N-CSRS 1 d64474dncsrs.htm N-CSRS N-CSRS

LOGO

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-09255

 

 

Wells Fargo Variable Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Catherine Kennedy

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-222-8222

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Registrant is making a filing for 6 of its series:

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund, Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund, Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund, Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund, Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund, and Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund.

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2020

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS


LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective    

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.    

Manager    

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC    

Subadviser    

Wells Capital Management Incorporated    

Portfolio managers    

Michael T. Smith, CFA®    

Christopher J. Warner, CFA®    

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 2020    

 

 
              Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
             
Class 2   5-8-1992     14.44       12.55       16.18       1.17       1.16  
             
Russell 2500TM Growth Index3       9.21       9.57       14.45              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20204       
   

Twilio Incorporated Class A

     2.65  
   

MercadoLibre Incorporated

     2.64  
   

MongoDB Incorporated

     2.33  
   

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated

     2.25  
   

Black Knight Incorporated

     2.12  
   

Veeva Systems Incorporated Class A

     2.08  
   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

     1.94  
   

Exact Sciences Corporation

     1.93  
   

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

     1.85  
   

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A

     1.76  

 

Sector allocation as of June 30, 20205
LOGO
 

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectus, which include the impact of 0.01% in acquired fund fees and expenses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.15% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectus.

 

3 

The Russell 2500TM Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2500 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

5 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
1-1-2020
     Ending
account value
6-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Annualized net
expense ratio
 
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,121.46      $ 6.07        1.15

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.14      $ 5.77        1.15

 

 

 

1

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 99.29%

 

Communication Services: 2.78%

 

Entertainment: 1.16%  

Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated †

          15,100      $ 2,107,507  
          

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services: 1.62%  

Match Group Incorporated †

          27,700        2,965,285  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 11.93%

 

Diversified Consumer Services: 1.40%  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Incorporated †

          21,800        2,554,960  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.42%  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          3,900        4,104,204  

Domino’s Pizza Incorporated

          5,800        2,142,752  
     6,246,956  
  

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 5.14%  

Chewy Incorporated Class A †

          38,400        1,716,096  

Etsy Incorporated †

          26,900        2,857,587  

MercadoLibre Incorporated †

          4,891        4,821,401  
     9,395,084  
  

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 1.97%  

Burlington Stores Incorporated †

          11,716        2,307,232  

Carvana Company †

          10,800        1,298,160  
     3,605,392  
  

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 1.23%

 

Food Products: 1.23%  

Lamb Weston Holdings Incorporated

          35,200        2,250,336  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 1.02%

 

Consumer Finance: 1.02%  

LendingTree Incorporated †

          6,400        1,852,992  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 28.35%

 

Biotechnology: 8.45%  

Black Diamond Therapeutics †

          11,100        467,976  

CRISPR Therapeutics AG †

          15,327        1,126,381  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          16,919        1,010,403  

Exact Sciences Corporation †

          40,500        3,521,070  

Natera Incorporated †

          36,690        1,829,363  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          21,021        709,038  

Sarepta Therapeutics Incorporated †

          13,903        2,229,207  

Turning Point Therapeutics Incorporated †

          19,797        1,278,688  

Twist Bioscience Corporation †

          25,810        1,169,193  

Zai Lab Limited ADR †

          18,712        1,536,817  

Zymeworks Incorporated †

          15,400        555,478  
     15,433,614  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 8.89%  

ABIOMED Incorporated †

          5,800        1,401,048  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          8,900        2,442,516  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

DexCom Incorporated †

          7,200      $ 2,918,880  

Haemonetics Corporation †

          22,600        2,024,056  

Inari Medical Incorporated †

          800        38,752  

Insulet Corporation †

          12,099        2,350,352  

iRhythm Technologies Incorporated †

          26,900        3,117,441  

Shockwave Medical Incorporated †

          41,352        1,958,844  
     16,251,889  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 5.88%  

Amedisys Incorporated †

          13,500        2,680,290  

Chemed Corporation

          6,700        3,022,169  

HealthEquity Incorporated †

          39,400        2,311,598  

Molina Healthcare Incorporated †

          15,300        2,723,094  
     10,737,151  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 2.08%  

Veeva Systems Incorporated Class A †

          16,200        3,797,604  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.46%  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated Class A †

          5,900        2,663,791  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.59%  

Catalent Incorporated †

          39,800        2,917,340  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 18.40%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 3.52%  

HEICO Corporation

          21,300        2,122,545  

Mercury Computer Systems Incorporated †

          33,000        2,595,780  

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated †

          5,500        1,710,225  
     6,428,550  
  

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.53%  

Trex Company Incorporated †

          21,500        2,796,505  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 6.90%  

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A †

          61,844        3,223,309  

IAA Incorporated †

          61,800        2,383,626  

MSA Safety Incorporated

          15,500        1,773,820  

Tetra Tech Incorporated

          32,800        2,595,136  

Waste Connections Incorporated

          28,043        2,630,153  
     12,606,044  
  

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.96%  

WillScot Corporation †

          142,417        1,750,305  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 1.47%  

Generac Holdings Incorporated †

          22,100        2,694,653  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 1.44%  

Clarivate Analytics plc †

          118,000        2,634,940  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.25%  

Saia Incorporated †

          20,500        2,279,190  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.33%  

SiteOne Landscape Supply Incorporated †

          21,350        2,433,260  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Information Technology: 33.73%  
Communications Equipment: 0.73%  

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

         9,500      $ 1,331,235  
         

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.30%  

Novanta Incorporated †

         22,300        2,380,971  
         

 

 

 
IT Services: 16.42%  

Black Knight Incorporated †

         53,300        3,867,448  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation

         45,600        3,547,224  

EPAM Systems Incorporated †

         10,419        2,625,692  

Euronet Worldwide Incorporated †

         18,993        1,819,909  

MongoDB Incorporated †

         18,800        4,255,192  

Okta Incorporated †

         12,900        2,582,967  

Square Incorporated Class A †

         18,800        1,972,872  

Twilio Incorporated Class A †

         22,100        4,849,182  

WEX Incorporated †

         16,500        2,722,665  

WNS Holdings Limited ADR †

         31,800        1,748,364  
     29,991,515  
  

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.97%  

Lattice Semiconductor Corporation †

         83,800        2,379,082  

MKS Instruments Incorporated

         25,600        2,898,944  

Universal Display Corporation

         13,200        1,974,984  
     7,253,010  
  

 

 

 
Software: 11.31%  

Avalara Incorporated †

         21,900        2,914,671  

Bill.com Holdings Incorporated †

         18,366        1,656,797  

Crowdstrike Holdings Incorporated Class A †

         22,200        2,226,438  

Elastic NV †

         30,800        2,840,068  

Envestnet Incorporated †

         30,000        2,206,200  

Fair Isaac Corporation †

         6,600        2,759,064  

Five9 Incorporated †

         28,318        3,133,953  

Globant SA †

         19,500        2,922,075  
     20,659,266  
  

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.85%

 

Equity REITs: 1.85%  

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         52,800        3,383,952  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $125,310,683)

 

     181,403,297  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 0.64%                          
Investment Companies: 0.64%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11        1,177,469        1,177,469  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,177,469)

            1,177,469  
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $126,488,152)     99.93        182,580,766  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    0.07          121,265  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 182,702,031  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  11


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
   
Purchases
    Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
   

Value,
end of

period

    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

  $ 4,718,549     $ 20,145,716     $ (24,864,321   $ 275     $ (219   $ 18,411 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    1,560,143       21,607,621       (21,990,295     0       0       10,928       1,177,469    
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 275     $ (219   $ 29,339     $ 1,177,469       0.64
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $125,310,683)

  $ 181,403,297  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $1,177,469)

    1,177,469  

Receivable for investments sold

    613,367  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    11,540  

Receivable for dividends

    36,826  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,630  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    183,244,129  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    293,181  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    62,176  

Management fee payable

    110,368  

Administration fee payable

    11,773  

Distribution fee payable

    36,614  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    4,780  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    23,206  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    542,098  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 182,702,031  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 111,356,390  

Total distributable earnings

    71,345,641  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 182,702,031  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 182,702,031  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    4,959,471  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $36.84  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  13


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,740)

  $ 219,319  

Securities lending income from affiliates, net

    22,372  

Income from affiliated securities

    10,928  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    252,619  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    607,450  

Administration fee

 

Class 2

    64,795  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    201,792  

Custody and accounting fees

    11,410  

Professional fees

    16,582  

Shareholder report expenses

    17,769  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,988  

Other fees and expenses

    4,996  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    934,782  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (4,327
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    930,455  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (677,836
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (56,894

Affiliated securities

    275  
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (56,619
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    19,734,743  

Affiliated securities

    (219
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    19,734,524  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    19,677,905  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 19,000,069  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

   

Net investment loss

    $ (677,836     $ (1,259,354

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      (56,619       17,351,306  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      19,734,524         32,290,402  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      19,000,069         48,382,354  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains – Class 2

      0         (17,124,790
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold – Class 2

    325,921       10,610,899       988,344       32,962,615  

Reinvestment of distributions – Class 2

    0       0       517,835       17,124,790  

Payment for shares redeemed – Class 2

    (495,344     (15,398,007     (1,190,533     (38,661,758
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (4,787,108       11,425,647  
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      14,212,961         42,683,211  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      168,489,070         125,805,859  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 182,702,031       $ 168,489,070  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  15


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $32.85       $26.14       $31.74       $25.91       $25.99       $30.71  

Net investment loss

    (0.14     (0.25     (0.17     (0.20     (0.13     (0.21

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.13       10.47       (1.39     7.60       2.00       0.21  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.99       10.22       (1.56     7.40       1.87       0.00  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (3.51     (4.04     (1.57     (1.95     (4.72

Net asset value, end of period

    $36.84       $32.85       $26.14       $31.74       $25.91       $25.99  

Total return1

    12.15     39.02     (7.06 )%      29.13     7.65     (1.46 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.15     1.16     1.16     1.16     1.18     1.17

Net expenses

    1.15     1.15     1.15     1.15     1.15     1.15

Net investment loss

    (0.84 )%      (0.79 )%      (0.55 )%      (0.68 )%      (0.52 )%      (0.72 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    31     71     60     75     85     90

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $182,702       $168,489       $125,806       $145,175       $119,919       $126,839  

 

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund, if any, is included in securities lending income from affiliates (net of fees and rebates) on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  17


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $126,262,014 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 57,286,933  

Gross unrealized losses

     (968,181

Net unrealized gains

   $ 56,318,752  

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 5,072,792      $ 0      $ 0      $ 5,072,792  

Consumer discretionary

     21,802,392        0        0        21,802,392  

Consumer staples

     2,250,336        0        0        2,250,336  

Financials

     1,852,992        0        0        1,852,992  

Health care

     51,801,389        0        0        51,801,389  

Industrials

     33,623,447        0        0        33,623,447  

Information technology

     61,615,997        0        0        61,615,997  

Real estate

     3,383,952        0        0        3,383,952  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     1,177,469        0        0        1,177,469  

Total assets

   $ 182,580,766      $ 0      $ 0      $ 182,580,766  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.750

Next $500 million

     0.700  

Next $1 billion

     0.650  

Next $2 billion

     0.625  

Next $1 billion

     0.600  

Next $5 billion

     0.590  

Over $10 billion

     0.580  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.35% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  19


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fee

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives a class level administration fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.15% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $50,361,068 and $56,008,484, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Fund invests a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  21


Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS    

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees    

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  23


Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  25


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index, the Russell 2500™ Growth Index, for all periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index, the Russell 2500™ Growth Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratio and its various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered this ratio in comparison to the median ratios of funds in an expense group that was determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Group”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Group and an explanation of how funds comprising expense group and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratio of the Fund was in range of the median net operating expense ratio of the expense Group.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rate”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rate with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Group at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Group. The Board noted that the Management Rate of the Fund was lower than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Group.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  27


Other information (unaudited)

 

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Discovery Fund  |  29


 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00253 08-20

SVT1/SAR138 06-20

 

 



LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

VT Index Asset Allocation Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic
delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-269-5969.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

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

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kandarp Acharya, CFA®, FRM

Petros N. Bocray, CFA®, FRM

Christian L. Chan, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 2020

 

 
              Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
             
Class 2   4-15-1994     9.51       7.87       11.39       1.05       1.00  
             
Index Asset Allocation Blended Index3       9.48       8.39       11.31              
             
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Index4       10.45       4.07       3.41              
             
S&P 500 Index5       7.51       10.73       13.99              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expense had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Balanced funds may invest in stocks and bonds. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Bond values fluctuate in response to the financial condition of individual issuers, general market and economic conditions, and changes in interest rates. Changes in market conditions and government policies may lead to periods of heightened volatility in the bond market and reduced liquidity for certain bonds held by the Fund. In general, when interest rates rise, bond values fall and investors may lose principal value. Interest rate changes and their impact on the Fund and its share price can be sudden and unpredictable. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20206  
   

Microsoft Corporation

     3.64  
   

Apple Incorporated

     3.50  
   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     2.71  
   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     1.31  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class A

     1.01  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class C

     0.98  
   

Johnson & Johnson

     0.87  
   

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B

     0.81  
   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     0.76  
   

The Procter & Gamble Company

     0.69  

 

Allocation as of June 20, 2020  
     Neutral
allocation
     Effective
allocation8
 
     

Stocks

     60%        65%  
     

Bonds

     40%        40%  
     

Effective cash

     0%        (5)%  
Sector allocation as of June 30, 20207
LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectus. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 1.00% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense cap. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectus.

 

3 

Source: Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. The Index Asset Allocation Blended Index is weighted 60% in the S&P 500 Index and 40% in the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Index is an unmanaged index of prices of U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities of 1 to 30 years. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8 

Effective allocation includes the effect of any tactical futures overlay that may be in place. Effective cash represents the net offset to such future positions. The amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
1-1-2020
     Ending
account value
6-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Annualized net
expense ratio
 
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,032.70      $ 5.05        1.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.89      $ 5.02        1.00

 

 

 

 

1

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 60.19%

 

Communication Services: 6.54%

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.07%  

AT&T Incorporated

          11,938      $ 360,886  

CenturyLink Incorporated

          1,661        16,660  

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          6,946        382,933  
     760,479  
  

 

 

 
Entertainment: 1.22%  

Activision Blizzard Incorporated

          1,279        97,076  

Electronic Arts Incorporated †

          478        63,120  

Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated †

          237        10,506  

Netflix Incorporated †

          739        336,275  

Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated †

          187        26,100  

The Walt Disney Company

          3,034        338,321  
     871,398  
  

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services: 3.35%  

Alphabet Incorporated Class A †

          506        717,533  

Alphabet Incorporated Class C †

          492        695,496  

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          4,103        931,668  

Twitter Incorporated †

          1,310        39,025  
     2,383,722  
  

 

 

 
Media: 0.76%  

Charter Communications Incorporated Class A †

          252        128,530  

Comcast Corporation Class A

          7,603        296,365  

Discovery Communications Incorporated Class A †

          269        5,676  

Discovery Communications Incorporated Class C †

          534        10,285  

DISH Network Corporation Class A †

          428        14,770  

Fox Corporation Class A

          576        15,448  

Fox Corporation Class B

          268        7,193  

Interpublic Group of Companies Incorporated

          646        11,085  

News Corporation Class A

          647        7,673  

News Corporation Class B

          202        2,414  

Omnicom Group Incorporated

          355        19,383  

ViacomCBS Incorporated Class B

          906        21,128  
     539,950  
  

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 0.14%  

T-Mobile US Incorporated †

          953        99,255  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 6.52%

 

Auto Components: 0.07%  

Aptiv plc

          451        35,142  

BorgWarner Incorporated

          348        12,284  
     47,426  
  

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.13%  

Ford Motor Company

          6,516        39,617  

General Motors Company

          2,111        53,408  
     93,025  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Distributors: 0.05%  

Genuine Parts Company

          240      $ 20,870  

LKQ Corporation †

          509        13,336  
     34,206  
  

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.01%  

H&R Block Incorporated

          322        4,598  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 0.94%  

Carnival Corporation

          833        13,678  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          43        45,251  

Darden Restaurants Incorporated

          218        16,518  

Domino’s Pizza Incorporated

          66        24,383  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated

          467        34,301  

Las Vegas Sands Corporation

          564        25,685  

Marriott International Incorporated Class A

          458        39,264  

McDonald’s Corporation

          1,241        228,927  

MGM Resorts International

          850        14,280  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited †

          446        7,328  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited

          296        14,889  

Starbucks Corporation

          1,963        144,457  

Wynn Resorts Limited

          167        12,440  

Yum! Brands Incorporated

          503        43,716  
     665,117  
  

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.22%  

D.R. Horton Incorporated

          554        30,719  

Garmin Limited

          241        23,498  

Leggett & Platt Incorporated

          222        7,803  

Lennar Corporation Class A

          462        28,468  

Mohawk Industries Incorporated †

          99        10,074  

Newell Rubbermaid Incorporated

          635        10,084  

NVR Incorporated †

          6        19,553  

Pulte Group Incorporated

          425        14,463  

Whirlpool Corporation

          103        13,342  
     158,004  
  

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 2.97%  

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          699        1,928,415  

Booking Holdings Incorporated †

          69        109,871  

eBay Incorporated

          1,106        58,010  

Expedia Group Incorporated

          233        19,153  
     2,115,449  
  

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.02%  

Hasbro Incorporated

          213        15,964  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.31%  

Dollar General Corporation

          419        79,824  

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          394        36,516  

Kohl’s Corporation

          269        5,587  

Target Corporation

          833        99,902  
     221,829  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Specialty Retail: 1.43%  

Advance Auto Parts Incorporated

          114      $ 16,239  

AutoZone Incorporated †

          39        43,997  

Best Buy Company Incorporated

          378        32,988  

CarMax Incorporated †

          273        24,447  

L Brands Incorporated

          396        5,928  

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

          1,266        171,062  

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated †

          124        52,287  

Ross Stores Incorporated

          597        50,888  

The Gap Incorporated

          355        4,480  

The Home Depot Incorporated

          1,796        449,916  

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          2,013        101,777  

Tiffany & Company

          180        21,949  

Tractor Supply Company

          191        25,172  

Ulta Beauty Incorporated †

          95        19,325  
     1,020,455  
  

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.37%  

HanesBrands Incorporated

          586        6,616  

Nike Incorporated Class B

          2,072        203,160  

PVH Corporation

          120        5,766  

Ralph Lauren Corporation

          80        5,802  

Tapestry Incorporated

          469        6,228  

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          320        3,117  

Under Armour Incorporated Class C †

          335        2,961  

VF Corporation

          532        32,420  
     266,070  
  

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 4.18%

 

Beverages: 1.01%  

Brown-Forman Corporation Class B

          304        19,353  

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          280        48,986  

Molson Coors Brewing Company Class B

          313        10,755  

Monster Beverage Corporation †

          623        43,186  

PepsiCo Incorporated

          2,310        305,521  

The Coca-Cola Company

          6,451        288,231  
     716,032  
  

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 0.91%  

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          737        223,466  

Sysco Corporation

          849        46,406  

The Kroger Company

          1,321        44,716  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          1,230        52,140  

Walmart Incorporated

          2,356        282,202  
     648,930  
  

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.67%  

Archer Daniels Midland Company

          924        36,868  

Campbell Soup Company

          281        13,946  

ConAgra Foods Incorporated

          811        28,523  

General Mills Incorporated

          1,010        62,267  

Hormel Foods Corporation

          464        22,397  

Kellogg Company

          416        27,481  

Lamb Weston Holdings Incorporated

          242        15,471  

McCormick & Company Incorporated

          204        36,600  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  11


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Food Products (continued)  

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          2,378      $ 121,587  

The Hershey Company

          245        31,757  

The J.M. Smucker Company

          188        19,892  

The Kraft Heinz Company

          1,041        33,197  

Tyson Foods Incorporated Class A

          491        29,318  
     479,304  
  

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.06%  

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          409        31,616  

Colgate-Palmolive Company

          1,427        104,542  

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

          567        80,145  

The Clorox Company

          208        45,629  

The Procter & Gamble Company

          4,125        493,226  
     755,158  
  

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.10%  

Coty Incorporated Class A

          503        2,248  

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          374        70,566  
     72,814  
  

 

 

 
Tobacco: 0.43%  

Altria Group Incorporated

          3,106        121,911  

Philip Morris International Incorporated

          2,598        182,016  
     303,927  
  

 

 

 

Energy: 1.70%

 

Energy Equipment & Services: 0.13%  

Baker Hughes Incorporated

          1,091        16,790  

Halliburton Company

          1,477        19,171  

National Oilwell Varco Incorporated

          641        7,852  

Schlumberger Limited

          2,312        42,518  

TechnipFMC plc

          693        4,740  
     91,071  
  

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.57%  

Apache Corporation

          632        8,532  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation

          665        11,425  

Chevron Corporation

          3,104        276,970  

Concho Resources Incorporated

          324        16,686  

ConocoPhillips

          1,802        75,720  

Devon Energy Corporation

          642        7,280  

Diamondback Energy Incorporated

          263        10,999  

EOG Resources Incorporated

          974        49,343  

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          7,058        315,634  

Hess Corporation

          437        22,641  

HollyFrontier Corporation

          246        7,183  

Kinder Morgan Incorporated

          3,236        49,090  

Marathon Oil Corporation

          1,336        8,176  

Marathon Petroleum Corporation

          1,074        40,146  

Noble Energy Incorporated

          787        7,052  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

          1,507        27,578  

ONEOK Incorporated

          746        24,782  

Phillips 66

          724        52,056  

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          273        26,672  

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

The Williams Companies Incorporated

          2,022      $ 38,458  

Valero Energy Corporation

          675        39,704  
     1,116,127  
  

 

 

 

Financials: 6.04%

 

Banks: 2.18%  

Bank of America Corporation

          12,971        308,061  

Citigroup Incorporated

          3,470        177,317  

Citizens Financial Group Incorporated

          712        17,971  

Comerica Incorporated

          232        8,839  

Fifth Third Bancorp

          1,181        22,770  

First Republic Bank

          285        30,207  

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

          1,680        15,179  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          5,055        475,474  

KeyCorp

          1,622        19,756  

M&T Bank Corporation

          212        22,042  

People’s United Financial Incorporated

          709        8,203  

PNC Financial Services Group Incorporated

          706        74,278  

Regions Financial Corporation

          1,589        17,670  

SVB Financial Group †

          86        18,536  

Truist Financial Corporation

          2,245        84,300  

US Bancorp

          2,284        84,097  

Wells Fargo & Company (l)

          6,236        159,641  

Zions Bancorporation

          272        9,248  
     1,553,589  
  

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 1.62%  

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          202        30,308  

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation

          1,341        51,830  

BlackRock Incorporated

          257        139,831  

Cboe Global Markets Incorporated

          182        16,977  

CME Group Incorporated

          595        96,711  

E*TRADE Financial Corporation

          367        18,251  

Franklin Resources Incorporated

          462        9,688  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          908        83,173  

Invesco Limited

          630        6,779  

MarketAxess Holdings Incorporated

          63        31,558  

Moody’s Corporation

          268        73,628  

Morgan Stanley

          1,995        96,359  

MSCI Incorporated

          141        47,069  

Northern Trust Corporation

          345        27,372  

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          203        13,972  

S&P Global Incorporated

          401        132,121  

State Street Corporation

          584        37,113  

T. Rowe Price Group Incorporated

          378        46,683  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          1,924        64,916  

The Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          520        102,762  

The NASDAQ OMX Group Incorporated

          190        22,699  
     1,149,800  
  

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.28%  

American Express Company

          1,097        104,434  

Capital One Financial Corporation

          759        47,506  

Discover Financial Services

          508        25,446  

Synchrony Financial

          895        19,833  
     197,219  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  13


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Diversified Financial Services: 0.81%  

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          3,246      $ 579,443  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 1.15%  

AFLAC Incorporated

          1,197        43,128  

American International Group Incorporated

          1,439        44,868  

Aon plc Class A

          382        73,573  

Arthur J. Gallagher & Company

          315        30,709  

Assurant Incorporated

          99        10,226  

Chubb Limited

          750        94,965  

Cincinnati Financial Corporation

          252        16,136  

Everest Reinsurance Group Limited

          66        13,609  

Globe Life Incorporated

          162        12,025  

Lincoln National Corporation

          325        11,957  

Loews Corporation

          403        13,819  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Incorporated

          849        91,157  

MetLife Incorporated

          1,284        46,892  

Principal Financial Group Incorporated

          426        17,696  

Prudential Financial Incorporated

          660        40,194  

The Allstate Corporation

          522        50,629  

The Hartford Financial Services Group Incorporated

          597        23,014  

The Progressive Corporation

          972        77,867  

The Travelers Companies Incorporated

          421        48,015  

UnumProvident Corporation

          342        5,674  

W.R. Berkley Corporation

          235        13,463  

Willis Towers Watson plc

          212        41,753  
     821,369  
  

 

 

 

Health Care: 8.77%

 

Biotechnology: 1.48%  

AbbVie Incorporated

          2,930        287,667  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          364        40,855  

Amgen Incorporated

          977        230,435  

Biogen Incorporated †

          271        72,506  

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          2,068        159,112  

Incyte Corporation †

          299        31,087  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          168        104,773  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          432        125,414  
     1,051,849  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.28%  

Abbott Laboratories

          2,948        269,536  

ABIOMED Incorporated †

          75        18,117  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          120        32,933  

Baxter International Incorporated

          846        72,841  

Becton Dickinson & Company

          493        117,960  

Boston Scientific Corporation †

          2,414        84,756  

Danaher Corporation

          1,049        185,495  

Dentsply Sirona Incorporated

          364        16,038  

DexCom Incorporated †

          157        63,648  

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation †

          1,034        71,460  

Hologic Incorporated †

          428        24,396  

IDEXX Laboratories Incorporated †

          142        46,883  

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          194        110,547  

Medtronic plc

          2,241        205,500  

ResMed Incorporated

          241        46,272  

STERIS plc

          141        21,635  

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Stryker Corporation

          541      $ 97,483  

Teleflex Incorporated

          78        28,390  

The Cooper Companies Incorporated

          82        23,258  

Varian Medical Systems Incorporated †

          152        18,623  

West Pharmaceutical Services Incorporated

          122        27,715  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Incorporated

          344        41,060  
     1,624,546  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.69%  

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          246        24,789  

Anthem Incorporated

          418        109,926  

Cardinal Health Incorporated

          488        25,469  

Centene Corporation †

          980        62,279  

Cigna Corporation

          616        115,592  

CVS Health Corporation

          2,171        141,050  

DaVita HealthCare Partners Incorporated †

          141        11,159  

HCA Healthcare Incorporated

          440        42,706  

Henry Schein Incorporated †

          239        13,955  

Humana Incorporated

          221        85,693  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings †

          161        26,744  

McKesson Corporation

          269        41,270  

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

          223        25,413  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          1,579        465,726  

Universal Health Services Incorporated Class B

          129        11,983  
     1,203,754  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 0.05%  

Cerner Corporation

          506        34,686  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.70%  

Agilent Technologies Incorporated

          515        45,511  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated Class A †

          35        15,802  

Illumina Incorporated †

          245        90,736  

IQVIA Holdings Incorporated †

          295        41,855  

Mettler-Toledo International Incorporated †

          40        32,222  

PerkinElmer Incorporated

          184        18,049  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

          657        238,057  

Waters Corporation †

          103        18,581  
     500,813  
  

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.57%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          3,765        221,382  

Eli Lilly & Company

          1,403        230,345  

Johnson & Johnson

          4,387        616,944  

Merck & Company Incorporated

          4,205        325,173  

Mylan NV †

          858        13,797  

Perrigo Company plc

          226        12,491  

Pfizer Incorporated

          9,272        303,194  

Zoetis Incorporated

          787        107,850  
     1,831,176  
  

 

 

 

Industrials: 4.82%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 1.08%  

General Dynamics Corporation

          388        57,990  

Howmet Aerospace Incorporated

          641        10,160  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  15


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)  

Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated

          67      $ 11,691  

L3Harris Technologies Incorporated

          359        60,912  

Lockheed Martin Corporation

          413        150,712  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

          260        79,934  

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

          2,470        152,201  

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated †

          61        18,968  

Textron Incorporated

          380        12,506  

The Boeing Company

          943        172,852  

TransDigm Group Incorporated

          86        38,016  
     765,942  
  

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.32%  

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Incorporated

          224        17,709  

Expeditors International of Washington Incorporated

          275        20,911  

FedEx Corporation

          402        56,368  

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          1,173        130,414  
     225,402  
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.13%  

Alaska Air Group Incorporated

          207        7,506  

American Airlines Group Incorporated

          893        11,672  

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          966        27,096  

Southwest Airlines Company

          913        31,206  

United Airlines Holdings Incorporated †

          434        15,021  
     92,501  
  

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.24%  

A.O. Smith Corporation

          225        10,602  

Allegion plc

          154        15,742  

Carrier Global Corporation

          1,357        30,153  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Incorporated

          233        14,896  

Johnson Controls International plc

          1,241        42,368  

Masco Corporation

          437        21,942  

Trane Technologies plc

          401        35,681  
     171,384  
  

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.24%  

Cintas Corporation

          141        37,557  

Copart Incorporated †

          348        28,978  

Republic Services Incorporated

          349        28,635  

Rollins Incorporated

          234        9,919  

Waste Management Incorporated

          646        68,418  
     173,507  
  

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.04%  

Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated

          217        18,402  

Quanta Services Incorporated

          228        8,944  
     27,346  
  

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.27%  

AMETEK Incorporated

          383        34,229  

Eaton Corporation plc

          665        58,174  

Emerson Electric Company

          997        61,844  

Rockwell Automation Incorporated

          192        40,896  
     195,143  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.69%  

3M Company

          957      $ 149,282  

General Electric Company

          14,799        101,077  

Honeywell International Incorporated

          1,174        169,749  

Roper Technologies Incorporated

          175        67,946  
     488,054  
  

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.89%  

Caterpillar Incorporated

          901        113,977  

Cummins Incorporated

          245        42,449  

Deere & Company

          523        82,189  

Dover Corporation

          239        23,078  

Flowserve Corporation

          217        6,189  

Fortive Corporation

          493        33,356  

IDEX Corporation

          124        19,597  

Illinois Tool Works Incorporated

          478        83,578  

Ingersoll Rand Incorporated †

          578        16,253  

Otis Worldwide Corporation

          681        38,722  

PACCAR Incorporated

          574        42,964  

Parker-Hannifin Corporation

          213        39,037  

Pentair plc

          276        10,485  

Snap-on Incorporated

          89        12,327  

Stanley Black & Decker Incorporated

          255        35,542  

Wabtec Corporation

          300        17,271  

Xylem Incorporated

          300        19,488  
     636,502  
  

 

 

 
Professional Services: 0.21%  

Equifax Incorporated

          201        34,548  

IHS Markit Limited

          664        50,132  

Nielsen Holdings plc

          596        8,857  

Robert Half International Incorporated

          191        10,091  

Verisk Analytics Incorporated

          270        45,954  
     149,582  
  

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.59%  

CSX Corporation

          1,282        89,407  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Incorporated

          140        16,848  

Kansas City Southern

          158        23,588  

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          428        75,144  

Old Dominion Freight Line Incorporated

          156        26,456  

Union Pacific Corporation

          1,133        191,556  
     422,999  
  

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.12%  

Fastenal Company

          953        40,827  

United Rentals Incorporated †

          120        17,885  

W.W. Grainger Incorporated

          73        22,934  
     81,646  
  

 

 

 
Information Technology: 16.56%  
Communications Equipment: 0.58%  

Arista Networks Incorporated †

          89        18,693  

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          7,077        330,071  

F5 Networks Incorporated †

          99        13,809  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  17


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Communications Equipment (continued)  

Juniper Networks Incorporated

          552      $ 12,619  

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

          282        39,517  
     414,709  
  

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.32%  

Amphenol Corporation Class A

          492        47,139  

CDW Corporation of Delaware

          236        27,418  

Corning Incorporated

          1,263        32,712  

FLIR Systems Incorporated

          218        8,844  

IPG Photonics Corporation †

          58        9,303  

Keysight Technologies Incorporated †

          311        31,343  

TE Connectivity Limited

          550        44,853  

Zebra Technologies Corporation Class A †

          88        22,524  
     224,136  
  

 

 

 
IT Services: 3.45%  

Accenture plc Class A

          1,062        228,033  

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          269        28,807  

Automatic Data Processing Incorporated

          715        106,456  

Broadridge Financial Solutions Incorporated

          191        24,102  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Class A

          904        51,365  

DXC Technology Company

          430        7,095  

Fidelity National Information Services Incorporated

          1,031        138,247  

Fiserv Incorporated †

          947        92,446  

FleetCor Technologies Incorporated †

          141        35,466  

Gartner Incorporated †

          148        17,957  

Global Payments Incorporated

          499        84,640  

International Business Machines Corporation

          1,483        179,102  

Jack Henry & Associates Incorporated

          127        23,372  

Leidos Holdings Incorporated

          223        20,888  

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          1,485        439,115  

Paychex Incorporated

          531        40,223  

PayPal Holdings Incorporated †

          1,958        341,142  

The Western Union Company

          683        14,766  

VeriSign Incorporated †

          169        34,954  

Visa Incorporated Class A

          2,818        544,353  
     2,452,529  
  

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.89%  

Advanced Micro Devices Incorporated †

          1,987        104,536  

Analog Devices Incorporated

          614        75,301  

Applied Materials Incorporated

          1,536        92,851  

Broadcom Incorporated

          668        210,827  

Intel Corporation

          7,100        424,793  

KLA-Tencor Corporation

          259        50,370  

Lam Research Corporation

          244        78,924  

Maxim Integrated Products Incorporated

          444        26,911  

Microchip Technology Incorporated

          410        43,177  

Micron Technology Incorporated †

          1,844        95,003  

NVIDIA Corporation

          1,036        393,587  

Qorvo Incorporated †

          191        21,111  

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          1,889        172,296  

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

          278        35,545  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          1,531        194,391  

Xilinx Incorporated

          403        39,651  
     2,059,274  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Software: 5.64%  

Adobe Incorporated †

          804      $ 349,989  

ANSYS Incorporated †

          143        41,717  

Autodesk Incorporated †

          365        87,304  

Cadence Design Systems Incorporated †

          466        44,717  

Citrix Systems Incorporated

          193        28,547  

Fortinet Incorporated †

          225        30,886  

Intuit Incorporated

          435        128,843  

Microsoft Corporation

          12,719        2,588,432  

NortonLifeLock Incorporated

          914        18,125  

Oracle Corporation

          3,478        192,229  

Paycom Software Incorporated †

          81        25,088  

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          1,504        281,744  

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          318        128,809  

Synopsys Incorporated †

          251        48,945  

Tyler Technologies Incorporated †

          66        22,894  
     4,018,269  
  

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.68%  

Apple Incorporated

          6,840        2,495,232  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

          2,144        20,861  

HP Incorporated

          2,390        41,658  

NetApp Incorporated

          368        16,328  

Seagate Technology plc

          376        18,202  

Western Digital Corporation

          500        22,075  

Xerox Holdings Corporation

          305        4,663  
     2,619,019  
  

 

 

 

Materials: 1.51%

 

Chemicals: 1.06%  

Air Products & Chemicals Incorporated

          366        88,374  

Albemarle Corporation

          175        13,512  

Celanese Corporation Series A

          196        16,923  

CF Industries Holdings Incorporated

          354        9,962  

Corteva Incorporated

          1,236        33,112  

Dow Incorporated

          1,236        50,379  

DuPont de Nemours Incorporated

          1,222        64,925  

Eastman Chemical Company

          226        15,739  

Ecolab Incorporated

          412        81,967  

FMC Corporation

          214        21,319  

International Flavors & Fragrances Incorporated

          177        21,675  

Linde plc

          874        185,384  

LyondellBasell Industries NV Class A

          427        28,062  

PPG Industries Incorporated

          392        41,576  

The Mosaic Company

          579        7,243  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          135        78,010  
     758,162  
  

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 0.07%  

Martin Marietta Materials Incorporated

          103        21,277  

Vulcan Materials Company

          220        25,487  
     46,764  
  

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.20%  

Amcor plc

          2,625        26,801  

Avery Dennison Corporation

          138        15,744  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  19


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Containers & Packaging (continued)  

Ball Corporation

          541      $ 37,594  

International Paper Company

          653        22,992  

Packaging Corporation of America

          157        15,669  

Sealed Air Corporation

          259        8,508  

WestRock Company

          431        12,180  
     139,488  
  

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 0.18%  

Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated

          2,443        28,266  

Newmont Goldcorp Corporation

          1,340        82,732  

Nucor Corporation

          500        20,705  
     131,703  
  

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.71%

 

Equity REITs: 1.67%  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

          209        33,910  

American Tower Corporation

          740        191,320  

Apartment Investment & Management Company Class A

          249        9,372  

AvalonBay Communities Incorporated

          235        36,340  

Boston Properties Incorporated

          240        21,691  

Crown Castle International Corporation

          693        115,974  

Digital Realty Trust Incorporated

          443        62,955  

Duke Realty Corporation

          612        21,659  

Equinix Incorporated

          148        103,940  

Equity Residential

          585        34,410  

Essex Property Trust Incorporated

          109        24,980  

Extra Space Storage Incorporated

          214        19,767  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

          117        9,970  

Healthpeak Properties Incorporated

          901        24,832  

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          1,178        12,711  

Iron Mountain Incorporated

          482        12,580  

Kimco Realty Corporation

          722        9,270  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Incorporated

          190        21,787  

Prologis Incorporated

          1,230        114,796  

Public Storage Incorporated

          250        47,973  

Realty Income Corporation

          577        34,332  

Regency Centers Corporation

          284        13,033  

SBA Communications Corporation

          185        55,115  

Simon Property Group Incorporated

          522        35,694  

SL Green Realty Corporation

          129        6,358  

UDR Incorporated

          492        18,391  

Ventas Incorporated

          627        22,961  

Vornado Realty Trust

          266        10,164  

Welltower Incorporated

          700        36,225  

Weyerhaeuser Company

          1,247        28,008  
     1,190,518  
  

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.04%  

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          560        25,323  
          

 

 

 

Utilities: 1.84%

 

Electric Utilities: 1.15%  

Alliant Energy Corporation

          416        19,901  

American Electric Power Company Incorporated

          827        65,862  

Duke Energy Corporation

          1,231        98,345  

 

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

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)  

Edison International

         634      $ 34,433  

Entergy Corporation

         336        31,520  

Evergy Incorporated

         377        22,352  

Eversource Energy

         561        46,714  

Exelon Corporation

         1,633        59,262  

FirstEnergy Corporation

         905        35,096  

NextEra Energy Incorporated

         816        195,979  

NRG Energy Incorporated

         412        13,415  

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

         187        13,705  

PPL Corporation

         1,282        33,127  

The Southern Company

         1,765        91,515  

Xcel Energy Incorporated

         873        54,563  
     815,789  
  

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 0.03%  

Atmos Energy Corporation

         203        20,215  
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.02%  

AES Corporation

         1,110        16,084  
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 0.59%  

Ameren Corporation

         411        28,918  

CenterPoint Energy Incorporated

         919        17,158  

CMS Energy Corporation

         477        27,866  

Consolidated Edison Incorporated

         559        40,209  

Dominion Energy Incorporated

         1,401        113,733  

DTE Energy Company

         322        34,615  

NiSource Incorporated

         639        14,531  

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

         847        41,639  

Sempra Energy

         491        57,560  

WEC Energy Group Incorporated

         526        46,104  
     422,333  
  

 

 

 
Water Utilities: 0.05%  

American Water Works Company Incorporated

         302        38,855  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $22,611,510)

 

     42,851,732  
  

 

 

 
         
    Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal         
U.S. Treasury Securities: 36.22%  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.13     5-15-2040      $ 109,000        107,957  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.25       5-15-2050        120,000        115,181  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.50       1-31-2027        98,000        104,626  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    1.50       2-15-2030        209,000        225,851  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.00       2-15-2050        152,000        173,933  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.13       9-30-2024        118,000        127,385  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.13       11-30-2024        119,000        128,804  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.25       8-15-2046        106,000        125,664  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.25       8-15-2049        108,000        129,819  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.38       11-15-2049        127,000        156,781  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.50       2-15-2045        116,000        143,038  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.50       2-15-2046        106,000        131,221  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.50       5-15-2046        105,000        130,167  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.75       8-15-2042        66,000        84,596  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  21


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.75 %       11-15-2042      $ 78,000      $ 99,883  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.75       8-15-2047        101,000        131,904  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.75       11-15-2047        100,000        130,770  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       5-15-2028        178,000        210,054  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       5-15-2043        111,000        144,976  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       8-15-2045        115,000        151,535  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       11-15-2046        104,000        138,235  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    2.88       5-15-2049        140,000        189,295  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       5-15-2042        40,000        53,245  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       11-15-2044        114,000        152,582  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       5-15-2045        116,000        155,698  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       11-15-2045        115,000        154,949  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       2-15-2047        106,000        144,338  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       5-15-2047        104,000        141,684  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       2-15-2048        114,000        155,997  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       8-15-2048        121,000        166,309  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.00       2-15-2049        140,000        193,173  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       11-15-2041        37,000        50,100  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       2-15-2042        46,000        62,422  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       2-15-2043        79,000        107,082  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       8-15-2044        115,000        156,768  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.13       5-15-2048        123,000        172,291  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.38       5-15-2044        110,000        155,538  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.38       11-15-2048        135,000        198,265  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.50       2-15-2039        29,000        41,019  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.63       8-15-2043        88,000        128,501  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.63       2-15-2044        113,000        165,360  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.75       8-15-2041        36,000        53,030  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.75       11-15-2043        110,000        163,664  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    3.88       8-15-2040        37,000        55,130  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.25       5-15-2039        31,000        47,884  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.25       11-15-2040        40,000        62,486  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.38       2-15-2038        18,000        27,971  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.38       11-15-2039        35,000        55,022  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.38       5-15-2040        35,000        55,295  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.38       5-15-2041        33,000        52,471  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.50       2-15-2036        26,000        39,791  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.50       5-15-2038        21,000        33,122  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.50       8-15-2039        33,000        52,546  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.63       2-15-2040        38,000        61,612  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.75       2-15-2037        13,000        20,728  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    4.75       2-15-2041        44,000        72,994  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    5.00       5-15-2037        17,000        27,874  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    5.25       11-15-2028        45,000        62,288  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    5.25       2-15-2029        33,000        46,025  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    5.38       2-15-2031        31,000        46,059  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    5.50       8-15-2028        35,000        48,821  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    6.13       11-15-2027        49,000        69,092  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    6.13       8-15-2029        25,000        37,335  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    6.25       5-15-2030        21,000        32,353  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    6.38       8-15-2027        21,000        29,703  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    6.88       8-15-2025        21,000        28,023  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.25       5-31-2025        132,000        131,820  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.38       4-30-2025        126,000        126,541  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.50       3-31-2025        120,000        121,252  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.50       4-30-2027        98,000        98,123  

 

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

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.50 %       5-31-2027      $ 111,000      $ 111,082  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.63       3-31-2027        81,000        81,797  

U.S. Treasury Note

    0.63       5-15-2030        178,000        177,444  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.13       7-31-2021        153,000        154,566  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.13       8-31-2021        153,000        154,679  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.13       9-30-2021        152,000        153,793  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.13       2-28-2025        118,000        122,706  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.13       2-28-2027        47,000        49,021  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.25       10-31-2021        151,000        153,165  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.25       7-31-2023        67,000        69,206  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.38       6-30-2023        64,000        66,290  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.38       8-31-2023        124,000        128,674  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.38       9-30-2023        90,000        93,477  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.38       1-31-2025        105,000        110,291  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.38       8-31-2026        95,000        100,533  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.50       1-31-2022        128,000        130,675  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.50       2-28-2023        126,000        130,440  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.50       3-31-2023        126,000        130,592  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.50       8-15-2026        102,000        108,690  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       8-15-2022        117,000        120,620  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       8-31-2022        151,000        155,748  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       11-15-2022        150,000        155,162  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       4-30-2023        66,000        68,694  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       5-31-2023        64,000        66,695  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       10-31-2023        90,000        94,293  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       2-15-2026        102,000        109,124  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       5-15-2026        105,000        112,535  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       9-30-2026        97,000        104,169  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       10-31-2026        94,000        100,980  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       11-30-2026        97,000        104,252  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.63       8-15-2029        157,000        171,277  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       11-30-2021        134,000        136,999  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       2-28-2022        129,000        132,371  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       3-31-2022        128,000        131,530  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       4-30-2022        126,000        129,652  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       5-15-2022        111,000        114,287  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       5-31-2022        149,000        153,493  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       6-30-2022        149,000        153,697  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       9-30-2022        144,000        149,102  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       1-31-2023        129,000        134,215  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       5-15-2023        113,000        118,089  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       12-31-2024        99,000        105,594  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       12-31-2026        99,000        107,241  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.75       11-15-2029        178,000        196,502  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       11-30-2021        128,000        131,085  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       1-31-2022        157,000        161,213  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       2-28-2022        153,000        157,321  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       3-31-2022        153,000        157,548  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       4-30-2022        153,000        157,763  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       5-31-2022        128,000        132,175  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       7-31-2022        149,000        154,291  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       8-31-2022        142,000        147,236  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       9-30-2022        144,000        149,518  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       10-31-2022        143,000        148,675  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       8-31-2024        125,000        133,516  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88       6-30-2026        98,000        106,560  

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  23


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

U.S. Treasury Note

    1.88 %       7-31-2026      $ 99,000      $ 107,717  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       8-31-2021        127,000        129,704  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       10-31-2021        126,000        129,071  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       11-15-2021        178,000        182,464  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       12-31-2021        155,000        159,244  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       2-15-2022        133,000        136,938  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       7-31-2022        144,000        149,496  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       10-31-2022        143,000        149,083  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       11-30-2022        129,000        134,674  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       2-15-2023        118,000        123,623  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       4-30-2024        123,000        131,379  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       5-31-2024        123,000        131,538  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       6-30-2024        123,000        131,687  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       2-15-2025        289,000        312,041  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       8-15-2025        220,000        238,855  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.00       11-15-2026        170,000        186,675  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       8-15-2021        178,000        181,866  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       9-30-2021        128,000        131,115  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       12-31-2021        126,000        129,677  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       6-30-2022        126,000        130,927  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       12-31-2022        129,000        135,274  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       11-30-2023        110,000        117,223  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       2-29-2024        128,000        136,975  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       3-31-2024        127,000        136,074  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       7-31-2024        123,000        132,460  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       5-15-2025        234,000        254,786  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.13       5-31-2026        97,000        106,825  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       7-31-2021        120,000        122,681  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       12-31-2023        127,000        136,093  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       1-31-2024        127,000        136,287  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       10-31-2024        121,000        131,450  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       11-15-2024        290,000        315,273  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       12-31-2024        118,000        128,537  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       11-15-2025        219,000        241,285  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       3-31-2026        99,000        109,561  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       2-15-2027        196,000        218,946  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       8-15-2027        101,000        113,444  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.25       11-15-2027        99,000        111,495  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.38       1-31-2023        144,000        152,151  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.38       8-15-2024        289,000        314,423  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.38       4-30-2026        98,000        109,262  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.38       5-15-2027        164,000        185,096  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.38       5-15-2029        90,000        103,859  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.50       8-15-2023        102,000        109,359  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.50       5-15-2024        281,000        305,752  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.50       1-31-2025        116,000        127,827  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.50       2-28-2026        97,000        108,606  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       2-28-2023        146,000        155,501  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       6-30-2023        83,000        89,063  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       3-31-2025        114,000        126,625  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       12-31-2025        97,000        109,015  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       1-31-2026        95,000        106,894  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.63       2-15-2029        181,000        212,081  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       5-31-2023        82,000        88,124  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       7-31-2023        80,000        86,306  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       8-31-2023        145,000        156,725  

 

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

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

     Interest
rate
    Maturity
date
     Principal      Value  
U.S. Treasury Securities (continued)  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75 %       11-15-2023      $ 134,000      $ 145,495  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       2-15-2024        217,000        236,928  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       2-28-2025        121,000        134,906  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       6-30-2025        119,000        133,475  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       8-31-2025        122,000        137,221  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.75       2-15-2028        189,000        220,458  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       9-30-2023        148,000        160,858  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       4-30-2025        114,000        128,188  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       5-31-2025        117,000        131,744  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       7-31-2025        118,000        133,280  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       11-30-2025        96,000        109,058  

U.S. Treasury Note

    2.88       8-15-2028        190,000        224,987  

U.S. Treasury Note

    3.00       9-30-2025        121,000        137,860  

U.S. Treasury Note

    3.00       10-31-2025        76,000        86,708  

U.S. Treasury Note

    3.13       11-15-2028        226,000        273,213  

U.S. Treasury Note

    6.00       2-15-2026        42,000        55,197  

U.S. Treasury Note

    6.25       8-15-2023        17,000        20,217  

U.S. Treasury Note

    6.50       11-15-2026        28,000        38,733  

U.S. Treasury Note

    6.63       2-15-2027        18,000        25,270  

U.S. Treasury Note

    6.75       8-15-2026        21,000        29,097  

U.S. Treasury Note

    7.13       2-15-2023        24,000        28,388  

U.S. Treasury Note

    7.25       8-15-2022        24,000        27,614  

U.S. Treasury Note

    7.50       11-15-2024        22,000        28,934  

U.S. Treasury Note

    7.63       11-15-2022        12,000        14,127  

U.S. Treasury Note

    7.63       2-15-2025        20,000        26,766  

U.S. Treasury Note

    8.00       11-15-2021        48,000        53,154  

U.S. Treasury Note

    8.13       8-15-2021        15,000        16,346  

Total U.S. Treasury Securities (Cost $23,208,303)

 

     25,783,728  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield            Shares         
Short-Term Investments: 4.52%  
Investment Companies: 4.52%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11          3,219,286        3,219,286  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,219,286)

            3,219,286        
         

 

 

 
  

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $49,039,099)     100.93        71,854,746  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.93        (662,728
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 71,192,018  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  25


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
contracts
     Expiration
date
     Notional
cost
     Notional
value
     Unrealized
gains
     Unrealized
losses
 

Long

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     22        9-18-2020      $ 3,326,129      $ 3,399,220      $ 73,091      $ 0  

Ultra U.S. Treasury Bonds

     2        9-21-2020        424,801        436,313        11,512        0  

10-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     2        9-21-2020        276,115        278,344        2,229        0  

2-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     2        9-30-2020        440,974        441,656        682        0  

5-Year U.S. Treasury Notes

     6        9-30-2020        752,610        754,453        1,843        0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 89,357      $ 0  
              

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 
Common Stocks                                                

Financials

               

Banks

               

Wells Fargo & Company

  $ 337,379     $ 9,118     $ (12,422   $ 1,813     $ (176,247   $ 6,314     $ 159,641       0.22
             

 

 

   
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

    0       52,625       (52,625     0       0       29 #      0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    126,233       12,689,566       (9,596,513     0       0       3,318       3,219,286    
                3,219,286       4.52  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,813     $ (176,247   $ 9,661     $ 3,378,927       4.74
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.

 

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

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $45,628,104)

  $ 68,475,819  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $3,410,995)

    3,378,927  

Cash

    362  

Segregated cash for futures contracts

    632,942  

Receivable for investments sold

    531,651  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    2,011  

Receivable for dividends and interest

    160,698  

Receivable for daily variation margin on open futures contracts

    43,605  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    19,012  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    73,245,027  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    1,978,951  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    25,361  

Management fee payable

    25,956  

Administration fee payable

    4,662  

Distribution fee payable

    14,241  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    3,838  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,053,009  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 71,192,018  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 41,160,151  

Total distributable earnings

    30,031,867  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 71,192,018  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 71,192,018  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    3,372,612  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $21.11  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  27


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 407,789  

Interest

    261,646  

Income from affiliated securities

    9,742  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    679,177  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    206,271  

Administration fee

 

Class 2

    27,503  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    84,360  

Custody and accounting fees

    19,315  

Professional fees

    20,585  

Shareholder report expenses

    12,953  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,261  

Other fees and expenses

    8,169  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    388,417  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (44,633
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    343,784  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    335,393  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    1,983,715  

Affiliated securities

    1,813  

Futures contracts

    927,888  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    2,913,416  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (1,026,475

Affiliated securities

    (176,247

Futures contracts

    131,368  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1,071,354
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1,842,062  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 2,177,455  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

   

Net investment income

    $ 335,393       $ 779,366  

Net realized gains on investments

      2,913,416         5,395,088  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (1,071,354       7,066,026  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      2,177,455         13,240,480  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains – Class 2

      (346,347       (5,335,197
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold – Class 2

    82,771       1,671,619       75,995       1,504,042  

Reinvestment of distributions – Class 2

    17,948       346,347       269,720       5,335,197  

Payment for shares redeemed – Class 2

    (241,464     (4,849,652     (570,099     (11,403,024
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (2,831,686       (4,563,785
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (1,000,578       3,341,498  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      72,192,596         68,851,098  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 71,192,018       $ 72,192,596  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  29


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.55       $18.42       $20.45       $19.16       $18.47       $18.43  

Net investment income

    0.10       0.22       0.20       0.17       0.17       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.56       3.42       (0.70     2.12       1.22       0.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.66       3.64       (0.50     2.29       1.39       0.23  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    (0.10     (0.22     (0.20     (0.15     (0.17     (0.19

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.29     (1.33     (0.85     (0.53     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.10     (1.51     (1.53     (1.00     (0.70     (0.19

Net asset value, end of period

    $21.11       $20.55       $18.42       $20.45       $19.16       $18.47  

Total return1

    3.27     20.16     (2.90 )%      12.25     7.67     1.25

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.13     1.05     1.05     1.16     1.10     1.10

Net expenses

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income

    0.98     1.07     0.94     0.86     0.93     0.95

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    11     4     10     10     15     44

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $71,192       $72,193       $68,851       $81,956       $81,505       $81,495  

 

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities and futures contracts that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Debt securities are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service (e.g. taking into account various factors, including yields, maturities, or credit ratings) or, if a reliable price is not available, the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allows the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  31


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Futures contracts

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity, financial instrument or currency at a specified price and on a specified date. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts in order to gain exposure to, or protect against, changes in interest rates and security values and is subject to interest rate risk and equity price risk. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between changes in market values of securities held by the Fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market. Futures contracts are generally entered into on a regulated futures exchange and cleared through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange. With futures contracts, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures contracts against default.

Upon entering into a futures contracts, the Fund is required to deposit either cash or securities (initial margin) with the broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are paid to or from the broker each day equal to the daily changes in the contract value. Such payments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (payable) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Should the Fund fail to make requested variation margin payments, the broker can gain access to the initial margin to satisfy the Fund’s payment obligations. When the contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Interest income is accrued daily and bond discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized daily. To the extent debt obligations are placed on non-accrual status, any related interest income may be reduced by writing off interest receivables when the collection of all or a portion of interest has been determined to be doubtful based on consistently applied procedures and the fair value has decreased. If the issuer subsequently resumes interest payments or when the collectability of interest is reasonably assured, the debt obligation is removed from non-accrual status.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid from net investment income quarterly and any net realized gains are paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $49,390,372 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 24,565,760  

Gross unrealized losses

     (2,012,029

Net unrealized gains

   $ 22,553,731  

 

 

32  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 4,654,804      $ 0      $ 0      $ 4,654,804  

Consumer discretionary

     4,642,143        0        0        4,642,143  

Consumer staples

     2,976,165        0        0        2,976,165  

Energy

     1,207,198        0        0        1,207,198  

Financials

     4,301,420        0        0        4,301,420  

Health care

     6,246,824        0        0        6,246,824  

Industrials

     3,430,008        0        0        3,430,008  

Information technology

     11,787,936        0        0        11,787,936  

Materials

     1,076,117        0        0        1,076,117  

Real estate

     1,215,841        0        0        1,215,841  

Utilities

     1,313,276        0        0        1,313,276  

U.S. Treasury securities

     25,783,728        0        0        25,783,728  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     3,219,286        0        0        3,219,286  
     71,854,746        0        0        71,854,746  

Futures contracts

     89,357        0        0        89,357  

Total assets

   $ 71,944,103      $ 0      $ 0      $ 71,944,103  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Futures contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. For futures contracts, the current day’s variation margin is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund  |  33


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.600

Next $500 million

     0.550  

Next $2 billion

     0.500  

Next $2 billion

     0.475  

Next $5 billion

     0.440  

Over $10 billion

     0.430  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.15% and declining to 0.10% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fee

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives a class level fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.00% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were as follows:

 

Purchases at cost

     Sales proceeds
U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
     U.S.
government
     Non-U.S.
government
$4,101,277      $2,917,259      $8,602,687      $2,053,704

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund entered into futures contracts to gain market exposure to certain asset classes consistent with an active asset allocation strategy. The Fund had an average notional amount of $5,214,552 in long futures contracts and $477,787 in short futures contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

The cumulative unrealized gains (losses) reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments represents the fair value of futures contracts at the end of the period. Only the current day’s variation margin as of June 30, 2020 is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was as follows for the Fund:

 

       Amount of realized
gains on
derivatives
       Change in unrealized
gains (losses) on
derivatives
 

Equity risk

     $ 832,447        $ 73,091  

Interest rate risk

       95,441          58,277  
       $ 927,888        $ 131,368  

8. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

9. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Fund invests a concentration of its portfolio in the information technology sector. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

 

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.    

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Index Asset Allocation Blended Index, for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Index Asset Allocation Blended Index, for the one-, three-, and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020, but in range of its benchmark index for the five-year period ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratio and its various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered this ratio in comparison to the median ratios of funds in an expense group that was determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Group”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Group and an explanation of how funds comprising expense group and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratio of the Fund was in range of the median net operating expense ratio of the expense Group.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rate”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rate with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Group at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Group. The Board noted that the Management Rate of the Fund was lower than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Group.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

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Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

44  |  Wells Fargo VT Index Asset Allocation Fund


LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00254 08-20

SVT2/SAR136 06-20

 

 



LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

VT Small Cap Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-269-5969.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


 

This page is intentionally left blank.


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA®, CPA

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 2020

 

 
              Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
             
Class 13   7-16-2010     11.73       10.31       13.88       0.94       0.94  
             
Class 2   5-1-1995     11.44       10.06       13.60       1.19       1.19  
             
Russell 2000® Growth Index4       3.48       6.86       12.92              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20205  
   

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A

     3.25  
   

ASGN Incorporated

     3.04  
   

Q2 Holdings Incorporated

     2.95  
   

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

     2.83  
   

Envestnet Incorporated

     2.75  
   

Rexnord Corporation

     2.51  
   

Rapid7 Incorporated

     2.43  
   

Novanta Incorporated

     2.42  
   

SPS Commerce Incorporated

     2.06  
   

Mercury Computer Systems Incorporated

     2.03  

 

Sector allocation as of June 30, 20206

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, which include 0.01% in acquired fund fees. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.95% for Class 1 and 1.20% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance shown for the Class 1 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class 2 shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class 2 shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class 1 shares would be higher.

 

4 

The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

6 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

    

Beginning

account value

1-1-2020

    

Ending

account value

6-30-2020

    

Expenses

paid during

the period1

    

Annualized net

expense ratio

 
         

Class 1

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,102.04      $ 4.86        0.93

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.24      $ 4.67        0.93
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,101.92      $ 6.17        1.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.00      $ 5.92        1.18

 

1 

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.51%           

Communication Services: 0.64%

          
Media: 0.64%                           

Cardlytics Incorporated †

          28,100      $ 1,966,438  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 11.90%

          
Auto Components: 0.40%                           

Fox Factory Holding Corporation †

          15,000        1,239,150  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.30%                           

Chegg Incorporated †

          13,686        920,520  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.47%                           

GAN Limited †

          82,834        2,108,125  

Papa John’s International Incorporated

          30,900        2,453,769  

Wingstop Incorporated

          44,189        6,140,945  
             10,702,839  
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.63%                           

Purple Innovation Incorporated †

          107,648        1,937,664  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 1.08%                           

Fiverr International Limited †

          45,200        3,336,664  
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 1.24%                           

YETI Holdings Incorporated †

          89,376        3,819,036  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 0.36%                           

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Incorporated †

          11,510        1,123,952  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.43%                           

Boot Barn Holdings Incorporated †

          158,200        3,410,792  

Five Below Incorporated †

          5,108        546,096  

Lithia Motors Incorporated Class A

          22,130        3,348,933  

Vroom Incorporated †

          4,042        210,750  
             7,516,571  
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.99%                           

Crocs Incorporated †

          102,300        3,766,686  

Deckers Outdoor Corporation †

          12,200        2,395,958  
             6,162,644  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 3.97%

          
Beverages: 0.40%                           

Boston Beer Company Incorporated Class A †

          2,300        1,234,295  
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.29%                           

Grocery Outlet Holding Corporation †

          50,735        2,069,988  

The Chef’s Warehouse Incorporated †

          140,200        1,903,916  
             3,973,904  
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.77%                           

Freshpet Incorporated †

          65,427        5,473,623  
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.51%                           

Inter Parfums Incorporated

          32,700        1,574,505  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  

Financials: 8.35%

          
Capital Markets: 1.97%                           

Assetmark Financial Holdings †

          74,515      $ 2,033,514  

Stifel Financial Corporation

          85,700        4,064,751  
             6,098,265  
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 1.77%                           

LendingTree Incorporated †

          18,828        5,451,271  
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 4.61%                           

eHealth Incorporated †

          33,200        3,261,568  

Goosehead Insurance Incorporated Class A †

          26,407        1,984,750  

Kinsale Capital Group Incorporated

          56,324        8,742,048  

SelectQuote Incorporated †

          9,676        245,093  
             14,233,459  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 29.14%

          
Biotechnology: 11.05%                           

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Incorporated †

          106,846        3,231,023  

Arena Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          41,300        2,599,835  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company †

          32,700        2,390,697  

CareDx Incorporated †

          40,544        1,436,474  

Castle Biosciences Incorporated †

          113,448        4,275,855  

Emergent BioSolutions Incorporated †

          17,600        1,391,808  

Fate Therapeutics Incorporated †

          55,300        1,897,343  

Fusion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          3,255        56,865  

Halozyme Therapeutics Incorporated †

          99,300        2,662,233  

Invitae Corporation †

          119,400        3,616,626  

Krystal Biotech Incorporated †

          39,299        1,627,765  

Natera Incorporated †

          85,001        4,238,150  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          15,002        506,017  

PTC Therapeutics Incorporated †

          20,200        1,024,948  

Vericel Corporation †

          230,100        3,179,982  
             34,135,621  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 8.67%                           

Glaukos Corporation †

          22,240        854,461  

iRhythm Technologies Incorporated †

          50,926        5,901,814  

Mesa Laboratories Incorporated

          2,600        563,680  

Orthopediatrics Corporation †

          75,111        3,286,857  

Shockwave Medical Incorporated †

          78,626        3,724,514  

SI-BONE Incorporated †

          128,294        2,045,006  

Silk Road Medical Incorporated †

          28,040        1,174,596  

Tactile Systems Technology Class I †

          52,757        2,185,723  

Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated †

          27,900        2,759,868  

Vapotherm Incorporated †

          104,591        4,287,185  
             26,783,704  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.21%                           

Addus Homecare Corporation †

          46,700        4,322,552  

Amedisys Incorporated †

          8,400        1,667,736  

Progenity Incorporated †

          91,365        822,285  
             6,812,573  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Technology: 2.54%                           

Health Catalyst Incorporated †

          95,567      $ 2,787,689  

Inspire Medical Systems Incorporated †

          30,100        2,619,302  

Phreesia Incorporated †

          85,606        2,420,938  
             7,827,929  
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 3.52%                           

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation †

          32,031        1,549,660  

Codexis Incorporated †

          366,427        4,177,268  

Neogenomics Incorporated †

          140,082        4,339,740  

Repligen Corporation †

          6,400        791,104  
             10,857,772  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.15%                           

MyoKardia Incorporated †

          18,100        1,748,822  

Pacira Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          34,300        1,799,721  
             3,548,543  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 15.43%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 2.89%                           

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Incorporated †

          169,610        2,651,004  

Mercury Computer Systems Incorporated †

          79,668        6,266,685  
             8,917,689  
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.14%                           

The AZEK Company Incorporated †

          13,223        421,285  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 3.25%                           

Casella Waste Systems Incorporated Class A †

          192,700        10,043,524  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 0.93%                           

MasTec Incorporated †

          64,400        2,889,628  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 2.51%                           

Rexnord Corporation

          266,020        7,754,483  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 3.04%                           

ASGN Incorporated †

          140,681        9,380,609  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.62%                           

Marten Transport Limited

          101,400        2,551,224  

Saia Incorporated †

          22,000        2,445,960  
             4,997,184  
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.05%                           

SiteOne Landscape Supply Incorporated †

          28,400        3,236,748  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 27.52%

          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.42%                           

Novanta Incorporated †

          70,100        7,484,577  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 3.31%                           

Endava plc Sponsored ADR †

          67,094        3,240,640  

EVO Payments Incorporated Class A †

          149,191        3,406,031  

Fastly Incorporated †

          25,200        2,145,276  

LiveRamp Holdings Incorporated †

          33,200        1,410,004  
             10,201,951  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  11


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.99%                          

Diodes Incorporated †

         66,130      $ 3,352,791  

Semtech Corporation †

         88,100        4,600,582  

Silicon Laboratories Incorporated †

         12,600        1,263,402  
            9,216,775  
         

 

 

 
Software: 18.80%                          

BlackLine Incorporated †

         24,153        2,002,525  

Envestnet Incorporated †

         115,311        8,479,971  

Everbridge Incorporated †

         27,400        3,791,064  

Five9 Incorporated †

         28,713        3,177,668  

Globant SA †

         12,500        1,873,125  

Mimecast Limited †

         71,200        2,966,192  

New Relic Incorporated †

         33,800        2,328,820  

PROS Holdings Incorporated †

         45,200        2,008,236  

Q2 Holdings Incorporated †

         106,176        9,108,839  

Rapid7 Incorporated †

         147,178        7,509,022  

Sprout Social Incorporated Class A †

         112,039        3,025,053  

SPS Commerce Incorporated †

         84,564        6,352,448  

Talend SA ADR †

         156,939        5,439,506  
            58,062,469  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 0.24%

         
Chemicals: 0.24%                          

PQ Group Holdings Incorporated †

         56,780        751,767  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 1.32%

         
Equity REITs: 1.32%                          

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated

         22,100        903,890  

QTS Realty Trust Incorporated Class A

         49,700        3,185,272  
            4,089,162  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $235,120,231)

            304,178,793  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 1.54%

 

Investment Companies: 1.54%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11        4,763,842        4,763,842  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $4,763,842)

 

     4,763,842        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $239,884,073)     100.05        308,942,635  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.05        (148,442
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 308,794,193  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

   

Value,

beginning of

period

    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

   

Net

realized
gains
(losses)

   

Net

change in

unrealized

gains

(losses)

   

Income

from

affiliated

securities

   

Value,

end of

period

   

% of

net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

  $ 17,154,220     $ 33,595,151     $ (50,750,049   $ 1,535     $ (857   $ 64,715 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    3,229,069       42,455,008       (40,920,235     0       0       14,188       4,763,842    
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,535     $ (857   $ 78,903     $ 4,763,842       1.54
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and expenses.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  13


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $235,120,231)

  $ 304,178,793  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $4,763,842)

    4,763,842  

Receivable for investments sold

    1,089,132  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    31,646  

Receivable for dividends

    23,870  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    25,686  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    310,112,969  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    794,246  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    246,360  

Management fee payable

    197,584  

Administration fees payable

    19,759  

Distribution fee payable

    56,291  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    4,536  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,318,776  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 308,794,193  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 195,101,494  

Total distributable earnings

    113,692,699  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 308,794,193  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 1

  $ 25,148,708  

Shares outstanding – Class 11

    2,217,448  

Net asset value per share – Class 1

    $11.34  

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 283,645,485  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    25,985,488  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $10.92  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 144,870  

Securities lending income from affiliates, net

    53,427  

Income from affiliated securities

    14,188  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    212,485  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    1,075,902  

Administration fees

 

Class 1

    8,698  

Class 2

    98,892  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    307,602  

Custody and accounting fees

    13,919  

Professional fees

    19,588  

Shareholder report expenses

    21,398  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,988  

Other fees and expenses

    6,838  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,562,825  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (372
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,562,453  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1,349,968
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    28,226,604  

Affiliated securities

    1,535  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    28,228,139  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    1,371,182  

Affiliated securities

    (857
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1,370,325  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    29,598,464  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 28,248,496  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  15


Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (1,349,968     $ (2,708,593

Net realized gains on investments

      28,228,139         18,188,979  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      1,370,325         48,624,852  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      28,248,496         64,105,238  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class 1

      0         (3,689,450

Class 2

      0         (44,225,338
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (47,914,788
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class 1

    305,138       3,079,812       343,664       3,528,410  

Class 2

    1,299,182       11,362,615       1,600,764       15,682,418  
 

 

 

 
      14,442,427         19,210,828  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class 1

    0       0       358,896       3,689,450  

Class 2

    0       0       4,458,199       44,225,338  
 

 

 

 
      0         47,914,788  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class 1

    (316,238     (3,102,033     (523,347     (5,516,594

Class 2

    (2,516,330     (23,377,128     (4,754,197     (48,055,795
 

 

 

 
      (26,479,161       (53,572,389
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (12,036,734       13,553,227  
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      16,211,762         29,743,677  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      292,582,431         262,838,754  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 308,794,193       $ 292,582,431  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months  ended
June 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 1   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.29       $9.66       $10.43       $8.51       $8.70       $10.08  

Net investment loss

    (0.04     (0.07 )1      (0.05     (0.04     (0.01 )1      (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.09       2.51       0.40       2.24       0.65       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.05       2.44       0.35       2.20       0.64       (0.08

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.81     (1.12     (0.28     (0.83     (1.30

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.34       $10.29       $9.66       $10.43       $8.51       $8.70  

Total return2

    10.20     25.31     1.48     26.14     8.10     (2.63 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.93     0.93     0.92     0.94     0.94     0.93

Net expenses

    0.93     0.93     0.92     0.94     0.94     0.93

Net investment loss

    (0.78 )%      (0.69 )%      (0.59 )%      (0.65 )%      (0.10 )%      (0.69 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    32     62     68     72     89     77

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $25,149       $22,925       $19,801       $22,591       $20,554       $22,402  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  17


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $9.91       $9.38       $10.18       $8.33       $8.56       $9.96  

Net investment loss

    (0.05     (0.09     (0.09     (0.09     (0.03     (0.08

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.06       2.43       0.41       2.22       0.63       (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.01       2.34       0.32       2.13       0.60       (0.10

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.81     (1.12     (0.28     (0.83     (1.30

Net asset value, end of period

    $10.92       $9.91       $9.38       $10.18       $8.33       $8.56  

Total return1

    10.19     24.83     1.20     25.86     7.75     (2.88 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.18     1.18     1.17     1.19     1.19     1.18

Net expenses

    1.18     1.18     1.17     1.19     1.19     1.18

Net investment loss

    (1.02 )%      (0.95 )%      (0.84 )%      (0.90 )%      (0.35 )%      (0.93 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    32     62     68     72     89     77

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $283,645       $269,657       $243,038       $238,460       $202,718       $226,867  

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund, if any, is included in securities lending income from affiliates (net of fees and rebates) on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  19


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $239,644,816 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 79,548,378  

Gross unrealized losses

     (10,250,559

Net unrealized gains

   $ 69,297,819  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in distribution fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

     

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 1,966,438      $ 0      $ 0      $ 1,966,438  

Consumer discretionary

     36,759,040        0        0        36,759,040  

Consumer staples

     12,256,327        0        0        12,256,327  

Financials

     25,782,995        0        0        25,782,995  

Health care

     89,966,142        0        0        89,966,142  

Industrials

     47,641,150        0        0        47,641,150  

Information technology

     84,965,772        0        0        84,965,772  

Materials

     751,767        0        0        751,767  

Real estate

     4,089,162        0        0        4,089,162  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     4,763,842        0        0        4,763,842  

Total assets

   $ 308,942,635      $ 0      $ 0      $ 308,942,635  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Next $1 billion

     0.675  

Next $2 billion

     0.650  

Next $5 billion

     0.640  

Over $10 billion

     0.630  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.55% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  21


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class.

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.95% for Class 1 shares and 1.20% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $86,002,892 and $100,743,153, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

8. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the health care and information technology sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  23


Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  25


 

Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

1 

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2 

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  27


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program. The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of its Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and lower for the one-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than, equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of its expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for each share class.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  29


Other information (unaudited)

 

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Small Cap Growth Fund  |  31


 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00258 08-20

SVT7/SAR144 06-20

 

 



LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

VT International Equity Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-269-5969.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Venkateshwar (Venk) Lal

Dale A. Winner, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 20201

 

 
              Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
             
Class 1   8-17-1998     -14.72       -1.71       4.17       1.13       0.69  
             
Class 2   7-31-2002     -14.83       -1.92       3.93       1.38       0.94  
             
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)4       -4.80       2.26       4.97              
             
MSCI ACWI ex USA Value Index5       -15.26       -1.25       2.79              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expense had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. The use of derivatives may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20206  
   

Samsung Electronics Company Limited GDR

     3.01  
   

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA

     2.82  
   

Coway Company Limited

     2.78  
   

Smiths Group plc

     2.65  
   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Incorporated

     2.62  
   

Rheinmetall AG

     2.61  
   

Hitachi Limited

     2.61  
   

Den Norske Bank ASA

     2.60  
   

Prysmian SpA

     2.60  
   

Koninklijke Philips NV

     2.55  

 

Sector allocation as of June 30, 20207
LOGO
 

 

Geographic allocation as of June 30, 20207
LOGO

 

    

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Historical performance prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen VA International Equity Fund.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.69% for Class 1 and 0.94% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indexes or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The MSCI ACWI ex USA Value Index measures the equity market performance of large- and mid-cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across developed and emerging market countries, excluding the United States. The value investment style characteristics for index construction are defined using three variables: book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price, and dividend yield. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
1-1-2020
     Ending
account value
6-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Annualized net
expense ratio
 
         

Class 1

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 818.68      $ 3.12        0.69

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.43      $ 3.47        0.69
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 819.15      $ 4.25        0.94

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.19      $ 4.72        0.94

 

1 

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 97.14%

 

Australia: 1.90%

 

Qantas Airways Limited (Industrials, Airlines)

          352,141      $ 933,136  

Qantas Airways Limited ADR (Industrials, Airlines) †(a)

          99,909        260,620  
             1,193,756  
          

 

 

 
Canada: 3.52%  

Home Capital Group Incorporated (Financials, Thrifts & Mortgage Finance) †

          43,400        645,118  

Lundin Mining Corporation (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          291,472        1,562,991  
             2,208,109  
          

 

 

 
China: 9.74%  

Alibaba Group Holding Limited ADR (Consumer Discretionary, Internet & Direct Marketing Retail) †

          51,704        1,395,170  

China Mobile Limited (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          93,000        627,941  

HollySys Automation Technologies Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          42,503        565,290  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Company Limited (Information Technology, Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)

          37,300        215,762  

Midea Group Company Limited Class A (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          164,698        1,396,248  

Oppein Home Group Incorporated Class A (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          48,600        798,680  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Company Limited H Shares (Health Care, Health Care Providers & Services)

          662,400        1,113,244  
             6,112,335  
          

 

 

 
Denmark: 1.60%  

Danske Bank AS (Financials, Banks) †

          75,296        1,006,591  
          

 

 

 
France: 5.85%  

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA (Industrials, Building Products)

          49,112        1,772,007  

Orange SA (Communication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services)

          43,584        521,175  

Sanofi SA (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          13,516        1,378,423  
             3,671,605  
          

 

 

 
Germany: 8.16%  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs Gesellschaft AG (Financials, Insurance)

          6,003        1,563,150  

Rheinmetall AG (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          18,846        1,637,665  

SAP SE (Information Technology, Software)

          8,891        1,242,868  

Siemens AG (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          5,778        681,441  
             5,125,124  
          

 

 

 
Hong Kong: 2.17%  

Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

          1,104,000        1,362,471  
          

 

 

 
India: 2.11%  

Tech Mahindra Limited (Information Technology, IT Services)

          184,349        1,326,416  
          

 

 

 
Ireland: 1.31%  

Greencore Group plc (Consumer Staples, Food Products)

          527,991        821,356  
          

 

 

 
Israel: 2.45%  

Check Point Software Technologies Limited (Information Technology, Software) †

          14,288        1,534,960  
          

 

 

 
Italy: 2.60%  

Prysmian SpA (Industrials, Electrical Equipment)

          70,273        1,630,216  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Japan: 12.13%

 

Alps Electric Company Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          106,400      $ 1,371,416  

Daiwa Securities Group Incorporated (Financials, Capital Markets)

          370,900        1,558,114  

Hitachi Limited (Information Technology, Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components)

          51,500        1,636,918  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          418,600        1,647,410  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          39,000        1,401,190  
             7,615,048  
          

 

 

 
Malaysia: 0.37%  

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (Financials, Banks)

          279,533        233,197  
          

 

 

 
Netherlands: 6.04%  

Koninklijke Philips NV (Health Care, Health Care Equipment & Supplies)

          34,334        1,601,602  

NN Group NV (Financials, Insurance)

          45,182        1,518,466  

OCI NV (Materials, Chemicals) †

          63,870        670,918  
             3,790,986  
          

 

 

 
Norway: 2.60%  

Den Norske Bank ASA (Financials, Banks) †

          122,430        1,634,133  
          

 

 

 
Russia: 1.74%  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ADR (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          118,899        1,092,682  
          

 

 

 
Singapore: 1.98%  

Keppel Corporation Limited (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          289,100        1,245,131  
          

 

 

 
South Korea: 8.84%  

Coway Company Limited (Consumer Discretionary, Household Durables)

          28,910        1,747,739  

Hana Financial Group Incorporated (Financials, Banks)

          46,012        1,046,421  

Samsung Electronics Company Limited GDR (Information Technology, Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals) 144A

          1,730        1,891,261  

SK Telecom Company Limited (Communication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services)

          4,917        865,973  
             5,551,394  
          

 

 

 
Switzerland: 4.90%  

LafargeHolcim Limited (Materials, Construction Materials)

          33,679        1,483,763  

Novartis AG (Health Care, Pharmaceuticals)

          18,303        1,594,576  
             3,078,339  
          

 

 

 
Thailand: 0.90%  

Siam Commercial Bank plc (Financials, Banks)

          237,100        564,296  
          

 

 

 
United Kingdom: 9.07%  

Fresnillo plc (Materials, Metals & Mining)

          64,209        670,920  

John Wood Group plc (Energy, Energy Equipment & Services)

          349,026        836,888  

Kingfisher plc (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          271,989        748,292  

Man Group plc (Financials, Capital Markets)

          198,146        320,793  

Melrose Industries plc (Industrials, Electrical Equipment)

          416,109        586,523  

Sensata Technologies Holding plc (Industrials, Electrical Equipment) †

          23,359        869,656  

Smiths Group plc (Industrials, Industrial Conglomerates)

          95,154        1,663,474  
             5,696,546  
          

 

 

 
United States: 7.16%  

Advance Auto Parts Incorporated (Consumer Discretionary, Specialty Retail)

          5,622        800,854  

Berry Global Group Incorporated (Materials, Containers & Packaging) †

          32,869        1,456,754  

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
United States (continued)  

Gentex Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Auto Components)

         52,133      $ 1,343,468  

Samsonite International SA (Consumer Discretionary, Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods)

 

       875,700        893,249  
            4,494,325  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $65,499,870)

 

     60,989,016  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                         
Short-Term Investments: 2.90%  
Investment Companies: 2.90%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11        1,820,059        1,820,059  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,820,059)

 

     1,820,059          
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $67,319,929)     100.04        62,809,075  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.04        (22,543
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 62,786,532  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(a)

The security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

144A

The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

GDR

Global depositary receipt

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

 

Currency to be
received
     Currency to be
delivered
     Counterparty      Settlement
date
     Unrealized
gains
       Unrealized
losses
 
3,786,724 USD      3,346,700 EUR      Credit Suisse      9-9-2020      $ 21,020        $ 0  

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

   

Net

realized

gains

(losses)

   

Net

change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)

    Income
from
affiliated
securities
   

Value,
end of

period

   

% of
net

assets

 
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

  $ 664,309     $ 56,289     $ (720,600   $ 2     $ 0     $ 627 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    1,474,228       18,445,866       (18,100,035     0       0       7,060       1,820,059    
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 2     $ 0     $ 7,687     $ 1,820,059       2.90
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period

 

# 

Amount shown represents income before fees and expenses.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  11


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $65,499,870)

  $ 60,989,016  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $1,820,059)

    1,820,059  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $152,213)

    151,859  

Receivable for investments sold

    331,537  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    4,511  

Receivable for dividends

    613,982  

Unrealized gains on forward foreign currency contracts

    21,020  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,141  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    63,933,125  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    818,807  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    57,105  

Management fee payable

    159,861  

Administration fees payable

    4,181  

Distribution fee payable

    9,888  

Custody and accounting fees payable

    32,479  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    5,114  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    59,158  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,146,593  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 62,786,532  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 76,781,230  

Total distributable loss

    (13,994,698
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 62,786,532  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 1

  $ 15,035,675  

Shares outstanding – Class 11

    10,075,938  

Net asset value per share – Class 1

    $1.49  

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 47,750,857  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    31,019,863  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $1.54  

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $103,348)

  $ 855,699  

Income from affiliated securities

    7,472  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    863,171  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    259,606  

Administration fees

 

Class 1

    6,232  

Class 2

    19,729  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    61,602  

Custody and accounting fees

    34,450  

Professional fees

    22,326  

Shareholder report expenses

    21,364  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,988  

Other fees and expenses

    8,231  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    443,528  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (157,966
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    285,562  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    577,609  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (9,857,724

Affiliated securities

    2  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    (88,991
 

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

    (9,946,713
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    (5,495,512

Forward foreign currency contracts

    109,265  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (5,386,247
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (15,332,960
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (14,755,351
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  13


Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

 

 

Net investment income

    $ 577,609       $ 1,907,276  

Net realized losses on investments

      (9,946,713       (1,090,787

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (5,386,247       10,994,817  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (14,755,351       11,811,306  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains

     

Class 1

      0         (9,077,111

Class 2

      0         (27,331,240
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (36,408,351
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

 

Class 1

    400,519       555,529       386,051       874,936  

Class 2

    824,879       1,161,672       803,693       1,889,549  
 

 

 

 
      1,717,201         2,764,485  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

 

Class 1

    0       0       5,186,921       9,077,111  

Class 2

    0       0       15,100,133       27,331,240  
 

 

 

 
      0         36,408,351  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

 

Class 1

    (1,210,835     (1,830,737     (1,474,212     (3,230,199

Class 2

    (2,643,152     (4,123,933     (3,468,601     (7,885,488
 

 

 

 
      (5,954,670       (11,115,687
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (4,237,469       28,057,149  
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (18,992,820       3,460,104  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      81,779,352         78,319,248  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 62,786,532       $ 81,779,352  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 1   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $1.83       $2.85       $5.34       $4.41       $4.82       $4.92  

Net investment income

    0.03       0.06 1      0.10 1      0.12 1      0.11 1      0.11 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.37     0.34       (0.77     0.96       (0.01     0.02  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.34     0.40       (0.67     1.08       0.10       0.13  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.13     (0.61     (0.15     (0.15     (0.23

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.29     (1.21     0.00       (0.36     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.42     (1.82     (0.15     (0.51     (0.23

Net asset value, end of period

    $1.49       $1.83       $2.85       $5.34       $4.41       $4.82  

Total return2

    (18.13 )%      16.14     (16.86 )%      24.86     3.25     2.30

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.18     1.13     1.12     0.95     0.95     0.95

Net expenses

    0.69     0.69     0.69     0.69     0.69     0.69

Net investment income

    1.96     2.55     2.41     2.41     2.49     2.04

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    51     48     51     55     77     34

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $15,036       $19,872       $19,315       $28,001       $25,137       $30,254  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  15


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $1.89       $2.89       $5.38       $4.45       $4.84       $4.95  

Net investment income

    0.02       0.05 1      0.09 1      0.11 1      0.10       0.09 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (0.37     0.36       (0.78     0.96       0.00       0.01  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.35     0.41       (0.69     1.07       0.10       0.10  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.12     (0.59     (0.14     (0.13     (0.21

Net realized gains

    0.00       (1.29     (1.21     0.00       (0.36     0.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (1.41     (1.80     (0.14     (0.49     (0.21

Net asset value, end of period

    $1.54       $1.89       $2.89       $5.38       $4.45       $4.84  

Total return2

    (18.09 )%      16.10     (17.28 )%      24.34     3.30     1.80

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.43     1.38     1.30     1.20     1.20     1.20

Net expenses

    0.94     0.94     0.94     0.94     0.94     0.94

Net investment income

    1.72     2.30     1.82     2.18     2.25     1.77

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    51     48     51     55     77     34

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $47,751       $61,907       $59,004       $318,202       $288,628       $295,215  

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Forward foreign currency contracts are recorded at the forward rate provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee.

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On June 30, 2020, such fair value pricing was used in pricing certain foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  17


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

Forward foreign currency contracts

A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed-upon price at a future date. The Fund enters into forward foreign currency contracts to facilitate transactions in foreign-denominated securities and to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between currencies. Forward foreign currency contracts are recorded at the forward rate and marked-to-market daily. When the contracts are closed, realized gains and losses arising from such transactions are recorded as realized gains or losses on forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund is subject to foreign currency risk and may be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts or if the value of the foreign currency changes unfavorably. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the unrealized gains on the contracts. This risk may be mitigated if there is a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $65,809,081 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 3,158,936  

Gross unrealized losses

     (6,137,922

Net unrealized losses

   $ (2,978,986

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had current year deferred post-October capital losses consisting of $563,117 in short-term losses and $943,747 in long-term losses which were recognized on the first day of the current fiscal year.

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in distribution fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  19


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Australia

   $ 0      $ 1,193,756      $ 0      $ 1,193,756  

Canada

     2,208,109        0        0        2,208,109  

China

     565,290        5,547,045        0        6,112,335  

Denmark

     0        1,006,591        0        1,006,591  

France

     0        3,671,605        0        3,671,605  

Germany

     0        5,125,124        0        5,125,124  

Hong Kong

     0        1,362,471        0        1,362,471  

India

     0        1,326,416        0        1,326,416  

Ireland

     0        821,356        0        821,356  

Israel

     1,534,960        0        0        1,534,960  

Italy

     0        1,630,216        0        1,630,216  

Japan

     0        7,615,048        0        7,615,048  

Malaysia

     0        233,197        0        233,197  

Netherlands

     1,601,602        2,189,384        0        3,790,986  

Norway

     0        1,634,133        0        1,634,133  

Russia

     1,092,682        0        0        1,092,682  

Singapore

     0        1,245,131        0        1,245,131  

South Korea

     0        5,551,394        0        5,551,394  

Switzerland

     0        3,078,339        0        3,078,339  

Thailand

     0        564,296        0        564,296  

United Kingdom

     869,656        4,826,890        0        5,696,546  

United States

     3,601,076        893,249        0        4,494,325  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     1,820,059        0        0        1,820,059  
     13,293,434        49,515,641        0        62,809,075  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     0        21,020        0        21,020  

Total assets

   $ 13,293,434      $ 49,536,661      $ 0      $ 62,830,095  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

Forward foreign currency contracts are reported at their cumulative unrealized gains (losses) at measurement date as reported in the table following the Portfolio of Investments. All other assets and liabilities are reported at their market value at measurement date.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.800

Next $500 million

     0.750  

Next $1 billion

     0.700  

Next $2 billion

     0.675  

Next $1 billion

     0.650  

Next $5 billion

     0.640  

Over $10 billion

     0.630  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.40% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives a class administration fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class.

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.69% for Class 1 shares and 0.94% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $32,641,972 and $35,882,621, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  21


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund entered into forward foreign currency contracts for economic hedging purposes. The Fund had average contract amounts of $1,896,796 and $4,685,339 in forward foreign currency contracts to buy and forward foreign currency contracts to sell, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

For certain types of derivative transactions, the Fund has entered into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. master agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) or similar agreements with approved counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements or similar agreements may have requirements to deliver/deposit securities or cash to/with an exchange or broker-dealer as collateral and allows the Fund to offset, with each counterparty, certain derivative financial instrument’s assets and/or liabilities with collateral held or pledged. Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under ISDA Master Agreements or similar agreements, if any, are reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, are noted in the Portfolio of Investments. With respect to balance sheet offsetting, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not offset across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, for OTC derivatives is as follows:

 

Counterparty      Gross amounts
of assets in the
Statement of
Assets  and
Liabilities
     Amounts
subject to
netting
agreements
     Collateral
received
       Net amount
of assets
 

Credit Suisse

     $21,020      $0      $ 0        $ 21,020  

8. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

9. CONCENTRATION RISKS

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of geographic regions. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in Asia/Pacific ex-Japan and Europe. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any geographic region may be more affected by changes in that geographic region than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any geographic region.

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

11. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

12. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  23


Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  25


Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Current other

public company or

investment

company

directorships

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A

James G. Polisson

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A

Pamela Wheelock

(Born 1959)

  Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers    

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer

Andrew Owen

(Born 1960)

  President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.

Catherine Kennedy

(Born 1969)

  Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.

Michael H. Whitaker

(Born 1967)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.

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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  27


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, but lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was in range of or higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020, and lower than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2019, but higher than its benchmark for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net), for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods identified above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance during these periods, including with respect to investment decisions that affected the Fund’s investment performance. The Board also took note of the Fund’s outperformance relative to the Universe and benchmark for certain of the longer time periods under review.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were in range of the sum of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for each class.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  29


Other information (unaudited)

 

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT International Equity Fund  |  31


 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


 

© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00255 08-20

SVT3/SAR140 06-20

 

 



LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-269-5969.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Kurt Gunderson*

Christopher J. Miller, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 2020    

 

 
              Expense ratios1 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
             
Class 13   8-26-2011     4.48       8.62       12.06       0.85       0.75  
             
Class 2   5-8-1992     4.25       8.36       11.82       1.10       1.00  
             
Russell 3000® Index4       6.53       10.03       13.72              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Smaller-company stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20205       
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class C

     4.35  
   

Apple Incorporated

     3.78  
   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     3.69  
   

Salesforce.com Incorporated

     3.03  
   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     2.80  
   

Texas Instruments Incorporated

     2.67  
   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

     2.52  
   

Novartis AG ADR

     2.17  
   

Marvell Technology Group Limited

     2.01  
   

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

     1.90  

 

Sector allocation as of June 30, 20206

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Mr. Gunderson became a portfolio manager of the Fund on February 1, 2020.

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

2 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class 1 and 1.00% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

3 

Historical performance shown for the Class 1 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of the Class 2 shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to the Class 2 shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns for the Class 1 shares would be higher.

 

4 

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

6 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
1-1-2020
     Ending
account value
6-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Annualized net
expense ratio
 
         

Class 1

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 951.43      $ 3.64        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.13      $ 3.77        0.75
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 950.52      $ 4.85        1.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.89      $ 5.02        1.00

 

 

1

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 99.51%

 

Communication Services: 8.37%

 

Interactive Media & Services: 7.16%  

Alphabet Incorporated Class C †

          5,139      $ 7,264,540  

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          20,590        4,675,371  
     11,939,911  
  

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 1.21%  

T-Mobile US Incorporated †

          19,415        2,022,072  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 9.81%

 

Automobiles: 1.72%  

General Motors Company

          113,563        2,873,144  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 3.69%  

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          2,233        6,160,445  
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 1.29%  

Dollar General Corporation

          11,282        2,149,334  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.11%  

Burlington Stores Incorporated †

          15,756        3,102,829  

Ulta Beauty Incorporated †

          10,242        2,083,428  
     5,186,257  
  

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 2.47%

 

Food & Staples Retailing: 1.26%  

Sysco Corporation

          38,430        2,100,584  
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.21%  

Church & Dwight Company Incorporated

          26,079        2,015,907  
          

 

 

 

Energy: 0.68%

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.68%  

BP plc ADR

          48,464        1,130,180  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 10.78%

 

Banks: 1.01%  

Webster Financial Corporation

          59,100        1,690,851  
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 5.32%  

CME Group Incorporated

          9,832        1,598,093  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          34,660        3,174,856  

S&P Global Incorporated

          7,758        2,556,106  

The Charles Schwab Corporation

          45,613        1,538,983  
     8,868,038  
  

 

 

 
Insurance: 4.45%  

Chubb Limited

          18,092        2,290,809  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Incorporated

          27,225        2,923,148  

Willis Towers Watson plc

          11,251        2,215,884  
     7,429,841  
  

 

 

 

Health Care: 17.43%

 

Biotechnology: 1.08%  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          16,061        1,802,687  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 5.86%  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          5,242      $ 1,438,614  

Boston Scientific Corporation †

          77,687        2,727,591  

LivaNova plc †

          56,131        2,701,585  

Medtronic plc

          31,840        2,919,728  
     9,787,518  
  

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.38%  

Cigna Corporation

          10,086        1,892,638  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          7,038        2,075,858  
     3,968,496  
  

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 5.23%  

Agilent Technologies Incorporated

          31,763        2,806,896  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Incorporated Class A †

          6,498        2,933,782  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated

          8,253        2,990,392  
     8,731,070  
  

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.88%  

Mylan NV †

          73,301        1,178,680  

Novartis AG ADR

          41,483        3,623,125  
     4,801,805  
  

 

 

 

Industrials: 14.38%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 2.66%  

Hexcel Corporation

          38,066        1,721,345  

MTU Aero Engines AG †

          15,588        2,713,879  
     4,435,224  
  

 

 

 
Building Products: 1.31%  

Armstrong World Industries Incorporated

          28,127        2,192,781  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.20%  

Republic Services Incorporated

          24,353        1,998,164  
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 1.27%  

AMETEK Incorporated

          23,637        2,112,439  
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.45%  

Carlisle Companies Incorporated

          20,241        2,422,240  
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 5.16%  

Fortive Corporation

          40,091        2,712,557  

ITT Incorporated

          45,164        2,652,933  

Otis Worldwide Corporation

          29,496        1,677,143  

SPX Corporation †

          37,898        1,559,503  
     8,602,136  
  

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.33%  

United Rentals Incorporated †

          14,950        2,228,148  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 25.36%

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.68%  

Amphenol Corporation Class A

          29,319        2,809,053  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 3.92%  

Fidelity National Information Services Incorporated

          17,412        2,334,775  

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          14,235        4,209,290  
     6,544,065  
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                    Shares      Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 4.68%  

Marvell Technology Group Limited

         95,710      $ 3,355,593  

Texas Instruments Incorporated

         35,040        4,449,029  
     7,804,622  
  

 

 

 
Software: 11.30%  

Fair Isaac Corporation †

         5,974        2,497,371  

Palo Alto Networks Incorporated †

         10,362        2,379,841  

Proofpoint Incorporated †

         18,220        2,024,606  

RealPage Incorporated †

         33,121        2,153,196  

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

         27,009        5,059,596  

ServiceNow Incorporated †

         4,182        1,693,961  

Workday Incorporated Class A †

         16,216        3,038,230  
     18,846,801  
  

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.78%  

Apple Incorporated

         17,276        6,302,285  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 3.39%

 

Chemicals: 2.37%  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

         4,744        2,741,320  

Westlake Chemical Corporation

         22,647        1,215,012  
     3,956,332  
  

 

 

 
Metals & Mining: 1.02%  

Steel Dynamics Incorporated

         65,126        1,699,137  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 6.84%

 

Equity REITs: 6.84%  

American Tower Corporation

         11,689        3,022,074  

Equinix Incorporated

         3,631        2,550,051  

Sun Communities Incorporated

         21,564        2,925,804  

VICI Properties Incorporated

         144,316        2,913,740  
     11,411,669  
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $126,727,606)

 

     166,023,236  
  

 

 

 
         
    Yield                                     
Short-Term Investments: 0.58%  
Investment Companies: 0.58%  

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11        973,587        973,587  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $973,587)

 

     973,587        
  

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $127,701,193)     100.09        166,996,823  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.09        (156,089
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 166,840,734  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  11


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:    

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

  $ 1,838,788     $ 20,944,252     $ (21,809,453   $ 0     $ 0     $ 7,006     $ 973,587       0.58

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $126,727,606)

  $ 166,023,236  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $973,587)

    973,587  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    6,954  

Receivable for dividends

    244,059  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    4,346  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    167,252,182  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    104,988  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    161,049  

Management fee payable

    81,376  

Administration fees payable

    11,068  

Distribution fee payable

    28,866  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    4,891  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    19,210  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    411,448  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 166,840,734  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 108,923,554  

Total distributable earnings

    57,917,180  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 166,840,734  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 1

  $ 27,125,056  

Shares outstanding – Class 11

    1,073,217  

Net asset value per share – Class 1

    $25.27  

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 139,715,678  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    5,510,007  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $25.36  

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  13


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $20,368)

  $ 1,099,669  

Income from affiliated securities

    7,006  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,106,675  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    578,895  

Administration fees

 

Class 1

    10,716  

Class 2

    55,443  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    173,060  

Custody and accounting fees

    10,399  

Professional fees

    23,037  

Shareholder report expenses

    17,746  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,988  

Other fees and expenses

    6,271  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    885,555  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (92,052
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    793,503  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    313,172  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on investments

    4,515,637  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (14,729,251
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (10,213,614
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (9,900,442
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Statement of changes in net assets

 

     Six months ended
June 30, 2020
(unaudited)
    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 313,172       $ 836,348  

Net realized gains on investments

      4,515,637         13,216,674  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (14,729,251       34,750,912  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (9,900,442       48,803,934  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

       

Class 1

      0         (3,501,610

Class 2

      0         (17,537,462
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (21,039,072
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class 1

    15,311       344,425       16,098       390,406  

Class 2

    46,444       1,089,676       117,672       3,032,567  
 

 

 

 
      1,434,101         3,422,973  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class 1

    0       0       141,137       3,501,610  

Class 2

    0       0       702,904       17,537,462  
 

 

 

 
      0         21,039,072  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class 1

    (102,214     (2,554,118     (190,606     (4,880,882

Class 2

    (467,000     (11,165,854     (797,590     (20,455,623
 

 

 

 
      (13,719,972       (25,336,505
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (12,285,871       (874,460
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (22,186,313       26,890,402  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      189,027,047         162,136,645  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 166,840,734       $ 189,027,047  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  15


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 1   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $26.56       $22.76       $27.05       $24.60       $25.00       $28.82  

Net investment income

    0.08       0.17       0.15       0.13       0.22       0.57  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.37     6.84       (1.69     4.77       2.59       (1.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.29     7.01       (1.54     4.90       2.81       (0.71

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.15     (0.12     (0.25     (0.60     (0.12

Net realized gains

    0.00       (3.06     (2.63     (2.20     (2.61     (2.99
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (3.21     (2.75     (2.45     (3.21     (3.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $25.27       $26.56       $22.76       $27.05       $24.60       $25.00  

Total return1

    (4.86 )%      31.81     (6.93 )%      20.72     12.52     (2.85 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.86     0.85     0.84     0.86     0.85     0.84

Net expenses

    0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75

Net investment income

    0.59     0.67     0.52     0.43     0.65     2.02

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     25     31     36     47     41

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $27,125       $30,811       $27,165       $33,843       $33,035       $35,539  

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $26.68       $22.85       $27.14       $24.67       $25.05       $28.86  

Net investment income

    0.05       0.11       0.08       0.06       0.13       0.50  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1.37     6.86       (1.69     4.79       2.63       (1.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (1.32     6.97       (1.61     4.85       2.76       (0.78

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       (0.08     (0.05     (0.18     (0.53     (0.04

Net realized gains

    0.00       (3.06     (2.63     (2.20     (2.61     (2.99
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (3.14     (2.68     (2.38     (3.14     (3.03

Net asset value, end of period

    $25.36       $26.68       $22.85       $27.14       $24.67       $25.05  

Total return1

    (4.95 )%      31.46     (7.15 )%      20.44     12.23     (3.08 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.11     1.10     1.09     1.11     1.10     1.09

Net expenses

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income

    0.34     0.42     0.27     0.18     0.39     1.76

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     25     31     36     47     41

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $139,716       $158,216       $134,972       $165,992       $158,783       $169,090  

 

 

 

1 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  17


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

The values of securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”).

Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Fund are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in net asset values that are higher or lower than net asset values based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On June 30, 2020, such fair value pricing was used in pricing certain foreign securities.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Foreign currency translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at rates provided by an independent foreign currency pricing source at a time each business day specified by the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting from changes in exchange rates. The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates of securities and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allow the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the custodian verifies the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable and tax-exempt income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $126,970,206 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 48,492,717  

Gross unrealized losses

     (8,466,100

Net unrealized gains

   $ 40,026,617  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in distribution fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  19


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 13,961,983      $ 0      $ 0      $ 13,961,983  

Consumer discretionary

     16,369,180        0        0        16,369,180  

Consumer staples

     4,116,491        0        0        4,116,491  

Energy

     1,130,180        0        0        1,130,180  

Financials

     17,988,730        0        0        17,988,730  

Health care

     29,091,576        0        0        29,091,576  

Industrials

     21,277,253        2,713,879        0        23,991,132  

Information technology

     42,306,826        0        0        42,306,826  

Materials

     5,655,469        0        0        5,655,469  

Real estate

     11,411,669        0        0        11,411,669  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     973,587        0        0        973,587  

Total assets

   $ 164,282,944      $ 2,713,879      $ 0      $ 166,996,823  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.700

Next $500 million

     0.675  

Next $1 billion

     0.650  

Next $2 billion

     0.625  

Next $1 billion

     0.600  

Next $5 billion

     0.590  

Over $10 billion

     0.580  

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class.

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.75% for Class 1 shares and 1.00% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $47,819,376 and $58,758,282, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  21


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Fund invested a concentration of its portfolio in the information technology sector. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800- 260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  23


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  25


Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.
Michelle Rhee (Born 1966)   Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  27


Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Russell 3000® Index, for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019, and higher than its benchmark for the one-year period ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark index, the Russell 3000® Index, for all periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were equal to or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were in range of the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund  |  29


Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

30  |  Wells Fargo VT Opportunity Fund


 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00257 08-20

SVT6/SAR143 06-20

 

 



LOGO

Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2020

 

Wells Fargo

VT Omega Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by new regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Wells Fargo Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports issued after this date will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-800-222-8222 or by enrolling at wellsfargo.com/advantagedelivery.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports; if you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 1-800-222-8222. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Wells Fargo Funds held in your account with your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, to all Wells Fargo Funds that you hold.


 

 

Reduce clutter.

Save trees.

Sign up for electronic delivery of prospectuses and
shareholder reports at wellsfargo.com/
advantagedelivery

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of June 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Asset Management. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Asset Management and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE


 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  1


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this semi-annual report for the Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund for the six-month period that ended June 30, 2020. Global stock markets saw earlier gains erased in February and March as governments took unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus at the expense of short-term economic output. However, markets rebounded from April through June to lessen the losses as central banks attempted to bolster capital markets and confidence. Fixed-income markets generally performed better, with the exception of high-yield bonds, as U.S. bonds overall achieved modest gains. Equity losses were broad, with international equities and U.S. small caps and value stocks faring the worst.

For the period, U.S. stocks, based on the S&P 500 Index1 returned -3.08% and international stocks, as measured by the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net)2 fell 11.00%. The MSCI EM Index (Net)3 lost 9.78%. For bond investors, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index4 added 6.14%, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index5 returned 0.61%, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index6 returned 2.08%, and the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index7 lost 4.78%.

Capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns about the coronavirus.

As the period began, a 2019 year-end rally continued into early January 2020. However, capital market volatility spiked in late January on concerns over the potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and stock markets. With sentiment somewhat souring, perceived safe havens did well in January. The U.S. dollar and Japanese yen both rose, and government bonds outperformed equities. While the S&P 500 Index held its ground, emerging market equities tumbled, including those in Asia.

In February, the coronavirus became the major market focus. Fears of the virus’s impact on global growth led to expectations of increased global central bank monetary policy support. That led the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield to fall to an all-time low of 1.1% by the end of the month. Although equity markets initially shrugged off concerns about the outbreak, focusing instead on strong fourth-quarter earnings and improving business confidence in January, market sentiment turned sharply lower toward month-end. Oil prices tumbled as Russia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries compounded a major decline in oil demand with a brutal price war, causing the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil to fall 13% in February alone.

 

 

1 

The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

2

The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. Source: MSCI. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

3

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index (Net) is a free-float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage pass-throughs), asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5

The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate ex-USD Index is an unmanaged index that provides a broad-based measure of the global investment-grade fixed-income markets excluding the U.S.-dollar-denominated debt market. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is an unmanaged index composed of long-term tax-exempt bonds with a minimum credit rating of Baa. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

7

The ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of domestic and Yankee high-yield bonds. The index tracks the performance of high-yield securities traded in the U.S. bond market. You cannot invest directly in an index. Copyright 2020. ICE Data Indices, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

2  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system. This abrupt stoppage of economic activity led to the sharp deceleration of global output, sending economies into a deep contraction. Central bank responses were swift, as they slashed interest rates and expanded quantitative easing programs to restore liquidity and confidence to the markets. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve launched several lending programs, funding investment-grade bonds, money market mutual funds, and commercial paper while purchasing Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, and overnight repurchase agreements. Meanwhile, stock markets tumbled quickly into a bear market, ending the longest bull stock market in U.S. history.

Markets rebounded strongly in April after the extreme volatility of the previous two months, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 12.8% for the month and the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (Net) returning 7.6%. The rebound was fueled by unprecedented stimulus measures taken by governments and central banks to buffer the economic damage created by mass shutdowns to try to contain the virus’s spread. The U.S. economy contracted by an annualized 5.0% pace in the first quarter, with 30 million new unemployment insurance claims in six weeks. In the eurozone, first-quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 3.8%, with the composite April Flash Purchasing Managers’ Index, a monthly survey of purchasing managers, falling to an all-time low of 13.5. The European Central Bank expanded its quantitative easing to include the purchase of additional government bonds of countries with the greatest virus-related need, including Italy and Spain. China’s first-quarter GDP fell by 6.8% year over year. However, retail sales, production, and investment showed signs of recovery. Extreme oil-price volatility continued as global supply far exceeded demand.

In May, the equity market rebound continued, with the S&P 500 Index climbing a further 4.8%. European and Japanese stock markets also had monthly gains. Investors regained confidence on reports of early signs of success in human trials of a coronavirus vaccine. Growth stocks continued to outperform value stocks while returns on global government bonds were generally flat. In the U.S., a gap grew between the stock market rebound and devastating economic data points, including an April unemployment rate of 14.7%, the highest level since World War II. Purchasing managers’ indices continued to reflect weakening activity in May in both the manufacturing and services sectors. U.S. corporate earnings reports indicated a 14% year-over-year contraction in earnings from the first quarter of 2019. However, high demand for technology, driven by remote activity, helped maintain robust information technology sector earnings, which helped drive powerful well-known technology stocks higher.

Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. As economies reopened, there were hopeful signs. U.S. retail sales rose 17% in May while retail sales in the U.K. rebounded by 12%. However, year over year, sales remained depressed. Vitally important to market sentiment was the ongoing commitment by central banks globally to do all they can to provide economic support through liquidity and low borrowing costs. U.S. economic activity was aided by one-time $1,200 stimulus checks and $600 bonus weekly unemployment benefits due to expire at the end of July. However, unemployment remained in the double digits, easing somewhat from 14.7% in April to 11.1% in June. At period-end, numerous states reported alarming increases of coronavirus cases. China’s economic recovery picked up momentum in June, though it remained far from a full recovery.

 

“The global spread of the coronavirus led many countries to clamp down on social and business-related activity in order to contain the virus from causing even greater devastation and overwhelming the health care system.”

“Despite ongoing economic weakness and high levels of uncertainty on the containment of the coronavirus and the timing of an effective vaccine, financial markets continued to post widely positive returns in June. ”

 

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  3


Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

 

 

For further information about your Fund, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wfam.com,

or call us directly at 1-800-269-5969.

Don’t let short-term uncertainty derail long-term investment goals.

Periods of investment uncertainty can present challenges, but experience has taught us that maintaining long-term investment goals can be an effective way to plan for the future. To help you create a sound strategy based on your personal goals and risk tolerance, Wells Fargo Funds offers more than 100 mutual funds spanning a wide range of asset classes and investment styles. Although diversification cannot guarantee an investment profit or prevent losses, we believe it can be an effective way to manage investment risk and potentially smooth out overall portfolio performance. We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

Thank you for choosing to invest with Wells Fargo Funds. We appreciate your confidence in us and remain committed to helping you meet your financial needs.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Andrew Owen

President

Wells Fargo Funds

 

 

 

4  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


 

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Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Michael T. Smith, CFA®

Christopher J. Warner, CFA®

Average annual total returns (%) as of June 30, 20201

 

 
              Expense ratios2 (%)  
 
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
             
Class 1   3-6-1997     19.88       15.54       16.64       0.82       0.75  
             
Class 2   7-31-2002     19.56       15.25       16.35       1.07       1.00  
             
Russell 3000® Growth Index4       21.94       15.23       16.92              

Figures quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted and assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current month-end performance is available by calling 1-800-260-5969. Performance figures of the Fund do not reflect fees charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. If these fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would have been lower.

Shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Index returns do not include transaction costs associated with buying and selling securities, any mutual fund fees or expenses, or any taxes. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). Foreign investments are especially volatile and can rise or fall dramatically due to differences in the political and economic conditions of the host country. These risks are generally intensified in emerging markets. The Fund is exposed to smaller company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

Please refer to the prospectus provided by your participating insurance company for detailed information describing the separate accounts for information regarding surrender charges, mortality and expense risk fees, and other charges that may be assessed by the participating insurance companies.

 

Please see footnotes on page 7.

 

 

6  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Ten largest holdings (%) as of June 30, 20205  
   

Microsoft Corporation

     9.42  
   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     8.79  
   

Alphabet Incorporated Class A

     4.15  
   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     3.67  
   

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

     3.37  
   

PayPal Holdings Incorporated

     3.00  
   

ServiceNow Incorporated

     2.33  
   

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated

     2.27  
   

Netflix Incorporated

     2.06  
   

Merck & Company Incorporated

     2.03  
Sector allocation as of June 30, 20206
LOGO
 

 

 

 

 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

 

1 

Historical performance shown prior to July 19, 2010 is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen VA Omega Fund.

 

2 

Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

3 

The manager has contractually committed through April 30, 2021, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers at 0.75% for Class 1 and 1.00% for Class 2. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses (if any), and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the expense caps. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Without these caps, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. The expense ratio paid by an investor is the net expense ratio (the total annual fund operating expenses after fee waivers) as stated in the prospectuses.

 

4 

The Russell 3000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000® Index companies with higher price/book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5 

The ten largest holdings, excluding cash, cash equivalents and any money market funds, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

6 

Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  7


Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The “Hypothetical” line of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these separate account charges assessed by participating insurance companies were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Beginning
account  value
1-1-2020
     Ending
account value
6-30-2020
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Annualized net
expense ratio
 
         

Class 1

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,116.96      $ 3.95        0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.13      $ 3.77        0.75
         

Class 2

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,115.55      $ 5.26        1.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.89      $ 5.02        1.00

 

 

 

1

Expenses paid is equal to the annualized net expense ratio of each class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half-year period).

 

 

8  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Common Stocks: 98.03%           

Communication Services: 11.89%

          
Entertainment: 3.22%                           

Netflix Incorporated †

          4,200      $ 1,911,168  

Spotify Technology SA †

          4,200        1,084,398  
             2,995,566  
          

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services: 8.67%  

Alphabet Incorporated Class A †

          2,720        3,857,096  

Alphabet Incorporated Class C †

          739        1,044,658  

Match Group Incorporated †

          5,600        1,811,040  

Tencent Holdings Limited ADR

          20,900        1,337,600  
             8,050,394  
          

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary: 17.48%

 

Auto Components: 1.05%  

Aptiv plc

          12,500        974,000  
          

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.83%  

Ferrari NV

          4,500        769,545  
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.77%  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Incorporated †

          6,100        714,920  
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.27%  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          2,000        2,104,720  
          

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 10.65%  

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          2,960        8,166,107  

MercadoLibre Incorporated †

          1,750        1,725,098  
             9,891,205  
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 1.91%  

The Home Depot Incorporated

          7,100        1,778,621  
          

 

 

 

Financials: 1.46%

 

Capital Markets: 1.46%  

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          14,800        1,355,680  
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 17.92%

 

Biotechnology: 1.93%  

Exact Sciences Corporation †

          16,700        1,451,898  

Sarepta Therapeutics Incorporated †

          2,100        336,714  
             1,788,612  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 7.87%  

ABIOMED Incorporated †

          3,000        724,680  

Alcon Incorporated †

          19,900        1,140,668  

Align Technology Incorporated †

          5,200        1,427,088  

DexCom Incorporated †

          3,600        1,459,440  

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation †

          13,500        932,985  

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          2,850        1,624,016  
             7,308,877  
          

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  9


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                     Shares      Value  
Health Care Providers & Services: 4.40%  

HealthEquity Incorporated †

          16,355      $ 959,548  

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          10,600        3,126,470  
             4,086,018  
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 1.69%  

Veeva Systems Incorporated Class A †

          6,700        1,570,614  
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.03%  

Eli Lilly & Company

          1        164  

Merck & Company Incorporated

          24,400        1,886,852  
             1,887,016  
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 8.04%

 

Aerospace & Defense: 0.71%  

HEICO Corporation

          6,600        657,690  
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 2.84%  

Cintas Corporation

          4,100        1,092,076  

Waste Connections Incorporated

          16,446        1,542,470  
             2,634,546  
          

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering: 1.08%  

Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated

          11,800        1,000,640  
          

 

 

 
Professional Services: 1.72%  

IHS Markit Limited

          21,200        1,600,600  
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.69%  

Union Pacific Corporation

          9,300        1,572,351  
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 37.00%

 

Communications Equipment: 1.27%  

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

          8,400        1,177,092  
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.04%  

Zebra Technologies Corporation Class A †

          3,800        972,610  
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 17.88%  

Black Knight Incorporated †

          20,300        1,472,968  

EPAM Systems Incorporated †

          7,415        1,868,654  

Euronet Worldwide Incorporated †

          9,100        871,962  

Fiserv Incorporated †

          13,495        1,317,382  

Global Payments Incorporated

          8,171        1,385,965  

PayPal Holdings Incorporated †

          16,000        2,787,680  

Shopify Incorporated Class A †

          1,400        1,328,880  

Square Incorporated Class A †

          12,600        1,322,244  

Visa Incorporated Class A

          17,644        3,408,291  

WEX Incorporated †

          5,112        843,531  
             16,607,557  
          

 

 

 
Software: 16.81%  

Atlassian Corporation plc Class A †

          6,100        1,099,647  

Autodesk Incorporated †

                           6,600        1,578,654  

Cadence Design Systems Incorporated †

          14,700        1,410,612  

Microsoft Corporation

          43,000        8,750,930  

 

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

 

 

10  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Portfolio of investments—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

                                  Shares      Value  
Software (continued)  

ServiceNow Incorporated †

         5,350      $ 2,167,071  

Zoom Video Communications Incorporated †

         2,400        608,496  
            15,615,410  
         

 

 

 

Materials: 3.47%

         
Chemicals: 2.31%                          

Ingevity Corporation †

         7,900        415,303  

The Sherwin-Williams Company

         3,000        1,733,550  
            2,148,853  
         

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 1.16%                          

Vulcan Materials Company

         9,300        1,077,405  
         

 

 

 

Real Estate: 0.77%

         
Equity REITs: 0.77%                          

SBA Communications Corporation

         2,400        715,008  
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $46,051,526)

            91,055,550  
         

 

 

 
         
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 2.84%                          
Investment Companies: 2.84%                          

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class (l)(u)

    0.11        2,636,739        2,636,739  
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,636,739)

            2,636,739        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $48,688,265)     100.87        93,692,289  

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.87        (808,083
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 92,884,206  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

(l)

The issuer of the security is an affiliated person of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(u)

The rate represents the 7-day annualized yield at period end.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR

American depositary receipt

 

REIT

Real estate investment trust

Investments in Affiliates

An affiliated investment is an investment in which the Fund owns at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares of the issuer or as a result of other relationships, such as the Fund and the issuer having the same investment manager. Transactions with issuers that were either affiliated persons of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period were as follows:

 

    Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gains
(losses)
    Net
change in
unrealized
gains
(losses)
    Income
from
affiliated
securities
    Value,
end of
period
    % of
net
assets
 
Short-Term Investments                                                

Investment Companies

               

Securities Lending Cash Investments LLC *

  $ 1,089,526     $ 2,975,700     $ (4,065,634   $ 408     $ 0     $ 2,018 #    $ 0    

Wells Fargo Government Money Market Fund Select Class

    515,647       11,700,195       (9,579,103     0       0       4,075       2,636,739    
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 408     $ 0     $ 6,093     $ 2,636,739       2.84
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

No longer held at the end of the period    

 

#

Amount shown represents income before fees and rebates.    

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  11


Statement of assets and liabilities—June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Assets

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $46,051,526)

  $ 91,055,550  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (cost $2,636,739)

    2,636,739  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    52  

Receivable for dividends

    22,970  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    729  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    93,716,040  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    629,292  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    109,076  

Management fee payable

    42,015  

Administration fees payable

    5,993  

Distribution fee payable

    9,694  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable

    5,228  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    30,536  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    831,834  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 92,884,206  
 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 36,110,994  

Total distributable earnings

    56,773,212  
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 92,884,206  
 

 

 

 

Computation of net asset value per share

 

Net assets – Class 1

  $ 40,480,161  

Shares outstanding – Class 11

    1,136,497  

Net asset value per share – Class 1

    $35.62  

Net assets – Class 2

  $ 52,404,045  

Shares outstanding – Class 21

    1,537,745  

Net asset value per share – Class 2

    $34.08  

 

 

 

 

 

1 

The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

 

12  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Statement of operations—six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,891)

  $ 229,906  

Income from affiliated securities

    5,701  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    235,607  
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    255,542  

Administration fees

 

Class 1

    14,778  

Class 2

    19,294  

Distribution fee

 

Class 2

    56,220  

Custody and accounting fees

    7,777  

Professional fees

    23,182  

Shareholder report expenses

    11,310  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    9,988  

Other fees and expenses

    4,089  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    402,180  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

 

Fund-level

    (19,489

Class 1

    (2,969
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    379,722  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (144,115
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

Net realized gains on

 

Unaffiliated securities

    4,685,380  

Affiliated securities

    408  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    4,685,788  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4,910,096  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    9,595,884  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 9,451,769  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  13


Statement of changes in net assets

 

    

Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)

    Year ended
December 31, 2019
 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (144,115     $ (200,889

Net realized gains on investments

      4,685,788         7,507,542  

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      4,910,096         20,470,814  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      9,451,769         27,777,467  
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains

 

     

Class 1

      0         (4,663,133

Class 2

      0         (6,195,458
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      0         (10,858,591
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares         Shares    

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class 1

    25,551       779,502       73,112       2,241,178  

Class 2

    50,810       1,578,205       114,807       3,406,537  
 

 

 

 
      2,357,707         5,647,715  
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class 1

    0       0       152,191       4,663,133  

Class 2

    0       0       210,801       6,195,458  
 

 

 

 
      0         10,858,591  
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class 1

    (143,539     (4,382,841     (228,659     (6,950,692

Class 2

    (177,560     (5,385,809     (583,624     (17,173,879
 

 

 

 
      (9,768,650       (24,124,571
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (7,410,943       (7,618,265
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      2,040,826         9,300,611  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      90,843,380         81,542,769  
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 92,884,206       $ 90,843,380  
 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

14  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 1   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $31.89       $26.27       $28.99       $22.20       $23.30       $27.57  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.03 )1      (0.03 )1      (0.03 )1      (0.02 )1      0.10       (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    3.76       9.69       0.62       7.68       0.05       0.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.73       9.66       0.59       7.66       0.15       0.49  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       0.00       (0.06     0.00       0.00  

Net realized gains

    0.00       (4.04     (3.31     (0.81     (1.25     (4.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (4.04     (3.31     (0.87     (1.25     (4.76

Net asset value, end of period

    $35.62       $31.89       $26.27       $28.99       $22.20       $23.30  

Total return2

    11.70     37.39     0.52     34.95     0.77     1.62

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    0.81     0.82     0.81     0.82     0.82     0.79

Net expenses

    0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75     0.75

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.20 )%      (0.08 )%      (0.10 )%      (0.07 )%      0.26     (0.11 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    11     31     46     67     90     101

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $40,480       $40,001       $33,043       $38,687       $33,373       $40,362  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Returns do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  15


Financial highlights

 

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Six months ended
June 30, 2020

(unaudited)
    Year ended December 31  
CLASS 2   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $30.55       $25.23       $27.91       $21.38       $22.54       $26.89  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.07 )1      (0.10 )1      (0.11     (0.08     0.00 1,2      (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    3.60       9.29       0.61       7.39       0.09       0.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.53       9.19       0.50       7.31       0.09       0.41  

Distributions to shareholders from

           

Net investment income

    0.00       0.00       0.00       (0.00 )2      0.00       0.00  

Net realized gains

    0.00       (3.87     (3.18     (0.78     (1.25     (4.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    0.00       (3.87     (3.18     (0.78     (1.25     (4.76

Net asset value, end of period

    $34.08       $30.55       $25.23       $27.91       $21.38       $22.54  

Total return3

    11.55     37.04     0.28     34.60     0.52     1.34

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

           

Gross expenses

    1.05     1.06     1.06     1.07     1.07     1.04

Net expenses

    1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.45 )%      (0.33 )%      (0.35 )%      (0.31 )%      0.01     (0.36 )% 

Supplemental data

           

Portfolio turnover rate

    11     31     46     67     90     101

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $52,404       $50,843       $48,500       $54,334       $42,684       $49,963  

 

 

 

 

1 

Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 

Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Returns do not reflect fees and expenses charged pursuant to the terms of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.

 

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

 

 

16  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on March 10, 1999, is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As an investment company, the Trust follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. These financial statements report on the Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund (the “Fund”) which is a diversified series of the Trust. The Trust offers shares of the Fund to separate accounts of various life insurance companies as funding vehicles for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time), although the Fund may deviate from this calculation time under unusual or unexpected circumstances.

Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. If no sale occurs on the principal exchange or market that day, a fair value price will be determined in accordance with the Fund’s Valuation Procedures.

Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value. Interests in non-registered investment companies that are redeemable at net asset value are fair valued normally at net asset value.

Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee at Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”). The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Wells Fargo Asset Management Pricing Committee which may include items for ratification.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. When securities are on loan, the Fund receives interest or dividends on those securities. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). Investments in Securities Lending Fund are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing service. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund (net of fees and rebates), if any, is included in income from affiliated securities on the Statement of Operations.

In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund is affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In such an event, the terms of the agreement allows the unaffiliated securities lending agent to use the collateral to purchase replacement securities on behalf of the Fund or pay the Fund the market value of the loaned securities. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to depreciation of its investment of the cash collateral.

Security transactions and income recognition

Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  17


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Dividend income is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and any net realized gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually. Such distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. The tax character of distributions is determined as of the Fund’s fiscal year end. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distributions made prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be categorized as a tax return of capital at year end.

Federal and other taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.

The Fund’s income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes was $48,593,482 and the unrealized gains (losses) consisted of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 45,869,563  

Gross unrealized losses

     (770,756

Net unrealized gains

   $ 45,098,807  

Class allocations

The separate classes of shares offered by the Fund differ principally in distribution fees. Class specific expenses are charged directly to that share class. Investment income, common fund-level expenses, and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative proportion of net assets of each class.

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

 

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

 

 

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

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

18  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020:

 

      Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Communication services

   $ 11,045,960      $ 0      $ 0      $ 11,045,960  

Consumer discretionary

     16,233,011        0        0        16,233,011  

Financials

     1,355,680        0        0        1,355,680  

Health care

     16,641,137        0        0        16,641,137  

Industrials

     7,465,827        0        0        7,465,827  

Information technology

     34,372,669        0        0        34,372,669  

Materials

     3,226,258        0        0        3,226,258  

Real estate

     715,008        0        0        715,008  

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,636,739        0        0        2,636,739  

Total assets

   $ 93,692,289      $ 0      $ 0      $ 93,692,289  

Additional sector, industry or geographic detail is included in the Portfolio of Investments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the subadviser and providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive a management fee at the following annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

Average daily net assets    Management fee  

First $500 million

     0.600

Next $500 million

     0.550  

Next $1 billion

     0.500  

Next $2 billion

     0.475  

Next $1 billion

     0.450  

Next $5 billion

     0.440  

Over $10 billion

     0.430  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”), an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee of 0.08% which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  19


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

Waivers and/or expense reimbursements

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. When each class of the Fund has exceeded its expense cap, Funds Management has waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses from fund-level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. When only certain classes exceed their expense caps, waivers and/or reimbursements are applied against class specific expenses before fund-level expenses. Funds Management has committed through April 30, 2021 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.75% for Class 1 shares and 1.00% for Class 2 shares. Prior to or after the commitment expiration date, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. 

Distribution fee

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class 2 shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A distribution fee is charged to Class 2 shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class 2 shares.

Interfund transactions

The Fund may purchase or sell portfolio investment securities to certain other Wells Fargo affiliates pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and under procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees. The procedures have been designed to ensure that these interfund transactions, which do not incur broker commissions, are effected at current market prices.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $9,684,967 and $18,533,639, respectively.

6. SECURITIES LENDING TRANSACTIONS

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent and receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any increases or decreases in the required collateral are exchanged between the Fund and the counterparty on the next business day. Cash collateral received is invested in the Securities Lending Fund which seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Federal Funds Open Rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments and is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act. Securities Lending Fund is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by WellsCap. Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser.

In the event of counterparty default or the failure of a borrower to return a loaned security, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. As of June 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any securities on loan.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and Wells Fargo Funds Trust (excluding the money market funds) are parties to a $350,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.25% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. As of the end of the period, the Fund invests a concentration of its portfolio in the information technology sector. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. The Fund has entered into a separate agreement

 

 

20  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

with each Trustee that converts indemnification rights currently existing under the Fund’s organizational documents into contractual rights that cannot be changed in the future without the consent of the Trustee. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.

10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In August 2018, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 updates the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Management has adopted this guidance which did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that it had made the assessment that coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is a pandemic. The impacts of COVID-19 are adversely affecting the entire global economy, individual companies and investment products, and the market in general. There is significant uncertainty around the extent and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19 and the impacts may be short term or may last for an extended period of time. The risk of further spreading of COVID-19 has led to significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  21


Other information (unaudited)

 

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, upon request, by calling 1-800-260-5969, visiting our website at wfam.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the proxies related to portfolio securities were voted during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the website at wfam.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.

 

 

22  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo family of funds, which consists of 147 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director and chief investment officer at Fidelity Management and Research Company in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member 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. Audit Committee Chair and Investment Committee Chair of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Endowment (non-profit organization). Mr. Ebsworth is a CFA® charterholder.   N/A
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015; Chair Liaison, since 2018   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is also an inactive Chartered Financial Analyst.   N/A
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2019   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. 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 (private school). Advisory Board Member, Child Evangelism Fellowship (non-profit). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant (inactive status).   CIGNA Corporation
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, from 2009 to 2018   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.   N/A

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  23


Other information (unaudited)

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Current other
public company or
investment
company
directorships
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative 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.   N/A
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006; Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, since 2018   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.   N/A
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996; Chairman, since 2018   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   N/A
James G. Polisson (Born 1959)   Trustee, since 2018   Retired. Chief Marketing Officer, Source (ETF) UK Services, Ltd, from 2015 to 2017. From 2012 to 2015, Principal of The Polisson Group, LLC, a management consulting, corporate advisory and principal investing company. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Russell Investments, Global Exchange Traded Funds from 2010 to 2012. Managing Director of Barclays Global Investors from 1998 to 2010 and Global Chief Marketing Officer for iShares and Barclays Global Investors from 2000 to 2010. Trustee of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute, a non-profit organization, from 2013 to 2015. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Fund Trust from 2011 to 2012. Director of Barclays Global Investors Holdings Deutschland GmbH from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Polisson is an attorney and has a retired status with the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar Associations.   N/A
Pamela Wheelock (Born 1959)   Trustee, since January 2020; previously Trustee from January 2018 to July 2019   Board member of the Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency, Rochester, Minnesota since 2019 and Interim President of the McKnight Foundation since 2020. Acting Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, July 2019 through September 2019. Human Services Manager (part-time), Minnesota Department of Human Services, October 2019 through December 2019. Chief Operating Officer, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity from 2017 to 2019. Vice President of University Services, University of Minnesota from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, on the Board of Directors, Governance Committee and Finance Committee for the Minnesota Philanthropy Partners (Saint Paul Foundation) from 2012 to 2018, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota from 2011 to 2012, Chairman of the Board from 2009 to 2012 and Board Director from 2003 to 2015. Vice President, Leadership and Community Engagement, Bush Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota (a private foundation) from 2009 to 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment from 2004 to 2009 and Senior Vice President from 2002 to 2004. Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Wild Foundation from 2004 to 2008. Commissioner of Finance, State of Minnesota, from 1999 to 2002. Currently Board Chair of the Minnesota Wild Foundation since 2010.   N/A

 

*

Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.    

 

 

24  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer
Andrew Owen (Born 1960)   President, since 2017   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company and Head of Affiliated Managers, Wells Fargo Asset Management, since 2014. In addition, Mr. Owen is currently President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2017. Prior thereto, Executive Vice President responsible for marketing, investments and product development for Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, from 2009 to 2014.
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010 and head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.

Michelle Rhee

(Born 1966)

  Chief Legal Officer, since 2019   Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, Chief Legal Counsel of Wells Fargo Asset Management and Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018. Associate General Counsel and Managing Director of Bank of America Corporation from 2004 to 2018.
Catherine Kennedy (Born 1969)   Secretary, since 2019   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and Senior Counsel of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2010. Vice President and Senior Counsel of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 1998 to 2010.
Michael H. Whitaker (Born 1967)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2016   Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Asset Management since 2016. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Fidelity Investments from 2007 to 2016.
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. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

1

Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 82 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 65 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

2

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-269-5969 or by visiting the website at wfam.com.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  25


Other information (unaudited)

 

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS:

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at a Board meeting held on May 26, 2020 and May 28, 2020 (together, the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment management and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); and (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in April 2020, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2020. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and investment performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included a description of the investment advisory services and Fund-level administrative services covered by the Management Agreement, as well as, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Wells Fargo Asset Management (“WFAM”), of which Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser are a part, and a summary of investments made in the business of WFAM. The Board also received a description of Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business continuity plans and of their approaches to data privacy and cybersecurity, and related testing. The Board also received and reviewed information about Funds Management’s role as administrator of the Fund’s liquidity risk management program, Funds Management’s approach to risk management, and Funds Management’s intermediary and vendor oversight program.

The Board also considered the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

 

 

26  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

Fund investment performance and expenses

The Board considered the investment performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also considered more current results for various time periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered these results in comparison to the investment performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Broadridge Inc. (“Broadridge”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Broadridge is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than the average investment performance of the Universe for all periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index, the Russell 3000® Growth Index, for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2019, but lower than its benchmark index for the five- and ten-year periods ended December 31, 2019. The Board also noted that the investment performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark index, the Russell 3000® Growth Index, for the three-year period ended March 31, 2020, but lower than its benchmark index for the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Broadridge to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Broadridge reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for each share class.

The Board took into account the Fund’s investment performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreements.

Investment management and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management under the Management Agreement, as well as the contractual fee rates payable by the Fund to Funds Management for class-level administrative services under a Class-Level Administration Agreement, which include, among other things, class-level transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs (collectively, the “Management Rates”). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services.

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Fund’s Management Rates with the average contractual investment management fee rates of funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level as well as transfer agency costs of the funds in the expense Groups. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than the sum of these average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for each share class.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. Given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing proprietary mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients and non-mutual fund clients such as institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  27


Other information (unaudited)

 

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of both WFAM and Wells Fargo & Co. (“Wells Fargo”) from providing services to the fund family as a whole. The Board noted that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund and other funds in the family was subsumed in the WFAM and Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability, including a description of the methodology used to allocate certain expenses. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size, type and age of fund.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management, WFAM or Wells Fargo from services provided to the Fund to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

The Board received and considered information about the potential for Funds Management to experience economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s management fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size, and the size of the Fund in relation to such breakpoints. The Board considered that in addition to management fee breakpoints, Funds Management shares potential economies of scale from its management business in a variety of ways, including through fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements, services that benefit shareholders, competitive management fee rates set at the outset without regard to breakpoints, and investments in the business intended to enhance services available to shareholders.

The Board concluded that Funds Management’s arrangements with respect to the Fund, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

The Board received and considered information regarding potential “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, as a result of their relationships with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Management’s and the Sub-Adviser’s business as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Board noted that various affiliates of Funds Management may receive distribution-related fees, shareholder servicing payments and sub-transfer agency fees in respect of shares sold or held through them and services provided.

The Board also reviewed information about soft dollar credits earned and utilized by the Sub-Adviser, fees earned by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral, and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were unreasonable.

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for a one-year term and determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.

 

 

28  |  Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund


Other information (unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), Wells Fargo Variable Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) on behalf of each of its series, including the Fund, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk. “Liquidity risk” is defined as the risk that the Fund is unable to meet redemption requests without significantly diluting remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) previously approved the designation of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”), the Fund’s investment manager, as the administrator of the Program, and Funds Management has established a Liquidity Risk Management Council composed of personnel from multiple departments within Funds Management and its affiliates to assist Funds Management in the implementation and on-going administration of the Program.

The Program is comprised of various components designed to support the assessment and/or management of liquidity risk, including: (1) the periodic assessment (no less frequently than annually) of certain factors that influence the Fund’s liquidity risk; (2) the periodic classification (no less frequently than monthly) of the Fund’s investments into one of four liquidity categories that reflect an estimate of their liquidity under current market conditions; (3) a 15% limit on the acquisition of “illiquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule); (4) to the extent the Fund does not invest primarily in “highly liquid investments” (as defined under the Liquidity Rule), the determination of a minimum percentage of the Fund’s assets that generally will be invested in highly liquid investments (an “HLIM”); (5) if the Fund has established an HLIM, the periodic review (no less frequently than annually) of the HLIM and the adoption of policies and procedures for responding to a shortfall of the Fund’s “highly liquid investments” below its HLIM; and (6) periodic reporting to the Board.

At a meeting of the Board held on May 26 and 28, 2020, the Board received a written report (the “Report”) from Funds Management that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation. The Report covered the initial period from December 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). No significant liquidity events impacting the Fund were noted in the Report. There were no material changes to the Program during the Reporting Period. The Report concluded that the Program is operating effectively to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, and that the Program has been and continues to be adequately and effectively implemented to monitor and, as applicable, respond to the Fund’s liquidity developments.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

 

 

Wells Fargo VT Omega Growth Fund  |  29


 

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LOGO

For more information

More information about Wells Fargo Funds is available free upon request. To obtain literature, please write, visit the Fund’s website, or call:

Wells Fargo Funds

P.O. Box 219967

Kansas City, MO 64121-9967

Website: wfam.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

LOGO

 

This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. If this report is used for promotional purposes, distribution of the report must be accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus. Before investing, please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the investment. For a current prospectus and, if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information, call 1-800-260-5969 or visit the Fund’s website at wfam.com. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company. These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (a broker-dealer and Member FINRA).

This material is for general informational and educational purposes only and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment, strategy, or plan.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE


© 2020 Wells Fargo & Company. All rights reserved.

PAR-0720-00256 08-20

SVT5/SAR142 06-20

 

 



ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS

A Portfolio of Investments for each series of Wells Fargo Variable Trust is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

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

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees that have been implemented since the registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.


ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Variable Trust disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by the appropriate persons, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the most recent fiscal half-year of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURES OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS

(a)(1) Not applicable.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


SIGNATURES

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

 

Wells Fargo Variable Trust
By:               
  /s/ Andrew Owen
  Andrew Owen
    President
Date: August 26, 2020

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

 

Wells Fargo Variable Trust
By:               
  /s/ Andrew Owen
  Andrew Owen
  President

Date: August 26, 2020

 

By:                   
  /s/ Jeremy DePalma
  Jeremy DePalma
  Treasurer
Date: August 26, 2020