funds, if any, and whether performance information presented is based on the history of an older share class. 

Asset Allocation Fund - Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010 is based on the performance of the Fund's predecessor, Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

A Fund's past performance is no guarantee of future results. A Fund's investment results will fluctuate over time, and any representation of the Fund's returns for any past period should not be considered as a representation of what a Fund's returns may be in any future period. The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports contain additional performance information and are available upon request, without charge, by calling the telephone number listed on the back cover page of this Prospectus.

Financial Highlights


The following tables are intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the past five years (or since inception, if shorter). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total returns represent the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund's financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is also included in the Fund's annual report, a copy of which is available upon request.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30

Administrator Class

2015

20141

2013

2012

2011

20102,3

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

14.54

$

13.84

$

13.01

$

11.77

$

11.84

$

11.42

Net investment loss

(0.09)4

(0.05)4

(0.08)4

(0.09)

(0.08)4

(0.01)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.19

1.01

1.27

1.57

0.22

0.43

Total from investment operations

0.10

0.96

1.19

1.48

0.14

0.42

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.41)

(0.26)

(0.36)

(0.24)

(0.17)

(0.00)5

Tax basis return of capital

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

(0.04)

0.00

Total distributions to shareholders

(0.41)

(0.26)

(0.36)

(0.24)

(0.21)

(0.00)5

Net asset value, end of period

$

14.23

$

14.54

$

13.84

$

13.01

$

11.77

$

11.84

Total return6

0.77%

7.01%

9.39%

12.74%

1.12%

3.70%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses7

0.68%

0.69%

0.67%

0.64%

0.65%

0.63%

Net expenses7

0.64%

0.64%

0.64%

0.62%

0.63%

0.60%

Net investment loss7

(0.64)%

(0.64)%

(0.64)%

(0.62)%

(0.63)%

(0.60)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate8

0%

1%

0%

1%

1%

1%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

427,916

$

776,035

$

809,554

$

1,562,582

$

1,423,427

$

810,355

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

After the close of business on July 16, 2010, the Fund acquired the net assets of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund which became the accounting and performance survivor in the transaction. The information for the periods prior to July 19, 2010 is that of Class I of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

3

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30, effective September 30, 2010.

4

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

5

Amount is less than $0.005.

6

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

7

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

8

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

More information on the Fund is available free upon request, including the following documents:

Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
Supplements the disclosures made by this Prospectus. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and therefore is legally part of this Prospectus.

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports
Provide financial and other important information, including a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance over the reporting period.

To obtain copies of the above documents or for more information about Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, contact us:

By telephone:
Individual Investors: 1-800-222-8222
Retail Investment Professionals: 1-888-877-9275
Institutional Investment Professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

By e-mail: wfaf@wellsfargo.com   

By mail:
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266

Online:
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

From the SEC:
Visit the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC (phone 1-202-551-8090 for operational information
for the SEC's Public Reference Room) or the
SEC's Web site at sec.gov.

To obtain information for a fee, write or email:
SEC's Public Reference Section
100 "F" Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-0102
publicinfo@sec.gov

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved B95AFAM/P503B 9-15
ICA Reg. No. 811-09253


Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 | 

September 1, 2015

Allocation Funds

Prospectus

Institutional Class

Asset Allocation Fund

EAAIX


As with all mutual funds, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.

Fund shares are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., its affiliates or any other depository institution. Fund shares are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency and may lose value.

Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

2

The Fund

Key Fund Information

7

Asset Allocation Fund

8

Description of Principal Investment Risks

10

Portfolio Holdings Information

14

Management of the Fund

The Manager and Portfolio Managers

15

Multi-Manager Arrangement

16

Your Account

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents

17

Pricing Fund Shares

18

How to Buy Shares

19

How to Sell Shares

21

How to Exchange Shares

22

Account Policies

24

Other Information

Distributions

26

Taxes

26

Description of Underlying Funds

27

Additional Performance Information

47

Financial Highlights

48

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Fees and Expenses

These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)

None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1

Management Fees

0.32%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

0.00%

Other Expenses

0.14%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.55%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.01%

Fee Waivers

(0.02)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver2

0.99%

1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Adviser has contractually committed through August 31, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 0.44% for Institutional Class. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (including the expenses of Asset Allocation Trust), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Example of Expenses

The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. The example also assumes that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver shown above will only be in place for the length of the current waiver commitment. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

After:

1 Year

$101

3 Years

$320

5 Years

$556

10 Years

$1,234

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio. In addition, the portfolio turnover rate for Asset Allocation Trust, in which the Fund invests all of its assets, was 42% for its fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

An investment in the Fund may lose money, is not a deposit of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.

Credit Risk. The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due, which could cause the value of an investment to decline and a Fund to lose money.

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk. Investments focused in countries, regions, sectors, industries, or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors and investments whose prices are strongly correlated are subject to greater overall risk than investments that are more diversified.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.

High Yield Securities Risk. High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default or of not returning principal and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. When interest rates decline, interest that a Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, but the value of those securities may increase.

Investment Style Risk. Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.

Large Shareholder Risk. To the extent that a large number of shares of the Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by that shareholder of all or a large portion of its Fund shares will cause the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices or otherwise will disrupt the Fund's operations.

Management Risk. Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. Geopolitical and other events may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Those events, as well as other changes in non-U.S. and U.S. economic and political conditions, could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.

Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may decline in value and become less liquid when defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets occur and may exhibit additional volatility in periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. When interest rates decline or are low, the prepayment of mortgages or assets underlying such securities can reduce a Fund's returns.

Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of a loss of premiums without offsetting gains. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments.

Short Sales Risk. Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.

Underlying Funds Risk. The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests.

Performance

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year. The Fund's average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance before and after taxes is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year
Institutional Class

Highest Quarter: 2nd Quarter 2009

+12.27%

Lowest Quarter: 4th Quarter 2008

-11.79%

Year-to-date total return as of 6/30/2015 is +1.24%

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2014

Inception Date of Share Class

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Institutional Class (before taxes)

11/30/2012

0.77%

6.32%

5.48%

Institutional Class (after taxes on distributions)

11/30/2012

-0.67%

5.52%

4.17%

Institutional Class (after taxes on distributions and the sale of Fund Shares)

11/30/2012

0.44%

4.72%

4.00%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

5.97%

4.45%

4.71%

GMO Global Asset Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.87%

7.78%

5.54%

MSCI ACWI Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.16%

9.17%

6.09%

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to tax-exempt investors or investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) Plans or Individual Retirement Accounts.

Fund Management

 

Manager

Portfolio Manager1, Title/Managed Since

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Ben Inker, CFA, Portfolio Manager/1996
Sam Wilderman, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2012

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Institutional Class shares are generally available through financial intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks and trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and fund of funds including those managed by Funds Management. In general, you can buy or sell shares of the Fund online or by mail, phone or wire on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading. You also may buy and sell shares through a financial professional.

 

Minimum Investments

To Buy or Sell Shares

Minimum Initial Investment
Institutional Class: $1 million (this amount may be reduced or eliminated for certain eligible investors)

Minimum Additional Investment
Institutional Class: None

Mail: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266
Online: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com
Phone or Wire: 1.800.222.8222

Contact your financial professional.

Tax Information

Any distributions you receive from the Fund may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax advantaged investment plan. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax advantaged investment plan may be subject to federal income tax. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Web site for more information.

Key Fund Information


This Prospectus contains information about the Fund within the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds® family and is designed to provide you with important information to help you with your investment decisions. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

In this Prospectus, "we" generally refers to Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management) or the portfolio managers. "We" may also refer to the Fund's other service providers. "You" refers to the shareholder or potential investor.


Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies

The investment objective of the Fund in this Prospectus is non-fundamental; that is, it can be changed by a vote of the Board of Trustees ("Board") alone. The objective and strategies description for the Fund tells you:

what the Fund is trying to achieve; and

how we intend to invest your money.

This section also provides a summary of the Fund's principal investment policies and practices. Unless otherwise indicated, these investment policies and practices apply on an ongoing basis.

Principal Investment Risks

This section lists the principal investment risks for the Fund. A complete description of these and other risks is found in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.


Asset Allocation Fund

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager

Ben Inker, CFA; Sam Wilderman, CFA1

Fund Inception:

July 29, 1996

Institutional Class

Ticker: EAAIX

Fund Number: 3169

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

The Fund's Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash and AAT may also invest in certain other investments, including cash or various cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and other short-term instruments, including notes, certain short-term asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker's acceptances, bank deposits, U.S. government securities or shares of registered investment companies, to either maintain liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes, when we or GMO believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During these periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.

 

Credit Risk

Derivatives Risk

Emerging Markets Risk

Focused Investment Risk

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Foreign Investment Risk

High Yield Securities Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Investment Style Risk

Large Shareholder Risk

Management Risk

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Market Risk

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

Options Risk

Short Sales Risk

Smaller Company Securities Risk

Underlying Funds Risk

These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund's net asset value, yield and total return. These risks are described in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section.

Description of Principal Investment Risks


Understanding the risks involved in mutual fund investing will help you make an informed decision that takes into account your risk tolerance and preferences. The risks that are most likely to have a material effect on a particular Fund as a whole are called "principal risks."

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market price of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the underlying fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors,industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The principal risks for the Fund have been previously identified and are described below. Additional information about the principal risks is included in the Statement of Additional Information.

Credit Risk
The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due. In these instances, the value of an investment could decline and the Fund could lose money. Credit risk increases as an issuer's credit quality declines.

Derivatives Risk
The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when derivatives are used to enhance a Fund's return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or mitigate) the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. The success of a derivative strategy will be affected by the portfolio manager's ability to assess and predict market or economic developments and their impact on the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves. Certain derivative instruments may become illiquid and, as a result, may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so. Certain derivatives create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of their underlying assets, indexes or rates and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. Certain derivatives (e.g., over-the-counter swaps) are also subject to the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, which may cause a Fund to lose money, suffer delays or incur costs arising from holding or selling an underlying asset. Changes in laws or regulations may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.

Emerging Markets Risk
Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to recessions in other countries. Emerging markets tend to have less developed legal and financial systems and a smaller market capitalization than markets in developed countries. Some emerging markets are subject to greater political instability. Additionally, emerging markets may have more volatile currencies and be more sensitive than developed markets to a variety of economic factors, including inflation. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk
Funds with investments that are focused in particular countries, regions, sectors, industries or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors, and funds with investments whose prices are strongly correlated, are subject to greater overall risk than funds with investments that are more diversified. A Fund that invests in the securities of a small number of issuers has greater exposure to adverse developments affecting those issuers and to a decline in the market price of particular securities than a Fund investing in the securities of a larger number of issuers.

Securities, sectors or companies that share common characteristics are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and often react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

Similarly, a Fund that has a significant portion of its assets in investments tied economically (or related) to a particular geographic region, country (e.g., Taiwan or Japan) or market (e.g., emerging markets) has more exposure to regional and country economic risks than a fund making investments throughout the world. The political and economic prospects of one country or group of countries within the same geographic region may affect other countries in that region, and a recession, debt crisis, or decline in the value of the currency of one country can spread to other countries. Furthermore, companies in a particular geographic region or country are vulnerable to events affecting other companies in that region or country because they often share common characteristics, are exposed to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

To the extent an underlying fund concentrates its investments in the natural resources sector, it is particularly exposed to adverse developments, including adverse price movements, affecting issuers in the natural resources sector and is subject to greater risks than a fund that invests in a wider range of industries. In addition, the market prices of securities of companies in the natural resources sector may be more volatile than those of securities of companies in other industries. Some of the commodities used as raw materials or produced by these companies are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of industry-wide supply and demand factors. Companies in the natural resources sector often have limited pricing power over the supplies they purchase and the products they sell, which can affect their profitability. Companies in the natural resources sector also may be subject to special risks associated with natural or man-made disasters. In addition, the natural resources sector can be especially affected by political and economic developments, government regulations including changes in tax law or interpretations of law, energy conservation, and the success of exploration projects. Specifically, the natural resource sector can be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. An underlying fund's concentration in the securities of natural resource companies exposes it to the price movements of natural resources to a greater extent than if it were more broadly diversified. An underlying fund that invests primarily in the natural resources sector runs the risk of performing poorly during an economic downturn or a decline in demand for natural resources.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes. The Fund's gains from positions in foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund's losses from such positions may also lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders.

Foreign Investment Risk
Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such changes may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the investments. Foreign investments may be subject to additional risks such as potentially higher withholding and other taxes, and may also be subject to greater trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks than domestic investments. Certain foreign markets may also be characterized by less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards.

High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default (or in the case of bonds currently in default, of not returning principal) and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities. Additionally, these securities tend to be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.

Interest Rate Risk
When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. The longer the terms of the debt securities held by a Fund, the more the Fund is subject to this risk. If interest rates decline, interest that the Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, which could cause the Fund to reduce the dividends it pays to shareholders, but the value of those securities may increase. Some debt securities give the issuers the option to call, redeem or prepay the securities before their maturity dates. If an issuer calls, redeems or prepays a debt security during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in a security offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the debt securities market, reduced liquidity for certain Fund investments and an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.

Investment Style Risk
Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. As a result, a Fund's performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly or in securities of a different investment style.

Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large number of shares of a Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor or another GMO Fund) or a group of shareholders with a common investment strategy (e.g., GMO asset allocation accounts), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by those shareholders of all or a large portion of their Fund shares will adversely affect the Fund's performance by forcing the Fund to sell portfolio securities to raise the cash needed to satisfy the redemption request. In addition, the Funds and other accounts over which GMO has investment discretion that invest in the Funds are not limited in how often they may purchase or sell Fund shares. GMO Asset Allocation Funds and separate accounts managed by GMO for its clients hold substantial percentages of the shares of many underlying funds, and asset allocation decisions by GMO may result in substantial redemptions from (or investments in) those underlying funds. These transactions may adversely affect the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund is required to sell investments (or invest cash) when it would not otherwise do so. Redemptions of a large number of shares also may increase transaction costs or, by necessitating a sale of portfolio securities, have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders. Additionally, redemptions by a large shareholder also potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any) and may limit or prevent a Fund's use of tax equalization. In addition, to the extent a Fund invests in other GMO Funds subject to Large Shareholder Risk, the Fund is indirectly subject to this risk.

Management Risk
Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical and other events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund's investments. Sudden or significant changes in the supply or prices of commodities or other economic inputs (e.g., the marked decline in oil prices in late 2014) may have material and unexpected effects on both global securities markets and individual countries, regions, sectors, companies, or industries, which could significantly reduce the value of a Fund's investments. Terrorism in the United States and around the world has increased geopolitical risk. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 resulted in the closure of some U.S. securities markets for four days, and similar attacks are possible in the future. Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or reduce the value of investments traded in them, including investments of the Fund. While the U.S. government has always honored its credit obligations, a default by the U.S. government (as has been threatened in recent years) would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly reduce the value of the Fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could adversely affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of several European Union countries, as well as the continued existence of the European Union itself, has disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more country changes its currency or leaves the European Union or if the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Substantial government interventions (e.g., currency controls), also could adversely affect the Fund. War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and systemic market dislocations of the kind surrounding the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund's investments. During such market disruptions, the Fund's exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this section will likely increase. Market disruptions, including sudden government interventions, can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment programs and achieving its investment objectives. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause the Fund's derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some underlying commodities, securities, reference rates or indices, or to offer them on a more limited basis. To the extent that the Fund has focused its investments in the stock index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events in that region could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund. 

Market Risk
The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets may cause such securities to decline in value and become less liquid. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility. When interest rates decline or are low, borrowers may pay off their mortgage or other debts sooner than expected, which can reduce the returns of a Fund. Funds that may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions are subject to the risk that the market value of the securities that are required to be repurchased in the future may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price. They also involve the risk that the party to whom the securities are sold may become insolvent, limiting the fund's ability to repurchase securities at the agreed upon price.

Options Risk
A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that gains, if any, realized on the position, will be less than the amount paid as premiums to the writer of the option. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments. A Fund that writes covered call options gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price while the option is in effect. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options and their underlying securities and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options.

Short Sales Risk
Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. If the price of a security which the Fund has sold short increases between the time of the short sale and when the position is closed out, the Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time of the short sale plus any related interest payments, dividends, transaction or other costs. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise, potentially exacerbating a loss or reducing a gain. In addition, the Fund is subject to the risk that the lender of a security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same instrument from another lender. A Fund that uses short sales is subject to the risk that its prime broker will be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations. Regulatory restrictions limit the extent to which the Fund may engage in short sales.

Smaller Company Securities Risk
Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, limited financial resources or may be newly public companies. Some of these companies have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, or are involved in rapidly growing or changing industries and/or new technologies.

Underlying Funds Risk
The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. To the extent that an Underlying Fund actively trades its securities, the Fund will experience the consequences of a higher-than-average portfolio turnover rate, such as increased trading expenses and higher short-term capital gains. Investments in the Fund result in your incurring higher expenses than if you were to invest directly in the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

Portfolio Holdings Information


A description of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' portfolio holdings is available in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. In addition, Funds Management will, from time to time, include portfolio holdings information in periodic commentaries for the Fund. The substance of the information contained in such commentaries will also be posted to the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Management of the Fund


The Manager and Portfolio Managers

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC ("Funds Management"), headquartered at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, provides advisory and Fund level administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement"). Funds Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, a publicly traded diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer financial services. Funds Management is a registered investment adviser that provides advisory services for registered mutual funds, closed-end funds and other funds and accounts.

Funds Management is responsible for implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. Funds Management's investment professionals review and analyze the Fund's performance, including relative to peer funds, and monitor the Fund's compliance with its investment objective and strategies. Funds Management is responsible for reporting to the Board on investment performance and other matters affecting the Fund. When appropriate, Funds Management recommends to the Board enhancements to Fund features, including changes to Fund investment objectives, strategies and policies. Funds Management also communicates with shareholders and intermediaries about Fund performance and features. 

Funds Management is also responsible for providing Fund-level administrative services, which include, among others, providing such services in connection with the Funds' operations; developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and providing any other Fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds other than those services that are provided by the Funds' transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian, and fund accountant.

For providing these investment management services, Funds Management is entitled to receive the fees disclosed in the row captioned "Management Fees" in the Fund's table of Annual Fund Operating Expenses. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the management agreement for the Fund is available in the Fund's semi-annual shareholder report for the six-month period ended October 31st.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"). The Management Agreement, which became effective July 1, 2015, combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Funds' prior Amended and Restated Administration Agreement applicable to Fund-level administrative services. For a Fund's most recent fiscal year end, the advisory fee paid to Funds Management pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, net of any applicable waivers and reimbursements, was as follows:

Advisory Fees Paid

As a % of average daily net assets

Asset Allocation Fund

0.22%

 

Ben Inker, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Inker has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of the Fund since 1996 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014.

Sam Wilderman, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team, allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Wilderman has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of GMO's asset allocation portfolios since 2012 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014. Previously, Mr. Wilderman was Co-Head of GMO's Global Equity Team.

Multi-Manager Arrangement

The Fund and Funds Management have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Funds Management, subject to Board approval, to select certain sub-advisers and enter into or amend sub-advisory agreements with them, without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC order extends to sub-advisers that are not otherwise affiliated with Funds Management or the Fund, as well as sub-advisers that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Funds Management or of a company that wholly owns Funds Management ("Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers").

Pursuant to the order, Funds Management, with Board approval, may hire or replace Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers for the Fund. Funds Management, subject to Board oversight, has the responsibility to oversee Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. If a new sub-adviser is hired for the Fund pursuant to the order, the Fund is required to notify shareholders within 90 days. The Fund is not required to disclose the individual fees that Funds Management pays to a Multi-Manager Sub-Adviser.

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents


Additional Payments to Dealers
In addition to dealer reallowances and payments made by the Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing, the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates make additional payments ("Additional Payments") to certain selling or shareholder servicing agents for the Fund, which include broker-dealers and 401(k) service providers and recordkeepers. These Additional Payments are made in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and its shareholders. These Additional Payments, which may be significant, are paid by the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates, out of their revenues, which generally come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the entire Fund complex.

In return for these Additional Payments, the Fund's manager and distributor expect the Fund to receive certain marketing or servicing advantages that are not generally available to mutual funds that do not make such payments. Such advantages are expected to include, without limitation, placement of the Fund on a list of mutual funds offered as investment options to the selling agent's clients (sometimes referred to as "Shelf Space"); access to the selling agent's registered representatives; and/or ability to assist in training and educating the selling agent's registered representatives.

Certain selling or shareholder servicing agents receive these Additional Payments to supplement amounts payable by the Fund under the shareholder servicing plans. In exchange, these agents provide services including, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining accounts and records; answering inquiries regarding purchases, exchanges and redemptions; processing and verifying purchase, redemption and exchange transactions; furnishing account statements and confirmations of transactions; processing and mailing monthly statements, prospectuses, shareholder reports and other SEC-required communications; and providing the types of services that might typically be provided by the Fund's transfer agent (e.g., the maintenance of omnibus or omnibus-like accounts, the use of the National Securities Clearing Corporation for the transmission of transaction information and the transmission of shareholder mailings).

The Additional Payments may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and a selling agent who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. Before investing, you should consult with your financial consultant and review carefully any disclosure by the selling agent as to what monies they receive from mutual fund advisers and distributors, as well as how your financial consultant is compensated.

The Additional Payments are typically paid in fixed dollar amounts, or based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the selling or shareholder servicing agent, or based on a percentage of sales and/or assets under management, or a combination of the above. The Additional Payments are either up-front or ongoing or both. The Additional Payments differ among selling and shareholder servicing agents. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on its customers' assets typically range between 0.05% and 0.30% in a given year of assets invested in a Fund by the selling agent's customers. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on a percentage of sales typically range between 0.10% and 0.15% of the gross sales of a Fund attributable to the selling agent. In addition, representatives of the Fund's distributor visit selling agents on a regular basis to educate their registered representatives and to encourage the sale of Fund shares. The costs associated with such visits may be paid for by the Fund's manager, distributor, or their affiliates, subject to applicable FINRA regulations.

More information on the FINRA member firms that have received the Additional Payments described in this section is available in the Statement of Additional Information, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Pricing Fund Shares


The Fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is normally calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open. The NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of a multiple-class Fund. The most recent NAV for each class of a Fund is available at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. To calculate the NAV of the Fund's shares, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The price at which a purchase or redemption request is processed is based on the next NAV calculated after the request is received in good order. NAV is not calculated, and purchase and redemption requests are not processed, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading.

Because the Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust, which in turn invests its assets in various underlying funds, the value of the Fund's shares is based on the NAV of the shares of Asset Allocation Trust, which is itself based on the NAV of the shares of the underlying funds. The valuation methods used by the underlying funds in pricing their shares, including the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, are described in their prospectuses.

How to Buy Shares


Institutional Class shares are generally available through financial intermediaries for the accounts of their customers and directly to institutional investors and individuals. Institutional investors may include corporations; private banks; trust companies; endowments and foundations; defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer sponsored retirement plans; institutional retirement plan platforms; insurance companies; registered investment advisor firms; bank trusts; 529 college savings plans; family offices; and fund of funds including those managed by Funds Management. Specific eligibility requirements that apply to these entities include:

Employee benefit programs;

Broker-dealer managed account or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;

Registered investment adviser mutual fund wrap programs or other accounts that are charged a fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services;

Private bank and trust company managed accounts or wrap programs that charge an asset-based fee;

Internal Revenue Code Section 529 college savings plan accounts;

Fund of Funds including those advised by Funds Management;

Investment Management and Trust Departments of Wells Fargo purchasing shares on behalf of their clients;

Endowments, non-profits and charitable organizations who invest a minimum initial amount of $500,000 in a Fund;

Any other institutions or customers of financial intermediaries who invest a minimum initial amount of $1 million in a Fund;

Individual investors who invest a minimum initial amount of $1 million directly with a Fund; and

Certain investors and related accounts as detailed in a Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Any of the minimum initial investment waivers listed above may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Institutions Purchasing
Shares Directly

Opening an Account

Adding to an Account

By Telephone or Online

A new account may not be opened by telephone or online unless the institution has another Wells Fargo Advantage Fund account. If the institution does not currently have an account, contact your investment representative.

To buy additional shares or to buy
shares in a new Fund:

Call Investor Services at
1-800-222-8222 or

Call 1-800-368-7550 for the
automated phone system or

Visit our Web site at
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

By Wire

Complete and sign the Institutional Class account application.
Call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for faxing instructions.
Use the following wiring instructions:

Receiving bank: State Street Bank & Trust Company, Boston, MA
Bank ABA/routing number: 011000028
Bank account number: 9905-437-1
For credit to: Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
For further credit to: [Your name (as registered on your fund account) and your fund and account number]

To buy additional shares, instruct
your bank or financial institution to
use the same wire instructions
shown to the left.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes for Buying Shares

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your new account application or purchase request in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to process your transaction.

Earning Distributions. You are eligible to earn distributions beginning on the business day after the transfer agent receives your purchase in proper form.

U.S. Dollars Only. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars and all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks.

Right to Refuse an Order. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason, including if we believe that doing so would be in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders.

Other Share Classes. You may be eligible to invest in one or more classes of shares offered by a Fund. Each of the Fund's share classes bears varying expenses and may differ in other features. Consult your financial intermediary for more information regarding the Fund's available share classes.

Special Considerations When Investing Through Financial Intermediaries:
If a financial intermediary purchases Institutional Class shares on your behalf, you should understand the following:

Minimum Investments and Other Terms of Your Account. Share purchases are made through a customer account at your financial intermediary following that firm's terms. Financial intermediaries may require different minimum investment amounts. Please consult an account representative from your financial intermediary for specifics.

Records are Held in Financial Intermediary's Name. Financial intermediaries are usually the holders of record for Institutional Class shares held through their customer accounts. The financial intermediaries maintain records reflecting their customers' beneficial ownership of the shares.

Purchase/Redemption Orders. Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting their customers' purchase and redemption orders to a Fund and for delivering required payment on a timely basis.

Shareholder Communications. Financial intermediaries are responsible for delivering shareholder communications and voting information from a Fund, and for transmitting shareholder voting instructions to a Fund.

The information provided in this Prospectus is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Fund shares to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.

The Fund is distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") information and brochure are available at SIPC.org or by calling SIPC at (202) 371-8300.

How to Sell Shares


Institutional Class shares must be redeemed according to the terms of your customer account with your financial intermediary. You should contact your investment representative when you wish to sell Fund shares.

Institutions Selling Shares Directly

To Sell Some or All of Your Shares

By Telephone / Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

To speak with an investor services representative call 1-800-222-8222 or use the automated phone system at 1-800-368-7550.

Redemptions processed by EFT to a linked Wells Fargo Bank account occur same day for Wells Fargo Advantage money market funds, and next day for all other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds.

Transfers made to a Wells Fargo Bank account are made available sooner than transfers to an unaffiliated institution.

Redemptions to any other linked bank account may post in two business days, please check with your financial institution for funds posting and availability.

Note: Telephone transactions such as redemption requests made over the phone generally require only one of the account owners to call unless you have instructed us otherwise.

By Wire

To arrange for a Federal Funds wire to a linked bank account, call 1-800-222-8222.

Redemption proceeds are usually wired to the financial intermediary the following business day.

Online

Visit our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Through Your Investment Representative

Contact your investment representative.

General Notes for Selling Shares 

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your request to sell shares in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your request to sell shares is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, it will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to sell your shares.

Earning Distributions. Your shares are eligible to earn distributions through the date of redemption. If you redeem shares on a Friday or prior to a holiday, your shares will continue to be eligible to earn distributions until the next business day.

Right to Delay Payment. We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you wish to redeem shares purchased by check or Electronic Funds Transfer within seven days of purchase, you may need to resubmit your redemption request if your payment has not yet cleared. Our ability to determine with reasonable certainty that investments have been finally collected is greater for investments coming from accounts with banks affiliated with Funds Management than it is for investments coming from accounts with unaffiliated banks. Redemption payments also may be delayed under extraordinary circumstances or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders. Such extraordinary circumstances are discussed further in the Statement of Additional Information.

Redemption in Kind. Although generally we pay redemption requests in cash, we reserve the right to determine in our sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities (known as a redemption in kind). In such case, we may pay all or part of the redemption in securities of equal value as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules thereunder. The redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received.

Retirement Plans and Other Products. If you purchased shares through a packaged investment product or retirement plan, read the directions for selling shares provided by the product or plan. There may be special requirements that supersede the directions in this Prospectus.

How to Exchange Shares


Exchanges between Wells Fargo Advantage Funds involve two transactions: (1) a sale of shares of one Fund; and (2) the purchase of shares of another. In general, the same rules and procedures that apply to sales and purchases apply to exchanges. There are, however, additional factors you should keep in mind while making or considering an exchange: 

In general, exchanges may be made between like share classes of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund offered to the general public for investment (i.e., a Fund not closed to new accounts), with the following exception: Class A shares of non-money market funds may also be exchanged for Service Class shares of any money market fund.

Same-fund exchanges between share classes are permitted subject to the following conditions: (1) exchanges out of Class A and Class C shares would not be allowed if shares are subject to a CDSC; (2) for exchanges into Class A shares, the shareholder must meet all qualifications to purchase Class A shares at net asset value based on current prospectus guidelines; and (3) the shareholder must meet the eligibility guidelines of the class being purchased in the exchange.

An exchange request will be processed on the same business day, provided that both Funds are open at the time the request is received. If one or both Funds are closed, the exchange will be processed on the following business day.

You should carefully read the prospectus for the Wells Fargo Advantage Fund into which you wish to exchange. 

Every exchange involves selling Fund shares, which may produce a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. 

If you are making an initial investment into a Fund through an exchange, you must exchange at least the minimum initial purchase amount for the new Fund, unless your balance has fallen below that amount due to investment performance. 

Any exchange between two Wells Fargo Advantage Funds must meet the minimum subsequent purchase amounts.

Class B and Class C share exchanges will not trigger the CDSC. The new shares will continue to age according to their original schedule and will be charged the CDSC applicable to the original shares upon redemption.

Generally, we will notify you at least 60 days in advance of any changes in our exchange policy.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason. Purchases or exchanges that a Fund determines could harm the Fund may be rejected.

Excessive trading by Fund shareholders can negatively impact a Fund and its long-term shareholders in several ways, including disrupting Fund investment strategies, increasing transaction costs, decreasing tax efficiency, and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Excessive trading in Fund shares can negatively impact a Fund's long-term performance by requiring it to maintain more assets in cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. Certain Funds may be more susceptible than others to these negative effects. For example, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in non-U.S. securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities resulting from pricing variations due to time zone differences across international financial markets. Similarly, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in small company securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities due to the less liquid nature of small company securities. Both types of Funds also may incur higher transaction costs in liquidating portfolio holdings to meet excessive redemption levels. Fair value pricing may reduce these arbitrage opportunities, thereby reducing some of the negative effects of excessive trading.

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, other than the Adjustable Rate Government Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short-Term Income Fund and Ultra Short-Term Municipal Income Fund ("Ultra-Short Funds") and the money market funds, (the "Covered Funds"). The Covered Funds are not designed to serve as vehicles for frequent trading. The Covered Funds actively discourage and take steps to prevent the portfolio disruption and negative effects on long-term shareholders that can result from excessive trading activity by Covered Fund shareholders. The Board has approved the Covered Funds' policies and procedures, which provide, among other things, that Funds Management may deem trading activity to be excessive if it determines that such trading activity would likely be disruptive to a Covered Fund by increasing expenses or lowering returns. In this regard, the Covered Funds take steps to avoid accommodating frequent purchases and redemptions of shares by Covered Fund shareholders. Funds Management monitors available shareholder trading information across all Covered Funds on a daily basis. If a shareholder redeems $5,000 or more (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) from a Covered Fund, that shareholder is "blocked" from purchasing shares of that Covered Fund (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption. This policy does not apply to:

Money market funds;

Ultra-Short Funds;

Dividend reinvestments;

Systematic investments or exchanges where the financial intermediary maintaining the shareholder account identifies the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase at the time of the transaction;

Rebalancing transactions within certain asset allocation or "wrap" programs where the financial intermediary maintaining a shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as part of an asset allocation program approved by Funds Management;

Transactions initiated by a "fund of funds" or Section 529 Plan into an underlying fund investment;

Permitted exchanges between share classes of the same Fund;

Certain transactions involving participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including: participant withdrawals due to mandatory distributions, rollovers and hardships, withdrawals of shares acquired by participants through payroll deductions, and shares acquired or sold by a participant in connection with plan loans; and

Purchases below $5,000 (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction).

The money market funds and the Ultra-Short Funds. Because the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds are often used for short-term investments, they are designed to accommodate more frequent purchases and redemptions than the Covered Funds. As a result, the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not anticipate that frequent purchases and redemptions, under normal circumstances, will have significant adverse consequences to the money market funds or Ultra-Short Funds or their shareholders. Although the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not prohibit frequent trading, Funds Management will seek to prevent an investor from utilizing the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds to facilitate frequent purchases and redemptions of shares in the Covered Funds in contravention of the policies and procedures adopted by the Covered Funds.

All Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. In addition, Funds Management reserves the right to accept purchases, redemptions and exchanges made in excess of applicable trading restrictions in designated accounts held by Funds Management or its affiliate that are used at all times exclusively for addressing operational matters related to shareholder accounts, such as testing of account functions, and are maintained at low balances that do not exceed specified dollar amount limitations.

In the event that an asset allocation or "wrap" program is unable to implement the policy outlined above, Funds Management may grant a program-level exception to this policy. A financial intermediary relying on the exception is required to provide Funds Management with specific information regarding its program and ongoing information about its program upon request.

A financial intermediary through whom you may purchase shares of the Fund may independently attempt to identify excessive trading and take steps to deter such activity. As a result, a financial intermediary may on its own limit or permit trading activity of its customers who invest in Fund shares using standards different from the standards used by Funds Management and discussed in this Prospectus. Funds Management may permit a financial intermediary to enforce its own internal policies and procedures concerning frequent trading rather than the policies set forth above in instances where Funds Management reasonably believes that the intermediary's policies and procedures effectively discourage disruptive trading activity. If you purchase Fund shares through a financial intermediary, you should contact the intermediary for more information about whether and how restrictions or limitations on trading activity will be applied to your account.

Account Policies


Advance Notice of Large Transactions
We strongly urge you to begin all purchases and redemptions as early in the day as possible and to notify us at least one day in advance of transactions in excess of $5,000,000. This will allow us to manage your Fund most effectively. When you give us this advance notice, you must provide us with your name and account number.

Householding
To help keep Fund expenses low, a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report may be sent to shareholders of the same household. If your household currently receives a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report and you would prefer to receive multiple copies, please contact your financial intermediary.

Retirement Accounts
We offer a variety of retirement accounts for individuals and small businesses. Please call 1-800-222-8222 for information on:

Individual Retirement Plans, including Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.

Qualified Retirement Plans, including Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs.

There may be special distribution requirements for a retirement account, such as required distributions or mandatory Federal income tax withholdings. For more information, call the number listed above. For retirement accounts held directly with the Fund, certain fees may apply, including an annual account maintenance fee.

Small Account Redemptions
We reserve the right to redeem certain accounts that fall below the minimum initial investment amount as the result of shareholder redemptions (as opposed to market movement). Before doing so, we will give you approximately 60 days to bring your account above the minimum investment amount. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 or contact your selling agent for further details.

Statements and Confirmations
Statements summarizing activity in your account are mailed quarterly. Confirmations are mailed following each purchase, sale, exchange, or transfer of Fund shares, except generally for Automatic Investment Plan transactions, Systematic Withdrawal Plan transactions using Electronic Funds Transfer, and purchases of new shares through the automatic reinvestment of distributions. Upon your request and for the applicable fee, you may obtain a reprint of an account statement. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

Electronic Delivery of Fund Documents
You may elect to receive your Fund prospectuses, shareholder reports and other Fund documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery. If you make this election, you will be notified by e-mail when the most recent Fund documents are available for electronic viewing and downloading.

To receive Fund documents electronically, you must have an e-mail account and an internet browser that meets the requirements described in the Privacy & Security section of the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. You may change your electronic delivery preferences or revoke your election to receive Fund documents electronically at any time by visiting wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

Statement Inquiries
Contact us in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies noted on your account statement within 60 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. We may deny your ability to refute a transaction if we do not hear from you within those 60 days.

Transaction Authorizations
Telephone, electronic, and clearing agency privileges allow us to accept transaction instructions by anyone representing themselves as the shareholder and who provides reasonable confirmation of their identity. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Advantage Funds will be liable for any losses incurred if we follow such instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine. For transactions through the automated phone system and our Web site, we will assign personal identification numbers (PINs) and/or passwords to help protect your account information. To safeguard your account, please keep your PINs and passwords confidential. Contact us immediately if you believe there is a discrepancy on your confirmation statement or if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your account, PIN or password.

USA PATRIOT Act
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, all financial institutions (including mutual funds) at the time an account is opened, are required to obtain, verify and record the following information for all registered owners or others who may be authorized to act on the account: full name, date of birth, taxpayer identification number (usually your Social Security Number), and permanent street address. Corporate, trust and other entity accounts require additional documentation. This information will be used to verify your identity. We will return your application if any of this information is missing, and we may request additional information from you for verification purposes. In the rare event that we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to redeem your account at the current day's NAV. You will be responsible for any losses, taxes, expenses, fees, or other results of such a redemption.

Distributions


The Fund generally makes distributions of any net investment income and any realized net capital gains at least annually. Please contact your institution for distribution options. Remember, distributions have the effect of reducing the NAV per share by the amount distributed.

Taxes


The following discussion regarding federal income taxes is based on laws that were in effect as of the date of this Prospectus and summarizes only some of the important federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and you as a shareholder. It does not apply to foreign or tax-exempt shareholders or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) Plan or IRA. This discussion is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. You should consult your tax adviser about your specific tax situation. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for additional federal income tax information.

We will pass on to a Fund's shareholders substantially all of the Fund's net investment income and realized net capital gains, if any. Distributions from a Fund's ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from a Fund's net long-term capital gain, if any, generally will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain.

Corporate shareholders may be able to deduct a portion of their distributions when determining their taxable income.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended certain tax rates except those that applied to individual taxpayers with taxable incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for married taxpayers, $425,000 for heads of households). Taxpayers that are not in the new highest tax bracket continue to be subject to a maximum 15% rate of tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends. For taxpayers in the new highest tax bracket, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends will be 20%. Beginning in 2013, U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly), a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will apply on "net investment income," including interest, dividends, and capital gains.

Distributions from a Fund normally will be taxable to you when paid, whether you take distributions in cash or automatically reinvest them in additional Fund shares. Following the end of each year, we will notify you of the federal income tax status of your distributions for the year.

If you buy shares of a Fund shortly before it makes a taxable distribution, your distribution will, in effect, be a taxable return of part of your investment. Similarly, if you buy shares of a Fund when it holds appreciated securities, you will receive a taxable return of part of your investment if and when the Fund sells the appreciated securities and distributes the gain. The Fund has built up, or has the potential to build up, high levels of unrealized appreciation.

Your redemptions (including redemptions in-kind) and exchanges of Fund shares ordinarily will result in a taxable capital gain or loss, depending on the amount you receive for your shares (or are deemed to receive in the case of exchanges) and the amount you paid (or are deemed to have paid) for them. Such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your redeemed or exchanged Fund shares for more than one year at the time of redemption or exchange. In certain circumstances, losses realized on the redemption or exchange of Fund shares may be disallowed.

In certain circumstances, Fund shareholders may be subject to backup withholding taxes.

Description of Underlying Funds


The following information has been provided to the Fund by GMO and the underlying funds in which the Asset Allocation Trust invests. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the prospectus and SAI of each underlying fund.

GMO may change the investment policies and/or programs of the underlying funds at any time without notice to shareholders of the Fund. Each of the underlying funds is subject to some or all of the risks detailed in this prospectus under "Principal Risks." For a more detailed explanation of each underlying fund's principal investments, investment methodology and risks, as well as a definition of each underlying fund's benchmark, see "Underlying Funds" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. References below to the "Manager" are to GMO.

GMO Equity Funds

The GMO Equity Funds (other than GMO Global Focused Equity Fund) normally do not take temporary defensive positions. GMO Global Focused Equity Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Countries Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging countries. "Emerging countries" include all countries that are not treated as "developed market countries" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging countries. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging countries, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. In general, the Fund typically invests in companies with larger market capitalizations than does GMO Emerging Markets Fund. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund
MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Seeks total return. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies whose prospects are linked to the internal ("domestic") development and growth of the world's non-developed markets ("emerging markets"), including companies that provide goods and services to emerging market consumers. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments related to emerging markets. The Fund's investments are not limited to investments in companies located in any particular country or geographic region, and often include investments in companies located in developed markets (e.g., the United States) that are related to, or whose prospects are linked to, emerging markets. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any index or benchmark. GMO primarily uses fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and companies that it believes are likely to benefit from domestic growth in emerging markets. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In evaluating and selecting investments, GMO may consider many factors, including GMO's assessment of a country's and/or sector's fundamentals or growth prospects as well as a company's positioning relative to its competitors. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk, transaction costs, and liquidity. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Markets Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging markets. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging markets. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging markets, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Fund
MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund
S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries) whose outstanding publicly traded equities are in the lowest 25% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) in a particular country ("small companies"). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies that are tied economically to countries other than the United States. The market capitalization range of companies whose equities are held by the Fund is generally within the market capitalization range of companies in the Fund's benchmark, which represents the lowest 15% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) of the S&P Broad Market Index in each country. Depending on the country, as of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company in a particular country included in the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index ranged from approximately $571 million (New Zealand) to $16.8 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). As of May 31, 2015, the publicly traded market capitalization of the largest small company (as defined by the Fund) ranged from approximately $504 million (Egypt) to $30.0 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund
MSCI ACWI

Seeks total return. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities traded in any of the world's securities markets, including emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund is permitted to invest in equities of all types, including equities issued by non-U.S. and U.S. companies, growth and value style equities, and equities of companies of any market capitalization. In addition, the Fund is not limited in how much it may invest in any market or in the types of equity investments it may make, and it may often invest all its assets in the securities of companies in only a few countries and securities having similar market capitalizations. The Fund could experience material losses from a single investment. The Fund focuses its investments in a relatively small number of securities that GMO believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities in U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities of large- and mid-cap companies. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The term "large- and mid-cap companies" means non-U.S. companies that issue stocks included in the MSCI Standard Indices and international stock indices that target approximately 85% of each market's free-float adjusted market capitalization, and companies with similar market capitalizations. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Small Companies Fund
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of non-U.S. small companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies. For these purposes, non-U.S. companies are companies tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries ("Non-U.S. Companies"). GMO considers "small companies" to be all Non-U.S. Companies other than (i) the largest 500 companies in developed countries based on full, non-float adjusted market capitalization and (ii) any company in an emerging country with a full, non-float adjusted market capitalization that is greater than or equal to that of the smallest excluded developed country companies. A company's full, non-float adjusted market capitalization includes all of the company's outstanding equities. As of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company included within the Fund's definition of small companies was approximately $31.5 billion. For purposes of the Fund's investments, the term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO Quality Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes to be of high quality. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In assessing a company's quality, GMO may consider several factors, including, in particular, profitability, profit stability, and leverage. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities  in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Resources Fund
MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, or regions. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund has a fundamental policy to concentrate its investments in the natural resources sector, and, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of companies in that sector. The Fund considers the "natural resources sector" to include companies that own, produce, refine, process, transport, and market natural resources and companies that provide related equipment, infrastructure, and services. The sector includes, for example, the following industries: integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron ore production, energy services and technology, base metal production, forest products, farming products, paper products, chemicals, building materials, coal, water, alternative energy sources, and environmental services. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in securities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. In addition to its investments in companies in the natural resources sector, the Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of any type of company. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the S&P 500 Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, industry and sector exposure, and market capitalization. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single sector. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in equities tied economically to the United States. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

GMO Fixed Income Funds

If deemed prudent by GMO, the GMO Fixed Income Funds (other than GMO U.S. Treasury Fund) may take temporary defensive positions. Many of the GMO Fixed Income Funds have previously taken temporary defensive positions and have exercised the right to honor redemption requests in-kind. To the extent a GMO Fund takes temporary defensive positions or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective. With respect to the GMO Fixed Income Funds' investments, the term "investment grade" refers to a rating of Baa3/P-2 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB-/A-2 or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and the term "below investment grade" refers to any rating by Moody's or by S&P below those ratings. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as high yield or "junk" bonds. In addition, securities and commercial paper that are rated Aa/P-1 or better by Moody's or AA/A-1 or better by S&P are sometimes referred to as "high quality." Securities referred to as investment grade, below investment grade, or high quality include securities rated by Moody's, S&P, or both, and also unrated securities that GMO determines have comparable credit qualities.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund invests in a portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by bonds, forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts, or swap agreements. GMO uses a variety of fundamental and quantitative processes to manage the Fund. GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). The Fund is permitted to invest in bonds of any kind (e.g., bonds of any maturity, duration, or credit quality). The Fund may invest in any sector of the bond market and is not required to maintain a minimum or maximum allocation of investments in any one sector. The sectors and types of bonds in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to: investment grade bonds denominated in various currencies, including bonds issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporations and municipalities (taxable and tax-exempt); below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"); inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government (including Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS)) and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments) and inflation-indexed bonds issued by corporations; bonds issued in emerging countries (including sovereign debt and below investment grade bonds); asset-backed securities, including mortgage related and mortgage-backed securities; pooled investment vehicles, including both vehicles managed by GMO and vehicles unaffiliated with GMO; and commodities. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including futures contracts, currency options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), interest rate options, and other types of derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may gain exposure to the investments described above by investing in shares of other GMO Funds, including GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets), GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities), GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments), and GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to gain exposure to global interest rate, currency, and credit markets). The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in below investment grade bonds. GMO does not seek to maintain a specified interest rate duration for the Fund, and the Fund's interest rate duration will change depending on the Fund's investments and GMO's assessment of different sectors of the bond market. The Fund's interest rate duration may be positive or negative. The Fund's performance may differ significantly from that of its benchmark.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that do not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives and short sales, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund,GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 5.5 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex Japan ex U.S. (Hedged)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., United Kingdom) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund generally attempts to hedge at least 75% of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.9 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks positive total return. The Fund invests primarily in debt investments (including both direct and indirect investments) and is not restricted in its exposure to any type of debt investment. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality and has no limit on how much it may invest in below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"). The Fund's debt investments may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. The Fund may invest in debt investments issued by a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. private issuers and by federal, state, local, and non-U.S. governments (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments). The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities (including, but not limited to, securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages (including sub-prime mortgages), credit-card receivables, home equity loans, automobile loans, educational loans, corporate and sovereign bonds, and bank loans made to corporations), corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper. As of the date of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund has invested a substantial portion of its assets in asset-backed securities, many of which are below investment grade. In selecting debt investments for the Fund's portfolio, GMO uses analytical techniques to evaluate the relative attractiveness of particular sectors and securities. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund does not maintain a specified interest rate duration for its portfolio. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund may have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund may be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may, but is not required to, hedge part or all of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund
J.P. Morgan EMBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund invests primarily in debt of emerging countries that is issued by a sovereign or its instrumentalities and that usually is denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs or British pounds sterling. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments tied economically to emerging countries. The term "emerging countries" means the world's less developed countries. In general, the Fund considers "emerging countries" to be the countries included in the Fund's benchmark, as well as other countries with similar national domestic products or default histories. The Fund typically gains its investment exposure by purchasing debt investments or by using derivatives, typically credit default swaps. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of all credit qualities, including securities that are in default. (These may include below investment grade debt investments, which are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities.) Generally, at least 75% of the Fund's assets are denominated in, or hedged into, U.S. dollars. The Fund's performance is likely to be more volatile than that of its benchmark. GMO relies principally on a bottom-up approach in selecting investments, using fundamental analytical techniques. GMO also considers its outlook for a country in making investment decisions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund typically invests in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including options, swap contracts (in addition to credit default swaps), currency forwards (including currency forwards on currencies of the developed markets), reverse repurchase agreements and futures. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration for the Fund that is similar to that of its benchmark (approximately 7 years as of 5/31/15).

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.4 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund seeks to add value relative to its benchmark to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund will invest primarily in high quality U.S. and non-U.S. fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund also may invest in other exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically will be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. While the Fund primarily invests in high quality bonds, it may invest in securities that are not high quality and may hold bonds and other fixed income securities whose ratings after they were acquired were reduced below high quality. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. In selecting fixed income securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the securities' credit quality. GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to identify the credit risk associated with investments in fixed income securities and bases its investment decisions on that assessment. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO will normally seek to maintain an estimated interest rate duration of 365 days or less for the Fund's portfolio (which may be substantially shorter than the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity). GMO estimates the Fund's dollar-weighted average interest rate duration by aggregating the durations of the Fund's direct and indirect individual holdings and weighting each holding based on its market value. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in high quality bonds.

 

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex U.S.

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 8.2 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO U.S. Treasury Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks liquidity and safety of principal with current income as a secondary objective. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations and repurchase agreements collateralized by these Obligations. "Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations" include U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and notes and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS) and other zero-coupon securities. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration of one year or less for the Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may enter into repurchase agreements, under which the Fund purchases a security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government from a seller who simultaneously commits to repurchase, on an agreed upon date in the future, the security from the Fund at the original purchase price plus an agreed upon amount representing the original purchase price plus interest. The counterparties in repurchase agreements are typically brokers and banks, and the safety of the arrangement depends on, among other things, the Fund's having an interest in the security that it can realize in the event of the insolvency of the counterparty. In addition to Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations, the Fund may invest in other fixed income securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as fixed income securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Fund also may invest in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. Although the fixed income securities purchased by the Fund normally will have a stated or remaining maturity of one year or less, Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations purchased pursuant to repurchase agreements may not, and, therefore, if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults, the Fund may end up owning a security with a stated or remaining maturity of more than one year. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the duration, quality, diversification and other requirements applicable to money market funds. In selecting U.S. Treasury securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the relative attractiveness of different obligations (such as bonds, notes or bills), which can vary depending on the general level of interest rates as well as supply and demand imbalances and other market conditions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by attempting to identify and estimate relative misvaluation of global interest rate, credit, and currency markets. Based on those estimates, GMO establishes the Fund's positions across those markets. Those positions may include direct investments and derivatives. The Fund's direct investments in fixed income securities include U.S. and non-U.S. asset-backed securities and other fixed income securities (including Treasury Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS), Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS), Treasury Securities and global bonds). The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. Derivatives used by the Fund are primarily interest rate swaps and futures contracts, currency forwards and options, and credit default swaps on single-issuers or indices. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have higher volatility than its benchmark. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund typically holds asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in government securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. Because of the deterioration in credit markets that became acute in 2008, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds").

GMO Alternative Investment Funds

The GMO Alternative Investment Funds normally do not take temporary defensive positions. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Alpha Only Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund's investment program involves having both long and short investment exposures. GMO seeks to construct a portfolio in which the Fund has long investment exposure to asset classes and sub-asset classes that GMO expects will outperform relative to the asset classes and sub-asset classes to which the Fund has short investment exposure. To gain long investment exposure, the Fund invests directly in securities and may invest in other GMO Funds (collectively, the "underlying Funds"). To gain short investment exposure, the Fund may invest in over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives (including futures, swaps and currency forwards) and sell securities short, including short sales of securities the Fund does not own. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the relative risks of such asset classes, to determine the Fund's long and short positions. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO changes the Fund's holdings in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and may use redemptions or purchases of Fund shares to rebalance the Fund's investments. To the extent that the Fund's long and short positions are effective, the performance of the Fund is expected to have a low correlation to the performance of U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Risk Premium Fund
MSCI World Index

Seeks total return. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund seeks to capture returns commensurate with the equity risk premium over a full market cycle with less sensitivity to equity valuations by writing put options on stock indices and by engaging in merger arbitrage strategies. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund primarily uses options by selling (writing) put options on U.S. and non-U.S. (e.g., Europe, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia) stock indices. GMO determines the Fund's put-writing allocations among stock indices by using a proprietary indicator to assess the relative premiums available. The Fund's portfolio allocations are based on the relative attractiveness of each index in conjunction with other factors such as the liquidity available in each index's options markets. The Fund may have substantial exposures to relatively few U.S. and international stock indices. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options of any type, including options on global, regional and country stock indices and options on exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may purchase and sell exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options, including options that are cash-settled as well as physically settled. The Fund may purchase and sell options and other securities tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to manage its currency exposure. GMO expects that the Fund's option positions typically will be fully collateralized at the time the Fund sells them. GMO, therefore, expects that the Fund will hold sufficient assets to cover the maximum possible loss the Fund might sustain upon the exercise of an option sold by the Fund. The Fund may engage in transactions in which it purchases securities at prices below the value of the consideration GMO expects to be paid for them upon consummation of a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer, or other similar transaction ("merger arbitrage transactions"). Purchase prices may substantially exceed the market price of the securities before the announcement of the transaction. In conjunction with merger arbitrage transactions, the Fund may invest in derivatives or sell securities short in an effort to protect against market fluctuations or other risks or to adjust long or short investment exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. For collateral and cash management purposes, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund, in U.S. Treasury bills and other highly rated securities, and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

Additional Performance Information


This section contains additional information regarding the performance of the Fund. The sub-section below titled "Index Descriptions" defines the market indices that are referenced in the Fund Summary. The sub-section below titled "Share Class Performance" provides history for specified share classes of the Fund.

Index Descriptions
The "Average Annual Total Returns" table in the Fund's Fund Summary compares the Fund's returns with those of at least one broad-based market index. Below are descriptions of each such index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BCABI)

The BCABI is an unmanaged fixed income index covering the U.S. investment grade fixed-rate bond market, including U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities, corporate securities, and asset-backed securities.

Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index (Net) (MSCI ACWI)

The MSCI ACWI is an independently maintained and published international (including emerging) equity index.

Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI)

The Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI) is a composite benchmark computed by GMO. Prior to May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consisted of (1) the S&P 500 Index; (2) the MSCI ACWI ex-US; and (3) the BCABI in the following proportions: 48.75% (S&P 500), 16.25% (MSCI ACWI ex-U.S.), and 35% (BCABI). Effective May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consists of (1) the MSCI ACWI; and (2) the BCABI in the following proportions: 65% (MSCI ACWI), and 35% (BCABI).

Share Class Performance
The following provides additional information about the performance history of the Funds contained in this prospectus, including information regarding predecessor funds, if any, and whether performance information presented is based on the history of an older share class. 

Asset Allocation Fund - Historical performance shown for the Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Administrator Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class. If these expenses had not been included, returns for Institutional Class would be higher. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010 is based on the performance of the Fund's predecessor, Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

A Fund's past performance is no guarantee of future results. A Fund's investment results will fluctuate over time, and any representation of the Fund's returns for any past period should not be considered as a representation of what a Fund's returns may be in any future period. The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports contain additional performance information and are available upon request, without charge, by calling the telephone number listed on the back cover page of this Prospectus.

Financial Highlights


The following tables are intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the past five years (or since inception, if shorter). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total returns represent the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund's financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is also included in the Fund's annual report, a copy of which is available upon request.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30,

Institutional Class

2015

20141

20132

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

14.49

$

13.82

$

13.01

Net investment loss

(0.06)3

(0.03)

(0.05)3

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.19

1.01

1.26

Total from investment operations

0.13

0.98

1.21

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.47)

(0.31)

(0.40)

Net asset value, end of period

$

14.15

$

14.49

$

13.82

Total return4

0.99%

7.15%

9.58%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses5

0.42%

0.42%

0.42%

Net expenses5

0.42%

0.42%

0.42%

Net investment loss5

(0.42)%

(0.42)%

(0.42)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate6

0%

1%

0%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

1,032,319

$

716,789

$

679,254

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to September 30, 2013

3

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

4

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

5

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

6

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

More information on the Fund is available free upon request, including the following documents:

Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
Supplements the disclosures made by this Prospectus. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and therefore is legally part of this Prospectus.

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports
Provide financial and other important information, including a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance over the reporting period.

To obtain copies of the above documents or for more information about Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, contact us:

By telephone:
Individual Investors: 1-800-222-8222
Retail Investment Professionals: 1-888-877-9275
Institutional Investment Professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

By e-mail: wfaf@wellsfargo.com   

By mail:
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266

Online:
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

From the SEC:
Visit the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC (phone 1-202-551-8090 for operational information
for the SEC's Public Reference Room) or the
SEC's Web site at sec.gov.

To obtain information for a fee, write or email:
SEC's Public Reference Section
100 "F" Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-0102
publicinfo@sec.gov

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved B95AFIT/P504B 9-15
ICA Reg. No. 811-09253


Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 | 

September 1, 2015

Allocation Funds

Prospectus

Class R*

Asset Allocation Fund

EAXFX


*Class R shares are only available to participants in certain retirement plans.

As with all mutual funds, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Anyone who tells you otherwise is committing a crime.

Fund shares are NOT deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., its affiliates or any other depository institution. Fund shares are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency and may lose value.

Table of Contents

Fund Summary

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

2

The Fund

Key Fund Information

7

Asset Allocation Fund

8

Description of Principal Investment Risks

10

Portfolio Holdings Information

14

Management of the Fund

The Manager and Portfolio Managers

15

Multi-Manager Arrangement

17

Your Account

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents

18

Pricing Fund Shares

19

How to Buy Shares

20

How to Sell Shares

21

How to Exchange Shares

22

Account Policies

24

Other Information

Distributions

25

Taxes

25

Description of Underlying Funds

26

Additional Performance Information

46

Financial Highlights

47

Asset Allocation Fund Summary

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

Fees and Expenses

These tables are intended to help you understand the various costs and expenses you will pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

None

Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of offering price)

None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)1

Management Fees

0.32%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

0.25%

Other Expenses

0.47%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

0.55%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.59%

Fee Waivers

0.00%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver2

1.59%

1. Expenses have been adjusted as necessary from amounts incurred during the Fund's most recent fiscal year to reflect current fees and expenses.
2. The Adviser has contractually committed through August 31, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund's Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.12% for Class R. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (including the expenses of Asset Allocation Trust), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Example of Expenses

The example below is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes a $10,000 initial investment, 5% annual total return, and that fees and expenses remain the same as in the tables above. The example also assumes that the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver shown above will only be in place for the length of the current waiver commitment. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

After:

1 Year

$162

3 Years

$502

5 Years

$866

10 Years

$1,889

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 0% of the average value of its portfolio. In addition, the portfolio turnover rate for Asset Allocation Trust, in which the Fund invests all of its assets, was 42% for its fiscal year ended April 30, 2015.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

An investment in the Fund may lose money, is not a deposit of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or its affiliates, is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, and is primarily subject to the risks briefly summarized below.

Credit Risk. The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due, which could cause the value of an investment to decline and a Fund to lose money.

Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, can lead to losses, including those magnified by leverage, particularly when derivatives are used to enhance return rather than mitigate risk. Certain derivative instruments may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so, or the other party to a derivative contract may be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations.

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk. Investments focused in countries, regions, sectors, industries, or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors and investments whose prices are strongly correlated are subject to greater overall risk than investments that are more diversified.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk. A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes.

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be subject to higher withholding and other taxes.

High Yield Securities Risk. High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default or of not returning principal and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities.

Interest Rate Risk. When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. When interest rates decline, interest that a Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, but the value of those securities may increase.

Investment Style Risk. Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions.

Large Shareholder Risk. To the extent that a large number of shares of the Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by that shareholder of all or a large portion of its Fund shares will cause the Fund to sell securities at disadvantageous prices or otherwise will disrupt the Fund's operations.

Management Risk. Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. Geopolitical and other events may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Those events, as well as other changes in non-U.S. and U.S. economic and political conditions, could adversely affect the value of the Fund's investments.

Market Risk. The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may decline in value and become less liquid when defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets occur and may exhibit additional volatility in periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. When interest rates decline or are low, the prepayment of mortgages or assets underlying such securities can reduce a Fund's returns.

Options Risk. A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk of a loss of premiums without offsetting gains. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments.

Short Sales Risk. Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value.

Smaller Company Securities Risk. Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.

Underlying Funds Risk. The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests.

Performance

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year. The Fund's average annual total returns are compared to the performance of one or more indices. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current month-end performance is available on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year
Class R

Highest Quarter: 2nd Quarter 2009

+12.07%

Lowest Quarter: 4th Quarter 2008

-11.89%

Year-to-date total return as of 6/30/2015 is +0.81%

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended 12/31/2014

Inception Date of Share Class

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Class R (before taxes)

10/10/2003

0.12%

5.73%

4.93%

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

5.97%

4.45%

4.71%

GMO Global Asset Allocation Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.87%

7.78%

5.54%

MSCI ACWI Index (Net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

4.16%

9.17%

6.09%

Fund Management

 

Manager

Portfolio Manager1, Title/Managed Since

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Ben Inker, CFA, Portfolio Manager/1996
Sam Wilderman, CFA, Portfolio Manager/2012

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Class R shares generally are available only to certain retirement plans, including: 401(k) plans, 457 plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, target benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Class R shares also are generally available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares generally are not available to retail accounts.

For Class R shares, eligible retirement plans of qualifying size generally may open an account and purchase Class R shares by contacting certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have selling agreements with Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC ("WFFD"), the Fund's distributor. These entities may impose transaction charges. Additional shares may be purchased through a retirement plan's administrator or record-keeper.

 

Institutions Purchasing Fund Shares

Minimum Initial Investment
Class R: Eligible investors are not subject to a minimum initial investment (financial intermediaries may require different minimum investment amounts)

Minimum Additional Investment
Class R: None (financial intermediaries may require different minimum additional investment amounts)

Tax Information

By investing in a Fund through a tax-deferred retirement account, you will not be subject to tax on dividends and capital gains distributions from the Fund or the sale of Fund shares if those amounts remain in the tax-deferred account. Distributions taken from retirement plan accounts generally are taxable as ordinary income. For special rules concerning tax-deferred retirement accounts, including applications, restrictions, tax advantages, and potential sales charge waivers, contact your investment professional. To determine if a retirement plan may be appropriate for you and to obtain further information, consult your tax adviser.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Consult your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Web site for more information.

Key Fund Information


This Prospectus contains information about the Fund within the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds® family and is designed to provide you with important information to help you with your investment decisions. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

In this Prospectus, "we" generally refers to Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management) or the portfolio managers. "We" may also refer to the Fund's other service providers. "You" refers to the shareholder or potential investor.


Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies

The investment objective of the Fund in this Prospectus is non-fundamental; that is, it can be changed by a vote of the Board of Trustees ("Board") alone. The objective and strategies description for the Fund tells you:

what the Fund is trying to achieve; and

how we intend to invest your money.

This section also provides a summary of the Fund's principal investment policies and practices. Unless otherwise indicated, these investment policies and practices apply on an ongoing basis.

Principal Investment Risks

This section lists the principal investment risks for the Fund. A complete description of these and other risks is found in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.


Asset Allocation Fund

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager

Ben Inker, CFA; Sam Wilderman, CFA1

Fund Inception:

July 29, 1996

Class R

Ticker: EAXFX

Fund Number: 789

1. The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long-term total return, consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

The Fund's Board of Trustees can change this investment objective without a shareholder vote.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund's target allocation is as follows:

at least 15% of the Fund's assets in fixed income securities; and

at least 25% of the Fund's assets in equity securities.

The Fund is a diversified investment, providing exposure to stock, bond and alternative investment strategy funds, with an emphasis on stock funds. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"), an investment company managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). AAT, in turn, invests its assets in GMO-managed mutual funds ("underlying funds") and may be exposed to any asset class, including, for example, U.S. and foreign equities (including emerging country equities), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including emerging country debt securities), and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. The underlying funds may gain their investment exposures directly or through investment in derivatives and/or other mutual funds. AAT is currently wholly owned by the Fund.

GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the risk of such asset classes, to select the underlying funds in which AAT invests and to decide how much to invest in each. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that market valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO shifts AAT's investments in the underlying funds in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and to accommodate cash flows, and intends to expose at least 15% of AAT's assets to fixed income investments and at least 25% of AAT's assets to equity investments.

GMO regularly reviews the investments of AAT and may sell a holding of AAT when it has achieved its valuation target, there is deterioration in the underlying fundamentals of the business, or GMO has identified a more attractive investment opportunity.

The Fund may hold some of its assets in cash and AAT may also invest in certain other investments, including cash or various cash equivalents, such as money market instruments, and other short-term instruments, including notes, certain short-term asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker's acceptances, bank deposits, U.S. government securities or shares of registered investment companies, to either maintain liquidity or for short-term defensive purposes, when we or GMO believe it is in the best interests of the shareholders to do so. During these periods, the Fund may not achieve its objective.

Principal Investment Risks

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market value of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors, industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The Fund is primarily subject to the risks mentioned below.

 

Credit Risk

Derivatives Risk

Emerging Markets Risk

Focused Investment Risk

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Foreign Investment Risk

High Yield Securities Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Investment Style Risk

Large Shareholder Risk

Management Risk

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

Market Risk

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

Options Risk

Short Sales Risk

Smaller Company Securities Risk

Underlying Funds Risk

These and other risks could cause you to lose money in your investment in the Fund and could adversely affect the Fund's net asset value, yield and total return. These risks are described in the "Description of Principal Investment Risks" section.

Description of Principal Investment Risks


Understanding the risks involved in mutual fund investing will help you make an informed decision that takes into account your risk tolerance and preferences. The risks that are most likely to have a material effect on a particular Fund as a whole are called "principal risks."

Because the Fund invests all of its investable assets in AAT, which, in turn, invests all of its assets in a number of underlying funds, the following principal risks include risks that result from the Fund's indirect investments in the underlying funds. Some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests are non-diversified investment companies under the 1940 Act. A decline in the market price of a particular security held by a non-diversified underlying fund may affect its performance more than if the underlying fund was diversified. In addition, some of the underlying funds in which the Fund indirectly invests have a policy that permits those funds to concentrate their investments in particular sectors,industries or countries. An underlying fund that concentrates its investments in a limited number of sectors, industries or countries will be more vulnerable to adverse financial, economic, political or other developments affecting those sectors, industries or countries than a fund that invests its assets more broadly, and the value of the underlying fund's shares may be more volatile.

The principal risks for the Fund have been previously identified and are described below. Additional information about the principal risks is included in the Statement of Additional Information.

Credit Risk
The issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or perceived to be unable to pay interest or repay principal when they become due. In these instances, the value of an investment could decline and the Fund could lose money. Credit risk increases as an issuer's credit quality declines.

Derivatives Risk
The use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves, which may be magnified by certain features of the derivatives. These risks are heightened when derivatives are used to enhance a Fund's return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge (or mitigate) the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. The success of a derivative strategy will be affected by the portfolio manager's ability to assess and predict market or economic developments and their impact on the derivatives' underlying assets, indexes or rates and the derivatives themselves. Certain derivative instruments may become illiquid and, as a result, may be difficult to sell when the portfolio manager believes it would be appropriate to do so. Certain derivatives create leverage, which can magnify the impact of a decline in the value of their underlying assets, indexes or rates and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. Certain derivatives (e.g., over-the-counter swaps) are also subject to the risk that the counterparty to the derivative contract will be unwilling or unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, which may cause a Fund to lose money, suffer delays or incur costs arising from holding or selling an underlying asset. Changes in laws or regulations may make the use of derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.

Emerging Markets Risk
Emerging market securities typically present even greater exposure to the risks described under "Foreign Investment Risk" and may be particularly sensitive to global economic conditions. For example, emerging market countries are typically more dependent on exports and are therefore more vulnerable to recessions in other countries. Emerging markets tend to have less developed legal and financial systems and a smaller market capitalization than markets in developed countries. Some emerging markets are subject to greater political instability. Additionally, emerging markets may have more volatile currencies and be more sensitive than developed markets to a variety of economic factors, including inflation. Emerging market securities are also typically less liquid than securities of developed countries and could be difficult to sell, particularly during a market downturn.

Focused Investment Risk
Funds with investments that are focused in particular countries, regions, sectors, industries or issuers that are subject to the same or similar risk factors, and funds with investments whose prices are strongly correlated, are subject to greater overall risk than funds with investments that are more diversified. A Fund that invests in the securities of a small number of issuers has greater exposure to adverse developments affecting those issuers and to a decline in the market price of particular securities than a Fund investing in the securities of a larger number of issuers.

Securities, sectors or companies that share common characteristics are often subject to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and often react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

Similarly, a Fund that has a significant portion of its assets in investments tied economically (or related) to a particular geographic region, country (e.g., Taiwan or Japan) or market (e.g., emerging markets) has more exposure to regional and country economic risks than a fund making investments throughout the world. The political and economic prospects of one country or group of countries within the same geographic region may affect other countries in that region, and a recession, debt crisis, or decline in the value of the currency of one country can spread to other countries. Furthermore, companies in a particular geographic region or country are vulnerable to events affecting other companies in that region or country because they often share common characteristics, are exposed to similar business risks and regulatory burdens, and react similarly to specific economic, market, political or other developments.

To the extent an underlying fund concentrates its investments in the natural resources sector, it is particularly exposed to adverse developments, including adverse price movements, affecting issuers in the natural resources sector and is subject to greater risks than a fund that invests in a wider range of industries. In addition, the market prices of securities of companies in the natural resources sector may be more volatile than those of securities of companies in other industries. Some of the commodities used as raw materials or produced by these companies are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of industry-wide supply and demand factors. Companies in the natural resources sector often have limited pricing power over the supplies they purchase and the products they sell, which can affect their profitability. Companies in the natural resources sector also may be subject to special risks associated with natural or man-made disasters. In addition, the natural resources sector can be especially affected by political and economic developments, government regulations including changes in tax law or interpretations of law, energy conservation, and the success of exploration projects. Specifically, the natural resource sector can be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. An underlying fund's concentration in the securities of natural resource companies exposes it to the price movements of natural resources to a greater extent than if it were more broadly diversified. An underlying fund that invests primarily in the natural resources sector runs the risk of performing poorly during an economic downturn or a decline in demand for natural resources.

Foreign Currency Contracts Risk
A Fund that enters into forwards or other foreign currency contracts, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that the portfolio manager may be incorrect in his or her judgment of future exchange rate changes. The Fund's gains from positions in foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund's losses from such positions may also lead to recharacterization of the Fund's income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders.

Foreign Investment Risk
Foreign investments may be subject to lower liquidity, greater price volatility and risks related to adverse political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Foreign companies may be subject to significantly higher levels of taxation than U.S. companies, including potentially confiscatory levels of taxation, thereby reducing the earnings potential of such foreign companies. Foreign investments may involve exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such changes may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the investments. Foreign investments may be subject to additional risks such as potentially higher withholding and other taxes, and may also be subject to greater trade settlement, custodial, and other operational risks than domestic investments. Certain foreign markets may also be characterized by less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards.

High Yield Securities Risk
High yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as "junk bonds") have a much greater risk of default (or in the case of bonds currently in default, of not returning principal) and their values tend to be more volatile than higher-rated securities with similar maturities. Additionally, these securities tend to be less liquid and more difficult to value than higher-rated securities.

Interest Rate Risk
When interest rates rise, the value of debt securities tends to fall. The longer the terms of the debt securities held by a Fund, the more the Fund is subject to this risk. If interest rates decline, interest that the Fund is able to earn on its investments in debt securities may also decline, which could cause the Fund to reduce the dividends it pays to shareholders, but the value of those securities may increase. Some debt securities give the issuers the option to call, redeem or prepay the securities before their maturity dates. If an issuer calls, redeems or prepays a debt security during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in a security offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the debt securities market, reduced liquidity for certain Fund investments and an increase in Fund redemptions. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable.

Investment Style Risk
Securities of a particular investment style, such as a growth style or value style, tend to perform differently and shift into and out of favor with investors depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. As a result, a Fund's performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly or in securities of a different investment style.

Large Shareholder Risk
To the extent a large number of shares of a Fund is held by a single shareholder (e.g., an institutional investor or another GMO Fund) or a group of shareholders with a common investment strategy (e.g., GMO asset allocation accounts), the Fund is subject to the risk that a redemption by those shareholders of all or a large portion of their Fund shares will adversely affect the Fund's performance by forcing the Fund to sell portfolio securities to raise the cash needed to satisfy the redemption request. In addition, the Funds and other accounts over which GMO has investment discretion that invest in the Funds are not limited in how often they may purchase or sell Fund shares. GMO Asset Allocation Funds and separate accounts managed by GMO for its clients hold substantial percentages of the shares of many underlying funds, and asset allocation decisions by GMO may result in substantial redemptions from (or investments in) those underlying funds. These transactions may adversely affect the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund is required to sell investments (or invest cash) when it would not otherwise do so. Redemptions of a large number of shares also may increase transaction costs or, by necessitating a sale of portfolio securities, have adverse tax consequences for Fund shareholders. Additionally, redemptions by a large shareholder also potentially limit the use of any capital loss carryforwards and certain other losses to offset future realized capital gains (if any) and may limit or prevent a Fund's use of tax equalization. In addition, to the extent a Fund invests in other GMO Funds subject to Large Shareholder Risk, the Fund is indirectly subject to this risk.

Management Risk
Investment decisions, techniques, analyses or models implemented by a Fund's manager or sub-adviser in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective may not produce the returns expected, may cause the Fund's shares to lose value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical and other events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund's investments. Sudden or significant changes in the supply or prices of commodities or other economic inputs (e.g., the marked decline in oil prices in late 2014) may have material and unexpected effects on both global securities markets and individual countries, regions, sectors, companies, or industries, which could significantly reduce the value of a Fund's investments. Terrorism in the United States and around the world has increased geopolitical risk. The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 resulted in the closure of some U.S. securities markets for four days, and similar attacks are possible in the future. Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or reduce the value of investments traded in them, including investments of the Fund. While the U.S. government has always honored its credit obligations, a default by the U.S. government (as has been threatened in recent years) would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly reduce the value of the Fund's investments. Similarly, political events within the United States at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could adversely affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of several European Union countries, as well as the continued existence of the European Union itself, has disrupted and may continue to disrupt markets in the United States and around the world. If one or more country changes its currency or leaves the European Union or if the European Union dissolves, the world's securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.

Substantial government interventions (e.g., currency controls), also could adversely affect the Fund. War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in early 2011, and systemic market dislocations of the kind surrounding the insolvency of Lehman Brothers in 2008, if repeated, would be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment and other factors affecting the value of the Fund's investments. During such market disruptions, the Fund's exposure to the risks described elsewhere in this section will likely increase. Market disruptions, including sudden government interventions, can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment programs and achieving its investment objectives. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause the Fund's derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some underlying commodities, securities, reference rates or indices, or to offer them on a more limited basis. To the extent that the Fund has focused its investments in the stock index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events in that region could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund. 

Market Risk
The values of, and/or the income generated by, securities held by a Fund may decline due to general market conditions or other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of such securities. Security markets are volatile and may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, regulatory, political, or economic developments. Different sectors of the market and different security types may react differently to such developments.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk
Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Defaults on the underlying mortgages or assets may cause such securities to decline in value and become less liquid. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates than instruments with fixed payment schedules. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility. When interest rates decline or are low, borrowers may pay off their mortgage or other debts sooner than expected, which can reduce the returns of a Fund. Funds that may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions are subject to the risk that the market value of the securities that are required to be repurchased in the future may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price. They also involve the risk that the party to whom the securities are sold may become insolvent, limiting the fund's ability to repurchase securities at the agreed upon price.

Options Risk
A Fund that purchases options, which are a type of derivative, is subject to the risk that gains, if any, realized on the position, will be less than the amount paid as premiums to the writer of the option. A Fund that writes options receives a premium that may be small relative to the loss realized in the event of adverse changes in the value of the underlying instruments. A Fund that writes covered call options gives up the opportunity to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price while the option is in effect. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments. In addition, there may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values of options and their underlying securities and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options.

Short Sales Risk
Short selling is generally considered speculative, has the potential for unlimited loss and may involve leverage, which can magnify a Fund's exposure to assets that decline in value and increase the volatility of the Fund's net asset value. If the price of a security which the Fund has sold short increases between the time of the short sale and when the position is closed out, the Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time of the short sale plus any related interest payments, dividends, transaction or other costs. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise, potentially exacerbating a loss or reducing a gain. In addition, the Fund is subject to the risk that the lender of a security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same instrument from another lender. A Fund that uses short sales is subject to the risk that its prime broker will be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations. Regulatory restrictions limit the extent to which the Fund may engage in short sales.

Smaller Company Securities Risk
Securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Smaller companies may have no or relatively short operating histories, limited financial resources or may be newly public companies. Some of these companies have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, or are involved in rapidly growing or changing industries and/or new technologies.

Underlying Funds Risk
The risks associated with a Fund include the risks related to each Underlying Fund in which the Fund invests. To the extent that an Underlying Fund actively trades its securities, the Fund will experience the consequences of a higher-than-average portfolio turnover rate, such as increased trading expenses and higher short-term capital gains. Investments in the Fund result in your incurring higher expenses than if you were to invest directly in the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests.

Portfolio Holdings Information


A description of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds' portfolio holdings is available in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information. In addition, Funds Management will, from time to time, include portfolio holdings information in periodic commentaries for certain Funds. The substance of the information contained in such commentaries will also be posted to the Funds' Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Management of the Fund


The Manager and Portfolio Managers

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC ("Funds Management"), headquartered at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, provides advisory and Fund level administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement"). Funds Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, a publicly traded diversified financial services company that provides banking, insurance, investment, mortgage and consumer financial services. Funds Management is a registered investment adviser that provides advisory services for registered mutual funds, closed-end funds and other funds and accounts.

Funds Management is responsible for implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund. Funds Management's investment professionals review and analyze the Fund's performance, including relative to peer funds, and monitor the Fund's compliance with its investment objective and strategies. Funds Management is responsible for reporting to the Board on investment performance and other matters affecting the Fund. When appropriate, Funds Management recommends to the Board enhancements to Fund features, including changes to Fund investment objectives, strategies and policies. Funds Management also communicates with shareholders and intermediaries about Fund performance and features. 

Funds Management is also responsible for providing Fund-level administrative services, which include, among others, providing such services in connection with the Funds' operations; developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and providing any other Fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Funds other than those services that are provided by the Funds' transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian, and fund accountant.

For providing these investment management services, Funds Management is entitled to receive the fees disclosed in the row captioned "Management Fees" in the Fund's table of Annual Fund Operating Expenses. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the management agreement for the Fund is available in the Fund's semi-annual shareholder report for the six-month period ended October 31st.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"). The Management Agreement, which became effective July 1, 2015, combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Funds' prior Amended and Restated Administration Agreement applicable to Fund-level administrative services. For a Fund's most recent fiscal year end, the advisory fee paid to Funds Management pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, net of any applicable waivers and reimbursements, was as follows:

Advisory Fees Paid

As a % of average daily net assets

Asset Allocation Fund

0.22%

 

Ben Inker, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Inker has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of the Fund since 1996 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014.

Sam Wilderman, CFA

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). Day-to-day management of AAT is the responsibility of GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team"). The Team's members work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio, and no one person is primarily responsible for day-to-day management of AAT. Ben Inker and Sam Wilderman, the Co-Heads and Senior Members of the Team and GMO's Developed Fixed Income Team, allocate the responsibility for portions of AAT's portfolio to various members of the Team, oversee the implementation of the trades on behalf of AAT, review the overall composition of the portfolio, including compliance with stated investment objectives and strategies, and monitor cash flows. Mr. Wilderman has been responsible for overseeing the portfolio management of GMO's asset allocation portfolios since 2012 and of GMO's developed fixed income portfolios since November 2014. Previously, Mr. Wilderman was Co-Head of GMO's Global Equity Team.

Multi-Manager Arrangement

The Fund and Funds Management have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Funds Management, subject to Board approval, to select certain sub-advisers and enter into or amend sub-advisory agreements with them, without obtaining shareholder approval. The SEC order extends to sub-advisers that are not otherwise affiliated with Funds Management or the Fund, as well as sub-advisers that are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Funds Management or of a company that wholly owns Funds Management ("Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers").

Pursuant to the order, Funds Management, with Board approval, may hire or replace Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers for the Fund. Funds Management, subject to Board oversight, has the responsibility to oversee Multi-Manager Sub-Advisers and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. If a new sub-adviser is hired for the Fund pursuant to the order, the Fund is required to notify shareholders within 90 days. The Fund is not required to disclose the individual fees that Funds Management pays to a Multi-Manager Sub-Adviser.

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents


Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (12b-1 Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for Class R shares. The 12b-1 Plan authorizes the payment of all or part of the cost of preparing and distributing prospectuses and distribution-related services. The 12b-1 Plan also provides that, if and to the extent any shareholder servicing payments are recharacterized as payments for distribution related services, they are approved and payable under the 12b-1 Plan. Class R shares incur an annual 12b-1 Plan fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the class for services rendered to shareholders and/or the maintenance of accounts.

Shareholder Servicing Plan
The Fund has a shareholder servicing plan. Under this plan, various shareholder servicing agents have been authorized to process purchase and redemption requests, to service shareholder accounts, and to provide other related services to the Class R shares. For these services, Class R pays an annual fee of up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets.

Additional Payments to Dealers
In addition to dealer reallowances and payments made by the Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing, the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates make additional payments ("Additional Payments") to certain selling or shareholder servicing agents for the Fund, which include broker-dealers and 401(k) service providers and recordkeepers. These Additional Payments are made in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and its shareholders. These Additional Payments, which may be significant, are paid by the Fund's manager, the distributor or their affiliates, out of their revenues, which generally come directly or indirectly from fees paid by the entire Fund complex.

In return for these Additional Payments, the Fund's manager and distributor expect the Fund to receive certain marketing or servicing advantages that are not generally available to mutual funds that do not make such payments. Such advantages are expected to include, without limitation, placement of the Fund on a list of mutual funds offered as investment options to the selling agent's clients (sometimes referred to as "Shelf Space"); access to the selling agent's registered representatives; and/or ability to assist in training and educating the selling agent's registered representatives.

Certain selling or shareholder servicing agents receive these Additional Payments to supplement amounts payable by the Fund under the shareholder servicing plans. In exchange, these agents provide services including, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining accounts and records; answering inquiries regarding purchases, exchanges and redemptions; processing and verifying purchase, redemption and exchange transactions; furnishing account statements and confirmations of transactions; processing and mailing monthly statements, prospectuses, shareholder reports and other SEC-required communications; and providing the types of services that might typically be provided by the Fund's transfer agent (e.g., the maintenance of omnibus or omnibus-like accounts, the use of the National Securities Clearing Corporation for the transmission of transaction information and the transmission of shareholder mailings).

The Additional Payments may create potential conflicts of interest between an investor and a selling agent who is recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. Before investing, you should consult with your financial consultant and review carefully any disclosure by the selling agent as to what monies they receive from mutual fund advisers and distributors, as well as how your financial consultant is compensated.

The Additional Payments are typically paid in fixed dollar amounts, or based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the selling or shareholder servicing agent, or based on a percentage of sales and/or assets under management, or a combination of the above. The Additional Payments are either up-front or ongoing or both. The Additional Payments differ among selling and shareholder servicing agents. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on its customers' assets typically range between 0.05% and 0.30% in a given year of assets invested in a Fund by the selling agent's customers. Additional Payments to a selling agent that is compensated based on a percentage of sales typically range between 0.10% and 0.15% of the gross sales of a Fund attributable to the selling agent. In addition, representatives of the Fund's distributor visit selling agents on a regular basis to educate their registered representatives and to encourage the sale of Fund shares. The costs associated with such visits may be paid for by the Fund's manager, distributor, or their affiliates, subject to applicable FINRA regulations.

More information on the FINRA member firms that have received the Additional Payments described in this section is available in the Statement of Additional Information, which is on file with the SEC and is also available on the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com.

Pricing Fund Shares


The Fund's NAV is the value of a single share. The NAV is normally calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that the NYSE is open. The NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of a multiple-class Fund. The most recent NAV for each class of a Fund is available at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. To calculate the NAV of the Fund's shares, the Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by the number of shares outstanding. The price at which a purchase or redemption request is processed is based on the next NAV calculated after the request is received in good order. NAV is not calculated, and purchase and redemption requests are not processed, on days that the NYSE is closed for trading.

Because the Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in Asset Allocation Trust, which in turn invests its assets in various underlying funds, the value of the Fund's shares is based on the NAV of the shares of Asset Allocation Trust, which is itself based on the NAV of the shares of the underlying funds. The valuation methods used by the underlying funds in pricing their shares, including the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing, are described in their prospectuses.

How to Buy Shares


Class R shares generally are available only to certain retirement plans, including: 401(k) plans, 457 plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, target benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Class R shares also are generally available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the Fund. Class R shares generally are not available to retail accounts. Eligible retirement plans of qualifying size generally may open an account and purchase Class R shares by contacting certain broker-dealers and financial institutions that have selling agreements with WFFD. These entities may impose transaction charges. Additional shares may be purchased through a retirement plan's administrator or record-keeper.

General Notes for Buying Shares

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your new account application or purchase request in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your new account application or purchase request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to process your transaction.

Earning Distributions. You are eligible to earn distributions beginning on the business day after the transfer agent receives your purchase in proper form.

U.S. Dollars Only. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars and all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks.

Right to Refuse an Order. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a purchase or exchange order for any reason, including if we believe that doing so would be in the best interests of a Fund and its shareholders.

Special Considerations When Investing Through Financial Intermediaries:
If a financial intermediary purchases Class R shares on your behalf, you should understand the following:

Minimum Investments and Other Terms of Your Account. Share purchases are made through a customer account at your financial intermediary following that firm's terms. Financial intermediaries may require different minimum investment amounts. Please consult an account representative from your financial intermediary for specifics.

Records are Held in Financial Intermediary's Name. Financial intermediaries are usually the holders of record for Class R shares held through their customer accounts. The financial intermediaries maintain records reflecting their customers' beneficial ownership of the shares.

Purchase/Redemption Orders. Financial intermediaries are responsible for transmitting their customers' purchase and redemption orders to the Fund and for delivering required payment on a timely basis.

Shareholder Communications. Financial intermediaries are responsible for delivering shareholder communications and voting information from a Fund, and for transmitting shareholder voting instructions to a Fund.

The information provided in this Prospectus is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Fund shares to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.

The Fund is distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, a member of FINRA/SIPC, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") information and brochure are available at SIPC.org or by calling SIPC at (202) 371-8300.

How to Sell Shares


Class R shares must be redeemed according to the terms of your customer account with your financial intermediary. You should contact your investment representative when you wish to sell Fund shares.

General Notes for Selling Shares 

Proper Form. If the transfer agent receives your request to sell shares in proper form before the close of the NYSE, your transaction will be priced at that day's NAV. If your request to sell shares is received in proper form after the close of trading on the NYSE, it will be priced at the next business day's NAV. If your request is not in proper form, additional documentation may be required to sell your shares.

Earning Distributions. Your shares are eligible to earn distributions through the date of redemption. If you redeem shares on a Friday or prior to a holiday, your shares will continue to be eligible to earn distributions until the next business day.

Right to Delay Payment. We normally will send out checks within one business day, and in any event no more than seven days, after we accept your request to redeem. If you wish to redeem shares purchased by check or Electronic Funds Transfer within seven days of purchase, you may need to resubmit your redemption request if your payment has not yet cleared. Our ability to determine with reasonable certainty that investments have been finally collected is greater for investments coming from accounts with banks affiliated with Funds Management than it is for investments coming from accounts with unaffiliated banks. Redemption payments also may be delayed under extraordinary circumstances or as permitted by the SEC in order to protect remaining shareholders. Such extraordinary circumstances are discussed further in the Statement of Additional Information.

Redemption in Kind. Although generally we pay redemption requests in cash, we reserve the right to determine in our sole discretion, whether to satisfy redemption requests by making payment in securities (known as a redemption in kind). In such case, we may pay all or part of the redemption in securities of equal value as permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules thereunder. The redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received.

Retirement Plans and Other Products. If you purchased shares through a packaged investment product or retirement plan, read the directions for selling shares provided by the product or plan. There may be special requirements that supersede the directions in this Prospectus.

How to Exchange Shares


Exchanges between Wells Fargo Advantage Funds involve two transactions: (1) a sale of shares of one Fund; and (2) the purchase of shares of another. In general, the same rules and procedures that apply to sales and purchases apply to exchanges. There are, however, additional factors you should keep in mind while making or considering an exchange: 

In general, exchanges may be made between like share classes of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund offered to the general public for investment (i.e., a Fund not closed to new accounts), with the following exception: Class A shares of non-money market funds may also be exchanged for Service Class shares of any money market fund.

Same-fund exchanges between share classes are permitted subject to the following conditions: (1) exchanges out of Class A and Class C shares would not be allowed if shares are subject to a CDSC; (2) for exchanges into Class A shares, the shareholder must meet all qualifications to purchase Class A shares at net asset value based on current prospectus guidelines; and (3) the shareholder must meet the eligibility guidelines of the class being purchased in the exchange.

An exchange request will be processed on the same business day, provided that both Funds are open at the time the request is received. If one or both Funds are closed, the exchange will be processed on the following business day.

You should carefully read the prospectus for the Wells Fargo Advantage Fund into which you wish to exchange. 

Every exchange involves selling Fund shares, which may produce a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. 

If you are making an initial investment into a Fund through an exchange, you must exchange at least the minimum initial purchase amount for the new Fund, unless your balance has fallen below that amount due to investment performance. 

Any exchange between two Wells Fargo Advantage Funds must meet the minimum subsequent purchase amounts.

Class B and Class C share exchanges will not trigger the CDSC. The new shares will continue to age according to their original schedule and will be charged the CDSC applicable to the original shares upon redemption.

Generally, we will notify you at least 60 days in advance of any changes in our exchange policy.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds reserves the right to reject any purchase or exchange order for any reason. Purchases or exchanges that a Fund determines could harm the Fund may be rejected.

Excessive trading by Fund shareholders can negatively impact a Fund and its long-term shareholders in several ways, including disrupting Fund investment strategies, increasing transaction costs, decreasing tax efficiency, and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Excessive trading in Fund shares can negatively impact a Fund's long-term performance by requiring it to maintain more assets in cash or to liquidate portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time. Certain Funds may be more susceptible than others to these negative effects. For example, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in non-U.S. securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities resulting from pricing variations due to time zone differences across international financial markets. Similarly, Funds that have a greater percentage of their investments in small company securities may be more susceptible than other Funds to arbitrage opportunities due to the less liquid nature of small company securities. Both types of Funds also may incur higher transaction costs in liquidating portfolio holdings to meet excessive redemption levels. Fair value pricing may reduce these arbitrage opportunities, thereby reducing some of the negative effects of excessive trading.

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, other than the Adjustable Rate Government Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short-Term Income Fund and Ultra Short-Term Municipal Income Fund ("Ultra-Short Funds") and the money market funds, (the "Covered Funds"). The Covered Funds are not designed to serve as vehicles for frequent trading. The Covered Funds actively discourage and take steps to prevent the portfolio disruption and negative effects on long-term shareholders that can result from excessive trading activity by Covered Fund shareholders. The Board has approved the Covered Funds' policies and procedures, which provide, among other things, that Funds Management may deem trading activity to be excessive if it determines that such trading activity would likely be disruptive to a Covered Fund by increasing expenses or lowering returns. In this regard, the Covered Funds take steps to avoid accommodating frequent purchases and redemptions of shares by Covered Fund shareholders. Funds Management monitors available shareholder trading information across all Covered Funds on a daily basis. If a shareholder redeems $5,000 or more (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) from a Covered Fund, that shareholder is "blocked" from purchasing shares of that Covered Fund (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption. This policy does not apply to:

Money market funds;

Ultra-Short Funds;

Dividend reinvestments;

Systematic investments or exchanges where the financial intermediary maintaining the shareholder account identifies the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase at the time of the transaction;

Rebalancing transactions within certain asset allocation or "wrap" programs where the financial intermediary maintaining a shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as part of an asset allocation program approved by Funds Management;

Transactions initiated by a "fund of funds" or Section 529 Plan into an underlying fund investment;

Permitted exchanges between share classes of the same Fund;

Certain transactions involving participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, including: participant withdrawals due to mandatory distributions, rollovers and hardships, withdrawals of shares acquired by participants through payroll deductions, and shares acquired or sold by a participant in connection with plan loans; and

Purchases below $5,000 (including purchases that are part of an exchange transaction).

The money market funds and the Ultra-Short Funds. Because the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds are often used for short-term investments, they are designed to accommodate more frequent purchases and redemptions than the Covered Funds. As a result, the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not anticipate that frequent purchases and redemptions, under normal circumstances, will have significant adverse consequences to the money market funds or Ultra-Short Funds or their shareholders. Although the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds do not prohibit frequent trading, Funds Management will seek to prevent an investor from utilizing the money market funds and Ultra-Short Funds to facilitate frequent purchases and redemptions of shares in the Covered Funds in contravention of the policies and procedures adopted by the Covered Funds.

All Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. In addition, Funds Management reserves the right to accept purchases, redemptions and exchanges made in excess of applicable trading restrictions in designated accounts held by Funds Management or its affiliate that are used at all times exclusively for addressing operational matters related to shareholder accounts, such as testing of account functions, and are maintained at low balances that do not exceed specified dollar amount limitations.

In the event that an asset allocation or "wrap" program is unable to implement the policy outlined above, Funds Management may grant a program-level exception to this policy. A financial intermediary relying on the exception is required to provide Funds Management with specific information regarding its program and ongoing information about its program upon request.

A financial intermediary through whom you may purchase shares of the Fund may independently attempt to identify excessive trading and take steps to deter such activity. As a result, a financial intermediary may on its own limit or permit trading activity of its customers who invest in Fund shares using standards different from the standards used by Funds Management and discussed in this Prospectus. Funds Management may permit a financial intermediary to enforce its own internal policies and procedures concerning frequent trading rather than the policies set forth above in instances where Funds Management reasonably believes that the intermediary's policies and procedures effectively discourage disruptive trading activity. If you purchase Fund shares through a financial intermediary, you should contact the intermediary for more information about whether and how restrictions or limitations on trading activity will be applied to your account.

Account Policies


Advance Notice of Large Transactions
We strongly urge you to begin all purchases and redemptions as early in the day as possible and to notify us at least one day in advance of transactions in excess of $5,000,000. This will allow us to manage your Fund most effectively. When you give us this advance notice, you must provide us with your name and account number.

Householding
To help keep Fund expenses low, a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report may be sent to shareholders of the same household. If your household currently receives a single copy of a prospectus or shareholder report and you would prefer to receive multiple copies, please contact your financial intermediary.

Small Account Redemptions
We reserve the right to redeem certain accounts that fall below the minimum initial investment amount as the result of shareholder redemptions (as opposed to market movement). Before doing so, we will give you approximately 60 days to bring your account above the minimum investment amount. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 or contact your selling agent for further details.

Statements and Confirmations
Statements summarizing activity in your account are mailed quarterly. Confirmations are mailed following each purchase, sale, exchange, or transfer of Fund shares, except generally for Automatic Investment Plan transactions, Systematic Withdrawal Plan transactions using Electronic Funds Transfer, and purchases of new shares through the automatic reinvestment of distributions. Upon your request and for the applicable fee, you may obtain a reprint of an account statement. Please call Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 for more information.

Electronic Delivery of Fund Documents
You may elect to receive your Fund prospectuses, shareholder reports and other Fund documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling on the Fund's Web site at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery. If you make this election, you will be notified by e-mail when the most recent Fund documents are available for electronic viewing and downloading.

To receive Fund documents electronically, you must have an e-mail account and an internet browser that meets the requirements described in the Privacy & Security section of the Fund's Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com. You may change your electronic delivery preferences or revoke your election to receive Fund documents electronically at any time by visiting wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

Statement Inquiries
Contact us in writing regarding any errors or discrepancies noted on your account statement within 60 days after the date of the statement confirming a transaction. We may deny your ability to refute a transaction if we do not hear from you within those 60 days.

Transaction Authorizations
Telephone, electronic, and clearing agency privileges allow us to accept transaction instructions by anyone representing themselves as the shareholder and who provides reasonable confirmation of their identity. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Advantage Funds will be liable for any losses incurred if we follow such instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine. For transactions through the automated phone system and our Web site, we will assign personal identification numbers (PINs) and/or passwords to help protect your account information. To safeguard your account, please keep your PINs and passwords confidential. Contact us immediately if you believe there is a discrepancy on your confirmation statement or if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your account, PIN or password.

USA PATRIOT Act
In compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, all financial institutions (including mutual funds) at the time an account is opened, are required to obtain, verify and record the following information for all registered owners or others who may be authorized to act on the account: full name, date of birth, taxpayer identification number (usually your Social Security Number), and permanent street address. Corporate, trust and other entity accounts require additional documentation. This information will be used to verify your identity. We will return your application if any of this information is missing, and we may request additional information from you for verification purposes. In the rare event that we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to redeem your account at the current day's NAV. You will be responsible for any losses, taxes, expenses, fees, or other results of such a redemption.

Distributions


The Fund generally makes distributions of any net investment income and any realized net capital gains at least annually. Please contact your institution for distribution options. Remember, distributions have the effect of reducing the NAV per share by the amount distributed.

Taxes


By investing in a Fund through a tax-deferred retirement account, you will not be subject to tax on dividends and capital gains distributions from the Fund or the sale of Fund shares if those amounts remain in the tax-deferred account. Distributions taken from retirement plan accounts generally are taxable as ordinary income. For special rules concerning tax-deferred retirement accounts, including applications, restrictions, tax advantages, and potential sales charge waivers, contact your investment professional. To determine if a retirement plan may be appropriate for you and to obtain further information, consult your tax advisor.

Description of Underlying Funds


The following information has been provided to the Fund by GMO and the underlying funds in which the Asset Allocation Trust invests. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the prospectus and SAI of each underlying fund.

GMO may change the investment policies and/or programs of the underlying funds at any time without notice to shareholders of the Fund. Each of the underlying funds is subject to some or all of the risks detailed in this prospectus under "Principal Risks." For a more detailed explanation of each underlying fund's principal investments, investment methodology and risks, as well as a definition of each underlying fund's benchmark, see "Underlying Funds" in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. References below to the "Manager" are to GMO.

GMO Equity Funds

The GMO Equity Funds (other than GMO Global Focused Equity Fund) normally do not take temporary defensive positions. GMO Global Focused Equity Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Countries Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging countries. "Emerging countries" include all countries that are not treated as "developed market countries" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging countries. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging countries, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. In general, the Fund typically invests in companies with larger market capitalizations than does GMO Emerging Markets Fund. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund
MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Seeks total return. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies whose prospects are linked to the internal ("domestic") development and growth of the world's non-developed markets ("emerging markets"), including companies that provide goods and services to emerging market consumers. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments related to emerging markets. The Fund's investments are not limited to investments in companies located in any particular country or geographic region, and often include investments in companies located in developed markets (e.g., the United States) that are related to, or whose prospects are linked to, emerging markets. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any index or benchmark. GMO primarily uses fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and companies that it believes are likely to benefit from domestic growth in emerging markets. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In evaluating and selecting investments, GMO may consider many factors, including GMO's assessment of a country's and/or sector's fundamentals or growth prospects as well as a company's positioning relative to its competitors. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk, transaction costs, and liquidity. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Markets Fund
S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to emerging markets. "Emerging markets" include all markets that are not treated as "developed markets" in the MSCI World Index or MSCI EAFE Index. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to emerging markets. In addition to investing in companies tied economically to emerging markets, the Fund may invest in companies that GMO believes are likely to benefit from growth in the emerging markets. GMO expects that the Fund will have a value bias relative to its benchmark. GMO uses proprietary quantitative techniques and fundamental analysis to evaluate and select countries, sectors, and equity investments based on factors including, but not limited to, valuation and macroeconomic. The process begins with country and sector allocation and then focuses on the selection of individual companies. In constructing the Fund's portfolio, GMO weighs a number of factors, including the trade-off among forecasted returns, risk relative to the benchmark, transaction costs, and liquidity. GMO also adjusts the Fund's portfolio for factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include options, futures, warrants, swap contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure represented by its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may overweight and underweight its positions in particular currencies relative to its benchmark. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Fund
MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in investments tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund
S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to countries other than the United States (including both developed and emerging countries) whose outstanding publicly traded equities are in the lowest 25% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) in a particular country ("small companies"). The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies that are tied economically to countries other than the United States. The market capitalization range of companies whose equities are held by the Fund is generally within the market capitalization range of companies in the Fund's benchmark, which represents the lowest 15% of publicly traded market capitalization (float) of the S&P Broad Market Index in each country. Depending on the country, as of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company in a particular country included in the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index ranged from approximately $571 million (New Zealand) to $16.8 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). As of May 31, 2015, the publicly traded market capitalization of the largest small company (as defined by the Fund) ranged from approximately $504 million (Egypt) to $30.0 billion (Switzerland) (based on exchange rates as of May 31, 2015). GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund
MSCI ACWI

Seeks total return. The Fund may invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities traded in any of the world's securities markets, including emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund is permitted to invest in equities of all types, including equities issued by non-U.S. and U.S. companies, growth and value style equities, and equities of companies of any market capitalization. In addition, the Fund is not limited in how much it may invest in any market or in the types of equity investments it may make, and it may often invest all its assets in the securities of companies in only a few countries and securities having similar market capitalizations. The Fund could experience material losses from a single investment. The Fund focuses its investments in a relatively small number of securities that GMO believes offer the most attractive investment opportunities in U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. GMO selects investments using value-based fundamental analysis that is informed by a disciplined quantitative screening process. GMO analyzes companies for financial, operational, and managerial strength and compares them to their global, regional, and industry peers. GMO also considers a company's accounting and governance practices. As part of the investment process, GMO frequently meets with management and visits companies. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund may hold up to 20% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund may (but is not obligated to) invest in a wide variety of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including, without limitation, forward currency contracts, futures and options, as well as exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund's foreign currency exposure may differ from the currency exposure of its equity investments. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund
MSCI EAFE Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of non-U.S. developed market equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities. In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in equities of large- and mid-cap companies. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The term "large- and mid-cap companies" means non-U.S. companies that issue stocks included in the MSCI Standard Indices and international stock indices that target approximately 85% of each market's free-float adjusted market capitalization, and companies with similar market capitalizations. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Small Companies Fund
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund typically invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of non-U.S. small companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly at least 80% of its assets in securities of small companies. For these purposes, non-U.S. companies are companies tied economically to countries other than the United States, including both developed and emerging countries ("Non-U.S. Companies"). GMO considers "small companies" to be all Non-U.S. Companies other than (i) the largest 500 companies in developed countries based on full, non-float adjusted market capitalization and (ii) any company in an emerging country with a full, non-float adjusted market capitalization that is greater than or equal to that of the smallest excluded developed country companies. A company's full, non-float adjusted market capitalization includes all of the company's outstanding equities. As of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the outstanding common stock and other stock-related securities of the largest company included within the Fund's definition of small companies was approximately $31.5 billion. For purposes of the Fund's investments, the term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO Quality Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes to be of high quality. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In assessing a company's quality, GMO may consider several factors, including, in particular, profitability, profit stability, and leverage. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities  in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, regions, or currencies. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, forward currency contracts, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in equities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Resources Fund
MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index

Seeks total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, market capitalization, and exposure to particular industries, sectors, countries, or regions. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single asset class, sector, country, or region. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund has a fundamental policy to concentrate its investments in the natural resources sector, and, under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in the securities of companies in that sector. The Fund considers the "natural resources sector" to include companies that own, produce, refine, process, transport, and market natural resources and companies that provide related equipment, infrastructure, and services. The sector includes, for example, the following industries: integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron ore production, energy services and technology, base metal production, forest products, farming products, paper products, chemicals, building materials, coal, water, alternative energy sources, and environmental services. The Fund is permitted to invest directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) in securities of companies tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. In addition to its investments in companies in the natural resources sector, the Fund also may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities of any type of company. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goal/Strategy

GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund
S&P 500 Index

Seeks high total return. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of equities that GMO believes will provide a higher return than the S&P 500 Index. GMO selects the securities the Fund should buy or sell based on its evaluation of companies' published financial information and corporate behavior, securities' prices, equity and bond markets, and the overall economy. In selecting securities for the Fund, GMO uses a combination of investment methods to identify securities that GMO believes have positive return potential relative to other securities in the Fund's investment universe. Some of these methods evaluate individual securities or groups of securities based on the ratio of their price to historical financial information and forecasted financial information, such as book value, cash flow and earnings, and a comparison of these ratios to industry or market averages or to their own history. Other methods focus on patterns of information, such as price movement or volatility of a security or groups of securities relative to the Fund's investment universe or corporate behavior of an issuer. GMO also uses its multi-year return forecasts for asset classes and other groups of securities in its investment process and may adjust the Fund's portfolio based on factors such as position size, industry and sector exposure, and market capitalization. At times, the Fund may have substantial exposure to a single sector. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization. As an alternative to investing directly in equities, the Fund may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund also may invest in derivatives and ETFs: (i) in an attempt to reduce investment exposures (which may result in a reduction below zero); (ii) in an attempt to adjust elements of the Fund's investment exposure; and (iii) as a substitute for securities lending. Derivatives used may include futures, options, and swap contracts. In addition, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through underlying funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in equities tied economically to the United States. The term "equities" refers to direct and indirect investments in common and preferred stocks and other stock-related securities, such as convertible securities, depositary receipts, and exchange-traded equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) and income trusts. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

GMO Fixed Income Funds

If deemed prudent by GMO, the GMO Fixed Income Funds (other than GMO U.S. Treasury Fund) may take temporary defensive positions. Many of the GMO Fixed Income Funds have previously taken temporary defensive positions and have exercised the right to honor redemption requests in-kind. To the extent a GMO Fund takes temporary defensive positions or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective. With respect to the GMO Fixed Income Funds' investments, the term "investment grade" refers to a rating of Baa3/P-2 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or BBB-/A-2 or better by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("S&P") and the term "below investment grade" refers to any rating by Moody's or by S&P below those ratings. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as high yield or "junk" bonds. In addition, securities and commercial paper that are rated Aa/P-1 or better by Moody's or AA/A-1 or better by S&P are sometimes referred to as "high quality." Securities referred to as investment grade, below investment grade, or high quality include securities rated by Moody's, S&P, or both, and also unrated securities that GMO determines have comparable credit qualities.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund invests in a portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities, which may be represented by bonds, forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts, or swap agreements. GMO uses a variety of fundamental and quantitative processes to manage the Fund. GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). The Fund is permitted to invest in bonds of any kind (e.g., bonds of any maturity, duration, or credit quality). The Fund may invest in any sector of the bond market and is not required to maintain a minimum or maximum allocation of investments in any one sector. The sectors and types of bonds in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to: investment grade bonds denominated in various currencies, including bonds issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporations and municipalities (taxable and tax-exempt); below investment grade bonds (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"); inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. government (including Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS)) and non-U.S. governments and their respective agencies or instrumentalities (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments) and inflation-indexed bonds issued by corporations; bonds issued in emerging countries (including sovereign debt and below investment grade bonds); asset-backed securities, including mortgage related and mortgage-backed securities; pooled investment vehicles, including both vehicles managed by GMO and vehicles unaffiliated with GMO; and commodities. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including futures contracts, currency options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), interest rate options, and other types of derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may gain exposure to the investments described above by investing in shares of other GMO Funds, including GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets), GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities), GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments), and GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to gain exposure to global interest rate, currency, and credit markets). The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in below investment grade bonds. GMO does not seek to maintain a specified interest rate duration for the Fund, and the Fund's interest rate duration will change depending on the Fund's investments and GMO's assessment of different sectors of the bond market. The Fund's interest rate duration may be positive or negative. The Fund's performance may differ significantly from that of its benchmark.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that do not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives and short sales, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund,GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 5.5 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex Japan ex U.S. (Hedged)

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., United Kingdom) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund generally attempts to hedge at least 75% of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.9 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks positive total return. The Fund invests primarily in debt investments (including both direct and indirect investments) and is not restricted in its exposure to any type of debt investment. The Fund may invest in securities of any credit quality and has no limit on how much it may invest in below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"). The Fund's debt investments may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. The Fund may invest in debt investments issued by a wide range of U.S. and non-U.S. private issuers and by federal, state, local, and non-U.S. governments (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments). The Fund may invest in asset-backed securities (including, but not limited to, securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages (including sub-prime mortgages), credit-card receivables, home equity loans, automobile loans, educational loans, corporate and sovereign bonds, and bank loans made to corporations), corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper. As of the date of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund has invested a substantial portion of its assets in asset-backed securities, many of which are below investment grade. In selecting debt investments for the Fund's portfolio, GMO uses analytical techniques to evaluate the relative attractiveness of particular sectors and securities. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund does not maintain a specified interest rate duration for its portfolio. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments. From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund also may invest in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including swap contracts (such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps), reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund may have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund may be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. The Fund may, but is not required to, hedge part or all of its net foreign currency exposure into U.S. dollars.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund
J.P. Morgan EMBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund invests primarily in debt of emerging countries that is issued by a sovereign or its instrumentalities and that usually is denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros, Japanese yen, Swiss francs or British pounds sterling. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in debt investments tied economically to emerging countries. The term "emerging countries" means the world's less developed countries. In general, the Fund considers "emerging countries" to be the countries included in the Fund's benchmark, as well as other countries with similar national domestic products or default histories. The Fund typically gains its investment exposure by purchasing debt investments or by using derivatives, typically credit default swaps. The Fund may invest in debt instruments of all credit qualities, including securities that are in default. (These may include below investment grade debt investments, which are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities.) Generally, at least 75% of the Fund's assets are denominated in, or hedged into, U.S. dollars. The Fund's performance is likely to be more volatile than that of its benchmark. GMO relies principally on a bottom-up approach in selecting investments, using fundamental analytical techniques. GMO also considers its outlook for a country in making investment decisions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund typically invests in exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including options, swap contracts (in addition to credit default swaps), currency forwards (including currency forwards on currencies of the developed markets), reverse repurchase agreements and futures. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration for the Fund that is similar to that of its benchmark (approximately 7 years as of 5/31/15).

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Global Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 7.4 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund seeks to add value relative to its benchmark to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund will invest primarily in high quality U.S. and non-U.S. fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in fixed income securities of any type, including asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments, and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund also may invest in other exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically will be leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment, and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind, and auction rate features. While the Fund primarily invests in high quality bonds, it may invest in securities that are not high quality and may hold bonds and other fixed income securities whose ratings after they were acquired were reduced below high quality. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. In selecting fixed income securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the securities' credit quality. GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to identify the credit risk associated with investments in fixed income securities and bases its investment decisions on that assessment. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. GMO will normally seek to maintain an estimated interest rate duration of 365 days or less for the Fund's portfolio (which may be substantially shorter than the Fund's dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity). GMO estimates the Fund's dollar-weighted average interest rate duration by aggregating the durations of the Fund's direct and indirect individual holdings and weighting each holding based on its market value. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in high quality bonds.

 

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO International Bond Fund
J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex U.S.

Seeks total return in excess of that of its benchmark. The Fund's investment program has two principal components. One component seeks to replicate the Fund's benchmark. The second component seeks to add value relative to the Fund's benchmark by making investments that may not track its benchmark. These investments principally include global interest rate and currency derivatives and indirect (through other GMO Funds) and direct credit investments in asset-backed, government and emerging country debt securities, and can cause the Fund's performance to differ significantly from that of its benchmark. The Fund typically has substantial direct and indirect investment exposure to the countries (e.g., Japan) and regions (e.g., Eurozone) that represent a significant portion of the Fund's benchmark. In deciding what investments to make in global interest rate and currency markets and the size of those investments, GMO considers fundamental factors (e.g., inflation and current account positions) as well as price-based factors (e.g., interest and exchange rates). GMO evaluates the relative attractiveness of particular markets and instruments using various fixed income risk premium measures, which typically include exposure to term structure, foreign exchange, volatility, credit, liquidity and other risks. GMO also may consider the relative attractiveness of yield curve and duration positions in these markets. In making decisions regarding credit investments, GMO uses fundamental investment techniques to assess the expected performance of each investment relative to the Fund's benchmark. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. In pursuing its investment program, the Fund may make investments in: derivatives, including without limitation, futures contracts, currency options, interest rate options, currency forwards, reverse repurchase agreements, and swap contracts, such as credit default swaps, swaps on securities and securities indices, total return swaps, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, variance swaps, commodity swaps, inflation swaps, municipal swaps, correlation swaps, and other types of swaps (to generate a return comparable to the Fund's benchmark and to generate return in global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); non-U.S. bonds and other bonds denominated in various currencies, including non-U.S. and U.S. government bonds, asset-backed securities issued by non-U.S. governments and U.S. government agencies (whether or not guaranteed or insured by those governments), corporate bonds, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by private issuers; shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund (to provide exposure to global credit (particularly, asset-backed) markets); shares of GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund (to provide exposure to the global interest rate, currency, and credit markets); shares of GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund (to provide exposure to emerging country debt securities); shares of GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund (to seek to generate a return in excess of that of the J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index by investing in a wide variety of high quality U.S. and non-U.S. debt investments); and shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. As a result primarily of its investment in shares of GMO Debt Opportunities Fund, GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund, and GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to U.S. asset-backed and emerging country debt securities that are below investment grade (below investment grade debt investments are sometimes referred to as "junk bonds," although this term is not generally used to refer to emerging country debt securities). GMO normally seeks to maintain the Fund's estimated interest rate duration within 2 years of the benchmark's duration (approximately 8.2 years as of 5/31/15). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests directly and indirectly (e.g., through other GMO Funds or derivatives) at least 80% of its assets in bonds. The term "bond" includes (i) obligations of an issuer to make payments on future dates of principal, interest (whether fixed or variable) or both and (ii) synthetic debt instruments created by GMO by using derivatives (e.g., a futures contract, swap contract, currency forward, or option). From time to time, the Fund may have some direct or indirect exposure to equities. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO U.S. Treasury Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks liquidity and safety of principal with current income as a secondary objective. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations and repurchase agreements collateralized by these Obligations. "Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations" include U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and notes and other securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS) and other zero-coupon securities. GMO normally seeks to maintain an interest rate duration of one year or less for the Fund's portfolio. The Fund also may enter into repurchase agreements, under which the Fund purchases a security backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government from a seller who simultaneously commits to repurchase, on an agreed upon date in the future, the security from the Fund at the original purchase price plus an agreed upon amount representing the original purchase price plus interest. The counterparties in repurchase agreements are typically brokers and banks, and the safety of the arrangement depends on, among other things, the Fund's having an interest in the security that it can realize in the event of the insolvency of the counterparty. In addition to Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations, the Fund may invest in other fixed income securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as fixed income securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Fund also may invest in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO. Although the fixed income securities purchased by the Fund normally will have a stated or remaining maturity of one year or less, Direct U.S. Treasury Obligations purchased pursuant to repurchase agreements may not, and, therefore, if the counterparty to the repurchase agreement defaults, the Fund may end up owning a security with a stated or remaining maturity of more than one year. The Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the duration, quality, diversification and other requirements applicable to money market funds. In selecting U.S. Treasury securities for the Fund's portfolio, GMO focuses primarily on the relative attractiveness of different obligations (such as bonds, notes or bills), which can vary depending on the general level of interest rates as well as supply and demand imbalances and other market conditions. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund
J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by attempting to identify and estimate relative misvaluation of global interest rate, credit, and currency markets. Based on those estimates, GMO establishes the Fund's positions across those markets. Those positions may include direct investments and derivatives. The Fund's direct investments in fixed income securities include U.S. and non-U.S. asset-backed securities and other fixed income securities (including Treasury Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities (STRIPS), Inflation-Protected Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (TIPS), Treasury Securities and global bonds). The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. Derivatives used by the Fund are primarily interest rate swaps and futures contracts, currency forwards and options, and credit default swaps on single-issuers or indices. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically will have higher volatility than its benchmark. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund typically holds asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in government securities, corporate debt securities, money market instruments and commercial paper, and enter into credit default swaps, reverse repurchase agreements, and repurchase agreements. The Fund's fixed income securities may include all types of interest rate, payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment-in-kind and auction rate features. Because of the deterioration in credit markets that became acute in 2008, the Fund has and is expected to continue to have material exposure to below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds").

GMO Alternative Investment Funds

The GMO Alternative Investment Funds normally do not take temporary defensive positions. To the extent a GMO Fund takes a temporary defensive position, or otherwise holds cash, cash equivalents, or high quality debt investments on a temporary basis, the GMO Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Alpha Only Fund
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Seeks total return greater than that of its benchmark. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund's investment program involves having both long and short investment exposures. GMO seeks to construct a portfolio in which the Fund has long investment exposure to asset classes and sub-asset classes that GMO expects will outperform relative to the asset classes and sub-asset classes to which the Fund has short investment exposure. To gain long investment exposure, the Fund invests directly in securities and may invest in other GMO Funds (collectively, the "underlying Funds"). To gain short investment exposure, the Fund may invest in over-the-counter (OTC) and exchange-traded derivatives (including futures, swaps and currency forwards) and sell securities short, including short sales of securities the Fund does not own. The Fund is not limited in its use of derivatives or in the total notional value of its derivative positions. As a result of its derivative positions, the Fund typically has gross investment exposures in excess of its net assets (i.e., the Fund typically is leveraged) and therefore is subject to heightened risk of loss. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. GMO uses its multi-year forecasts of returns among asset classes, together with its assessment of the relative risks of such asset classes, to determine the Fund's long and short positions. An important component of those forecasts is the expectation that valuations ultimately revert to their historical means (averages). GMO changes the Fund's holdings in response to changes in GMO's investment outlook and market valuations and may use redemptions or purchases of Fund shares to rebalance the Fund's investments. To the extent that the Fund's long and short positions are effective, the performance of the Fund is expected to have a low correlation to the performance of U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. The Fund also may invest in GMO U.S. Treasury Fund and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

 

Fund Name and Benchmark

Investment Goals/Strategy

GMO Risk Premium Fund
MSCI World Index

Seeks total return. GMO pursues investment strategies for the Fund that are intended to complement the strategies it is pursuing in other funds or accounts managed by GMO. Accordingly, the Fund is not a standalone investment. The Fund seeks to capture returns commensurate with the equity risk premium over a full market cycle with less sensitivity to equity valuations by writing put options on stock indices and by engaging in merger arbitrage strategies. GMO does not manage the Fund to, or control the Fund's risk relative to, any securities index or securities benchmark. The Fund primarily uses options by selling (writing) put options on U.S. and non-U.S. (e.g., Europe, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia) stock indices. GMO determines the Fund's put-writing allocations among stock indices by using a proprietary indicator to assess the relative premiums available. The Fund's portfolio allocations are based on the relative attractiveness of each index in conjunction with other factors such as the liquidity available in each index's options markets. The Fund may have substantial exposures to relatively few U.S. and international stock indices. The Fund's performance can depend substantially, if not primarily, on the performance of assets or indices underlying its derivatives even though it does not own those assets or indices. The Fund may purchase and sell put and call options of any type, including options on global, regional and country stock indices and options on exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Fund may purchase and sell exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options, including options that are cash-settled as well as physically settled. The Fund may purchase and sell options and other securities tied economically to any country in the world, including emerging countries. The Fund may invest in forward currency contracts to manage its currency exposure. GMO expects that the Fund's option positions typically will be fully collateralized at the time the Fund sells them. GMO, therefore, expects that the Fund will hold sufficient assets to cover the maximum possible loss the Fund might sustain upon the exercise of an option sold by the Fund. The Fund may engage in transactions in which it purchases securities at prices below the value of the consideration GMO expects to be paid for them upon consummation of a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer, or other similar transaction ("merger arbitrage transactions"). Purchase prices may substantially exceed the market price of the securities before the announcement of the transaction. In conjunction with merger arbitrage transactions, the Fund may invest in derivatives or sell securities short in an effort to protect against market fluctuations or other risks or to adjust long or short investment exposure to one or more asset classes or issuers. The factors considered and investment methods used by GMO can change over time. For collateral and cash management purposes, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in shares of GMO U.S. Treasury Fund, in U.S. Treasury bills and other highly rated securities, and in money market funds unaffiliated with GMO.

Additional Performance Information


This section contains additional information regarding the performance of the Fund. The sub-section below titled "Index Descriptions" defines the market indices that are referenced in the Fund Summary. The sub-section below titled "Share Class Performance" provides history for specified share classes of the Fund.

Index Descriptions
The "Average Annual Total Returns" table in the Fund's Fund Summary compares the Fund's returns with those of at least one broad-based market index. Below are descriptions of each such index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BCABI)

The BCABI is an unmanaged fixed income index covering the U.S. investment grade fixed-rate bond market, including U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities, corporate securities, and asset-backed securities.

Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index (Net) (MSCI ACWI)

The MSCI ACWI is an independently maintained and published international (including emerging) equity index.

Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI)

The Global Asset Allocation Index (GMOGAAI) is a composite benchmark computed by GMO. Prior to May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consisted of (1) the S&P 500 Index; (2) the MSCI ACWI ex-US; and (3) the BCABI in the following proportions: 48.75% (S&P 500), 16.25% (MSCI ACWI ex-U.S.), and 35% (BCABI). Effective May 1, 2007, the GMOGAAI consists of (1) the MSCI ACWI; and (2) the BCABI in the following proportions: 65% (MSCI ACWI), and 35% (BCABI).

Share Class Performance
The following provides additional information about the performance history of the Funds contained in this prospectus, including information regarding predecessor funds, if any, and whether performance information presented is based on the history of an older share class. 

Asset Allocation Fund - Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010 is based on the performance of the Fund's predecessor, Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

A Fund's past performance is no guarantee of future results. A Fund's investment results will fluctuate over time, and any representation of the Fund's returns for any past period should not be considered as a representation of what a Fund's returns may be in any future period. The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports contain additional performance information and are available upon request, without charge, by calling the telephone number listed on the back cover page of this Prospectus.

Financial Highlights


The following tables are intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the past five years (or since inception, if shorter). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total returns represent the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund's financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is also included in the Fund's annual report, a copy of which is available upon request.

Asset Allocation Fund

For a share outstanding throughout each period.

Year ended April 30

Year ended September 30

Class R

2015

20141

2013

2012

2011

20102,3

Net asset value, beginning of period

$

14.28

$

13.58

$

12.76

$

11.59

$

11.66

$

11.29

Net investment loss

(0.15)4

(0.10)

(0.14)4

(0.13)4

(0.10)

(0.06)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

0.18

1.01

1.26

1.52

0.19

0.43

Total from investment operations

0.03

0.91

1.12

1.39

0.09

0.37

Distributions to shareholders from

Net investment income

(0.36)

(0.21)

(0.30)

(0.22)

(0.13)

(0.00)5

Tax basis return of capital

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

(0.03)

0.00

Total distributions to shareholders

(0.36)

(0.21)

(0.30)

(0.22)

(0.16)

(0.00)5

Net asset value, end of period

$

13.95

$

14.28

$

13.58

$

12.76

$

11.59

$

11.66

Total return6

0.27%

6.74%

8.92%

12.16%

0.71%

3.30%

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

Gross expenses7

1.09%

1.10%

1.09%

1.09%

1.09%

1.10%

Net expenses7

1.09%

1.10%

1.09%

1.09%

1.09%

1.09%

Net investment loss7

(1.09)%

(1.10)%

(1.09)%

(1.09)%

(1.09)%

(1.09)%

Supplemental data

Portfolio turnover rate8

0%

1%

0%

1%

1%

1%

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

$

30,355

$

33,984

$

33,934

$

29,899

$

23,580

$

20,893

1

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30, effective April 30, 2014.

2

After the close of business on July 16, 2010, the Fund acquired the net assets of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund which became the accounting and performance survivor in the transaction. The information for the periods prior to July 19, 2010 is that of Class R of Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund.

3

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Fund changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to September 30, effective September 30, 2010.

4

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

5

Amount is less than $0.005.

6

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

7

Ratios do not include any expenses from Asset Allocation Trust. Asset Allocation Trust does not have any net expenses.

8

Portfolio turnover rate represents the purchase and sales of the Fund's investment in Asset Allocation Trust and not the underlying investment transactions of Asset Allocation Trust.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

More information on the Fund is available free upon request, including the following documents:

Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
Supplements the disclosures made by this Prospectus. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and therefore is legally part of this Prospectus.

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports
Provide financial and other important information, including a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected Fund performance over the reporting period.

To obtain copies of the above documents or for more information about Wells Fargo Advantage Funds, contact us:

By telephone:
Individual Investors: 1-800-222-8222
Retail Investment Professionals: 1-888-877-9275
Institutional Investment Professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

By e-mail: wfaf@wellsfargo.com   

By mail:
Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
P.O. Box 8266
Boston, MA 02266-8266

Online:
wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

From the SEC:
Visit the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington,
DC (phone 1-202-551-8090 for operational information
for the SEC's Public Reference Room) or the
SEC's Web site at sec.gov.

To obtain information for a fee, write or email:
SEC's Public Reference Section
100 "F" Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-0102
publicinfo@sec.gov

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved B95AFNR/P507B 9-15
ICA Reg. No. 811-09253


WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Statement of Additional Information

September 1, 2015


Wells Fargo Advantage Funds
Allocation Funds

Asset Allocation Fund

Class A - EAAFX; Class B - EABFX; Class C - EACFX; Class R - EAXFX; Administrator Class - EAIFX;
Institutional Class - EAAIX

Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the "Trust") is an open-end, management investment company. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") contains additional information about a series of the Trust in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds - the above referenced Fund (the "Fund"). The Fund is considered diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Fund offers certain classes of shares as indicated above. This SAI relates to all such classes of shares. Class B shares of the Fund are closed to new investors and additional investments from existing shareholders, except in connection with reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges of Class B shares for Class B shares of other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds subject to the limitations described in each Fund's prospectus, and in connection with the closing of a reorganization.

This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectuses (the "Prospectuses") dated September 1, 2015. The audited financial statements for the Fund, which include the portfolios of investments and report of the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2015, are hereby incorporated by reference to the Fund's Annual Report dated as of April 30, 2015. The Prospectuses and Annual Report may be obtained free of charge by visiting our Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, calling 1-800-222-8222 or writing to Wells Fargo Advantage Funds®, P.O. Box 8266, Boston, MA 02266-8266.
 

ALOS3/FASAI26 9-15

Table of Contents

Historical Fund Information

Fundamental Investment Policies

2

Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

3

Permitted Investment Activities and Certain Associated Risks

Underlying Funds

4

Management

General

12

Manager and Class-Level Administrator

20

Portfolio Managers

22

Distributor

24

Shareholder Servicing Agent

25

Custodian and Fund Accountant

26

Transfer and Distribution Disbursing Agent

26

Underwriting Commissions

26

Code of Ethics

26

Determination of Net Asset Value

27

Additional Purchase and Redemption Information

27

Portfolio Transactions

32

Fund Expenses

33

U.S. Federal Income Taxes

33

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

45

Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Fund Portfolio Holdings

47

Capital Stock

50

Other Information

53

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

53

Financial Information

53

Credit Ratings

54

HISTORICAL FUND INFORMATION

On March 25, 1999, the Board of Trustees of Norwest Advantage Funds ("Norwest"), the Board of Directors of Stagecoach Funds, Inc. ("Stagecoach") and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for, among other things, the transfer of the assets and stated liabilities of various predecessor Norwest and Stagecoach portfolios to certain Funds of the Trust (the "Reorganization"). Prior to November 5, 1999, the effective date of the Reorganization, the Trust had only nominal assets.

On December 16, 2002, the Boards of Trustees of The Montgomery Funds and The Montgomery Funds II ("Montgomery") approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for, among other things, the transfer of the assets and stated liabilities of various predecessor Montgomery portfolios into various Funds of the Trust. The effective date of the reorganization was June 9, 2003.

On February 3, 2004, the Board and on February 18, 2004, the Board of Trustees of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund ("AIC Trust") approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for, among other things, the transfer of the assets and stated liabilities of various predecessor AIC Trust portfolios into various Funds of the Trust. The effective date of the reorganization was July 26, 2004.

In August and September 2004, the Boards of Directors of the Strong family of funds ("Strong") and the Board approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for, among other things, the transfer of the assets and stated liabilities of various predecessor Strong mutual funds into various Funds of the Trust. The effective date of the reorganization was April 8, 2005.

On December 30, 2009, the Board of Trustees of Evergreen Funds ("Evergreen") and on January 11, 2010 the Board approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization providing for, among other things, the transfer of the assets and stated liabilities of various predecessor Evergreen portfolios and Wells Fargo Advantage Funds portfolios to certain Funds of the Trust. The effective date of the reorganization was July 12, 2010 for certain Evergreen Funds and July 19, 2010 for the remainder of the Evergreen Funds.

The Asset Allocation Fund commenced operations on July 19, 2010, as successor to Evergreen Asset Allocation Fund. The predecessor fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 18, 1997. The predecessor fund was a series of Evergreen Equity Trust.

Fundamental Investment Policies

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment policies; that is, they may not be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Fund may not:

(1) purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the value of the Fund's investments in that industry would equal or exceed 25% of the current value of the Fund's total assets, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's: (i) investments in securities of other investment companies, (ii) investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or (iii) investments in repurchase agreements.

(2) purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, with respect to 75% of a Fund's total assets, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of any one issuer or the Fund's ownership would be more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that this restriction does not limit a Fund's investments in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or investments in securities of other investment companies;

(3) borrow money, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any exemptive orders obtained thereunder;

(4) issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any exemptive orders obtained thereunder;

(5) make loans to other parties if, as a result, the aggregate value of such loans would exceed one-third of a Fund's total assets. For the purposes of this limitation, entering into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring any debt securities are not deemed to be the making of loans;

(6) underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of permitted investments directly from the issuer thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of such securities in accordance with a Fund's investment program may be deemed to be an underwriting;

(7) purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business);

(8) purchase or sell commodities, provided that (i) currency will not be deemed to be a commodity for purposes of this restriction, (ii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of futures contracts, forward contracts or options, and (iii) this restriction does not limit the purchase or sale of securities or other instruments backed by commodities or the purchase or sale of commodities acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments.

Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

The Fund has adopted the following non-fundamental policies; that is, they may be changed by the Trustees at any time without approval of the Fund's shareholders.

(1) The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and any exemptive orders obtained thereunder, provided however, that no Fund that has knowledge that its shares are purchased by another investment company investor pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act will acquire any securities of registered open-end management investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

(2) The Fund may not invest or hold more than 15% of the Fund's net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, (a) securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale, (b) fixed time deposits that are subject to withdrawal penalties and that have maturities of more than seven days, and (c) repurchase agreements not terminable within seven days.

(3) The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to approved brokers, dealers and financial institutions, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, including the rules, regulations and exemptions thereunder, which currently limit such activities to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of the collateral received). Any such loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized based on values that are marked-to-market daily.

(4) The Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management, provided that this restriction does not limit the Fund's investments in securities of other investment companies or investments in entities created under the laws of foreign countries to facilitate investment in securities of that country.

(5) The Fund may not purchase securities on margin (except for short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions).

(6) The Fund may not sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (short sales "against the box"), and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

Further Explanation of Investment Policies

Notwithstanding the foregoing policies, any other investment companies in which the Fund may invest have adopted their own investment policies, which may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby allowing the Fund to participate in certain investment strategies indirectly that are prohibited under the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies listed above.

With respect to repurchase agreements, the Fund invests only in repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. For purposes of the Fund's fundamental investment policy with respect to concentration, the Fund does not consider such repurchase agreements to constitute an industry or group of industries because the Fund chooses to look through such securities to the underlying collateral, which is itself excepted from the Fund's concentration policy.

The Fund is a commodity pool under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended ("CEA") pursuant to Rule 4.5. The Fund's investment adviser (the "Adviser") is registered as a commodity pool operator ("CPO) under the CEA with respect to the Fund. As a result, additional Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") disclosure, reporting and recording keeping obligations apply to the Fund.

PERMITTED INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES AND CERTAIN ASSOCIATED RISKS

The Fund seeks to provide investors with total return through investments in open-end mutual funds advised by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC ("GMO"). The Fund invests all of its assets in Asset Allocation Trust, a fund-of-funds which allocates its assets among GMO-managed mutual funds (the "underlying funds") investing in both U.S. and foreign equity and debt securities, and, from time to time, other alternative asset classes. Asset Allocation Trust may hold securities (particularly asset-backed securities) directly or through one or more subsidiaries or other entities. Through its indirect investment in the underlying funds, the Fund may be invested in a wide range of securities. For a further description of each underlying fund's investment objective and principal strategies as well as additional information regarding expected name changes, mergers and liquidations, see "Description of Underlying Funds" in the prospectus. For a further description of each underlying fund's risks, as well as a description of each underlying fund's benchmark, see "Underlying Funds" below.

UNDERLYING FUNDS

Fund

Principal Risks

GMO Alpha Only Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk;

GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Commodities Risk; Merger Arbitrage Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk;

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Emerging Countries Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Emerging Markets Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Foreign Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO Global Bond Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund

Credit Risk; Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk

GMO International Bond Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Fund of Funds Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO International Equity Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO International Small Companies Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO Quality Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Resources Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Commodities Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO Risk Premium Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Currency Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Counterparty Risk; Merger Arbitrage Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Non-Diversified Risk

GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund

Market Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Smaller Company Securities Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO U.S. Treasury Fund

Market Risk; Credit Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk; Management and Operational Risk

GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund

Market Risk; Currency Risk; Credit Risk; Illiquidity Risk; Derivatives and Short Sales Risk; Leveraging Risk; Counterparty Risk; Focused Investment Risk; Non-U.S. Investment Risk; Management and Operational Risk; Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk; Large Shareholder Risk

The principal risks of each GMO fund are identified in the summaries above under "Principal Risks." Certain of the risks are described under "Principal Risks" in the Fund's prospectus. In addition, the following are descriptions of other identified risks:

Management Risk. Each underlying fund is subject to management risk because it relies on the Manager's ability to achieve its investment objective. Each underlying fund runs the risk that the Manager's investment techniques will fail to produce desired results and cause the underlying fund to incur significant losses. The Manager also may fail to use derivatives effectively, choosing to hedge or not to hedge positions at disadvantageous times. For some underlying funds the Manager uses quantitative analyses and models as part of its investment process. All models support portfolio decisions but are not necessarily predictive of future market events. These analyses and models also make simplifying assumptions that may limit their effectiveness. In addition, there are limitations(e.g., inaccuracies, staleness) on the data available for analysis or manipulation by the models. Any of those assumpitions and/or limitations could adversely affect an underlying fund's performance. The underlying funds also run the risk that the Manager's assessment of an investment may be wrong. There can be no assurance that key personnel of the Manager will continue to be employed by the Manager. The loss of their services could have an adverse impact on the Manager's ability to achieve the underlying funds' investment objectives.

The underlying funds also are subject to the risk of loss as a result of other services provided by the Manager and other service providers, including pricing, administrative, accounting, tax, legal, custody, transfer agency, and other services. Operational risk includes the possibility of loss caused by inadequate procedures and controls, human error, and system failures by a service provider. For example, trading delays or errors (both human and systematic) could prevent an underlying fund from benefiting from potential investment gains or avoiding losses. The Manager is not contractually liable to the underlying funds for losses associated with operational risk absent its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its contractual obligations to provide services to the Funds. Other Fund service providers also have limitations on their liability to the underlying funds for losses resulting from their errors.

Non-Diversification Risk. Some of the underlying funds in which the Trust invests are not "diversified" investment companies within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. This means they are allowed to invest in the securities of relatively few issuers. As a result, they may be subject to greater credit, market and other risks, and poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on their performance, than if they were "diversified."

Merger Arbitrage Risk. Some underlying funds may engage in transactions in which the underlying fund purchases securities at prices below the value of the consideration GMO expects to be paid for them upon consummation of a proposed merger, exchange offer, tender offer, or other similar transaction ("merger arbitrage transactions"). The purchase price may substantially exceed the market price of the securities before the announcement of the transaction.

If an underlying fund engages in a merger arbitrage transaction and that transaction later appears unlikely to be consummated or, in fact, is not consummated or is delayed, the market prices of the securities purchased by the underlying fund may decline sharply, resulting in losses to the underlying fund. The risk/reward payout of merger arbitrage strategies typically is asymmetric — the losses in failed transactions often far exceeding the gains in successful transactions. A merger arbitrage transaction can fail for many reasons, including regulatory and antitrust restrictions, political motivations, industry weakness, stock specific events, failed financings, and general market declines.

Merger arbitrage strategies depend for success on the overall volume of merger activity, which has historically been cyclical. When merger activity is low, GMO may be unable to identify enough opportunities to provide sufficient diversification.

Merger arbitrage strategies are subject to the risk of overall market movements, and an underlying fund may experience losses even if a transaction is consummated. An underlying fund's investments in derivatives or short sales of securities to hedge or otherwise adjust long or short investment exposure in connection with a merger arbitrage transaction may not perform as expected or may otherwise reduce the underlying fund's gains or increase its losses. Also, an underlying fund may be unable to hedge against market fluctuations or other risks. In addition, an underlying fund that sells securities short that GMO expects it to receive upon consummation of a transaction but it does not actually receive (and thus has an unintended "naked" short position) may be required to cover its short position at a time when the securities sold short have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss.

Commodities Risk. Commodity prices can be extremely volatile and are affected by many factors. Exposure to commodities can cause the net asset value of an underlying fund's shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner. The value of commodity-related derivatives or indirect investments in commodities may fluctuate more than the commodity, commodities or commodity index to which they relate.

Other Risks

Operational and Cyber Security Risks

Our business, financial, accounting, data processing systems or other operating systems and facilities may stop operating properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. For example, there could be sudden increases in shareholder transaction volume; electrical or telecommunications outages; degradation or loss of public internet domain; climate change related impacts and natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, and hurricanes; disease pandemics; or events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts.

The Funds are also subject to the risk of potential cyber incidents which may include, but are not limited to, the harming of or unauthorized access to digital systems (for example, through "hacking" or infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code), denial-of-service attacks on web sites, and the inadvertent or intentional release of confidential or proprietary information. Cyber incidents may, among other things, harm Fund operations, result in financial losses to a Fund and its shareholders, cause the release of confidential or highly restricted information, and result in regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and/or increased compliance, reimbursement or other compensation costs. Fund operations that may be disrupted or halted due to a cyber incident include trading, the processing of shareholder transactions, and the calculation of a Fund's net asset value.

Issues affecting operating systems and facilities, either through cyber incidents or any of the other scenarios described above, may harm the Funds by affecting a Fund's manager, sub-adviser(s), or other service providers, or issuers of securities in which a Fund invests. Although we have business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, including what we believe to be robust information security procedures and controls, there is no guarantee that these measures will prevent cyber incidents or prevent or ameliorate the effects of significant and widespread disruption to our physical infrastructure or operating systems. Furthermore, we cannot directly control the security or other measures taken by unaffiliated service providers or the issuers of securities in which the Funds invest.

Liquidation Risk

There can be no assurance that a Fund will grow to or maintain a viable size. To the extent that a Fund does not grow to or maintain a viable size, it may be liquidated, and the expenses, timing and tax consequences of such liquidation may not be favorable to some shareholders. In addition, pursuant to section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and certain rules promulgated thereunder (collectively known as the "Volcker Rule"), if the Manager and/or its affiliates own 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund more than three years after the Fund's inception date (or such longer period as may be permitted by the Federal Reserve Board and/or other federal regulatory agencies overseeing the Volcker Rule), the Fund will be subject to restrictions on trading that will adversely impact the Fund's ability to execute its investment strategy. Should this occur, a Fund may be liquidated, or the Manager and/or its affiliates may be required to reduce their ownership interests in the Fund, either of which may result in gains or losses, increased transaction and other costs and adverse tax consequences. In addition, other large shareholders controlling a significant portion of a Fund's shares, such as other funds, institutional investors, financial intermediaries, individuals and other accounts, may elect to redeem a portion or all of their shares at any time, and the Fund may no longer be able to maintain a viable size after meeting the redemption request. In these circumstances, a Fund's board may determine to liquidate the Fund. Other factors and events that may lead to the liquidation of a Fund include changes in laws or regulations governing the Fund or affecting the type of assets in which the Fund invests, or economic developments or trends having a significant adverse impact on the business or operations of the Fund. Under the Declaration of Trust, a Fund's board is authorized to liquidate, dissolve and terminate the Fund or any share class of the Fund without obtaining any authorization or vote of shareholders.

In the event of a Fund's liquidation, shareholders holding Fund shares through tax-deferred accounts would receive a liquidating distribution, and depending on the arrangements with the custodian of account assets, receipt of the distribution may be taxable to the account beneficiary and/or subject to tax penalties.

Additional Risks Associated with Asset-Backed Securities. In addition to the risks described above and under "Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk" in the Trust's PPM, additional market risks apply to funds that invest a substantial portion of their assets in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities may be backed by many types of assets, including pools of residential and commercial mortgages, automobile loans, educational loans, home equity loans, or credit-card receivables. Asset-backed securities also may be collateralized by the fees earned by service providers. They also may be backed by pools of corporate or sovereign bonds, bank loans made to corporations, or a combination of these bonds and loans (commonly referred to as "collateralized debt obligations"). Payment of interest on asset-backed securities and repayment of principal largely depend on the cash flows generated by the underlying assets backing the securities. The amount of market risk associated with asset-backed securities depends on many factors, including the deal structure (e.g., determination as to the amount of underlying assets or other support needed to produce the cash flows necessary to service interest and make principal payments), the quality of the underlying assets, the level of credit support, if any, provided for the securities, and the credit quality of the credit-support provider, if any. Asset-backed securities involve risk of loss of principal if obligors of the underlying obligations default in payment of the obligations and the defaulted obligations exceed the credit support. The obligations of issuers (and obligors of underlying assets) also are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. Many asset-backed securities are now rated below investment grade.

With the deterioration of worldwide economic and liquidity conditions that became acute in 2008, the markets for asset-backed securities became fractured and uncertainty about the creditworthiness of those securities (and underlying assets) caused credit spreads (the difference between yields on the asset-backed securities and U.S. Government securities) to widen dramatically. Concurrently, systemic risks of the type evidenced by the insolvency of Lehman Brothers and subsequent market disruptions reduced the ability of financial institutions to make markets in many fixed income securities. These events reduced liquidity for securitized credits and contributed to substantial declines in the value of asset-backed and other fixed income securities. There can be no assurance these conditions will not occur again. Also, government actions and proposals affecting the terms of underlying home and consumer loans, changes in demand for products (e.g., automobiles) financed by those loans, and the inability of borrowers to refinance existing loans (e.g., sub-prime mortgages), have had, and may continue to have, adverse valuation and liquidity effects on asset-backed securities.

The value of an asset-backed security may depend on the servicing of its underlying asset and is, therefore, subject to risks associated with the negligence or defalcation of its servicer. In some circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation also may affect the rights of security holders in and to the underlying assets. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the assets may result in a decline in the value of the underlying assets, as well as costs and delays. The obligations underlying asset-backed securities, in particular securities backed by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, also are subject to unscheduled prepayment and a GMO fund may be unable to invest prepayments at as high a yield as the asset-backed security.

The risk of investing in asset-backed securities has increased because performance of the various sectors in which the assets underlying asset-backed securities are concentrated (e.g., auto loans, student loans, sub-prime mortgages, and credit card receivables) has become more highly correlated since the deterioration in worldwide economic and liquidity conditions referred to above. See "Focused Investment Risk" below for more information about risks of investing in correlated sectors. A single financial institution may serve as a trustee for multiple asset-backed securities. As a result, a disruption in that institution's business may have a material impact on multiple investments.

Portfolio Transactions

Decisions to buy and sell portfolio securities for the underlying funds and for each of GMO's other investment advisory clients are made by GMO with a view to achieving each client's investment objectives taking into consideration other account-specific factors such as, without limitation, cash flows into or out of the account, current holdings, the account's benchmark(s), if any, applicable regulatory limitations, liquidity, cash restrictions, applicable transaction documentation requirements, market registration requirements and/or time constraints limiting GMO's ability to confirm adequate transaction documentation or seek interpretation of investment guideline ambiguities. Therefore, a particular security may be bought or sold only for certain clients of GMO even though it could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. Also, a particular security may be bought/sold for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling/buying the security or taking a short position in the security, including clients invested in the same investment strategy. Additionally, one of GMO's investment teams may share investment ideas with one or more other investment teams and/or may manage a portion of another investment team's client accounts.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, GMO's compliance policies and procedures and a client's investment guidelines, GMO may engage in "cross trades" where, as investment manager to a client account, GMO causes that client account to purchase a security directly from (or sell a security directly to) another client account.

In certain cases, GMO may identify investment opportunities that are suitable for the underlying funds and one or more private investment companies for which GMO or one of its affiliates serves as investment manager, general partner and/or managing member ("GMO Private Funds"). In most cases, GMO receives greater compensation in respect of a GMO Private Fund (including incentive-based compensation) than it receives in respect of an underlying fund. In addition, senior members or other portfolio managers of GMO frequently have a personal investment in a GMO Private Fund that is greater than such person's investment in a similar underlying fund (or, in some cases, may have no investment in the similar underlying fund). GMO itself also makes investments in GMO Private Funds. To help manage these potential conflicts, GMO has developed and reviewed with the underlying funds' Board of Trustees trade allocation policies that establish a framework for allocating initial public offerings ("IPOs") and other limited opportunities that take into account the needs and objectives of each underlying fund and other GMO clients.

Transactions involving the issuance of an underlying fund's shares for securities or assets other than cash will be limited to a bona fide reorganization or statutory merger and to other acquisitions of portfolio securities that meet all of the following conditions: (i) such securities meet the investment objectives and policies of the underlying fund; (ii) such securities are acquired for investment and not for resale; and (iii) such securities can be valued pursuant to the underlying fund's pricing policies.

Unless otherwise specified in an underlying fund's prospectus, private placement memorandum, or statement of additional information, GMO is not obligated to, and generally will not, consider tax consequences when seeking to achieve an underlying fund's investment objective (e.g., the underlying fund may engage in transactions that are not tax efficient for U.S. federal income or other federal state, local, or non-U.S. tax purposes). Portfolio turnover is not a principal consideration when GMO makes investment decisions for an underlying fund, and the underlying funds generally are not subject to any limit on the frequency with which portfolio securities may be purchased or sold. Based on its assessment of market conditions and purchase or redemption requests, GMO may cause an underlying fund to trade more frequently at certain times. High turnover rates may adversely affect an underlying fund's performance by generating higher transaction costs and create additional taxable income and gains for shareholders. If portfolio turnover results in the recognition of short-term capital gains, those gains, when distributed, typically are taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates.

Purchase Premiums and Redemption Fees

Some share classes of the GMO Funds charge purchase premiums and/or redemption fees. Purchase premiums and redemption fees are paid to and retained by a GMO Fund to help offset estimated portfolio transaction costs and other related costs (e.g., bid to ask spreads, stamp duties and transfer fees) incurred by the GMO Fund (directly or indirectly through investments in other underlying funds) as a result of the purchase or redemption by allocating estimated costs to the purchasing or redeeming shareholder. A GMO Fund may impose a new purchase premium and/or redemption fee or modify an existing fee at any time.

Asset Allocation Trust may invest in the share classes of the GMO Funds that charge purchase premiums and/or redemption fees. To the extent that Asset Allocation Trust invests in those share classes, including indirectly, it will bear the redemption fees and purchase premiums listed below.

 

GMO Fund

Maximum Purchase Premium (as a percentage of amount invested)

Maximum Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed)

Debt Opportunities Fund

0.40%

0.40%

Emerging Country Debt Fund

0.50%

0.50%

Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund

0.80%

0.80%

Emerging Markets Fund

0.80%

0.80%

Foreign Small Companies Fund

0.50%

0.50%

International Small Companies Fund

0.50%

0.50%

Resources Fund

0.30%

0.30%

Risk Premium Fund

0.15%

0.15%

Purchase premiums are not charged on reinvestments of distributions. Redemption fees apply to all shares of a GMO Fund regardless of how the shares were acquired (e.g., by direct purchase or by reinvestment of dividends or other distributions).

BENCHMARKS

 

Index

Description

Fund(s)

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of U.S. fixed rate debt issues having a maturity of at least one year and rated investment grade or higher.

GMO Core Plus Bond Fund

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of short-term U.S. Treasury bills.

GMO Alpha Only Fund; GMO Asset Allocation Bond Fund; GMO U.S. Treasury Fund

J.P. Morgan EMBI Global

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of U.S. dollar-denominated Eurobonds, traded loans, and legacy Brady bonds issued by sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities.

GMO Emerging Country Debt Fund

J.P. Morgan GBI Global

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of government bonds of developed countries with maturities of one year or more.

GMO Global Bond Fund

J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex U.S.

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of non-U.S. government bonds with maturities of one year or more.

GMO International Bond Fund

J.P. Morgan GBI Global ex Japan ex U.S. (Hedged)

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of non-U.S. government bonds (excluding Japanese government bonds) with maturities of one year or more that are hedged into U.S. dollars.

GMO Currency Hedged International Bond Fund

J.P. Morgan U.S. 3 Month Cash Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of three month U.S. dollar Euro-deposits.

GMO Debt Opportunities Fund; GMO High Quality Short-Duration Bond Fund; GMO World Opportunity Overlay Fund

MSCI ACWI

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of global developed and emerging markets. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability

GMO Global Focused Equity Fund

MSCI ACWI Commodity Producers Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of listed large and mid capitalization commodity producers within the global developed and emerging markets. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder.

GMO Resources Fund

MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, and Far East)

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of international large and mid capitalization stocks. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder.

GMO Foreign Fund; GMO International Equity Fund; GMO International Large/Mid Cap Equity Fund

MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of international small capitalization stocks. Depending upon the country, as of May 31, 2015, the market capitalization of the largest company (in a particular country) included in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index ranged from approximately $1.6 billion (Portugal) to $9.1 billion (United Kingdom). MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder.

GMO International Small Companies Fund

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of global emerging markets large and mid capitalization stocks. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder.

GMO Emerging Domestic Opportunities Fund

MSCI World Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of global developed markets. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder.

GMO Risk Premium Fund

S&P 500 Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of U.S. large capitalization stocks. S&P does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any data or information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions from the use of such data or information. Reproduction of the data or information in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of S&P or its third party licensors.

GMO Quality Fund; GMO U.S. Equity Allocation Fund

S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of the small capitalization stock component of the S&P Broad Market Index (BMI). The BMI includes listed shares of companies from developed and emerging countries with a total available market capitalization (float) of at least the local equivalent of $100 million USD. The S&P Developed ex-U.S. Small Cap Index represents the bottom 15% of available market capitalization (float) of the BMI in each country. S&P does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any data or information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions from the use of such data or information. Reproduction of the data or information in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of S&P or its third party licensors.

GMO Foreign Small Companies Fund

S&P/IFCI Composite Index

Independently maintained and widely published index comprised of emerging markets stocks. S&P does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or availability of any data or information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions from the use of such data or information. Reproduction of the data or information in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of S&P or its third party licensors.

GMO Emerging Countries Fund; GMO Emerging Markets Fund

Notwithstanding each Fund's stated benchmark or comparative index (it's "Benchmark"), an underlying fund may buy securities not included in its Benchmark or hold securities in very different proportions than its Benchmark. General information about each Benchmark is provided in the table below. In addition, GMO may change an underlying fund's Benchmark and use additional benchmarks or other comparative indices from time to time.

MANAGEMENT

The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in each Prospectus entitled "Management of the Fund."

General

The following table provides basic information about the Trustees and Officers of the Trust. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the Trustees and Officers listed below acts in identical capacities for the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds which consists of, as of April 30, 2015, 134 series comprising the Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the "Fund Complex" or the "Trusts"). The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, with the Trustees subject to retirement from service as required pursuant to the Trust's retirement policy at the end of the calendar year in which a Trustee turns 75.

Information for Trustees, all of whom are not "interested" persons of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees"), appears below. In addition to the Officers listed below, the Fund has appointed an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

Name and Year of Birth

Position Held with Registrant/Length of Service1

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Other Public Company or Investment Company Directorships During Past 5 Years

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)

Trustee, since 20152

Retired. Prior thereto, joined Fidelity Management and Research Company in 1984 with assignments including equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. Served on the boards of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Asset Allocation Trust

Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)

Trustee, since 20152

Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, served as Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Served as Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014 and Board member and chair of the Audit Committee of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive). Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).

Asset Allocation Trust

Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)

Trustee, since 1998, Chairman since 2005

Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.

Asset Allocation Trust

Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)

Trustee, since 2009

Retired. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.

CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust

Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)

Trustee, since 2008
Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008

Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.

Asset Allocation Trust

David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)

Trustee, since 2009

James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.

Asset Allocation Trust

Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)

Trustee, since 2006

International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton's Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.

Asset Allocation Trust

Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)

Trustee, since 1996

President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.

Asset Allocation Trust

Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)

Trustee, since 2010

Served on the Investment Company Institute's Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.

Asset Allocation Trust

Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)

Trustee, since 1996

Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).

Asset Allocation Trust

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee's commencement of service with the Trust's predecessor entities, where applicable.
Mr. Ebsworth and Ms. Freeman were appointed to the Board of Trustees on January 1, 2015.

 

Name and Year of Birth

Position Held with Registrant/Length of Service

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

OFFICERS

Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)

President, since 2003

Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.

Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)

Treasurer, since 2012; Assistant Treasurer, since 2009

Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Nancy Wiser2
(Born 1967)

Treasurer, since 2012

Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011. Owned and operated a consulting business providing services to various hedge funds including acting as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for a hedge fund from 2007 to 2008. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of GMN Capital LLC from 2006 to 2007.

C. David Messman
(Born 1960)

Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003

Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. from 1996 to 2013. Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013.

Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)

Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007

Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007.

David Berardi
(Born 1975)

Assistant Treasurer, since 2009

Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

Currently serves as Treasurer to the Allocation Funds, Alternative Funds, Dow Jones Target Date Funds, International Equity Funds, Large Cap Stock Funds, WealthBuilder Portfolios and the International Value Fund. Also serves as Assistant Treasurer for the remaining series of the Trust.
Currently serves as Treasurer to the CoreBuilder Shares, Equity Gateway Funds (except International Value Fund), Income Funds, Money Market Funds, Municipal Income Funds, Small to Mid Cap Stock Funds and Specialty Funds.

The Trust's Declaration of Trust, as amended and restated from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"), does not set forth any specific qualifications to serve as a Trustee other than that no person shall stand for initial election or appointment as a Trustee if such person has already reached the age of 72. The Charter and the Statement of Governance Principles of the Governance Committee also do not set forth any specific qualifications, but do set forth certain factors that the Governance Committee may take into account in considering Trustee candidates and a process for evaluating potential conflicts of interest, which identifies certain disqualifying conflicts. All of the current Trustees are Independent Trustees. Among the attributes or skills common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC ("Funds Management" or the "Manager"), sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. Each Trustee's ability to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Trustee's business, consulting, public service, professional and/or academic positions and through experience from service as a board member of the Trust and the other Trusts in the Fund Complex (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), other registered investment companies, public companies, and/or non-profit entities or other organizations. Each Trustee's ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences. The specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills that led to the conclusion that a Trustee should serve as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex are as set forth below.

William R. Ebsworth. Mr. Ebsworth has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex and Asset Allocation Trust since January 1, 2015. Until his retirement in 2013, Mr. Ebsworth most recently served as the Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc., where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Mr. Ebsworth joined Fidelity Management and Research Company in 1984. His 29 years with Fidelity included assignments as an equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director, and chief investment officer in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Mr. Ebsworth has previously served on the boards of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. He also is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Jane A. Freeman. Ms. Freeman has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex and Asset Allocation Trust since January 1, 2015. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Ms. Freeman served as the Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to joining Scientific Learning, Ms. Freeman was employed as a portfolio manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. She served as a board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. She also served as a board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and as chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman serves as Chair of the Taproot Foundation and as a Board Member of the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive).

Peter G. Gordon. Mr. Gordon has been a Trustee since 1998, Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2005, Chairman of the Governance Committee since 2005, and was the Lead Independent Trustee from 2001 through 2005, with respect to all of the Trusts in the Fund Complex. He has also served as a Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Governance Committee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. In addition, he has over 30 years of executive and business experience as the co-founder, and retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company.

Isaiah Harris, Jr. Mr. Harris has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex since 2009 and was an Advisory Board Member from 2008 to 2009. He has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. He has been the Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and has been a director of CIGNA Corporation since 2005. He served as a director of Deluxe Corporation from 2003 to 2011. As a director of these and other public companies, he has served on board committees, including Governance, Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Harris served in senior executive positions, including as president, chief executive officer, vice president of finance and/or chief financial officer, of operating companies for approximately 20 years.

Judith M. Johnson. Ms. Johnson has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex since 2008 and as Chair of the Audit Committee since 2009. She has also served as a Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. She served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund for twelve years until her retirement in 2008. Ms. Johnson is a licensed attorney, as well as a certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant. Ms. Johnson has been determined by the Board to be an audit committee financial expert as such term is defined in the applicable rules of the SEC.

David F. Larcker. Mr. Larcker has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex since 2009 and was an Advisory Board Member from 2008 to 2009. He has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. Mr. Larcker is the James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business of Stanford University. He is also the Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Co-director of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University. He has been a professor of accounting for over 30 years. He has written numerous articles on a range of topics, including managerial accounting, financial statement analysis and corporate governance.

Olivia S. Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex since 2006. She has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. Ms. Mitchell is the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she is also Professor of Insurance/Risk Management and Business Economics/Policy. She also serves in senior positions with academic and policy organizations that conduct research on pensions, retirement, insurance, risk management, and related topics including as Executive Director of the Pension Research Council and Director of the Boettner Center on Pensions and Retirement Research, both at the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught on and served as a consultant on economics, insurance, and risk management, served as Department Chair, advised numerous governmental entities, and written numerous articles and books on topics including retirement systems, private and social insurance, and health and retirement policy.

Timothy J. Penny. Mr. Penny has been a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex and their predecessor funds since 1996. He has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation since 2007 and a Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. He also serves as a member of the board of another non-profit organization. Mr. Penny was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years representing Southeastern Minnesota's First Congressional District.

Michael S. Scofield. Mr. Scofield has served as a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex since 2010. He has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2005. He previously served on the Investment Company Institute's Board of Governors and Executive Committee. Mr. Scofield previously served as a Trustee of the Evergreen fund complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010, where he served as Chairman of the Board. He also served as a member and former chairman of the Independent Directors Counsel, an organization dedicated to serving the independent investment company director community, and other leadership positions in the investment company industry. He previously worked as an attorney with the Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.

Donald C. Willeke
. Mr. Willeke has been a Trustee of the Trusts in the Fund Complex and their predecessor funds since 1996. He has also served as a Trustee of Asset Allocation Trust since 2010. He is an attorney in private practice and served as General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund for more than 25 years.

Board of Trustees - Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Fund rests with the Board of Trustees. The Board has engaged Funds Management to manage the Fund on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing Funds Management and other service providers in the operation of the Trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of Delaware law, other applicable laws and the Fund's charter. The Board is currently composed of nine members, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. The Board currently conducts regular meetings five times a year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees have engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman's role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. In order to assist the Chairman in maintaining effective communications with the other Trustees and Funds Management, the Board has appointed a Chair Liaison to work with the Chairman to coordinate Trustee communications and to assure timely responses to Trustee inquiries, board governance and fiduciary matters. The Chair Liaison serves for a one-year term, which may be extended with the approval of the Board. Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Trust's charter document, the designation of Chairman or Chair Liaison does not impose on such Independent Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board generally.

The Board also has established a Governance Committee, an Audit Committee and a Dividend Committee to assist the Board in the oversight and direction of the business and affairs of the Trust, and from time to time may establish informal working groups to review and address the policies and practices of the Trust with respect to certain specified matters. Additionally, the Board has established investment teams to review in detail the performance of the Fund, in light of the Fund's investment objectives and strategies, to meet with portfolio managers, and to report back to the full Board. The Board occasionally engages independent consultants to assist it in evaluating initiatives or proposals. The Board believes that the Board's current leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The leadership structure of the Board may be changed, at any time and in the discretion of the Board, including in response to changes in circumstances or the characteristics of the Trust.

The Fund and Trust are subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks, among others. Day-to-day risk management functions are subsumed within the responsibilities of Funds Management, the subadvisers and other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), who carry out the Fund's investment management and business affairs. Each of Funds Management, the sub-advisers and other service providers have their own, independent interest in risk management, and their policies and methods of carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on their individual priorities, resources and controls.

Risk oversight forms part of the Board's general oversight of the Fund and Trust and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect a Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. As part of its regular oversight of the Trusts, the Board, directly or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Funds Management, subadvisers, the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, and internal auditors for Funds Management or its affiliates, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Fund and relevant risk functions. The Board, with the assistance of its investment teams, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of the Funds' performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of the Funds' compliance program and regularly reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Funds and their principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board's periodic review of the Funds' advisory, subadvisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. With respect to valuation, the Board oversees a management valuation team comprised of officers of Funds Management, has approved and periodically reviews valuation policies and procedures applicable to valuing the Fund shares and has established a valuation committee of Trustees. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts its risk oversight role.

Committees.

As noted above, the Board has established a standing Governance Committee, a standing Audit Committee, a standing Valuation Committee and a standing Dividend Committee to assist the Board in the oversight and direction of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Governance Committee and Audit Committee operate pursuant to charters approved by the Board. The Valuation Committee's responsibilities are set forth in Valuation Procedures approved by the Board, and the Dividend Committee's responsibilities were set forth by the Board when it established the Committee. Each Independent Trustee is a member of the Trust's Governance Committee, Audit Committee and Valuation Committee. The Dividend Committee is comprised of three Independent Trustees.

(1) Governance Committee. Except with respect to any trustee nomination made by an eligible shareholder or shareholder group as permitted by applicable law, the Committee shall make all nominations for membership on the Board of Trustees of each Trust. The Committee shall evaluate each candidate's qualifications for Board membership and his or her independence from the Funds' manager, sub-adviser(s) and principal underwriter(s) and, as it deems appropriate, other principal service providers. Peter Gordon serves as the chairman of the Governance Committee.

The Governance Committee has adopted procedures by which a shareholder may properly submit a nominee recommendation for the Committee's consideration, which are set forth in Appendix A to the Trusts' Governance Committee Charter. The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a "Shareholder Recommendation") in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust's Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust. The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address, and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the "candidate"), (B) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e), and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency applicable to the Trust); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an "interested person" of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient for the Trust to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder's name as it appears on the Trust's books; (iv) the series (and, if applicable, class) and number of all shares of the Trust owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; and (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder. In addition, the Governance Committee may require the candidate to interview in person or furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust. The Governance Committee has full discretion to reject candidates recommended by shareholders, and there is no assurance that any such person properly recommended and considered by the Committee will be nominated for election to the Board.

The Governance Committee may from time-to-time propose nominations of one or more individuals to serve as members of an "advisory board," as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the 1940 Act.

(2) Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Funds' accounting and financial reporting policies, including their internal controls over financial reporting; oversees the quality and objectivity of the Funds' financial statements and the independent audit thereof; and interacts with the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm on behalf of the full Board and with appropriate officers of the Trust. Judith M. Johnson serves as the chairperson of the Audit Committee.

(3) Valuation Committee. The Board has delegated to the Valuation Committee the authority to take any action regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of securities between regularly scheduled Board meetings in instances where that determination has not otherwise been delegated to the valuation team ("Management Valuation Team") of Funds Management. The Board considers for ratification at each quarterly meeting any valuation actions taken during the previous quarter by the Valuation Committee or by the Management Valuation Team other than pursuant to Board-approved methodologies. Any one member of the Valuation Committee may constitute a quorum for a meeting of the committee.

(4) Dividend Committee. The Board has delegated to the Dividend Committee the responsibility to review and approve certain dividend amount determinations made by a separate committee composed of representatives from Funds Management and certain sub-advisers ("Management Open-End Dividend Committee"). The Board has delegated to the Management Open-End Dividend Committee the authority to determine periodic dividend amounts subject to certain Board-approved parameters to be paid by each of the Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund, International Bond Fund, Real Return Fund and Strategic Income Fund. Under certain circumsatances, the Dividend Committee must review and consider for approval, as it deems appropriate, recommendations of the Management Open-End Dividend Committee. The Dividend Committee is composed of three Independent Trustees, Messrs. Harris and Scofield and Ms. Johnson.

The committees met the following number of times during the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Committee Name

Committee Meetings During Last Fiscal Year

Governance Committee

3

Audit Committee

7

Valuation Committee

1

Dividend Committee

0

Compensation.

The Trustees do not receive any retirement benefits or deferred compensation from the Trust or any other member of the Fund Complex. The Trust's Officers are not compensated by the Trust for their services. Listed below is the Trustee compensation that was paid by a Fund and the Fund Complex for the most recently completed fiscal year:

 

Trustee Compensation

Trustee

Aggregate Compensation From the Fund

Total Compensation from the Fund Complex1

William R. Ebsworth2

$996

$133,500

Jane A. Freeman2

$996

$133,500

Peter G. Gordon

$2,358

$316,000

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

$1,907

$255,500

Judith M. Johnson

$2,220

$297,500

David F. Larcker

$2,004

$268,500

Olivia S. Mitchell

$2,004

$268,500

Timothy J. Penny

$2,063

$276,500

Michael S. Scofield

$2,004

$268,500

Donald C. Willeke

$2,004

$268,500

As of  April 30, 2015, the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds fund complex consisted of 134 funds.
Mr. Ebsworth and Ms. Freeman were appointed to the Board of Trustees on January 1, 2015.

Beneficial Equity Ownership Information. As of the calendar year ended December 31, 2014, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust. The table below shows for each Trustee, the dollar value of the Fund equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund Complex, stated as one of the following ranges: $0; $1-$10,000; $10,001- $50,000; $50,001-$100,000; and over $100,000.

 

Independent Trustees

Trustee

Fund

Dollar Range
of Investment
in Fund

Aggregate Dollar
Range of
Equity Securities of
Fund Complex

William R. Ebsworth

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Jane A. Freeman

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

$0

Peter G. Gordon

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Judith M. Johnson

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

David F. Larcker

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Olivia S. Mitchell

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Timothy J. Penny

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Michael S. Scofield

Asset Allocation Fund

$10,001 - $50,000

Over $100,000

Donald C. Willeke

Asset Allocation Fund

$0

Over $100,000

Ownership of Securities of Certain Entities. As of the calendar year ended December 31, 2014, none of the Independent Trustees and/or their immediate family members owned securities of the manager, any sub-advisers, or the distributor, or any entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the manager, any sub-advisers, or the distributor.

Manager and Class-Level Administrator

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Bank, is the manager and class-level administrator for the Fund. Funds Management provides advisory and Fund-level administrative services to the Fund under an investment management agreement (the "Management Agreement") and provides class-level administrative services to the Fund under a class-level administration agreement (the "Class-Level Administration Agreement"). Under the Management Agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, (i) implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, (ii) supervising the applicable Sub-Adviser(s), (iii) providing Fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund's operations, (iv) developing and implementing procedures for monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and (v) providing any other Fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund other than those services that are provided by the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent, custodian, and fund accountant. Funds Management also furnishes office space and certain facilities required for conducting the Fund's business together with ordinary clerical and bookkeeping services.

GMO is the adviser to Asset Allocation Trust and also serves as adviser to each of the underlying funds. GMO does not receive a fee from the Fund for its advisory services. However, the Fund indirectly bears expenses of the underlying funds, which are managed by GMO, including a share of management and other fees paid to GMO.

Under the Class-Level Administration Agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, (i) coordinating, supervising and paying the applicable transfer agent and various sub-transfer agents and omnibus account servicers and record-keepers, (ii) coordinating the preparation and filing of registration statements, notices, shareholder reports and other information materials, including prospectuses, proxies and other shareholder communications for a class, (iii) receiving and tabulating class-specific shareholder votes, (iv) reviewing bills submitted to a Fund and, upon determining that a bill is appropriate, allocating amounts to the appropriate classes thereof and instructing the Fund's custodian to pay such bills, and (v) assembling and disseminating information concerning class performance, expenses, distributions and administration. Funds Management has agreed to pay all of the Fund's fees and expenses for services provided by the Fund's transfer agent and various sub-transfer agents and omnibus account servicers and record-keepers out of the fees it receives pursuant to the Class-Level Administration Agreement.

As compensation for its services under the Management Agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rates indicated below of each Fund's average daily net assets:

Fund

Fee

Asset Allocation Fund

First $1 billion

0.350%

Next $4 billion

0.325%

Next $3 billion

0.280%

Next $2 billion

0.255%

Over $10 billion

0.235%

Under the Management Agreement, should the Fund invests some of its investment assets in two or more registered, open end management investment companies, the Manager would be entitled to receive a monthly fee at the annual rates indicated below of the Fund's average daily net assets:

 

Fund

Dormant Investment Management Fee

Asset Allocation Fund

First $1 billion

0.600%

Next $4 billion

0.575%

Next $3 billion

0.530%

Next $2 billion

0.505%

Over $10 billion

0.485%

Advisory Fees Paid. Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement ("Advisory Agreement"). The Management Agreement, which became effective on July 1, 2015, combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund's prior Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the "Prior Administration Agreement") applicable to Fund-level administrative services. Below are the aggregate advisory fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement and the aggregate advisory fees waived by Funds Management for the last three fiscal years. The advisory fees listed below do not include fees paid for Fund-level administrative services previously provided by Funds Management under the Prior Administration Agreement.

 

Advisory Fees Paid

Fund/Fiscal Year or Period

Advisory Fees Paid

Advisory Fees Waived

April 30, 2015

Asset Allocation Fund

$

13,675,926

$

249,325

April 30, 2014

Asset Allocation Fund1

$

8,367,810

$

239,137

September 30, 2013

Asset Allocation Fund

$

14,906,606

$

417,081

September 30, 2012

Asset Allocation Fund

$

15,987,854

$

358,868

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014.  Effective April 30, 2014, Asset Allocation Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30.

For providing class-level administrative services to the Funds pursuant to the Class-Level Administration Agreement, including paying the Fund's fees and expenses for services provided by the Fund's transfer agent and various sub-transfer agents and omnibus account servicers and record-keepers, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual fee at the rates indicated below, as a percentage of the total net assets of each Class:

 

Class-Level Administrator Fee

Share Class

% of Average Daily Net Assets

Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R

0.21%

Administrator Class

0.13%

Institutional Class

0.13%

Administrative Service Fees Paid. The Class-Level Administration Agreement became effective July 1, 2015. Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided both Fund-level and class-level administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Prior Administration Agreement. Below are the aggregate administrative services fees paid by the Fund pursuant to the Prior Administration Agreement and the aggregate administrative services fees waived by Funds Management for the last three fiscal years. Because the fees reflected below were paid pursuant to the Prior Administration Agreement, the fees include fees paid for both Fund-level and class-level administrative services provided to the Fund by Funds Management.

 

Administration Service Fees Paid

Fund/Fiscal Year or Period

Administrative Service Fees Paid

April 30, 2015

Asset Allocation Fund

$

19,514,459

April 30, 2014

Asset Allocation Fund1

$

12,267,943

September 30, 2013

Asset Allocation Fund

$

21,964,949

September 30, 2012

Asset Allocation Fund

$

23,728,480

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014.  Effective April 30, 2014, Asset Allocation Fund changed its fiscal year end from September 30 to April 30.

General. The Fund's Management Agreement will continue in effect for more than two years from the effective date provided the continuance is approved annually (i) by the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities or by the Board and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Management Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Fund's Management Agreement may be terminated on 60 days' written notice by either party and will terminate automatically if assigned.

Portfolio Managers

The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in each Prospectus entitled "Portfolio Managers." The information in this section is provided as of April 30, 2015, the most recent fiscal year end for the Fund managed by the portfolio managers listed below (each, a "Portfolio Manager" and together, the "Portfolio Managers").

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust. GMO is the investment adviser to Asset Allocation Trust ("AAT"). GMO's Asset Allocation Team (the "Team") is primarily responsible for the investment management of AAT. The Team's investment professionals work collaboratively to manage AAT's portfolio.

The Portfolio Managers manage the investment activities of the Fund on a day-to-day basis as follows.

Fund

Portfolio Managers

Asset Allocation Fund

Ben Inker, CFA and Sam Wilderman, CFA1

The Fund invests all of its investable assets directly in Asset Allocation Trust, for which GMO serves as investment adviser. Messrs. Inker and Wilderman are the co-heads and senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team and they are primarily responsible for providing investment management services to Asset Allocation Trust.

Management of Other Accounts. The following table(s) provide information relating to other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager(s). The table(s) do not include the Funds or any personal brokerage accounts of the Portfolio Manager(s) and their families.

 

Portfolio Manager

Ben Inker, CFA

Registered Investment Companies Managed (including other non-GMO mutual fund subadvisory relationships)

Number of Accounts

25

Total Assets Managed

$29.74B

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

0

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Managed (world-wide)

Number of Accounts

12

Total Assets Managed

$8.35B

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

5

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$1.22B

Other Accounts Managed (world-wide)

Number of Accounts

181

Total Assets Managed

$19.20B

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

141

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$14.95B

 

Portfolio Manager

Sam Wilderman, CFA

Registered Investment Companies Managed (including other non-GMO mutual fund subadvisory relationships)

Number of Accounts

25

Total Assets Managed

$29.74

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

0

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Managed (world-wide)

Number of Accounts

12

Total Assets Managed

$8.35B

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

5

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$1.22B

Other Accounts Managed (world-wide)

Number of Accounts

181

Total Assets Managed

$19.20B

Number of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

141

Assets of Accounts Subject to Performance Fee

$14.95B

Material Conflicts of Interest. Each Portfolio Manager faces inherent conflicts of interest in his day-to-day management of the Fund and other accounts because the Fund may have different investment objectives, strategies and risk profiles than the other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager. For instance, to the extent that the Portfolio Manager manages accounts with different investment strategies than the Fund, he may from time to time be inclined to purchase securities, including initial public offerings, for one account but not for the Fund. Additionally, some of the accounts managed by each Portfolio Manager may have different fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher or lower, in some cases significantly higher or lower, than the fees paid by the Fund. The differences in fee structures may provide an incentive to each Portfolio Manager to allocate more favorable trades to the higher-paying accounts.

To minimize the effects of these inherent conflicts of interest, the Adviser has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, that they believe address the potential conflicts associated with managing portfolios for multiple clients and are designed to ensure that all clients are treated fairly and equitably. Accordingly, security block purchases are allocated to all accounts with similar objectives in a fair and equitable manner. Furthermore, the Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act") to address potential conflicts associated with managing the Fund and any personal accounts the Portfolio Manager may maintain.

GMO. Because the Portfolio Managers manage other accounts, including accounts that pay higher fees or accounts that pay performance based fees, potential conflicts of interest exist, including potential conflicts between the investment strategy of Asset Allocation Trust, Wells Fargo Advantage Absolute Return Fund and the investment strategy of the other accounts managed by the senior member and potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between Asset Allocation Trust, Wells Fargo Advantage Absolute Return Fund, and such other accounts.

Compensation. The senior members of GMO's Asset Allocation Team are generally members (partners) of GMO. As of April 30, 2015, the compensation of each senior member consisted of a fixed annual base salary and, possibly, an additional, discretionary, bonus related to the senior member's contribution to GMO's success and a partnership interest in the firm's profits. The compensation program does not disproportionately reward outperformance by higher-fee/performance-fee products. Base salary is determined by taking into account current industry norms and market data to ensure that GMO pays a competitive base salary. A discretionary bonus may be paid to recognize specific business contributions and to ensure that the total level of compensation is competitive with the market. The level of partnership interest is determined by taking into account the individual's contribution to GMO and its mission statement. Because each person's compensation is based on his or her individual performance, GMO does not have a typical percentage split among base salary, bonus and other compensation. A GMO partnership interest is the primary incentive for persons to maintain employment with GMO. GMO believes this is the best incentive to maintain stability of portfolio management personnel.

Beneficial Ownership in the Fund. The Portfolio Managers have no beneficial interest in the Fund's shares.

Distributor

Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Funds Management located at 525 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, serves as the distributor to the Fund.

The Fund offers Class B, Class C and Class R shares and has adopted a distribution plan (a "Plan") under Section 12(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 12b-1 thereunder (the "Rule") for such shares. The Plan was adopted by the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who were not "interested persons" (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Fund and who had no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreement related to the Plan (the "Non-Interested Trustees").

Under the Plan and pursuant to the related Distribution Agreement, the Class B, Class C and Class R shares of the Fund pay the Distributor, on a monthly basis, an annual fee of 0.75%, 0.75% and 0.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to such class as compensation for distribution-related services or as reimbursement for distribution-related expenses.

The actual fee payable to the Distributor by these Funds and classes is determined, within such limit, from time to time by mutual agreement between the Trust and the Distributor and will not exceed the maximum sales charges payable by mutual funds sold by members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") under the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers. The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with one or more broker-dealers under which such broker-dealers may receive compensation for distribution-related services from the Distributor, including, but not limited to, commissions or other payments to such agents based on the average daily net assets of Fund shares attributable to their customers. The Trustees believe that these relationships and distribution channels provide potential for increased Fund assets and ultimately corresponding economic efficiencies (i.e., lower per-share transaction costs and fixed expenses) that are generated by increased assets under management. While Class B shares are closed to new investors and additional investments (except in connection with reinvestment of distributions and permitted exchanges), the Distributor may use the fees payable by such shares under the Plan to make payments to selling or servicing agents for past sales and distribution efforts. In addition to payments received from the Fund, selling or servicing agents may receive significant additional payments directly from Funds Management in connection with the sale of Fund shares. The Distributor may retain any portion of the total distribution fee payable thereunder to compensate it for distribution-related services provided by it or to reimburse it for other distribution-related expenses.

For the fiscal period ended April 30, 2015, the Fund paid the Distributor the following fees for distribution-related services. The Distributor's distribution-related revenues from the Plan may be more or less than distribution-related expenses incurred during the period. As a result, the compensation paid to broker/dealers by the Distributor may exceed the compensation paid to the Distributor by the Fund.

Distribution Fees

Fund

Total Distribution Fee Paid by Fund

Compensation Paid to Distributor

Compensation to Broker/Dealers

Other1

Asset Allocation Fund

Class B

$1,781,583

$0

$0

$1,781,583

Class C

$16,704,915

$788,311

$15,916,604

$0

Class R

$81,647

$31

$81,616

$0

The Distributor had entered into an arrangement whereby sales commissions payable to broker-dealers with respect to sales of Class B shares of the Funds were financed by an unaffiliated third party lender. Under this financing arrangement, the Distributor may have assigned certain amounts that it was entitled to receive pursuant to the Plan to the third party lender, as reimbursement and consideration for these payments. Funds Management purchased the rights and title to all payments due to the third party lender and is now entitled to receive payments under the Plan.

General. The Plan will continue in effect from year to year if such continuance is approved by a majority vote of both the Trustees of the Trust and the Independent Trustees. Any Distribution Agreement related to the Plan also must be approved by such vote of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. Such agreement will terminate automatically if assigned, and may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees on not more than 60 days' written notice. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amounts payable thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and no material amendment to the Plan may be made except by a majority of both the Trustees and the Independent Trustees.

The Plan provides that the Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended (and purposes therefor) under the Plan. The Rule also requires that the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust be made by such Independent Trustees.

Shareholder Servicing Agent

The Fund has approved a Shareholder Servicing Plan and have entered into a related Shareholder Servicing Agreement with the Distributor and Funds Management. Under this agreement, the Distributor and Funds Management are authorized to perform services for customers, or to engage third parties to perform services for customers under Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreements. Under these agreements, third parties agree to perform, as agents for their customers, administrative services, with respect to Fund shares, which include aggregating and transmitting shareholder orders for purchases, exchanges and redemptions; maintaining shareholder accounts and records; and providing such other related services as the Trust or a shareholder may reasonably request. For providing these services, an agent is entitled to an annual fee from the applicable Fund of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Administrator Class and Class R shares owned of record or beneficially by the customers of the agent during the period for which payment is being made. The Shareholder Servicing Plan, related Shareholder Servicing Agreement, and form of Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement were approved by the Trustees and provide that a Fund shall not be obligated to make any payments under such plans or related agreements that exceed the maximum amounts payable under the Conduct Rules enforced by FINRA.

General. The Shareholder Servicing Plan will continue in effect from year to year if such continuance is approved by a majority vote of the Trustees and the Non-Interested Trustees. Any form of Shareholder Servicing Agreement related to the Shareholder Servicing Plan also must be approved by such vote of the Trustees and the Non-Interested Trustees. Shareholder Servicing Agreements may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the Board, including a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees. No material amendment to the Shareholder Servicing Plan or related Shareholder Servicing Agreements may be made except by a majority of both the Trustees of the Trust and the Non-Interested Trustees.

The Shareholder Servicing Plan requires that the Administrator of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended (and purposes therefore) under the Shareholder Servicing Plan.

Custodian and Fund Accountant

State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, acts as Custodian and fund accountant for the Fund. As Custodian, State Street, among other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of the Fund, handles the receipt and delivery of securities, selects and monitors foreign sub-custodians as the Fund's global custody manager, determines income and collects interest on the Fund's investments and maintains certain books and records. As fund accountant, State Street is responsible for calculating the Fund's daily net asset value per share and for maintaining its portfolio and general accounting records. For its services, State Street is entitled to receive certain transaction fees, asset-based fees and out-of-pocket costs.

Transfer and Distribution Disbursing Agent

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. ("BFDS"), located at Two Thousand Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169, acts as transfer and distribution disbursing agent for the Fund. For providing such services, BFDS is entitled to receive fees from the Administrator.

Underwriting Commissions

The Distributor serves as the principal underwriter distributing securities of the Fund on a continuous basis.

For the fiscal periods listed below, the aggregate amounts of underwriting commissions paid to and retained by the Distributor are as follows:

Underwriting Commissions

Fund/Fiscal Year or Period

Aggregate Total Underwriting Commissions

Underwriting Commissions Retained

April 30, 2015

Asset Allocation Fund

$

366,150

$

313,286

April 30, 2014

Asset Allocation Fund

$

405,853

$

307,246

September 30, 2013

Asset Allocation Fund

$

745,797

$

414,935

September 30, 2012

Asset Allocation Fund

$

940,425

$

617,695

Code of Ethics

The Fund Complex, the Adviser and the Distributor each has adopted a code of ethics which contains policies on personal securities transactions by "access persons" as defined in each of the codes. These policies comply with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, as applicable. Each code of ethics, among other things, permits access persons to invest in certain securities, subject to various restrictions and requirements. To facilitate enforcement, the codes of ethics generally require that an access person submit reports to a designated compliance person regarding personal securities transactions. The codes of ethics for the Fund Complex, the Adviser and the Distributor are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

GMO has also adopted a code of ethics pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the code of ethics, personnel are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions only in accordance with specified conditions relating to their position, the identity of the security, the timing of the transaction, and similar factors. Transactions in securities that may be purchased or held by Benchmark-Free Allocation Fund or an underlying fund are permitted, subject to compliance with the code. Personal securities transactions must be reported quarterly and broker confirmations must be provided for review.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV per share for the Fund is determined as of the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time)) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. Expenses and fees, including advisory fees, are accrued daily and are taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund's shares.

The Fund's investments are generally valued at current market prices. Securities are generally valued based on the last sales price during the regular trading session if the security trades on an exchange ("closing price"). Securities that are not traded primarily on an exchange generally are valued using latest quoted bid prices obtained by an independent pricing service. Securities listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., however, are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price ("NOCP"), and if no NOCP is available, then at the last reported sales price. The Fund is required to depart from these general valuation methods and use fair value pricing methods to determine the value of certain investments if it is determined that the closing price or the latest quoted bid price of a security, including securities that trade primarily on a foreign exchange, does not accurately reflect its current value when the Fund calculates its NAV. In addition, we also use fair value pricing to determine the value of investments in securities and other assets, including illiquid securities, for which current market quotations are not readily available. The closing price or the latest quoted bid price of a security may not reflect its current value if, among other things, a significant event occurs after the closing price or latest quoted bid price but before a Fund calculates its NAV that materially affects the value of the security. We use various criteria, including a systematic evaluation of U.S. market moves after the close of foreign markets, in deciding whether a foreign security's market price is still reliable and, if not, what fair market value to assign to the security. With respect to any portion of the Fund's assets that are invested in other mutual funds, the Fund's NAV is calculated based upon the net asset values of the other mutual funds in which the Fund invests, and the prospectuses for those companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. In light of the judgment involved in fair value decisions, there can be no assurance that a fair value assigned to a particular security is accurate. Such fair value pricing may result in NAVs that are higher or lower than NAVs based on the closing price or latest quoted bid price.

Money market instruments and debt instruments maturing in 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost. Futures contracts will be marked to market daily at their respective settlement prices determined by the relevant exchange. Prices may be furnished by a reputable independent pricing service. Prices provided by an independent pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices and may take into account appropriate factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data.

For a Fund that invests directly in foreign securities, portfolio securities are generally valued on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded. However, if, in the judgment of the Board, a security's value has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or the market on which the security is principally traded (for example, a foreign exchange or market), that security may be valued by another method that the Board believes accurately reflects fair value. A security's valuation may differ depending on the method used to determine its value.

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

Shares of the Fund may be purchased on any day the Fund is open for business. Generally, the Fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open for trading (a "Business Day"). The NYSE is currently scheduled to be closed in observance of New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (each a "Holiday"). When any Holiday falls on a weekend, the NYSE typically is closed on the weekday immediately before or after such Holiday.

Purchase orders for the Fund received before the Fund's NAV calculation time, generally are processed at such time on that Business Day. Purchase orders received after the Fund's NAV calculation time generally are processed at the Fund's NAV calculation time on the next Business Day. Selling Agents may establish earlier cut-off times for processing your order. Requests received by a Selling Agent after the applicable cut-off time will be processed on the next Business Day. On any day the NYSE closes early, the Fund will close early. On these days, the NAV calculation time and the distribution, purchase and redemption cut-off times for the Fund may be earlier than their stated NAV calculation time described above.

Payment for shares may, in the discretion of the Adviser, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Fund. For further information about this form of payment, please contact the Distributor. In connection with an in-kind securities payment, the Fund will require, among other things, that the securities be valued on the day of purchase in accordance with the pricing methods used by the Fund and that the Fund receives satisfactory assurances that (i) it will have good and marketable title to the securities received by it; (ii) that the securities are in proper form for transfer to the Fund; and (iii) adequate information will be provided concerning the basis and other matters relating to the securities.

The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase orders, and under the 1940 Act, may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which trading is restricted, or during which, as determined by SEC rule, regulation or order, an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such periods as the SEC may permit. The Fund may also redeem shares involuntarily or make payment for redemption in securities or other property if it appears appropriate to do so in light of the Fund's responsibilities under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse the Fund for any losses sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder which is applicable to shares of the Fund as provided from time to time in the Prospectuses.

The Dealer Reallowance for Purchases of Class A Shares is as Follows:

Amount of Purchase

Front-End Sales Charge as %
of Public Offering Price

Front-End Sales Charge as %
of Net Amount Invested

Dealer
Reallowance
as % of
Public
Offering
Price

Less than $50,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%

$50,000 - $99,999

4.75%

4.99%

4.00%

$100,000 - $249,999

3.75%

3.90%

3.00%

$250,000 - $499,999

2.75%

2.83%

2.25%

$500,000 - $999,999

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 and over1

0.00%

0.00%

1.00%

We will assess a 1.00% CDSC on Class A share purchases of $1,000,000 or more if they are redeemed within eighteen months from the date of purchase. Certain exceptions apply (see "CDSC Waivers"). The CDSC percentage you pay is applied to the NAV of the shares on the date of
original purchase.

Computation Of Class A Offering Price. Class A shares are sold at their NAV plus a sales charge. Below is an example of the method of computing the offering price of Class A shares of the Fund. The example assumes a purchase of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating less than $50,000 based upon the NAV of the Fund's Class A shares as of its most recent fiscal year end.

 

Computation of Class A Offering Price

Fund

Net Asset Value Per Share

Sales Charge Per Share1

Offering Price Per Share

Asset Allocation (A)

$14.10

5.75%

$14.96

The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amounts listed here due to rounding calculations.

Online Purchases and Redemptions for Existing Wells Fargo Advantage Funds Account Holders. All shareholders with an existing Wells Fargo Advantage Funds account may purchase additional shares of funds or classes of funds within the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds that they already own and redeem existing shares online. For purchases, such account holders must have a bank account linked to their Wells Fargo Advantage Funds account. Redemptions may be deposited into a linked bank account or mailed via check to the shareholder's address of record. Online account access is available for institutional clients. Shareholders should contact Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 or log on at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com for further details. Shareholders who hold their shares in a brokerage account should contact their selling agent.

Extraordinary Circumstances Affecting Redemptions. Under the extraordinary circumstances discussed under Section 22(e) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, we may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment of a redemption for longer than seven days for the Fund. Generally, those extraordinary circumstances are when: (i) the New York Stock Exchange is closed or trading thereon is restricted; (ii) an emergency exists which makes the disposal by the Fund of securities it owns, or the fair determination of the value of the Fund's net assets not reasonable or practical; or (iii) the SEC, by order, permits the suspension of the right of redemption for the protection of shareholders.

Purchases and Redemptions Through Brokers and/or Their Affiliates. A broker may charge transaction fees on the purchase and/or sale of Fund shares in addition to those fees described in the Prospectuses in the Summary of Expenses. The Trust has authorized one or more brokers to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders, and such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Trust's behalf. The Trust will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order for Fund shares when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, receives the order, and such orders will be priced at the Fund's NAV next calculated after they are received by the authorized broker or the broker's designee.

Reduced Sales Charges for Former C&B Portfolio Shareholders. Shareholders who purchased shares of the C&B Portfolios directly from the C&B Portfolios, and who became Wells Fargo Advantage Fund shareholders in the reorganization between the Advisors' Inner Circle Fund and the Trust effective July 26, 2004 may purchase Class A shares of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund and any unnamed shares of WealthBuilder Portfolios at NAV. However, beginning on July 1, 2013, this privilege will only be available to those former C&B Portfolio shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund. Please see your account representative for details.

Reduced Sales Charges for Former Montgomery Fund Shareholders. Former Montgomery Fund Class P and Class R shareholders who purchased their shares directly from the Montgomery Funds and became Wells Fargo Advantage Fund shareholders in the reorganization, may purchase Class A shares of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund, and any unnamed shares of WealthBuilder Portfolios at NAV. However, beginning on July 1, 2013, this privilege will only be available to those former Montgomery Fund shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund. Shareholders who did not purchase such shares directly from the Montgomery Funds may purchase additional shares in the respective acquiring Wells Fargo Advantage Fund at NAV. However, beginning on July 1, 2013, this privilege will only be available to those former Montgomery Fund shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund.

Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Former Evergreen Fund Shareholders. Former Evergreen Class IS shareholders who received Class A shares of a Fund as a result of a reorganization can continue to purchase Class A shares of that Fund and any other Wells Fargo Advantage Fund purchased subsequently by exchange at net asset value, without paying the customary sales load, after which subsequent purchases of shares of the subsequent Fund may also be made at net asset value. However, beginning on July 31, 2012, this privilege will only be available to those former Evergreen Fund shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund.

Former Evergreen Class R shareholders who received Class A shares of a Fund as a result of a reorganization can continue to purchase Class A shares of that Fund and any other Wells Fargo Advantage Fund purchased subsequently by exchange at net asset value, without paying the customary sales load, after which subsequent purchases of shares of the subsequent Fund may also be made at net asset value. However, beginning on July 31, 2012, this privilege will only be available to those former Evergreen Fund shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund. 

Certain investors in acquired funds who became investors in the Evergreen Funds and subsequently became Wells Fargo Advantage Fund shareholders in a reorganization, including former Class IS shareholders of Evergreen Strategic Value Fund and Evergreen Limited Duration Fund, former Investor Class shareholders of Undiscovered Managers Funds, former shareholders of the GMO Global Balanced Allocation Fund, the GMO Pelican Fund and America's Utility Fund, former shareholders of an Atlas Fund and shareholders of record on October 12, 1990 (and members of their immediate families) in any series of the Salem Funds in existence on that date, may purchase Class A shares of any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund, and any unnamed shares of WealthBuilder Portfolios at NAV. However, beginning on July 1, 2013, this privilege will only be available to those former Evergreen Fund shareholders whose shares are held directly with the Fund.

Reduced Sales Charges for Affiliated Funds. Any affiliated fund that invests in a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund may purchase Class A shares of such fund at NAV.

Reduced Sales Charges for Certain Holders of Class C Shares. No CDSC is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares where a fund did not pay a sales commission at the time of purchase.

Investors Eligible to Acquire Class B Shares. Class B shares are closed to new investors and additional investments from existing shareholders, except that existing shareholders of Class B shares may reinvest any distributions into Class B shares and exchange their Class B shares for Class B shares of other Wells Fargo Advantage Funds (as permitted by current exchange privilege rules, except specified persons may acquire Class B shares of a Fund in connection with the closing of a reorganization and except specified persons may acquire Class B shares of a Fund in connection with the closing of a reorganization). No new or subsequent investments, including through automatic investment plans, will be allowed in Class B shares of the Funds, except through a distribution reinvestment or permitted exchange, or in connection with the closing of a reorganization.

Elimination of Minimum Initial Investment Amount for Administrator Class Shares for Eligible Investors. An "Eligible Investor" (as defined below) may purchase Administrator Class shares of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds without meeting the minimum initial investment amount. Eligible Investors include:

Clients of sub-advisers to those Funds which offer an Administrator Class who are clients of such subadvisers at the time of their purchase of such Administrator Class shares;

Clients of Wells Capital Management who are clients of Wells Capital Management at the time of their purchase of Administrator Class shares; and

Clients of Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement Trust (IRT) who are clients of IRT at the time of their purchase of Administrator Class shares.

Related shareholders or shareholder accounts may be aggregated in order to meet the minimum initial investment requirement for Administrator Class shares. The following are examples of relationships that may qualify for aggregation:

Related business entities, including: (i) corporations and their subsidiaries; (ii) general and limited partners; and (iii) other business entities under common ownership or control.

Shareholder accounts that share a common tax-id number.

Accounts over which the shareholder has individual or shared authority to buy or sell shares on behalf of the account (i.e., a trust account or a solely owned business account).

Any of the minimum initial investment waivers listed above may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Elimination of Minimum Initial Investment Amount for Institutional Class Shares for Eligible Investors. An "Eligible Investor" (as defined below) may purchase Institutional Class shares of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds without meeting the minimum initial investment amount. Eligible Investors include:

Clients of sub-advisers to those Funds which offer an Institutional Class who are clients of such sub-advisers at the time of their purchase of such Institutional Class shares;

Clients of Wells Capital Management who are clients of Wells Capital Management at the time of their purchase of Institutional Class shares; and

Clients of Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement Trust (IRT) who are clients of IRT at the time of their purchase of Institutional Class shares.

Related shareholders or shareholder accounts may be aggregated in order to meet the minimum initial investment requirement for Institutional Class shares. The following are examples of relationships that may qualify for aggregation:

Related business entities, including: (i) corporations and their subsidiaries; (ii) general and limited partners; and (iii) other business entities under common ownership or control.

Shareholder accounts that share a common tax-id number.

Accounts over which the shareholder has individual or shared authority to buy or sell shares on behalf of the account (i.e., a trust account or a solely owned business account). 

Former Institutional Class shareholders of an Evergreen Fund (including former Class Y shareholders of an Evergreen Fund, former SouthTrust shareholders and former Vestaur Securities Fund shareholders who became Institutional Class shareholders of an Evergreen Fund) who received Institutional Class shares of a Wells Fargo Advantage Fund in connection with the reorganization of their Evergreen Fund. Such investors may purchase Institutional Class shares at their former minimum investment amount.

Any of the minimum initial investment waivers listed above may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Waiver of Minimum Initial and Subsequent Investment Amounts for All Share Classes for Special Operational Accounts. Shares of any and all share classes of the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds may be acquired in special operational accounts (as defined below) without meeting the applicable minimum initial or subsequent investment amounts. Special operational accounts are designated accounts held by Funds Management or its affiliate that are used exclusively for addressing operational matters related to shareholder accounts, such as testing of account functions.

Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents. Set forth below is a list of the member firms of FINRA to which the Adviser, the Fund's Distributor or their affiliates made payments out of their revenues in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and their shareholders in the year ending December 31, 2014 ("Additional Payments"). (Such payments are in addition to any amounts paid to such FINRA firms in the form of dealer reallowances or fees for shareholder servicing or distribution. The payments are discussed in further detail in the Prospectuses under the title "Compensation to Dealers and Shareholder Servicing Agents"). Any additions, modifications, or deletions to the member firms identified in this list that have occurred since December 31, 2014, are not reflected: 

FINRA member firms

Academy Securities, Inc.

ADP Broker-Dealer, Inc.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Barclays Capital, Inc.

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc.

DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.

Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

GWFS Equities, Inc.

Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc.

H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc.

Hewitt Financial Services, LLC

Hightower Securities, LLC

ING Investment Advisors LLC

Investacorp, Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

J.J.B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC

J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp

Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.

LPL Financial LLC

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated

Merriman Capital, Inc.

Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

MSCS Financial Services, LLC

Nationwide Investment Services, Corporation

Oak Tree Securities, Inc.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

Pershing LLC

PNC Capital Markets LLC

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

Ross, Sinclaire & Associates, LLC

Securities America, Inc.

Security Distributors, Inc.

State Street Global Markets, LLC

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

TD Ameritrade, Inc.

Treasury Curve, LLC

Triad Advisors, Inc.

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

Wells Fargo Investments, LLC

In addition to member firms of FINRA, Additional Payments are also made to other selling and shareholder servicing agents, and to affiliates of selling and shareholder servicing agents that sell shares of or provide services to the Fund and its shareholders, such as banks, insurance companies and plan administrators. These firms are not included on the list above, although they may be affiliated with companies on the above list.

Also not included on the list above are other subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company who may receive revenue from the Adviser, the Fund's Distributor or their affiliates through intra-company compensation arrangements and for financial, distribution, administrative and operational services.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Portfolio Turnover. The portfolio turnover rate is not a limiting factor when GMO deems portfolio changes appropriate. Changes may be made in the portfolios consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund's whenever such changes are believed to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a Fund's portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. Portfolio turnover generally involves some expenses to the Fund, including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and the reinvestment in other securities. Portfolio turnover may also result in adverse tax consequences to a Fund's shareholders. The table below shows the Fund's portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years shown in the table.

Fund

April 30, 2015

April 30, 20141

September 30, 2013

September 30, 2012

Asset Allocation Fund

0%

1%

0%

1%

Asset Allocation Trust

42%

40%

36%

31%

For the seven months ended April 30, 2014.

Brokerage Commissions. The Fund paid no brokerage commissions during the last three fiscal years.

Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers. The Fund is required to identify any securities of their "regular brokers or dealers" (as defined under the 1940 Act) or of its parents that the Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. As of April 30, 2015, the following Fund held no securities of its regular broker-dealers or of its parents.

FUND EXPENSES

From time to time, Funds Management may waive fees from the Fund in whole or in part. Any such waiver will reduce expenses and, accordingly, have a favorable impact on the Fund's performance.

Except for the expenses borne by Funds Management, the Trust bears all costs of its operations, including the compensation of the Independent Trustees; advisory, shareholder servicing and administration fees; payments pursuant to any Plan; interest charges; taxes; fees and expenses of its independent auditors, legal counsel, transfer agent and distribution disbursing agent; expenses of redeeming shares; expenses of preparing and printing prospectuses (except the expense of printing and mailing prospectuses used for promotional purposes, unless otherwise payable pursuant to a Plan), shareholders' reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; insurance premiums and certain expenses relating to insurance coverage; trade association membership dues (including membership dues in the Investment Company Institute allocable to the Fund); brokerage and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; fees and expenses of its custodian, including those for keeping books and accounts and calculating the NAV per share of the Fund; expenses of shareholders' meetings; expenses relating to the issuance, registration and qualification of the Fund's shares; pricing services, organizational expenses and any extraordinary expenses. Expenses attributable to the Fund are charged against Fund assets. General expenses of the Trust are allocated among all of the series of the Trust, including the Fund, in a manner proportionate to the net assets of the Fund, on a transactional basis, or on such other basis as the Trust's Board deems equitable.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in each Prospectus entitled "Taxes." Each Prospectus generally describes the U.S. federal income tax treatment of distributions by the Funds. This section of the SAI provides additional information concerning U.S. federal income taxes. It is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this SAI and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect. Except as specifically set forth below, the following discussion does not address any state, local or foreign tax matters.

A shareholder's tax treatment may vary depending upon the shareholder's particular situation. This discussion applies only to shareholders holding Fund shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Code. A shareholder may also be subject to special rules not discussed below if they are a certain kind of shareholder, including, but not limited to: an insurance company; a tax-exempt organization; a financial institution or broker-dealer; a person who is neither a citizen nor resident of the United States or entity that is not organized under the laws of the United States or political subdivision thereof; a shareholder who holds Fund shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction; or an entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors in such an entity.

The Trust has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") as to the U.S. federal income tax matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. In addition, the following discussion and the discussions in each Prospectus applicable to each shareholder address only some of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally affecting investments in the Funds. Prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers and financial planners regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in a Fund, the application of state, local or foreign laws, and the effect of any possible changes in applicable tax laws on their investment in the Funds.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. It is intended that each Fund qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of Subtitle A, Chapter 1 of the Code. Each Fund will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the Code applicable to RICs generally will apply separately to each Fund even though each Fund is a series of the Trust. Furthermore, each Fund will separately determine its income, gains, losses and expenses for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In order to qualify as a RIC under the Code, each Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year generally from (i) dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, and other income attributable to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, as defined in the Code. Future U.S. Treasury regulations may (possibly retroactively) exclude from qualifying income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to a Fund's principal business of investing in stock, securities or options and futures with respect to stock or securities. In general, for purposes of this 90% gross income requirement, income derived from a partnership, except a qualified publicly traded partnership, will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized by the RIC.

Each Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the fair market value of its assets consists of (A) cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs, and (B) securities of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (A)) to the extent such securities do not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and do not exceed 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets consists of the securities of any one issuer (other than those described in clause (i)(A)), the securities of two or more issuers the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. In addition, for purposes of meeting this diversification requirement, the term "outstanding voting securities of such issuer" includes the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. The qualifying income and diversification requirements applicable to a Fund may limit the extent to which it can engage in transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements.

If the Fund fails to satisfy the qualifying income or diversification requirements in any taxable year, the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the diversification requirements where the Fund corrects the failure within a specified period. If the applicable relief provisions are not available or cannot be met, such Fund will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, described below.

In addition, with respect to each taxable year, the Fund generally must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, which generally includes its ordinary income and the excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long- term capital loss, and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income earned for the taxable year. If the Fund meets all of the RIC qualification requirements, it generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any of the investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) it distributes to its shareholders. For this purpose, the Fund generally must make the distributions in the same year that it realizes the income and gain, although in certain circumstances, the Fund may make the distributions in the following taxable year. Shareholders generally are taxed on any distributions from the Fund in the year they are actually distributed. However, if the Fund declares a distribution to shareholders of record in October, November or December of one year and pays the distribution by January 31 of the following year, the Fund and its shareholders will be treated as if the Fund paid the distribution by December 31 of the first taxable year. The Fund intends to distribute its net income and gain in a timely manner to maintain its status as a RIC and eliminate fund-level U.S. federal income taxation of such income and gain. However, no assurance can be given that the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation.

Moreover, the Fund may retain for investment all or a portion of its net capital gain. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to a tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a written statement furnished to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gain included in the shareholder's gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance that it will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

If, for any taxable year, the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC, and is not eligible for relief as described above, it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation without any deduction for its distributions to shareholders, and all distributions from the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits (including any distributions of its net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gain) to its shareholders will be taxable as dividend income. To re-qualify to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent year, the Fund may be required to distribute to its shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years reduced by an interest charge on 50% of such earnings and profits payable by the Fund to the IRS. In addition, if the Fund initially qualifies as a RIC but subsequently fails to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund generally would be required to recognize and pay tax on any net unrealized gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or, alternatively, to be subject to tax on such unrealized gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to re-qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year.

Equalization Accounting. The Fund may use the so-called "equalization method" of accounting to allocate a portion of its "earnings and profits," which generally equals the Fund's undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain, with certain adjustments, to redemption proceeds. This method permits the Fund to achieve more balanced distributions for both continuing and redeeming shareholders. Although using this method generally will not affect the Fund's total returns, it may reduce the amount that the Fund would otherwise distribute to continuing shareholders by reducing the effect of redemptions of Fund shares on Fund distributions to shareholders. However, the IRS may not have expressly sanctioned the particular equalization method used by the Fund, and thus the Fund's use of this method may be subject to IRS scrutiny.

Capital Loss Carry-Forwards. For net capital losses realized in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss to offset its capital gain, if any, realized during the eight years following the year of the loss, and such capital loss carry-forward is treated as a short-term capital loss in the year to which it is carried. For net capital losses realized in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the Fund is permitted to carry forward a net capital loss to offset its capital gain indefinitely. For capital losses realized in taxable years beginning after January 1, 2011, the excess of the Fund's net short-term capital loss over its net long-term capital gain is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year and the excess of the Fund's net long-term capital loss over its net short-term capital gain is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. If future capital gain is offset by carried-forward capital losses, such future capital gain is not subject to fund-level U.S. federal income tax, regardless of whether it is distributed to shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund does not expect to distribute any such offsetting capital gain. The Fund cannot carry back or carry forward any net operating losses.

If a Fund engages in a reorganization, either as an acquiring fund or acquired fund, its capital loss carry-forwards (if any), its unrealized losses (if any), and any such losses of other funds participating in the reorganization may be subject to severe limitations that could make such losses, in particular losses realized in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, substantially unusable. The Funds have engaged in reorganizations in the past and/or may engage in reorganizations in the future.

Excise Tax. If a Fund fails to distribute by December 31 of each calendar year at least the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for that year (excluding capital gains and losses), 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain net ordinary losses) for the 12-month period ending on October 31 of that year, and any of its ordinary income and capital gain net income from previous years that was not distributed during such years, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S federal excise tax on the undistributed amounts (other than to the extent of its tax-exempt interest income, if any). For these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate level U.S. federal income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund generally intends to actually, or be deemed to, distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and capital gain net income, if any, by the end of each calendar year and thus expects not to be subject to the excise tax. However, no assurance can be given that a Fund will not be subject to the excise tax. Moreover, each Fund reserves the right to pay an excise tax rather than make an additional distribution when circumstances warrant (for example, the amount of excise tax to be paid by a Fund is determined to be de minimis).

Investment through Master Portfolio. A Fund that invests its assets through one or more master portfolios will seek to continue to qualify as a RIC. Each master portfolio will be treated as a non-publicly traded partnership (or, in the event that a Fund is the sole investor in the corresponding master portfolio, as disregarded from the Fund) for U.S. federal income tax purposes rather than as a RIC or a corporation under the Code. Under the rules applicable to a non-publicly traded partnership (or disregarded entity), a proportionate share of any interest, dividends, gains and losses of a master portfolio will be deemed to have been realized (i.e., "passed-through") to its investors, including the corresponding Fund, regardless of whether any amounts are actually distributed by the master portfolio. Each investor in a master portfolio will be taxed on such share, as determined in accordance with the governing instruments of the particular master portfolio, the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations, in determining such investor's U.S. federal income tax liability. Therefore, to the extent a master portfolio were to accrue but not distribute any income or gains, the corresponding Fund would be deemed to have realized its proportionate share of such income or gains without receipt of any corresponding distribution. However, each of the master portfolios will seek to minimize recognition by its investors (such as a corresponding Fund) of income and gains without a corresponding distribution. Furthermore, each master portfolio intends to manage its assets, income and distributions in such a way that an investor in a master portfolio will be able to continue to qualify as a RIC by investing its assets through the master portfolio.

Taxation of Investments. In general, realized gains or losses on the sale of securities held by a Fund will be treated as capital gains or losses, and long-term capital gains or losses if the Fund has held the disposed securities for more than one year at the time of disposition.

If a Fund purchases a debt obligation with original issue discount ("OID") (generally, a debt obligation with a purchase price at original issuance less than its principal amount, such as a zero-coupon bond), which generally includes "payment-in-kind" or "PIK" bonds, the Fund generally is required to annually include in its taxable income a portion of the OID as ordinary income, even though the Fund may not receive cash payments attributable to the OID until a later date, potentially until maturity or disposition of the obligation. A portion of the OID includible in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate discount obligations may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Similarly, if a Fund purchases a debt obligation with market discount (generally a debt obligation with a purchase price after original issuance less than its principal amount (reduced by any OID)), the Fund generally is required to annually include in its taxable income a portion of the market discount as ordinary income, even though the Acquiring Fund may not receive cash payments attributable to the market discount until a later date, potentially until maturity or disposition of the obligation. A Fund generally will be required to make distributions to shareholders representing the OID or market discount income on debt obligations that is currently includible in income, even though the cash representing such income may not have been received by a Fund. Cash to pay such distributions may be obtained from sales proceeds of securities held by the Fund which a Fund otherwise might have continued to hold; obtaining such cash might be disadvantageous for the Fund.

If a Fund invests in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default, special tax issues may exist for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID, or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as, and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

If an option granted by a Fund is sold, lapses or is otherwise terminated through a closing transaction, such as a repurchase by the Fund of the option from its holder, the Fund will realize a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the premium income is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund in the closing transaction. Some capital losses realized by a Fund in the sale, exchange, exercise, or other disposition of an option may be deferred if they result from a position that is part of a "straddle," discussed below. If securities are sold by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a covered call option granted by it, the Fund generally will add the premium received to the sale price of the securities delivered in determining the amount of gain or loss on the sale. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option granted by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased.

Some regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency contracts, and non-equity, listed options used by a Fund will be deemed "Section 1256 contracts." A Fund will be required to "mark-to-market" any such contracts held at the end of the taxable year by treating them as if they had been sold on the last day of that year at market value. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on all dispositions of Section 1256 contracts, including deemed dispositions under the "mark-to-market" rule, generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the remaining 40% will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary income or loss (as described below). These provisions may require a Fund to recognize income or gains without a concurrent receipt of cash. Transactions that qualify as designated hedges are exempt from the mark-to-market rule and the "60%/40%" rule and may require the Fund to defer the recognition of losses on certain futures contracts, foreign currency contracts and non-equity options.

Foreign currency gains and losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency- denominated debt obligations, certain options, futures contracts, forward contracts, and similar instruments relating to foreign currency, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains and losses to be treated as ordinary income or loss and may affect the amount and timing of recognition of the Fund's income. Under future U.S. Treasury regulations, any such transactions that are not directly related to a Fund's investments in stock or securities (or its options contracts or futures contracts with respect to stock or securities) may have to be limited in order to enable the Fund to satisfy the 90% income test described above. If the net foreign currency loss exceeds a Fund's net investment company taxable income (computed without regard to such loss) for a taxable year, the resulting ordinary loss for such year will not be deductible by the Fund or its shareholders in future years.

Offsetting positions held by a Fund involving certain derivative instruments, such as financial forward, futures, and options contracts, may be considered, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to constitute "straddles." "Straddles" are defined to include "offsetting positions" in actively traded personal property. The tax treatment of "straddles" is governed by Section 1092 of the Code which, in certain circumstances, overrides or modifies the provisions of Section 1256. If a Fund is treated as entering into a "straddle" and at least one (but not all) of the Fund's positions in derivative contracts comprising a part of such straddle is governed by Section 1256 of the Code, described above, then such straddle could be characterized as a "mixed straddle." A Fund may make one or more elections with respect to "mixed straddles." Depending upon which election is made, if any, the results with respect to a Fund may differ. Generally, to the extent the straddle rules apply to positions established by a Fund, losses realized by the Fund may be deferred to the extent of unrealized gain in any offsetting positions. Moreover, as a result of the straddle rules, short-term capital loss on straddle positions may be recharacterized as long-term capital loss, and long-term capital gain may be characterized as short-term capital gain. In addition, the existence of a straddle may affect the holding period of the offsetting positions. As a result, the straddle rules could cause distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income (defined below) to fail to satisfy the applicable holding period requirements (described below) and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income. Furthermore, the Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than deduct currently, any interest expense and carrying charges applicable to a position that is part of a straddle, including any interest expense on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry any positions that are part of a straddle. Because the application of the straddle rules may affect the character and timing of gains and losses from affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to the situation where a Fund had not engaged in such transactions.

If a Fund enters into a "constructive sale" of any appreciated financial position in stock, a partnership interest, or certain debt instruments, the Fund will be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and must recognize gain (but not loss) with respect to that position. A constructive sale of an appreciated financial position occurs when a Fund enters into certain offsetting transactions with respect to the same or substantially identical property, including: (i) a short sale; (ii) an offsetting notional principal contract; (iii) a futures or forward contract; or (iv) other transactions identified in future U.S. Treasury regulations. The character of the gain from constructive sales will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the appreciated financial position. Losses realized from a sale of a position that was previously the subject of a constructive sale will be recognized when the position is subsequently disposed of. The character of such losses will depend upon a Fund's holding period in the position and the application of various loss deferral provisions in the Code. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to certain closed transactions, including if such a transaction is closed on or before the 30th day after the close of the Fund's taxable year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged throughout the 60-day period beginning with the day such transaction was closed.

The amount of long-term capital gain a Fund may recognize from certain derivative transactions with respect to interests in certain pass-through entities is limited under the Code's constructive ownership rules. The amount of long-term capital gain is limited to the amount of such gain a Fund would have had if the Fund directly invested in the pass-through entity during the term of the derivative contract. Any gain in excess of this amount is treated as ordinary income. An interest charge is imposed on the amount of gain that is treated as ordinary income.

In addition, a Fund's transactions in securities and certain types of derivatives (e.g., options, futures contracts, forward contracts, and swap agreements) may be subject to other special tax rules, such as the wash sale rules or the short sale rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments to the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, and/or convert short-term capital losses into long- term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders.

Rules governing the U.S. federal income tax aspects of derivatives, including swap agreements, are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain respects, particularly in light of IRS revenue rulings that held that income from a derivative contract with respect to a commodity index is not qualifying income for a RIC. Accordingly, while each Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner it deems appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment. If it did not, the status of a Fund as a RIC might be jeopardized. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for each Fund to qualify as a RIC may limit the extent to which a Fund will be able to engage in derivatives transactions.

A Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). Investments in REIT equity securities may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, the Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold. A Fund's investments in REIT equity securities may at other times result in the Fund's receipt of cash in excess of the REIT's earnings if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by the Fund from a REIT generally will not constitute qualified dividend income and will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction.

A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") or in other interests that may be treated as taxable mortgage pools ("TMPs") for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under IRS guidance, a Fund must allocate "excess inclusion income" received directly or indirectly from REMIC residual interests or TMPs to its shareholders in proportion to dividends paid to such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders had invested in the REMIC residual interests or TMPs directly.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) constitutes unrelated business taxable income to Keogh, 401(k) and qualified pension plans, as well as investment retirement accounts and certain other tax exempt entities, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, does not qualify for any reduction, by treaty or otherwise, in the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a "disqualified organization" (as defined in the Code) is a record holder of a share in a Fund, then the Fund will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the highest federal corporate income tax rate. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, a Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable disqualified organization, and thus reduce such shareholder's distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder's interest in the Fund. The Funds have not yet determined whether such an election will be made.

"Passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") are generally defined as foreign corporations with respect to which at least 75% of their gross income for their taxable year is income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or at least 50% of their assets on average produce such passive income. If a Fund acquires any equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest charges on "excess distributions" received from the PFIC or on gain from the sale of such equity interest in the PFIC, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. Excess distributions will be characterized as ordinary income even though, absent the application of PFIC rules, some excess distributions may have been classified as capital gain.

A Fund will not be permitted to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for taxes and interest charges incurred with respect to PFICs. Elections may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require a Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. Investments in PFICs could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Funds may attempt to limit and/or manage their holdings in PFICs to minimize their tax liability or maximize their returns from these investments but there can be no assurance that they will be able to do so. Moreover, because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC in advance of acquiring shares in the corporation, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

In addition to the investments described above, prospective shareholders should be aware that other investments made by the Funds may involve complex tax rules that may result in income or gain recognition by the Funds without corresponding current cash receipts. Although the Funds seek to avoid significant non-cash income, such non-cash income could be recognized by the Funds, in which case the Funds may distribute cash derived from other sources in order to meet the minimum distribution requirements described above. In this regard, the Funds could be required at times to liquidate investments prematurely in order to satisfy their minimum distribution requirements.

Taxation of Distributions. Except for exempt-interest dividends (defined below) paid out by "Tax-Free Funds", distributions paid out of a Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined at the end of the year), whether paid in cash or reinvested in the Fund, generally are deemed to be taxable distributions and must be reported by each shareholder who is required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Dividends and distributions on a Fund's shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund's realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder's investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares acquired at a time when the Fund's net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Fund's earnings and profits, described above, are determined at the end of the Fund's taxable year and are allocated pro rata to distributions paid over the entire year. Distributions in excess of a Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be treated as a return of capital up to the amount of a shareholder's tax basis in the shareholder's Fund shares and then as capital gain. A Fund may make distributions in excess of its earnings and profits, from time to time.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income, and distributions of gains from the sale of investments that a Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions properly designated by a Fund as capital gain dividends will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such distributions do not exceed the Fund's net capital gain for the taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares, and do not qualify as dividends for purposes of the dividends-received deduction or as qualified dividend income. Each Fund will report capital gain dividends, if any, in a written statement furnished to its shareholders after the close of the Fund's taxable year.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may result in foreign exchange gain or loss on transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations, and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts. Such gains or losses are generally characterized as ordinary income or loss for tax purposes. The Fund must make certain distributions in order to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company, and the timing of and character of transactions such as foreign currency-related gains and losses may result in the fund paying a distribution treated as a return of capital. Such distribution is nontaxable to the extent of the recipient's basis in its shares.

Some states will not tax distributions made to individual shareholders that are attributable to interest a Fund earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government if the Fund meets the state's minimum investment or reporting requirements, if any. Investments in GNMA or FNMA securities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities generally do not qualify for tax-free treatment. This exemption may not apply to corporate shareholders.

Sales and Exchanges of Fund Shares. If a shareholder sells, pursuant to a cash or in-kind redemption, or exchanges the shareholder's Fund shares, subject to the discussion below, the shareholder generally will recognize a taxable capital gain or loss on the difference between the amount received for the shares (or deemed received in the case of an exchange) and the shareholder's tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held such Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange, and short-term otherwise.

If a shareholder sells or exchanges Fund shares within 90 days of having acquired such shares and if, before January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year of the sale or exchange, as a result of having initially acquired those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced sales charge on a new purchase of shares of the Fund or a different RIC, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the Fund's shares generally shall not be taken into account (to the extent the previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges on the new purchase) for the purpose of determining the amount of gain or loss on the disposition, but generally will be treated as having been incurred in the new purchase. Also, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on a disposition of Fund shares, the loss will be disallowed under the "wash sale" rules to the extent the shareholder purchases substantially identical shares within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. Any disallowed loss generally will be reflected in an adjustment to the tax basis of the purchased shares.

If a shareholder receives a capital gain dividend with respect to any Fund share and such Fund share is held for six months or less, then (unless otherwise disallowed) any loss on the sale or exchange of that Fund share will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the capital gain dividend. If such loss is incurred from the redemption of shares pursuant to a periodic redemption plan then U.S. Treasury regulations may permit an exception to this six-month rule. No such regulations have been issued as of the date of this SAI.

In addition, if a shareholder of a Tax-Free Fund holds such Fund shares for six months or less, any loss on the sale or exchange of those shares will be disallowed to the extent of the amount of exempt-interest dividends (defined below) received with respect to the shares. If such loss is incurred from the redemption of shares pursuant to a periodic redemption plan then U.S. Treasury regulations may permit an exception to this six-month rule. Such a loss will also not be disallowed where the loss is incurred with respect to shares of a Fund that declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90% of its net-tax exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly, or more frequent, basis. Additionally, where a Fund regularly distributes at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest, if any, the Treasury Department is authorized to issue regulations reducing the six month holding period requirement to a period of not less than the greater of 31 days or the period between regular distributions. No such regulations have been issued as of the date of this filing.

Foreign Taxes. Amounts realized by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to file an annual election with the IRS pursuant to which the Fund may pass-through to its shareholders on a pro rata basis certain foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund, and such taxes may be claimed, subject to certain limitations, either as a tax credit or deduction by the shareholders. However, even if a Fund qualifies for the election for any year, it may not make the election for such year. If a Fund does not so elect, then shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid or withheld. If a Fund does elect to "pass through" its foreign taxes paid in a taxable year, the Fund will furnish a written statement to its shareholders reporting such shareholders proportionate share of the Funds' foreign taxes paid.

Even if a Fund qualifies for the election, foreign income and similar taxes will only pass through to the Fund's shareholders if the Fund and its shareholders meet certain holding period requirements. Specifically, (i) the shareholders must have held the Fund shares for at least 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days prior to the date upon which the shareholders became entitled to receive Fund distributions corresponding with the pass through of such foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and (ii) with respect to dividends received by the Fund on foreign shares giving rise to such foreign taxes, the Fund must have held the shares for at least 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days prior to the date upon which the Fund became entitled to the dividend. These holding periods increase for certain dividends on preferred stock. A Fund may choose not to make the election if the Fund has not satisfied its holding requirement.

If a Fund makes the election, the Fund will not be permitted to claim a credit or deduction for foreign taxes paid in that year, and the Fund's dividends-paid deduction will be increased by the amount of foreign taxes paid that year. Fund shareholders that have satisfied the holding period requirements and certain other requirements shall include their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund in their gross income and treat that amount as paid by them for the purpose of the foreign tax credit or deduction. If the shareholder claims a credit for foreign taxes paid, the credit will be limited to the extent it exceeds the shareholder's federal income tax attributable to foreign source taxable income. If the credit is attributable, wholly or in part, to qualified dividend income (as defined below), special rules will be used to limit the credit in a manner that reflects any resulting dividend rate differential.

In general, an individual with $300 or less of creditable foreign taxes may elect to be exempt from the foreign source taxable income and qualified dividend income limitations if the individual has no foreign source income other than qualified passive income. This $300 threshold is increased to $600 for joint filers. A deduction for foreign taxes paid may only be claimed by shareholders that itemize their deductions.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates. Noncorporate Fund shareholders (i.e., individuals, trusts and estates) are taxed at a maximum rate of 39.6% on ordinary income and 20% on long-term capital gain for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.

In general, "qualified dividend income" realized by noncorporate Fund shareholders is taxable at the same rate as net capital gain. Generally, qualified dividend income is dividend income attributable to certain U.S. and foreign corporations, as long as certain holding period requirements are met. After this date, all dividend income generally will be taxed at the same rate as ordinary income. If 95% or more of a Fund's gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) constitutes qualified dividend income, all of its distributions (other than capital gain dividends) will be generally treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of individual shareholders, as long as they have owned their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund's ex-dividend date (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date). In general, if less than 95% of a Fund's income is attributable to qualified dividend income, then only the portion of the Fund's distributions that is attributable to qualified dividend income and designated as such in a timely manner will be so treated in the hands of individual shareholders. Payments received by a Fund from securities lending, repurchase, and other derivative transactions ordinarily will not qualify. The rules attributable to the qualification of Fund distributions as qualified dividend income are complex, including the holding period requirements. Individual Fund shareholders therefore are urged to consult their own tax advisers and financial planners. Income and bond Funds typically do not distribute significant amounts of "qualified dividend income" eligible for reductions in individual U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to certain dividend income.

The maximum stated corporate U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and net capital gain is 35%. Actual marginal tax rates may be higher for some shareholders, for example, through reductions in deductions. Distributions from an Income Fund generally will not qualify for the "dividends-received deduction" applicable to corporate shareholders with respect to certain dividends. Distributions from an Equity Fund may qualify for the "dividends-received deduction" applicable to corporate shareholders with respect to certain dividends. Naturally, the amount of tax payable by any taxpayer will be affected by a combination of tax laws covering, for example, deductions, credits, deferrals, exemptions, sources of income and other matters. U.S. federal income tax rates are set to increase in future years under various "sunset" provisions of U.S. federal income tax laws.

Under recently enacted legislation, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, noncorporate Fund shareholders generally will be subject to a 3.8% tax on their "net investment income," which ordinarily includes taxable distributions received from the Funds and taxable gain on the disposition of Fund shares.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate will be imposed on dividends and proceeds of sales in respect of Fund shares received by Fund shareholders who own their shares through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. The Funds will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

Backup Withholding. A Fund is generally required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain exemptions (such as for certain corporate or foreign shareholders), an amount equal to 28% of all distributions and redemption proceeds (including proceeds from exchanges and redemptions in-kind) paid or credited to a Fund shareholder if (i) the shareholder fails to furnish the Fund with a correct "taxpayer identification number" ("TIN"), (ii) the shareholder fails to certify under penalties of perjury that the TIN provided is correct, (iii) the shareholder fails to make certain other certifications, or (iv) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder's TIN is incorrect or that the shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax imposed on the shareholder. The shareholder may apply amounts withheld as a credit against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. If a shareholder fails to furnish a valid TIN upon request, the shareholder can also be subject to IRS penalties. A shareholder may generally avoid backup withholding by furnishing a properly completed IRS Form W-9. State backup withholding may also be required to be withheld by the Funds under certain circumstances.

Corporate Shareholders. Subject to limitation and other rules, a corporate shareholder of a Fund may be eligible for the dividends received deduction on Fund distributions attributable to dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations, which, if received directly by the corporate shareholder, would qualify for such a deduction. For eligible corporate shareholders, the dividends-received deduction may be subject to certain reductions, and a distribution by a Fund attributable to dividends of a domestic corporation will be eligible for the deduction only if certain holding period and other requirements are met. These requirements are complex; therefore, corporate shareholders of the Funds are urged to consult their own tax advisers and financial planners.

Foreign Shareholders. For purposes of this discussion, "foreign shareholders" include: (i) nonresident alien individuals, (ii) foreign trusts (i.e., a trust other than a trust with respect to which a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of that trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control substantial decisions of that trust), (iii) foreign estates (i.e., the income of which is not subject to U.S. tax regardless of source), and (iv) foreign corporations.

Generally, subject to certain exceptions described below, distributions made to foreign shareholders will be subject to non- refundable U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or such lower rate provided under an applicable income tax treaty) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gain, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. However, with respect to certain distributions made to foreign shareholders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, no withholding will be required and the distributions generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) the distributions are reported as "interest related dividends" or "short term capital gain dividends" in a written statement furnished to shareholders (ii) the distributions are derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements are satisfied. No assurance can be given that a Fund would designate any of its distributions as interest related dividends or short term capital gain dividends, even if it is permitted to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, even if a Fund makes a designation with respect to a payment, no assurance can be made that the intermediary will respect such a designation. Capital gains dividends and gains recognized by a foreign shareholder on the redemption of Fund shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding, provided that certain requirements are satisfied. Tax-exempt dividends (described below) paid by a Tax-Free Fund to a foreign shareholders also should be exempt from U.S. federal income tax withholding.

With respect to payments made after December 31, 2013, a withholding tax of 30% will be imposed on dividends from, and the gross proceeds of a disposition of, Fund shares paid to certain foreign entities unless various information reporting requirements are satisfied. Such withholding tax will generally apply to non-U.S. financial institutions, which are generally defined for this purpose as non-U.S. entities that (i) accept deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business, (ii) are engaged in the business of holding financial assets for the account of others, or (iii) are engaged or hold themselves out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, partnership interests, commodities, or any interest in such assets. Prospective foreign shareholders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the implications of this legislation on their investment in a Fund.

Before investing in a Fund's shares, a prospective foreign shareholder should consult with its own tax advisors, including whether the shareholder's investment can qualify for benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

Tax-Deferred Plans. Shares of the Funds may be available for a variety of tax-deferred retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts. However, shares of a Tax-Free Fund may not be suitable for tax-deferred, retirement and other tax-advantaged plans and accounts, since such plans and accounts are generally tax-exempt and, therefore, would not benefit from the tax-exempt status of certain distributions from the Tax-Free Fund (discussed below). Such distributions may ultimately be taxable to the beneficiaries when distributed to them. Prospective investors should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of holding Fund shares through such plans and/or accounts.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. Shares of a Tax-Free Fund may not be suitable for tax-exempt shareholders since such shareholders generally would not benefit from the tax-exempt status of distributions from the Tax-Free Funds (discussed below). Tax-exempt shareholders should contact their tax advisers and financial planners regarding the tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds.

Any investment in residual interests of a collateralized mortgage obligation that has elected to be treated as a REMIC can create complex U.S. federal income tax consequences, especially if a Fund has state or local governments or other tax-exempt organizations as shareholders.

Special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts ("CRTs") (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. CRTs are urged to consult their own tax advisers and financial planners concerning these special tax consequences.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Generally, under U.S. Treasury regulations, if an individual shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more or if a corporate shareholder recognizes a loss of $10 million or more, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of securities are in many cases exempt from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not exempt. Future guidance may extend the current exemption from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Additional Considerations for the Tax-Free Funds. If at least 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of each quarter of its taxable years consists of debt obligations that generate interest exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code, then the Fund may qualify to pass through to its shareholders the tax-exempt character of its income from such debt obligations by paying exempt-interest dividends. The Tax-Free Funds intend to so qualify and are designed to provide shareholders with income exempt from U.S. federal income tax in the form of exempt-interest dividends. "Exempt-interest dividends" are dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a RIC that are properly reported as such in a written statement furnished to shareholders.

Each Tax-Free Fund will report to its shareholders the portion of the distributions for the taxable year that constitutes exempt-interest dividends. The designated portion cannot exceed the excess of the amount of interest excludable from gross income under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code received by a Tax-Free Fund during the taxable year over any amounts disallowed as deductions under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry shares of the Tax-Free Funds will not be deductible to the extent that the Tax-Free Funds' distributions are exempt from U.S. federal income tax. In addition, an investment in a Tax-Free Fund may result in liability for U.S. federal alternative minimum tax ("AMT"). Certain deductions and exemptions have been designated "tax preference items" which must be added back to taxable income for purposes of calculating the U.S. federal AMT. Tax preference items include tax-exempt interest on certain "private activity bonds." To the extent a Tax-Free Fund invests in certain private activity bonds, its shareholders will be required to report that portion of the Fund's distributions attributable to income from the bonds as a tax preference item in determining their U.S. federal AMT, if any. Shareholders will be notified of the tax status of distributions made by a Tax-Free Fund.

Persons who may be "substantial users" (or "related persons" of substantial users) of facilities financed by private activity bonds should consult their tax advisers before purchasing shares in a Tax-Free Fund. Furthermore, shareholders will not be permitted to deduct any of their share of a Tax-Free Fund's expenses in computing their U.S. federal AMT. In addition, exempt-interest dividends paid by a Tax-Free Fund to a corporate shareholder are included in the shareholder's "adjusted current earnings" as part of its U.S. federal AMT calculation, and may also affect its U.S. federal "environmental tax" liability. As of the date of this filing, individuals are subject to the U.S. federal AMT at a maximum rate of 28% and corporations are subject to the U.S. federal AMT at a maximum rate of 20%. Shareholders with questions or concerns about the U.S. federal AMT should consult own their own tax advisers.

The IRS is paying increased attention to whether debt obligations intended to produce interest exempt from U.S. federal income tax in fact meet the requirements for such exemption. Ordinarily, the Tax-Free Funds rely on opinions from the issuer's bond counsel that interest on the issuer's debt obligation will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax. However, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge such exemption, which could cause interest on the debt obligation to be taxable and could jeopardize a Tax-Free Fund's ability to pay any exempt-interest dividends. Similar challenges may occur as to state-specific exemptions.

A shareholder who receives Social Security or railroad retirement benefits should consult the shareholder's own tax adviser to determine what effect, if any, an investment in a Tax-Free Fund may have on the U.S. federal taxation of such benefits. Exempt-interest dividends are included in income for purposes of determining the amount of benefits that are taxable.

Distributions of a Tax-Free Fund's income other than exempt-interest dividends generally will be taxable to shareholders. Gains realized by a Tax-Free Fund on the sale or exchange of investments that generate tax-exempt income will also be taxable to shareholders.

Although exempt-interest dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax, there may not be a similar exemption under the laws of a particular state or local taxing jurisdiction. Thus, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to state and local taxes. You should consult your own tax advisor to discuss the tax consequences of your investment in a Tax-Free Fund.

Legislative Proposals. Prospective shareholders should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Funds and their shareholders may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative actions at any time, which may be retroactive in effect. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by Congress, the IRS and the Treasury Department, and statutory changes as well as promulgation of new regulations, revisions to existing statutes, and revised interpretations of established concepts occur frequently. You should consult your advisors concerning the status of legislative proposals that may pertain to holding Fund shares.

Cost Basis Reporting

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and provisions from the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 require each Fund or its delegate to report cost basis information to shareholders and the Internal Revenue Service for 1099-B reportable redemptions of covered Fund shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012 are generally treated as covered shares. Shares purchased before January 1, 2012 or shares without complete cost basis information are generally treated as noncovered shares.

Fund shareholders should consult their tax advisors to obtain more information about how the new cost basis rules apply to them and determine which cost basis method allowed by the Internal Revenue Service is best for their tax situation. Methods allowed by the IRS include, but are not limited to:

Average Cost. The cost per share is determined by dividing the aggregate cost amount by the total shares in the account. The basis of the shares redeemed is determined by multiplying the shares redeemed by the cost per share. Starting in 2012, accounts may maintain two separate average costs: one average for covered shares and a separate average for noncovered shares. Under the Average Cost method, noncovered shares are generally depleted first.

First in first out (FIFO). Shares acquired first in the shareholder's account are the first shares depleted and determine the shareholder's cost basis. The basis of the shares redeemed is determined by the adjusted purchase price of each date the shares were acquired.

Specific Identification. A shareholder selects the shares to be redeemed from any of the purchase lots that still have shares remaining. The basis of the shares redeemed is determined by the adjusted purchase price of each date the shares were acquired.

In the absence of a shareholder method election, the Fund will apply its default method, Average Cost. If the Average Cost method is applied either by default or at the shareholder's election, the shareholder's ability to change such election once a sale occurs will be limited under the IRS rules. After an election has been made, but before a disposition of shares occurs, a shareholder may make a retroactive change to an alternate method. The cost basis method a shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption of shares after the settlement date of the redemption. At any time, a shareholder may designate a new election for future purchases.

Redemptions of noncovered shares (shares acquired prior to January 1, 2012) will continue to be reported using the Average Cost method, if available, and will not be reported to the IRS.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Trusts and Funds Management have adopted policies and procedures ("Proxy Voting Procedures") that are used to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds of the Trusts. The Proxy Voting Procedures are designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders, without regard to any relationship that any affiliated person of the Fund (or an affiliated person of such affiliated person) may have with the issuer of the security.

The responsibility for voting proxies relating to the Funds' portfolio securities has been delegated to Funds Management. In accordance with the Proxy Voting Procedures, Funds Management exercises its voting responsibility with the goal of maximizing value to shareholders consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each Fund. While each Fund does not purchase securities to exercise control or to seek to effect corporate change through share ownership, it supports sound corporate governance practices within companies in which it invests and reflects that support through its proxy voting process.

Funds Management has established a Proxy Voting Committee (the "Proxy Committee") that is responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process and ensuring that the voting process is implemented in conformance with the Proxy Voting Procedures. Funds Management has retained an independent, unaffiliated nationally recognized proxy voting company as proxy voting agent. The Proxy Committee monitors the proxy voting agent and the voting process and, in certain situations, votes proxies or directs the proxy voting agent how to vote.

The Proxy Voting Procedures set out guidelines regarding how Funds Management and the proxy voting agent will vote proxies. Where the guidelines specify a particular vote on a particular matter, the proxy voting agent handles the proxy, generally without further involvement by the Proxy Committee. Where the guidelines specify a case-by-case determination, the proxy voting agent forwards the proxy to the Proxy Committee for a vote determination by the Proxy Committee. To the extent the guidelines do not address a proxy voting proposal, Funds Management will vote pursuant to the proxy voting agent's current U.S. and International proxy voting guidelines. In addition, even where the guidelines specify a particular vote, the Proxy Committee may exercise a discretionary vote if it determines that a case-by-case review of a particular matter is warranted. As a general matter, proxies are voted consistently in the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple Funds of the Trusts.

The Proxy Voting Procedures set forth Funds Management's general position on various proposals, such as: 

Routine Items – Funds Management will generally vote for uncontested director or trustee nominees, changes in company name, and other procedural matters related to annual meetings. 

Corporate Governance – Funds Management will generally vote for charter and bylaw amendments proposed solely to conform with modern business practices or for purposes of simplification or to comply with what management's counsel interprets as applicable law. 

Anti-Takeover Matters – Funds Management generally will vote for proposals that require shareholder ratification of poison pills, and on a case-by-case basis on proposals to redeem a company's poison pill. 

Mergers/Acquisitions and Corporate Restructurings – Funds Management's Proxy Committee will examine these items on a case-by-case basis. 

Shareholder Rights – Funds Management will generally vote against proposals that may restrict shareholder rights.

Capital Structure Changes - Funds Management will follow the proxy voting agent's capital structure model in evaluating requested increases in authorized common stock. In addition, even if capital requests of less than or equal to 300% of outstanding shares fail the calculated allowable cap, Funds Management will vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with a transaction on the same ballot that warrants support.

Executive and Director Compensation Plans - Funds Management will analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals on executive or director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of shareholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value.

Disclosure on Executive or Director Compensation Cap or Restrict Executive or Director Compensation - Funds Management will generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring companies to report on their executive retirement benefits (deferred compensation, split-dollar life insurance, SERPs, and pension benefits. Funds Management will generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote, unless the company's executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans. Funds Management will generally vote against proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.

In all cases where the Proxy Committee makes the decision regarding how a particular proxy should be voted, the Proxy Committee exercises its voting discretion in accordance with the voting philosophy of the Funds and in the best interests of Fund shareholders. In deciding how to vote, the Proxy Committee may rely on independent research, input and recommendations from third parties including independent proxy services, other independent sources, sub-advisers, company managements and shareholder groups as part of its decision-making process.

In most cases, any potential conflicts of interest involving Funds Management or any affiliate regarding a proxy are avoided through the strict and objective application of the Fund's voting guidelines. However, when the Proxy Committee is aware of a material conflict of interest regarding a matter that would otherwise be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Proxy Committee, the Proxy Committee shall address the material conflict by using any of the following methods: (i) instructing the proxy voting agent to vote in accordance with the recommendation it makes to its clients; (ii) disclosing the conflict to the Board and obtaining their consent before voting; (iii) submitting the matter to the Board to exercise its authority to vote on such matter; (iv) engaging an independent fiduciary who will direct the Proxy Committee on voting instructions for the proxy; (v) consulting with outside legal counsel for guidance on resolution of the conflict of interest; (vi) erecting information barriers around the person or persons making voting decisions; (vii) voting in proportion to other shareholders; or (viii) voting in other ways that are consistent with each Fund's obligation to vote in the best interests of its shareholders. Additionally, the Proxy Committee does not permit its votes to be influenced by any conflict of interest that exists for any other affiliated person of the Funds (such as a subadviser or principal underwriter) and the Proxy Committee votes all such matters without regard to the conflict. The Proxy Voting Procedures may reflect voting positions that differ from practices followed by other companies or subsidiaries of Wells Fargo & Company.

While Funds Management uses its best efforts to vote proxies, in certain circumstances it may be impractical or impossible for Funds Management to vote proxies (e.g., limited value or unjustifiable costs). For example, in accordance with local law or business practices, many foreign companies prevent the sales of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting ("share blocking"). Due to these restrictions, Funds Management must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. As a result, Funds Management will generally not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote or compelling economic importance. Additionally, Funds Management may not be able to vote proxies for certain foreign securities if Funds Management does not receive the proxy statement in time to vote the proxies due to custodial processing delays.

As a general matter, securities on loan will not be recalled to facilitate proxy voting (in which case the borrower of the security shall be entitled to vote the proxy). However, if the Proxy Committee is aware of an item in time to recall the security and has determined in good faith that the importance of the matter to be voted upon outweighs the loss in lending revenue that would result from recalling the security (i.e., if there is a controversial upcoming merger or acquisition, or some other significant matter), the security will be recalled for voting.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 may be obtained on the Funds' Web site at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com or by accessing the SEC's Web site at sec.gov.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF FUND PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

Set forth below are the policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of portfolio holdings by the Funds. Please note that Funds Management, the Sub-Advisers, or certain of their affiliates may provide investment advisory services to various other entities, including, but not limited to, registered investment companies, non-U.S. investment vehicles, separate accounts and various other unregistered investment products, many of which may have substantially similar, or in some cases nearly identical, portfolio holdings as the Funds (collectively, "Other Investment Products"). Other Investment Products may be subject to portfolio holdings disclosure policies that are different from those of the Funds, and as a result, may disclose portfolio holdings more frequently or at different times than the Funds.

I. Scope of Policies and Procedures. The following policies and procedures (the "Procedures") govern the disclosure of portfolio holdings and any ongoing arrangements to make available information about portfolio holdings for the separate series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust ("Funds Trust"), Wells Fargo Master Trust ("Master Trust"), Wells Fargo Variable Trust ("Variable Trust") and Asset Allocation Trust (each of Funds Trust, Master Trust, Variable Trust and Asset Allocation Trust referred to collectively herein as the "Funds" or individually as the "Fund") now existing or hereafter created.

II. Disclosure Philosophy. The Funds have adopted these Procedures to ensure that the disclosure of a Fund's portfolio holdings is accomplished in a manner that is consistent with a Fund's fiduciary duty to its shareholders. For purposes of these Procedures, the term "portfolio holdings" means the stock, bonds and derivative positions held by a non-money market Fund and does not include the cash investments held by the Fund. For money market funds, the term "portfolio holdings" includes cash investments, such as investments in repurchase agreements.

Under no circumstances shall Funds Management or the Funds receive any compensation in return for the disclosure of information about a Fund's portfolio securities or for any ongoing arrangements to make available information about a Fund's portfolio securities.

III. Disclosure of Fund Portfolio Holdings. The complete portfolio holdings and top ten holdings information referenced below (except for the Funds of Master Trust, Variable Trust and Asset Allocation Trust) will be available on the Funds' website until updated for the next applicable period. Funds Management may withhold any portion of a Fund's portfolio holdings from online disclosure when deemed to be in the best interest of the Fund. Once holdings information has been posted on the website, it may be further disseminated without restriction.

A. Complete Holdings. The complete portfolio holdings for each Fund (except for money market funds, funds that operate as fund of funds and the specified Alternative Funds as defined below) shall be made publicly available monthly on the Funds' website (wellsfargo.com/advantagefunds), on a one-month delayed basis. Money market Fund portfolio holdings shall be made publicly available on the Fund's website, on a 1-day delayed basis. In addition to the foregoing, each money market Fund shall post on its website, for a period of not less than six months, beginning no later than the fifth business day of the month, a schedule of its investments, as of the last business day of the prior month, that includes the following information required by rule 2a-7(c)(12) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The categories of information included on the website may differ slightly from what is included in the Funds' Statement of Investments.

B. Top Ten Holdings. Top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for each Fund (except for money market funds and specified alternative funds) shall be made publicly available on the Funds' website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis.

C. Fund of Funds Structures.
1. The underlying funds held by a Fund that operates as a fund of funds and invests exclusively in unaffiliated underlying funds or exclusively in a combination of affiliated and unaffiliated underlying funds (in both cases, an "unaffiliated fund of funds") shall be posted to the Funds' website on a monthly, one-month delayed basis.
2. The individual holdings of the underlying funds held by a Fund that operates as a fund of funds and invests exclusively in affiliated underlying funds (an "affiliated fund of funds") shall be posted to the Funds' website on a monthly, one-month delayed basis.
3. A change to the underlying funds held by an affiliated or unaffiliated fund of funds or changes in an affiliated or unaffiliated fund of funds' target allocations between or among its fixed-income and/or equity investments may be posted to the Funds' website simultaneous with the occurrence of the change.

D. Specified Alternative Funds.
The following holdings disclosure policy provisions apply to the Wells Fargo Advantage Alternative Strategies Fund and the Wells Fargo Advantage Global Long/Short Fund (each, an "Alternative Fund" and together, the "Alternative Funds"):
1. Complete Holdings as of Fiscal Quarter Ends. As of each fiscal quarter end, the Alternative Funds' complete portfolio holdings shall be made publicly available quarterly on the Funds' website, on a one-month delayed basis.
2. Holdings as of Other Month Ends. As of each month end other than a month end that coincides with a fiscal quarter end, each Alternative Fund shall make publicly available monthly on the Fund's website, on a one-month delayed basis, the following: (i) all portfolio holdings held long other than any put options on equity securities; (ii) portfolio holdings held short other than short positions in equity securities of single issuers; and (iii) the aggregate dollar value of each of the following: (a) equity securities of single issuers held short, and (b) any put options on equity securities held long.
3. Top Ten Holdings. Each Alternative Fund shall make publicly available on the Fund's website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis information about its top ten holdings information, provided that the following holdings shall be excluded: (i) derivative positions; and (ii) short positions (other than any Publicly Disclosed Short Positions).

Furthermore, as required by the SEC, each Fund shall file its complete portfolio holdings schedule in public filings made with the SEC on a quarterly basis. Each Fund is required to file its complete portfolio schedules for the second and fourth fiscal quarter on Form N-CSR, and each Fund is required to file its complete portfolio schedules for the first and third fiscal quarters on From N-Q, in each instance within 60 days of the end of the Fund's fiscal quarter. Through Form N-CSR and Form N-Q filings made with the SEC, the Funds' full portfolio holdings will be publicly available to shareholders on a quarterly basis. Such filings shall be made on or shortly before the 60th day following the end of a fiscal quarter. In addition, each money market Fund is required to file with the SEC by the fifth business day of each month, a report on Form N-MFP of portfolio holdings that is current as of the last business day of the previous month; the SEC makes each Form N-MFP publicly available on a delayed basis (presently 60 days after the end of the month to which the information in the report relates).

Each Fund's complete portfolio schedules for the second and fourth fiscal quarter, required to be filed on Form N-CSR, shall be delivered to shareholders in the Fund's semi- annual and annual reports. Each Fund's complete portfolio schedule for the first and third fiscal quarters, required to be filed on Form N-Q, will not be delivered to shareholders. Each Fund, however, shall include appropriate disclosure in its semi-annual and annual reports as to how a shareholder may obtain holdings information for the Fund's first and third fiscal quarters.

IV. List of Approved Recipients. The following list describes the limited circumstances in which a Fund's portfolio holdings may be disclosed to select third parties in advance of the monthly release on the Funds' website. In each instance, a determination will be made by Funds Management that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipients, where feasible, are subject to an independent duty not to disclose or trade on the nonpublic information.

A. Sub-Advisers. Sub-advisers shall have full daily access to fund holdings for the Fund(s) for which they have direct management responsibility. Sub-advisers may also release and discuss portfolio holdings with various broker/dealers for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability/demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the purpose of assisting portfolio managers in the trading of such securities.

A new Fund sub-adviser may periodically receive full portfolio holdings information for such Fund from the date of Board approval through the date upon which they take over day-to- day investment management activities. Such disclosure will be subject to confidential treatment.

To perform investment risk management oversight functions, the investment risk management team (the "Team"), whose members are employees of the investment advisers affiliated with Wells Fargo & Co. ("Wells Fargo"), shall have full daily access to portfolio holdings of the Fund(s) managed by any sub-adviser that is an affiliated person of Wells Fargo whose portfolio management teams' investment risks are monitored by the Team.

B. Money Market Portfolio Management Team. The money market portfolio management team at Wells Capital Management Incorporated ("Wells Capital Management") shall have full daily access to daily transaction information across the Wells Fargo Advantage Funds for purposes of anticipating money market sweep activity which in turn helps to enhance liquidity management within the money market funds.

C. Funds Management/Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC.
1. Funds Management personnel that deal directly with the processing, settlement, review, control, auditing, reporting, and/or valuation of portfolio trades shall have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings through access to the fund accountant's system.
2. Funds Management personnel that deal directly with investment review and analysis of the Funds shall have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings. through FactSet, a program that is used to, among other things, evaluate portfolio characteristics against available benchmarks.
3. Funds Management and Distributor personnel may be given advance disclosure of any changes to the underlying funds in a fund of funds structure or changes in a Fund's target allocations that result in a shift between or among its fixed-income and/or equity investments.

D. External Servicing Agents. Appropriate personnel employed by entities that assist in the review and/or processing of Fund portfolio transactions, employed by the fund accounting agent, the custodian and the trading settlement desk at Wells Capital Management (only with respect to the Funds that Wells Capital Management sub-advises), shall have daily access to all Fund portfolio holdings. In addition, certain of the sub-advisers utilize the services of software provider Advent to assist with portfolio accounting and trade order management. In order to provide the contracted services to the sub-adviser, Advent may receive full daily portfolio holdings information directly from the Funds' accounting agent however, only for those Funds in which such sub-adviser provides investment advisory services. Funds Management also utilizes the services of Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") to assist with proxy voting. ISS may receive full Fund portfolio holdings on a weekly basis for the Funds for which it provides services.

E. Rating Agencies. Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organizations ("NRSRO's") may receive full Fund holdings for rating purposes.

F. Reorganizations. Entities hired as trading advisors that assist with the analysis and trading associated with transitioning portfolios may receive full portfolio holdings of both the target fund and the acquiring fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the target fund and acquiring fund may receive full portfolio holdings of the acquiring fund and target fund, respectively, in order to assist with aligning the portfolios prior to the closing date of the reorganization.

G. Investment Company Institute. The Investment Company Institute may receive information about full money market Fund holdings concurrently at the time each money market Fund files with the SEC a report on Form N-MFP.

V. Additions to List of Approved Recipients. Any additions to the list of approved recipients requires approval by the President, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds based on a review of: (i) the type of fund involved; (ii) the purpose for receiving the holdings information; (iii) the intended use of the information; (iv) the frequency of the information to be provided; (v) the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information will be disclosed; (vi) the proposed recipient's relationship to the Funds; (vii) the ability of Funds Management to monitor that such information will be used by the proposed recipient in accordance with the stated purpose for the disclosure; (viii) whether a confidentiality agreement will be in place with such proposed recipient; and (ix) whether any potential conflicts exist regarding such disclosure between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Fund's investment adviser, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Fund.

VI. Funds Management Commentaries. Funds Management may disclose any views, opinions, judgments, advice or commentary, or any analytical, statistical, performance or other information in connection with or relating to a Fund or its portfolio holdings (including historical holdings information), or any changes to the portfolio holdings of a Fund. The portfolio commentary and statistical information may be provided to members of the press, shareholders in the Funds, persons considering investment in the Funds or representatives of such shareholders or potential shareholders. The content and nature of the information provided to each of these persons may differ.

Certain of the information described above will be included in periodic fund commentaries (e.g., quarterly, monthly, etc.) and will contain information that includes, among other things, top contributors/detractors from fund performance and significant portfolio changes during the relevant period (e.g., calendar quarter, month, etc.). This information will be posted contemporaneously with their distribution on the Funds' website.

No person shall receive any of the information described above if, in the sole judgment of Funds Management, the information could be used in a manner that would be harmful to the Funds.

VII. Board Approval. The Board shall review and reapprove these Procedures, including the list of approved recipients, as often as they deem appropriate, but not less often than annually, and making any changes that they deem appropriate.

VIII. Education Component. In order to promote strict compliance with these Procedures, Funds Management has informed its employees, and other parties possessing Fund portfolio holdings information (such as sub-advisers, the fund accounting agent and the custodian), of the limited circumstances in which the Funds' portfolio holdings may be disclosed in advance of the monthly disclosure on the Funds' website and the ramifications, including possible dismissal, if disclosure is made in contravention of these Procedures.

CAPITAL STOCK

The Fund is one series of the Trust in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 10, 1999.

Most of the Trust's series are authorized to issue multiple classes of shares, one class generally subject to a front-end sales charge and, in some cases, classes subject to a CDSC, that are offered to retail investors. Certain of the Trust's series also are authorized to issue other classes of shares, which are sold primarily to institutional investors. Each share in a series represents an equal, proportionate interest in the series with all other shares. Shareholders bear their pro rata portion of a series' operating expenses, except for certain class-specific expenses (e.g., any state securities registration fees, shareholder servicing fees or distribution fees that may be paid under Rule 12b-1) that are allocated to a particular class. Please contact Investor Services at 1-800-222-8222 if you would like additional information about other series or classes of shares offered.

With respect to matters affecting one class but not another, shareholders vote as a class; for example, the approval of a Plan. Subject to the foregoing, all shares of a Fund have equal voting rights and will be voted in the aggregate, and not by series, except where voting by a series is required by law or where the matter involved only affects one series. For example, a change in a Fund's fundamental investment policy affects only one series and would be voted upon only by shareholders of the Fund involved. Additionally, approval of an advisory agreement, since it affects only one Fund, is a matter to be determined separately by each series. Approval by the shareholders of one series is effective as to that series whether or not sufficient votes are received from the shareholders of the other series to approve the proposal as to those series.

As used in the Prospectus(es) and in this SAI, the term "majority," when referring to approvals to be obtained from shareholders of a class of shares of a Fund means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the class represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the class are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the class of the Fund. The term "majority," when referring to approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Fund, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The term "majority," when referring to the approvals to be obtained from shareholders of the Trust as a whole, means the vote of the lesser of (i) 67% of the Trust's shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Trust's outstanding shares.

Shareholders are not entitled to any preemptive rights. All shares are issued in uncertificated form only, and, when issued will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust. The Trust may dispense with an annual meeting of shareholders in any year in which it is not required to elect Trustees under the 1940 Act.

Each share of a class of the Fund represents an equal proportional interest in the Fund with each other share of the same class and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to the Fund as are declared in the discretion of the Trustees. In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of the Trust, shareholders of a Fund are entitled to receive the assets attributable to that Fund that are available for distribution, and a distribution of any general assets not attributable to a particular Fund that are available for distribution in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion may determine.

Set forth below as of August 3, 2015 is the name, address and share ownership of each person with record ownership of 5% or more of a class of a Fund and, if applicable, each person known by the Trust to have beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the voting securities of the Fund as a whole. Except as identified below, no person with record ownership of 5% or more of a class of a Fund is known by the Trust to have beneficial ownership of such shares.

Principal Fund Holders

Asset Allocation Fund
Class A

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct For The
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market St
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

49.18%

American Enterprise Investment Svc
707 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405

8.23%

UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
1000 Harbor Blvd 5th Fl
Jersey City, NJ 07310

8.33%

MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit Of
Its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deerlake Dr East, 2nd Fl
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

7.09%

Asset Allocation Fund
Class B

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct For The
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market St
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

75.29%

American Enterprise Investment Svc
707 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405

6.19%

Asset Allocation Fund
Class C

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct For The
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market St
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

33.46%

UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
1000 Harbor Blvd 5th Fl
Jersey City, NJ 07310

6.27%

MLPF&S For the Sole Benefit Of
Its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deerlake Dr East, 2nd Fl
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

21.53%

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

16.62%

Asset Allocation Fund
Class R

MLPF&S For Sole Benefit
Of Its Customers
Attn: Fund Admin
4800 Deer Lake Dr E, 2nd FL
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

12.12%

Hartford Life Insurance Co
Seperate Account
Attn: UIT Operations
PO BOX 2999
Hartford, CT 06104-2999

63.59%

Asset Allocation Fund
Administrator Class

National Financial Services LLC For
Exclusive Benefit of our Customers
Attn: Mutual Fund Dept 4th Fl
499 Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010

8.87%

Charles Schwab & Co Inc
Special Custory Acct FBO
Exclusive Benefit of Customers
Reinvest Acct
Attn: Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94104-4151

12.46%

Wells Fargo Bank FBO
401K Accounts
125 WWT Harris Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262-8522

11.21%

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

42.53%

Asset Allocation Fund
Institutional Class

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct For The
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market St
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

48.27%

UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
1000 Harbor Blvd 5th Fl
Jersey City, NJ 07310

16.08%

MLPF&S For Sole Benefit
of its Customers
Attn: Fund Administration
4800 Deerlake Dr E 2nd Fl
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

19.39%

For purposes of the 1940 Act, any person who owns directly or through one or more controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company is presumed to "control" such company. Accordingly, to the extent that a person identified in the foregoing table is identified as the beneficial owner of more than 25% of a Fund, or is identified as the record owner of more than 25% of a Fund and has voting and/or investment powers, it may be presumed to control such Fund. A controlling person's vote could have a more significant effect on matters presented to shareholders for approval than the vote of other Fund shareholders.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Trust's Registration Statement, including the Prospectus(es) and SAI for the Fund and the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC, located at 100 "F" Street NE, in Washington, D.C., 20549-0102. Statements contained in the Prospectus(es) or the SAI as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein or in the Prospectus(es) are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP has been selected as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust. KPMG LLP provides audit services, tax return preparation and assistance and consultation in connection with review of certain SEC filings. KPMG LLP's address is Two Financial Center, 60 South Street, Boston, MA 02111.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Audited financial statements for the Fund, which include the portfolios of investments and report of the independent registered public accounting firm, are hereby incorporated by reference into this document by reference to the Fund's Annual Report dated as of April 30, 2015.

CREDIT RATINGS

The ratings of Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's Investors Services ("Moody's"), Fitch Investor Services ("Fitch"), represent their opinion as to the quality of debt securities. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and not absolute standards of quality, and debt securities with the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different yields while debt securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield. Subsequent to purchase by the Funds, an issue of debt securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced below the minimum rating required for purchase by the Funds. The manager will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund involved should continue to hold the obligation.

The following is a description of the ratings given by S&P, Fitch, and Moody's to corporate and municipal bonds and corporate and municipal commercial paper and variable rate demand obligations.

Corporate Bonds

S&P

S&P rates the long-term debt obligations issued by various entities in categories ranging from "AAA" to "D," according to quality, as described below. The first four ratings denote investment-grade securities. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

AAA - This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

AA - Debt rated AA is considered to have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in a small degree.

A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.

BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than for those in higher-rated categories.

BB - Debt rated BB has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.

B - Debt rated B has greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal.

CCC - Debt CCC is currently vulnerable and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely interest and principal payments.

CC - Debt rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. Debt rated CC is subordinate to senior debt rated CCC.

C - Debt rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. Debt rated C is subordinate to senior debt rated CCC-. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. Debt rated C also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.

D - Debt rated D is currently in default, where payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.

Moody's

Moody's rates the long-term debt obligations issued by various entities in categories ranging from "Aaa" to "C," according to quality, as described below. The first four denote investment-grade securities.

Aaa - Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk, and interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa - Bonds rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group, such bonds comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

A - Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered upper to medium investment-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa - Bonds rated Baa are considered medium-grade (and still investment-grade) obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba - Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not as well safeguarded during both good times and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B - Bonds rated B generally lack characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa - Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing. Issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca - Bonds rated Ca are speculative in a high degree. Such bonds are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C - Bonds rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds. Such bonds can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Moody's applies numerical modifiers (1, 2 and 3) to rating categories. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond being rated ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the bond ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category. With regard to municipal bonds, those bonds in the Aa, A and Baa groups which Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols Aal, A1 or Baal, respectively.

Fitch

National Long-Term Credit Ratings. A special identifier for the country concerned will be added at the end of all national ratings. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used, below.

AAA(xxx) - 'AAA' national ratings denote the highest rating assigned in its national rating scale for that country. This rating is assigned to the "best" credit risk relative to all other issuers or issues in the same country and will normally be assigned to all financial commitments issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state.

AA(xxx) - 'AA' national ratings denote a very strong credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. The credit risk inherent in these financial commitments differs only slightly from the country's highest rated issuers or issues.

A(xxx) - 'A' national ratings denote a strong credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions may affect the capacity for timely repayment of these financial commitments to a greater degree than for financial commitments denoted by a higher rated category.

BBB(xxx) - 'BBB' national ratings denote an adequate credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, changes in circumstances or economic conditions are more likely to affect the capacity for timely repayment.

BB(xxx) - 'BB' national ratings denote a fairly weak credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Within the context of the country, payment of these financial commitments is uncertain to dome degree and capacity for timely repayment remains more vulnerable to adverse economic change over time.

B(xxx) - 'B' national ratings denote a significantly weak credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Financial commitments are currently being met but a limited margin of safety remains and capacity for continued timely payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC(xxx), CC(xxx), C(xxx) - These categories of national ratings denote an extremely weak credit risk relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments.

DDD(xxx), DD(xxx), D(xxx) - These categories of national ratings are assigned to entities or financial commitments which are currently in default.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings (including Commercial Paper)

S&P:

A-1 - Debt rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2 - Debt rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3 - Debt rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B - Debt rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

C - Debt rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D - Debt rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Moody's:

Prime-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations.

Prime-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay senior short-term debt obligations, but earnings trends, while sound, will be subject to more variation.

Prime-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 have acceptable credit quality and an adequate capacity for timely payment of shortterm deposit obligations.

Not Prime: Issuers rated Not Prime have questionable to poor credit quality and an uncertain capacity for timely payment of short-term deposit obligations.

Fitch

National Short -Term Credit Ratings. A special identifier for the country concerned will be added at the end of all national ratings. For illustrative purposes, (xxx) has been used, below.

F1(xxx) - Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Under their national rating scale, this rating is assigned to the"best" credit risk relative to all others in the same country and is normally assigned to all financial commitments issued or guaranteed by the sovereign state. Where the credit risk is particularly strong , a "+" is added to the assigned rating.

F2(xxx) - Indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3(xxx) - Indicates an adequate capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. However, such capacity is more susceptible to near-term adverse changes than for financial commitments in higher rated categories.

B(xxx) - Indicates an uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Such capacity is highly susceptible to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C(xxx) - Indicates a highly uncertain capacity for timely payment of financial commitments relative to other issuers or issues in the same country. Capacity or meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D(xxx) - Indicates actual or imminent payment default.

Note to National Short-Term ratings: In certain countries, regulators have established credit rating scales, to be used within their domestic markets, using specific nomenclature. In these countries, our National Short-Term Ratings definitions for F1+(xxx), F1(xxx), F2(xxx) and F3(xxx) may be substituted by those regulatory scales, e.g. A1+, A1, A2 and A3.

Variable Rate Demand Obligations

S&P:

SP-1 - Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2 - Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3 - Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody's:

VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST
FILE NOS. 333-74295; 811-09253

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits

Unless otherwise indicated, each of the Exhibits listed below is filed herewith.

Number

Exhibit Description

Location

(a)

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 274, filed December 26, 2012.

(b)

Not applicable

(c)

Not applicable

(d)(1)

Investment Management Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(d)(2)

Investment Management Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Asset Allocation Fund)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed June 25, 2015.

(d)(3)

Investment Management Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Absolute Return Fund)

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 235, filed February 29, 2012; Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed June 25, 2015.

(d)(4)

Amended and Restated Fee and Expense Agreement between Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed June 25, 2015; Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(d)(5)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20, filed May 1, 2001; Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 83, filed April 11, 2005.

(d)(6)

Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 16, 2012; Appendix A and Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(d)(7)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with RCM Capital Management LLC (formerly Dresdner RCM Global Investors, LLC) and Novation of Sub-Advisory Agreement substituting Allianz Global Investors, U.S. LLC for RCM Capital Management LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32, filed February 8, 2002; Novation of Sub-Advisory Agreement, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 307, filed July 26, 2013; Appendix A and Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed June 25, 2015.

 

 

(d)(8)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with Global Index Advisors, Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 347, filed May 30, 2014; Appendix A and Appendix B, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed March 31, 2015.

(d)(9)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with LSV Asset Management

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 147, filed January 28, 2010; Appendix A and Appendix B, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 156, filed April 30, 2010.

(d)(10)

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with Cooke & Bieler, L.P.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74, filed July 26, 2004; Appendix A and Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 295, filed April 23, 2013.

(d)(11)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Phocas Financial Corporation

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 122, filed March 21, 2008.

(d)(12)

Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement with First International Advisors, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 16, 2012.

(d)(13)

Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement with Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 16, 2012.

(d)(14)

Amended and Restated Sub-Advisory Agreement with Golden Capital Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 16, 2012.

(d)(15)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Crow Point Partners, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 169, filed July 16, 2010.

(d)(16)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Artisan Partners, LP

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(17)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with The Rock Creek Group, LP

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014. Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(d)(18)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Chilton Investment Company, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(19)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Mellon Capital Management Corporation

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(20)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Passport Capital, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(21)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with River Canyon Fund Management LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(22)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Sirios Capital Management, L.P.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(23)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Wellington Management Company, LLP

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(24)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Pine River Capital Management L.P.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(d)(25)

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. d/b/a Wells Capital Management Singapore

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(e)

Distribution Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014; Schedule I, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(f)

Not applicable

(g)(1)

Securities Lending Agency Agreement by and among Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 163, filed June 28, 2010; Fifth Amendment incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 174, filed October 27, 2010; Schedule 2, First Amendment, Second Amendment, Third Amendment, Fourth Amendment and Sixth Amendment incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, filed January 28, 2011; Seventh Amendment, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 200, filed June 24, 2011; Eighth Amendment incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 237 filed March 16, 2012; Ninth Amendment incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 274, filed December 26, 2012; Tenth Amendment, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015; Eleventh Amendment, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015. Appendix A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(g)(2)

Master Custodian Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139, filed September 28, 2009; Appendix A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(h)(1)

Class-Level Administration Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed June 25, 2015; Appendix A and Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(h)(2)

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 92, filed May 1, 2006; Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(h)(3)

Shareholder Servicing Plan

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014; Appendix A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(h)(4)

Administrative and Shareholder Servicing Agreement, Form of Agreement

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014. Schedule 1, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed April 28, 2015.

(h)(5)

Shareholder Servicing Agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed March 31, 2015.

(i)

Legal Opinion

Filed herewith.

(j)(A)

Consent of Independent Auditors

Filed herewith.

(j)(1)

Power of Attorney, Peter G. Gordon

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(2)

Power of Attorney, Timothy J. Penny

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(3)

Power of Attorney, Donald C. Willeke

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(4)

Power of Attorney, Karla M. Rabusch

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72, filed June 30, 2004.

(j)(5)

Power of Attorney, Olivia S. Mitchell

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(6)

Power of Attorney, Judith M. Johnson

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(7)

Power of Attorney, Isaiah Harris, Jr.

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(8)

Power of Attorney, David F. Larcker

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(9)

Power of Attorney, Michael S. Scofield

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172, filed September 28, 2010.

(j)(10)

Power of Attorney, Nancy Wiser

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 254, filed September 4, 2012.

(j)(11)

Power of Attorney, Jeremy DePalma

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 16, 2012.

(j)(12)

Power of Attorney, William R. Ebsworth

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 383, filed January 23, 2015.

(j)(13)

Power of Attorney, Jane A. Freeman

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 383, filed January 23, 2015.

(k)

Not applicable

(l)

Not applicable

(m)

Distribution Plan

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014; Appendix A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(n)

Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Plan

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 255, filed September 12, 2012; Appendices A and B, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 407, filed August 26, 2015.

(o)

Not applicable

(p)(1)

Joint Code of Ethics for Asset Allocation Trust, Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Income Opportunities Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Utilities & High Income Fund, Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, and Wells Fargo Variable Trust

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304, filed June 26, 2013.

(p)(2)

Joint Code of Ethics for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304, filed June 26, 2013.

(p)(3)

Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC (formerly RCM Capital Management, LLC) Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 355, filed August 27, 2014.

(p)(4)

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 373, filed November 21, 2014.

(p)(5)

Joint Code of Ethics of Wells Capital Management Incorporated, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. (dba Wells Capital Management Singapore) and Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed March 31, 2015.

(p)(6)

LSV Asset Management Code of Ethics and Personal Trading Policy

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304, filed June 26, 2013.

(p)(7)

Cooke & Bieler, L.P. Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014.

(p)(8)

Artisan Partners Limited Partnership Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 310 filed on September 24, 2013.

(p)(9)

Global Index Advisors, Inc. Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 200, filed June 24, 2011.

(p)(10)

Phocas Financial Corporation, Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 304, filed June 26, 2013.

(p)(11)

First International Advisors, LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 200, filed June 24, 2011.

(p)(12)

Golden Capital Management, LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349, filed June 25, 2014.

(p)(13)

Crow Point Partners, LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349, filed June 25, 2014.

(p)(14)

The Rock Creek Group, LP Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014. Schedule A, incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed March 31, 2015.

(p)(15)

Chilton Investment Company, LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349, filed June 25, 2014.

(p)(16)

Mellon Capital Management Corporation Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(p)(17)

Passport Capital, LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(p)(18)

River Canyon Fund Management LLC Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed March 28, 2014.

(p)(19)

Sirios Capital Management, L.P. Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 349, filed June 25, 2014.

(p)(20)

Wellington Management Company, LLP Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed March 31, 2015.

(p)(21)

Pine River Capital Management L.P. Code of Ethics

Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 335, filed February 25, 2014.

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.

Registrant believes that no person is controlled by or under common control with Registrant.

Item 30. Indemnification.

Article IX of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust limits the liability and, in certain instances, provides for mandatory indemnification of the Registrant's Trustees, officers, employees, agents and holders of beneficial interests in the Trust. In addition, the Trustees are empowered under Article III, Section 1(t) of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust to obtain such insurance policies as they deem necessary.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser.

(a) To the knowledge of Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature, except that they also hold various positions with and engage in business for Wells Fargo Bank.

(b) Global Index Advisors, Inc. ("GIA"), serves as a sub-adviser to various Funds of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the "Trust"). The descriptions of GIA in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of GIA is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(c) Wells Capital Management Incorporated ("Wells Capital Management"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo Bank, serves as sub-adviser to various Funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Wells Capital Management in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Wells Capital Management is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(d) Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. ("Schroder"), serves as sub-adviser to various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Schroder in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. Schroder Capital Management International Limited ("Schroder Ltd.") is a United Kingdom affiliate of Schroder which provides investment management services to international clients located principally in the United States. Schroder Ltd. and Schroder p.l.c. are located at 31 Gresham St., London ECZV 7QA, United Kingdom. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Schroder is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(e) Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC ("Allianz") (formerly RCM Capital Management, LLC), serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Allianz in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Allianz is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(f) LSV Asset Management ("LSV") serves as sub-adviser to various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of LSV in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of LSV is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(g) Cooke & Bieler, L.P. ("Cooke & Bieler") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Cooke & Bieler in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Cooke & Bieler is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(h) Artisan Partners Limited Partnership ("Artisan") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Artisan in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Artisan is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(i) Phocas Financial Corporation ("Phocas") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Phocas in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Phocas is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(j) First International Advisors, LLC an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of First International Advisors in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of the sub-adviser is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(k) Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC ("MWCM") an indirect subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, serves as sub-adviser various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of MWCM in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of MWCM is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(l) Golden Capital Management, LLC ("Golden") an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Golden in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Golden is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(m) Crow Point Partners, LLC ("Crow Point") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Crow Point in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Crow Point is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

(n) The Rock Creek Group, LP ("Rock Creek") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Rock Creek in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Rock Creek is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(o) Chilton Investment Company, LLC ("Chilton Investment Company") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Chilton Investment Company in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Chilton Investment Company is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(p) Mellon Capital Management Corporation ("Mellon Capital") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Mellon Capital in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Mellon Capital is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(q) Passport Capital, LLC ("Passport Capital") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Passport Capital in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Passport Capital is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(r) River Canyon Fund Management LLC ("River Canyon") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of River Canyon in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of River Canyon is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(s) Sirios Capital Management, L.P. ("Sirios") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Sirios in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Sirios is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(t) Wellington Management Company LLP ("Wellington Management") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Wellington Management in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Wellington Management is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(u) Pine River Capital Management L.P. ("Pine River") serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Pine River in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Pine River is or has been at any time during the past two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature.

(v) Wells Capital Management Singapore, a separately identifiable division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., serves as sub-adviser for various funds of the Trust. The descriptions of Wells Capital Management Singapore in Parts A and B of the Registration Statement are incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Registrant, none of the directors or officers of Wells Capital Management Singapore is or has been at any time during the last two fiscal years engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature.

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

(a) Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, distributor for the Registrant, also acts as principal underwriter for Wells Fargo Variable Trust, and is the exclusive placement agent for Wells Fargo Master Trust, both of which are registered open-end management investment companies.

(b) The following table provides information for each director and officer of Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC.

 

Name

Positions and Offices with Underwriter

Positions and Offices with Fund

Karla M. Rabusch
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Chairman of the Board

President

Wayne Badorf
Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Director, President

None

A. Erdem Cimen
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Director, Financial Operations Officer (FINOP)

None

Nicole E. Gallo
Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Chief Compliance Officer, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

Andrew Owen
Wells Fargo Asset Management Group
525 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

Director

None

Michael H. Koonce
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
200 Berkeley Street, 21st Floor
Boston, MA 02116

Secretary

None

(c) Not applicable.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

(a) The Registrant maintains accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder (collectively, "Records") at the offices of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(b) Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as investment manager and class-level administrator at 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(c) Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. maintains all Records relating to its services as transfer agent at Two Heritage Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02171.

(d) Global Index Advisors, Inc. maintains all Records relating to their services as sub-adviser at 29 North Park Square NE, Suite 201, Marietta, GA 30060.

(e) Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as distributor at 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(f) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (formerly Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.) maintains all Records relating to its services as former custodian at 6th & Marquette, Minneapolis, MN 55479-0040.

(g) Wells Capital Management Incorporated maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 525 Market Street, 10th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(h) Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 875 Third Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10022.

(i) Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC (formerly RCM Capital Management, LLC) maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 555 Mission Street Suite 1700, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(j) LSV Asset Management maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at One North Wacker Drive, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(k) Cooke & Bieler, L.P. maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 1700 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

(l) Artisan Partners Limited Partnership maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 875 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

(m) Phocas Financial Corporation maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 980 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 106, Alameda, California 94501.

(n) First International Advisors, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at One Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch, London, England, EC3M 3BD.

(o) Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 1000, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

(p) Golden Capital Management, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 5 Resource Square, Suite 150, 10715 David Taylor Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262.

(q) Crow Point Partners, LLC maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 25 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 110, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043.

(r) Rock Creek maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 1133 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 810, Washington, DC 20036.

(s) Chilton Investment Company maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 1290 East Main Street, Stamford, CT, 06902.

(t) Mellon Capital maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(u) Passport Capital maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at One Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(v) River Canyon maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067.

(w) Sirios maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at One International Place, Boston, MA 02110.

(x) Wellington Management maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.

(y) State Street Bank and Trust Company maintains all Records relating to its services as custodian and fund accountant at 1 Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

(z) Pine River Capital Management L.P. maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 601 Carlson Parkway Suite, 330, Minnetonka, MN 55305.

(aa) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. d/b/a Wells Capital Management Singapore maintains all Records relating to its services as investment sub-adviser at 26/F, 80 Raffles Place, 20/21, UOB Plaza, Singapore 048624.

Item 34. Management Services.

Other than as set forth under the captions "Management of the Funds" in the Prospectuses constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Management" in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of this Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.

Item 35. Undertakings.

Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized in the City of San Francisco, State of California on the 26th day of August, 2015.


WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST

By: /s/ C. David Messman
--------------------
C. David Messman
Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 408 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

 

/s/ Peter G. Gordon
Peter G. Gordon*
Trustee

/s/ Isaiah Harris, Jr.
Isaiah Harris, Jr.*
Trustee

/s/ Judith M. Johnson
Judith M. Johnson*
Trustee

/s/ David F. Larcker
David F. Larcker*
Trustee

/s/ Olivia S. Mitchell
Olivia S. Mitchell*
Trustee

/s/ Timothy J. Penny
Timothy J. Penny*
Trustee

/s/ Donald C. Willeke
Donald C. Willeke*
Trustee

/s/ Michael S. Scofield
Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee

/s/ William R. Ebsworth
William R. Ebsworth*
Trustee

/s/ Karla M. Rabusch
Karla M. Rabusch*
President
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Jeremy M. DePalma
Jeremy M. DePalma*
Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Jane A. Freeman
Jane A. Freeman*
Trustee

*By: /s/ C. David Messman
C. David Messman
As Attorney-in-Fact
August 26, 2015


SIGNATURES

This Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons, solely in the capacities indicated and subject to the following sentence, on the the 26th day of August, 2015. Each of the following persons is signing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Asset Allocation Trust, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ Peter G. Gordon
Peter G. Gordon*
Trustee

/s/ Isaiah Harris, Jr.
Isaiah Harris, Jr.*
Trustee

/s/ Judith M. Johnson
Judith M. Johnson*
Trustee

/s/ David F. Larcker
David F. Larcker*
Trustee

/s/ Olivia S. Mitchell
Olivia S. Mitchell*
Trustee

/s/ Timothy J. Penny
Timothy J. Penny*
Trustee

/s/ Donald C. Willeke
Donald C. Willeke*
Trustee

/s/ Michael S. Scofield
Michael S. Scofield*
Trustee

/s/ William R. Ebsworth
William R. Ebsworth*
Trustee

/s/ Karla M. Rabusch
Karla M. Rabusch*
President
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Jeremy M. DePalma
Jeremy M. DePalma*
Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Jane A. Freeman
Jane A. Freeman*
Trustee

*By: /s/ C. David Messman
C. David Messman
As Attorney-in-Fact
August 26, 2015

 

Exhibit No.

Exhibits

(i)

Legal Opinon

(j)(A)

Consent of Independent Auditors