N-CSR 1 d840872dncsr.htm ALLIANZ VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST ALLIANZ VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS TRUST

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-09491

 

 

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219-8000

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-624-0197

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.


AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 14

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 15

Other Information

Page 16

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 17

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 20

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund and BlackRock Capital Management, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014 the AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund returned 9.11%. That compared to a 13.05% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index1.

U.S. equities posted solid gains for the 12-month period under review as the U.S. economy continued to gain strength, with better-than-expected job growth, improved consumer confidence and healthier business spending. Strong corporate fundamentals and the Federal Reserve’s accommodative monetary policy further supported stock market gains. Together, these forces helped the broad-market S&P 500 Index to post its third consecutive year of double-digit returns, ending the period up 13.69%.

The period started and ended with high market volatility, triggered in part by weakening global economic growth, shifting expectations about Federal Reserve policy, and geopolitical flare-ups, as well as the collapse of oil prices in recent months. The resulting flight to quality by investors benefited defensive sectors such as utilities and health care.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark during the 12-month period. The largest detractor from relative performance at the sector level was an overweight position in consumer discretionary, particularly among Internet and catalog retailers. The position in an American travel website was the largest individual detractor in the sector, as the company announced disappointing earnings and operational results late in the period. Stock selection in the information technology also detracted from performance, as did telecommunication services, where a Japanese Internet and telecom conglomerate represented the top portfolio detractor. Weak results in one of its subsidiaries dragged on investor confidence.*

A larger-than-benchmark position in the health care sector, especially pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, helped enhance relative performance. Stock selection in these industries also helped enhance results, with a key biopharmaceutical company representing the top portfolio contributor following positive clinical trials for several drugs and FDA approval for use of an existing drug in a secondary application. Holdings of a pharmaceutical company, a rail transportation company and a Chinese e-commerce company also helped relative returns. The rail company benefited from the strengthening economic recovery and tight rail capacity which aided pricing ability. The Fund’s zero exposure to benchmark holdings in an IT services company also helped boost performance as the company’s worst earnings miss in 10 years drove share prices down.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio consisting of primarily common stock of U.S. companies that the Subadviser believes have exhibited above-average growth rates in earnings over the long term.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile than other types of securities.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/29/05)
 

AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

     9.11     18.31     12.40     7.99

Russell 1000® Growth Index

     13.05     20.26     15.81     9.48

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

     1.11

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,083.10          $ 5.25            1.00 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.16          $ 5.09            1.00 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      32.5 %

Consumer Discretionary

      25.0  

Health Care

      22.7  

Industrials

      7.2  

Financials

      4.8  

Energy

      3.9  

Consumer Staples

      2.9  

Materials

      0.6  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      99.6  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      22.6  

Money Market

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      122.4  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (22.4 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (99.6%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.1%):

  

  52,748       Precision Castparts Corp.    $ 12,705,938  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (1.8%):

  

  142,471       Spirit Airlines, Inc.*      10,767,958  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.7%):

  

  57,986       Delphi Automotive plc      4,216,742  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.6%):

  

  36,338       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*      3,567,301  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (8.3%):

  

  61,627       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      5,808,961  
  27,107       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      11,120,647  
  132,093       United Therapeutics Corp.*^      17,104,723  
  126,108       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      14,981,630  
     

 

 

 
        49,015,961  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.6%):

  

  33,526       Ecolab, Inc.      3,504,138  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.4%):

  

  124,815       Discover Financial Services      8,174,134  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.4%):

  

  86,425       Moody’s Corp.      8,280,379  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.5%):

  

  42,748       CVS Caremark Corp.      4,117,060  
  92,877       Whole Foods Market, Inc.^      4,682,858  
     

 

 

 
        8,799,918  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.8%):

  

  46,361       Hershey Co.      4,818,299  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.5%):

  

  5,532       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      2,926,096  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.9%):

  

  140,870       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      11,927,463  
  36,860       Humana, Inc.      5,294,202  
     

 

 

 
        17,221,665  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.8%):

  

  32,891       athenahealth, Inc.*^      4,792,219  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.4%):

  

  116,896       Starbucks Corp.^      9,591,317  
  32,812       Wynn Resorts, Ltd.      4,881,113  
     

 

 

 
        14,472,430  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (1.0%):

  

  39,456       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*      5,924,318  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (6.4%):

  

  108,909       Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., ADR*(a)      11,320,001  
  3,070       Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.*      319,096  
  34,545       Netflix, Inc.*^      11,800,917  
  192,543       TripAdvisor, Inc.*^      14,375,261  
     

 

 

 
        37,815,275  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (15.4%):

  

  63,079       Baidu, Inc., ADR*      14,380,120  
  331,764       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      25,884,228  

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Internet Software & Services, continued

  

  28,382       Google, Inc., Class A*    $ 15,061,192  
  68,082       LinkedIn Corp., Class A*      15,639,116  
  386,534       Yahoo!, Inc.*      19,523,832  
     

 

 

 
        90,488,488  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (7.0%):

  

  49,171       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*^      14,065,365  
  105,167       Visa, Inc., Class A^      27,574,787  
     

 

 

 
        41,640,152  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (9.7%):

  

  370,738       Liberty Global plc, Class A*      18,612,901  
  93,335       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      7,972,676  
  568,727       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      21,841,960  
  94,768       Walt Disney Co. (The)      8,926,198  
     

 

 

 
        57,353,735  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (2.0%):

  

  165,217       Dollar General Corp.*      11,680,842  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (3.9%):

  

  98,726       Concho Resources, Inc.*      9,847,919  
  841,419       Palantir Technologies, Inc.*(a)      6,748,180  
  27,842       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      4,144,282  
  43,727       Range Resources Corp.^      2,337,208  
     

 

 

 
        23,077,589  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (10.1%):

  

  372,197       Abbvie, Inc.      24,356,571  
  48,926       Mallinckrodt plc*      4,845,142  
  75,543       Perrigo Co. plc      12,627,768  
  128,683       Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.*      18,415,824  
     

 

 

 
        60,245,305  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.0%):

  

  76,236       Crown Castle International Corp.      5,999,773  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (3.2%):

  

  159,898       Union Pacific Corp.      19,048,649  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (5.8%):

  

  121,635       Oracle Corp.      5,469,926  
  274,500       Salesforce.com, Inc.*^      16,280,595  
  83,371       VMware, Inc., Class A*^      6,879,775  
  67,630       Workday, Inc., Class A*^      5,519,284  
     

 

 

 
        34,149,580  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.2%):

  

  66,611       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      6,992,157  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (4.4%):

  

  235,766       Apple, Inc.      26,023,851  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.7%):

  

  141,945       Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*^      7,919,112  
  106,973       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*^      8,033,672  
     

 

 

 
        15,952,784  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $488,834,383)

     589,655,676  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (22.6%):

  

$ 133,898,895       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(b)    $ 133,898,895  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $133,898,895)

     133,898,895  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.2%):

  

  953,298       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(c)      953,298  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $953,298)

     953,298  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $623,686,576)(d) — 122.4%

     724,507,869  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (22.4)%

     (132,362,034
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 592,145,835  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $130,413,335.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 3.05% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(c) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(d) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Canada

    3.6

Cayman Islands

    2.0

China

    1.6

Hong Kong

    1.1

Ireland (Republic of)

    1.7

United Kingdom

    0.6

United States

    89.4
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $  623,686,576  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $  724,507,869  

Interest and dividends receivable

       242,544  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       64,610  

Receivable for investments sold

       3,271,789  

Reclaims receivable

       354  

Prepaid expenses

       4,947  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       728,092,113  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       1,033,909  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       479,577  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       133,898,895  

Manager fees payable

       353,516  

Administration fees payable

       13,500  

Distribution fees payable

       126,255  

Custodian fees payable

       6,152  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,762  

Trustee fees payable

       35  

Other accrued liabilities

       32,677  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       135,946,278  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $  592,145,835  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $  377,628,568  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

        

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       113,696,013  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       100,821,254  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $  592,145,835  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       31,787,842  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $  18.63  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $130,413,335.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $  3,997,735  

Income from securities lending

       130,624  

Foreign withholding tax

       (1,576 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       4,126,783  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       4,963,456  

Administration fees

       165,131  

Distribution fees

       1,551,077  

Custodian fees

       28,519  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       8,550  

Trustee fees

       32,973  

Professional fees

       34,343  

Shareholder reports

       33,593  

Other expenses

       16,538  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       6,834,180  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (620,426 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (7,550 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       6,206,204  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (2,079,421 )
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       116,923,544  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (67,502,717 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       49,420,827  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $  47,341,406  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ (2,079,421)        $ (1,357,741)  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       116,923,544          128,641,753  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (67,502,717)          55,425,199  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       47,341,406          182,709,211  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

                (3,318,026)  

From net realized gains

       (59,367,203)           
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (59,367,203)          (3,318,026)  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       15,715,895          39,281,631  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       59,367,203          3,318,026  

Value of shares redeemed

       (182,044,463)          (68,680,901)  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (106,961,365)          (26,081,244)  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (118,987,162)          153,309,941  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       711,132,997          557,823,056  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 592,145,835        $ 711,132,997  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $        $  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       850,880          2,445,729  

Dividends reinvested

       3,348,404          198,803  

Shares redeemed

       (9,905,890)          (4,183,127)  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (5,706,606)          (1,538,595)  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 18.97       $ 14.29       $ 12.57       $ 13.83       $ 11.73  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.07 )       (0.03 )       0.09         0.01         (0.01 )

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.70         4.80         1.64         (1.27 )       2.24  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.63         4.77         1.73         (1.26 )       2.23  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

               (0.09 )       (0.01 )               (0.01 )

Net Realized Gains

       (1.97 )                               (0.12 )

Return of Capital

                                       —  (a)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (1.97 )       (0.09 )       (0.01 )               (0.13 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 18.63       $ 18.97       $ 14.29       $ 12.57       $ 13.83  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       9.11 %       33.44 %       13.73 %       (9.11 )%       19.20 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 592,146       $ 711,133       $ 557,823       $ 477,619       $ 562,801  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.34 )%       (0.22 )%       0.62 %       0.05 %       (0.06 )%

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.11 %       1.13 %       1.13 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.00 %       1.00 %       1.01 %       1.02 %       1.00 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(d)

       1.00 %       1.01 %       1.01 %       1.02 %       1.00 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)

       101 %       161 %       62 %       81 %       80 %(f)

 

(a) Represents less than $0.005.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(e) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

(f) Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities incurred to realign the Fund’s portfolio after a fund merger are excluded from the portfolio turnover rate. If such amounts had not been excluded, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 81%.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

9


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $44.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $12,960 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Capital Management, Inc. (“BlackRock Capital”), BlackRock Capital provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

         0.80 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion,

 

10


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $7,874 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Common Stocks

                           

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       $ 16,329,409          $          $ 6,748,180          $ 23,077,589  

All Other Common Stocks+

         566,578,087                                  566,578,087  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    133,898,895                       133,898,895  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         953,298                                  953,298  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 583,860,794          $ 133,898,895          $ 6,748,180          $ 724,507,869  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

11


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

A reconciliation of assets in which level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant level 3 instruments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 622,173,911          $ 791,688,595  

6. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.

 

Security      Acquisition
Date(a)
     Acquisition
Cost
     Shares      Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Net Assets
                                    

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.

         4/25/14          $ 7,405,812            108,909          $ 11,320,001            1.91 %

Palantir Technologies, Inc.

         2/7/14            5,157,898            841,419            6,748,180            1.14 %

 

(a) Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security.

7. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

8. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $625,827,590. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 108,266,675  

Unrealized depreciation

    (9,586,396
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 98,680,279   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $          $ 59,367,203          $ 59,367,203  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 3,317,990          $ 36          $ 3,318,026  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

12


AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 6,968,622          $ 108,868,405          $          $ 98,680,240          $ 214,517,267  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

14


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $59,367,203.

 

15


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

16


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

17


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

18


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

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Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

20


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

21


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Consolidated Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 24

Consolidated Statement of Operations

Page 24

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 25

Consolidated Financial Highlights

Page 26

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Page 27

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 38

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 39

Other Information

Page 40

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 41

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 44

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014 the AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund returned 1.95%. That compared to a 4.18% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index which is comprised of a 36% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1, a 24% weighting in the FTSE World ex U.S. Index2, 24% weighting in the BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index3 and a 16% weighting in the Citigroup (Non-USD) World Government Bond Index4.

U.S. equity markets outperformed most international equity markets for the 12-month period, while fixed income markets offered modest gains. Global equity markets started out on a negative note: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Stocks recovered quickly, however, with new data showing that growth in the U.S. remained strong and the European Central Bank exhibiting a willingness to act to combat low inflation in the eurozone.

Market volatility increased through the year due in part to geopolitical crises, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the ground war in Gaza. Signs of a stronger U.S. economic recovery and flagging global growth helped support strength in the U.S. dollar. The appreciating dollar put pressure on commodity prices, particularly oil, later in the period. It also led many foreign equity markets to underperform in U.S. dollar terms, despite posting gains in local currency terms. Concerns around weak global growth, along with the strong U.S. currency, drove investors to seek safety in U.S. Treasuries later in the period, bidding up prices on those securities and driving down interest rates.

The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark for the period under review primarily due to a combination of stock selection, country and sector allocations, and exposure to cash securities. From a country perspective, a smaller-than-benchmark exposure to U.S. equities as well as stock selection in that country weighed on results. Stock selection in Canada and Europe, most notably in France and Germany, also dragged on relative performance. At the sector level, stock selection and overweight positions in the materials and industrials sectors hurt the Fund’s performance, as did selection in information technology and financials. A larger-than-benchmark holding of gold-related securities detracted from relative performance as commodities prices fell during the period. The Fund’s cash-equivalent holdings—which were used to help mitigate portfolio volatility and as a source of funds for new investments— dragged on results, given the low-interest rate environment and the fully invested nature of the benchmark.*

The Fund’s relative performance benefited from stock selection in Japan and an overweight allocation to that country. Strong corporate earnings and stimulus efforts by the Japanese central bank helped buoy the nation’s equity markets. From a sector perspective, an

overweight allocation to health care holdings, along with stock selection within that sector, helped boost relative performance. An underweight allocation to fixed income securities in general helped improve the Fund’s relative returns, as did a smaller-than-benchmark position in Japanese government bonds. The Fund’s overweight allocation to emerging market sovereign bonds also contributed positively to relative performance. From a currency perspective, the Fund benefited from a larger-than-benchmark exposure to U.S. currency-denominated securities as the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to other foreign currencies.*

The Fund uses derivatives, which may include options, futures, swaps and forward contracts both to enhance returns of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. During the period, the Fund’s use of derivatives had a positive impact on the absolute performance of the Fund.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole.
2  The Financial Times Stock Exchange World ex U.S. Index (“FTSE World Index”) is part of a range of indexes designed to help United States investors benchmark their international investments. The index comprises large- (84%) and mid- (16%) cap stocks providing coverage of Developed and Emerging Markets (46 countries) excluding the United States. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which covers 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization.
3  The BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index is designed to track the total return of the current coupon 5-Year U.S. Treasury bond.
4  The Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that tracks 10 government bond indices, excluding the United States. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total investment return. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a portfolio of equity, debt and money market securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

The Fund is subject to the risk that principal value reacts in opposition to the movement of interest rates and that a rising interest rate environment increases the risk of loss of principal.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks as well as the component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    Since
Inception
(1/10/12)
 

AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

     1.95     7.68

Balanced Composite Index

     4.18     9.18

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     19.50

FTSE World ex U.S. Index

     -3.74     9.43

BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index

     2.93     0.92

Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index

     -2.68     -1.67

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

     1.16

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.19% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 1.14%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 36% Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”); 24% FTSE World ex U.S. Index; 24% BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index; and 16% Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The FTSE World ex U.S. Index is part of a range of indexes designed to help U.S. investors benchmark their international investments. The index comprises large- (84%) and mid- (16%) cap stocks providing coverage of Developed and Emerging Markets (46 countries) excluding the U.S. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which covers 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization. The BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index is designed to track the total return of the current coupon 5-Year U.S. Treasury bond. The Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that tracks 10 government bond indices, excluding the United States. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 982.70          $ 5.40            1.08 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.76          $ 5.50            1.08 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Common Stocks

      54.3 %

U.S. Treasury Obligations

      24.3  

Foreign Bonds

      9.2  

Securities Held as Collateral on Loan

      5.9  

Yankee Dollars

      2.8  

Corporate Bonds

      2.5  

Convertible Bonds

      2.1  

Preferred Stocks

      1.9  

Purchased Options

      1.3  

Floating Rate Loans

      1.1  

Exchange Traded Funds

      0.7  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

      0.3  

U.S. Government Mortgage

      0.1  

Money Market

      0.1  

Warrants

       

Right

      ^
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      106.6  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (6.6 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%.
Investments    Percent of net assets

United States

       64.8 %

Japan

       9.4  

United Kingdom

       5.4  

Mexico

       3.6  

France

       2.8  

Australia

       2.2  

Switzerland

       2.1  

Netherlands

       2.0  

Canada

       1.4  

Germany

       1.4  

All other countries

       11.5  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       106.6  

Net other assets (liabilities)

       (6.6 )
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

       100.0 %
    

 

 

 
 

 

3


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (54.3%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.1%):

  

  989       Boeing Co. (The)    $ 128,550   
  38,316       European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV      1,902,823   
  1,417       General Dynamics Corp.      195,008   
  1,326       L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.      167,354   
  1,490       Northrop Grumman Corp.      219,611   
  7,481       Precision Castparts Corp.      1,802,023   
  1,856       Raytheon Co.^      200,764   
  39,335       Safran SA      2,420,742   
  14,421       United Technologies Corp.      1,658,415   
     

 

 

 
        8,695,290   
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.5%):

  

  12,245       Deutsche Post AG      400,592   
  5,823       FedEx Corp.      1,011,222   
  21,832       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      2,427,064   
     

 

 

 
        3,838,878   
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.4%):

  

  54,500       Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.      1,592,243   
  28,986       United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      1,938,874   
     

 

 

 
        3,531,117   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (1.3%):

  

  20,600       Aisin Sieki Co., Ltd.      740,544   
  15,601       BorgWarner, Inc.^      857,275   
  48,200       Bridgestone Corp.      1,675,272   
  134,683       Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co., Ltd.      315,944   
  14,952       Delphi Automotive plc      1,087,309   
  46,900       DENSO Corp.      2,186,167   
  23,600       Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd.^      110,441   
  2,082       Hyundai Wia Corp.      331,521   
  5,000       Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      152,524   
  2,059       Lear Corp.      201,947   
  3,100       Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.      67,018   
  38,900       Toyota Industries Corp.      1,988,016   
     

 

 

 
        9,713,978   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (1.9%):

  

  7,073       Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)      768,063   
  1,900       Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.^      24,927   
  108,000       Dongfeng Motor Corp., H Shares      150,993   
  130,023       Ford Motor Co.      2,015,357   
  120,100       Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.      4,230,034   
  42,300       Honda Motor Co., Ltd.      1,230,277   
  5,313       Hyundai Motor Co.      806,721   
  45,400       Isuzu Motors, Ltd.      554,001   
  9,127       Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.      479,883   
  63,300       Suzuki Motor Corp.      1,903,179   
  27,300       Toyota Motor Corp.      1,702,728   
  270       Volkswagen AG      58,825   
  165,770       Yulon Motor Co., Ltd.      242,482   
     

 

 

 
        14,167,470   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Banks (4.4%):

  

  23,504       Axis Bank, Ltd.    $ 185,708   
  82,439       Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA      775,784   
  214,213       Bank of America Corp.      3,832,271   
  22,000       Bank of Yokohama, Ltd. (The)      119,425   
  29,503       BNP Paribas SA      1,733,517   
  19,000       Chiba Bank, Ltd. (The)      124,723   
  75,000       Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.      286,277   
  51,579       Citigroup, Inc.      2,790,940   
  10,992       Commonwealth Bank of Australia      763,211   
  26,241       Fifth Third Bancorp      534,660   
  77,000       Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.      397,615   
  16,682       HDFC Bank, Ltd.      250,205   
  259,946       HSBC Holdings plc      2,456,313   
  31,485       ICICI Bank, Ltd.      174,895   
  370,849       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA      1,072,680   
  63,564       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      3,977,835   
  9,846       Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.      196,066   
  623,354       Lloyds Banking Group plc*      736,008   
  330,600       Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.      1,812,368   
  94,004       Regions Financial Corp.      992,682   
  13,000       Shizuoka Bank, Ltd. (The)      118,932   
  8,086       Societe Generale      339,744   
  46,800       Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.      1,691,283   
  7,951       Svenska Handelsbanken AB, A Shares      371,499   
  13,504       Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)      645,378   
  29,962       U.S. Bancorp      1,346,792   
  59,657       UniCredit SpA      380,179   
  82,892       Wells Fargo & Co.      4,544,138   
  17,557       Westpac Banking Corp.      471,882   
  17,236       Yes Bank, Ltd.      209,115   
     

 

 

 
        33,332,125   
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.7%):

  

  2,692       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV      302,905   
  51,823       Coca-Cola Co. (The)      2,187,967   
  1,846       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*      181,222   
  8,367       Diageo plc, Sponsored ADR      954,590   
  6,528       Diageo plc      187,208   
  21,800       Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.      270,085   
  9,502       Remy Cointreau SA      634,610   
  13,805       SABMiller plc      714,353   
  10,300       Suntory Beverage & Food, Ltd.      355,696   
     

 

 

 
        5,788,636   
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (1.0%):

  

  4,336       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      802,290   
  13,796       Amgen, Inc.      2,197,565   
  3,082       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      1,046,185   
  12,697       Celgene Corp.*      1,420,286   
  8,576       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      808,374   
  62,008       Mesoblast, Ltd.*^      220,168   
  767       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      314,662   
  8,926       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      1,060,409   
     

 

 

 
        7,869,939   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Building Products (0.2%):

  

  16,904       Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA    $ 711,562   
  13,500       Daikin Industries, Ltd.      870,859   
     

 

 

 
        1,582,421   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.6%):

  

  1,250       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      165,313   
  19,715       Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      799,838   
  25,666       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      774,857   
  34,739       Deutsche Bank AG, Registered Shares      1,049,888   
  4,909       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      951,510   
  97,829       UBS Group AG*      1,682,159   
     

 

 

 
        5,423,565   
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.9%):

  

  15,338       Akzo Nobel NV      1,063,482   
  8,897       Arkema, Inc.      589,932   
  90,000       Asahi Kasei Corp.      824,931   
  3,482       BASF SE      294,311   
  526       CF Industries Holdings, Inc.      143,356   
  4,461       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      203,466   
  17,683       FMC Corp.^      1,008,462   
  31,400       Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.      556,321   
  37,200       JSR Corp.^      638,898   
  14,014       Koninklijke DSM NV      852,041   
  45,000       Kuraray Co., Ltd.      513,136   
  3,245       Linde AG      605,185   
  7,201       LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A      571,687   
  22,700       Nitto Denko Corp.      1,269,676   
  9,207       Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.      325,554   
  1,021       PPG Industries, Inc.      236,004   
  30,800       Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.      2,004,098   
  7,584       Syngenta AG, Registered Shares      2,435,961   
  247,000       Ube Industries, Ltd.^      369,113   
     

 

 

 
        14,505,614   
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.0%):

  

  2,017       Cintas Corp.^      158,213   
  3,100       Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.^      74,541   
     

 

 

 
        232,754   
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.6%):

  

  102,128       Cisco Systems, Inc.      2,840,690   
  18,395       El Towers SpA*      920,676   
  1,869       Harris Corp.      134,232   
  1,960       Motorola Solutions, Inc.^      131,477   
  14,107       QUALCOMM, Inc.      1,048,573   
     

 

 

 
        5,075,648   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.2%):

  

  4,791       Bouygues SA      172,864   
  25,000       JGC Corp.      515,313   
  4,000       Kinden Corp.      40,511   
  2,000       Maeda Road Construction Co., Ltd.^      29,737   
  84,000       Okumura Corp.^      377,720   
  92,000       Toda Corp.^      363,380   
     

 

 

 
        1,499,525   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Consumer Finance (0.7%):

  

  26,951       American Express Co.    $ 2,507,521   
  15,015       Capital One Financial Corp.      1,239,488   
  21,298       Discover Financial Services      1,394,806   
     

 

 

 
        5,141,815   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.3%):

  

  16,318       Crown Holdings, Inc.*^      830,586   
  20,018       Sealed Air Corp.      849,364   
     

 

 

 
        1,679,950   
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.0%):

  

  2,200       Canon Marketing Japan, Inc.      36,960   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.2%):

  

  5,630       Deutsche Boerse AG      403,421   
  83,371       ING Groep NV*      1,079,327   
     

 

 

 
        1,482,748   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.0%):

  

  39,563       AT&T, Inc.^      1,328,921   
  114,563       BT Group plc      711,070   
  42,017       Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares      673,380   
  20,604       France Telecom SA      350,356   
  11,200       Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.      576,426   
  24,588       Oi SA, ADR*      78,437   
  332,000       Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.      974,800   
  327       Swisscom AG, Registered Shares^      171,760   
  23,018       TDC A/S      175,445   
  251,712       Telecom Italia SpA      266,914   
  32,883       Telecom Italia SpA      27,482   
  152,500       Telekom Malaysia Berhad      299,261   
  8,280       Verizon Communications, Inc.      385,753   
  56,872       Verizon Communications, Inc.      2,660,472   
     

 

 

 
        8,680,477   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.4%):

  

  19,181       American Electric Power Co., Inc.      1,164,669   
  22,500       Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.*      264,744   
  1,898       Duke Energy Corp.      158,559   
  156,961       Enel SpA      701,728   
  8,232       Exelon Corp.^      305,243   
  4,303       FirstEnergy Corp.      167,774   
  5,142       NRG Yield, Inc.^      242,394   
  11,138       PPL Corp.      404,644   
  42,011       Terna – Rete Elettrica Nationale SpA      190,291   
     

 

 

 
        3,600,046   
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.7%):

  

  21,750       Eaton Corp. plc      1,478,130   
  43,000       GS Yuasa Corp.^      182,937   
  2,000       Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.      78,831   
  93,000       Mitsubishi Electric Corp.      1,107,446   
  16,186       Rockwell Automation, Inc.      1,799,883   
  13,003       Schneider Electric SA      944,711   
  2,009       Schneider Electric SE^      145,311   
  40,500       Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.      505,396   
     

 

 

 
        6,242,645   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.6%):

  

  3,065       Avnet, Inc.    $ 131,856   
  3,300       Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.      95,231   
  232,000       Hitachi, Ltd.      1,697,888   
  22,400       HOYA Corp.      750,099   
  400       Keyence Corp.      177,205   
  4,427       Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      149,500   
  14,500       Kyocera Corp.      664,701   
  5,700       Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      622,735   
  6,200       Omron Corp.      277,933   
  2,753       TE Connectivity, Ltd.      174,127   
     

 

 

 
        4,741,275   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.7%):

  

  95,700       Dropbox, Inc.*(a)(b)      1,827,985   
  1,698       Helmerich & Payne, Inc.      114,479   
  17,702       Ocean Rig UDW, Inc.      164,275   
  30,284       Oceaneering International, Inc.      1,781,002   
  149,099       SBM Offshore NV*      1,767,900   
     

 

 

 
        5,655,641   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%):

  

  2,061       CVS Health Corp.      198,495   
  3,600       FamilyMart Co., Ltd.      134,416   
  11,194       Fresh Market, Inc. (The)*^      461,193   
  3,225       Kroger Co. (The)      207,077   
     

 

 

 
        1,001,181   
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.0%):

  

  20,000       Ajinomoto Co., Inc.      370,657   
  3,207       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      166,764   
  57,961       Cosan, Ltd., A Shares      449,198   
  6,008       Danone SA      395,198   
  46,949       Nestle SA, Registered Shares      3,442,473   
  27,712       SLC Agricola SA      147,049   
  60,391       Unilever NV      2,372,044   
  17,190       Unilever plc      698,185   
     

 

 

 
        8,041,568   
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.3%):

  

  14,273       Gas Natural SDG SA      359,021   
  79,899       Snam Rete Gas SpA      394,105   
  259,000       Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.      1,397,840   
     

 

 

 
        2,150,966   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.4%):

  

  1,032       Becton, Dickinson & Co.      143,613   
  885       C.R. Bard, Inc.      147,459   
  2,904       CareFusion Corp.*      172,323   
  25,562       Getinge AB, B Shares      580,995   
  17,050       Medtronic, Inc.^      1,231,010   
  18,122       Mindray Medical International, Ltd., Sponsored ADR^      478,421   
  5,116       Zimmer Holdings, Inc.      580,257   
     

 

 

 
        3,334,078   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.3%):

  

  17,679       Aetna, Inc.    $ 1,570,426   
  35,516       Al Noor Hospitals Group plc      545,346   
  1,846       AmerisourceBergen Corp.      166,435   
  1,413       Anthem, Inc.      177,572   
  1,222,800       Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Co., Ltd., Class F      636,562   
  87,500       Bumrungrad Hospital Public Co., Ltd.      374,655   
  2,262       Cardinal Health, Inc.      182,611   
  13,130       Catamaran Corp.*      679,478   
  23,895       Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.*      828,918   
  5,802       Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA      302,946   
  23,930       HCA Holdings, Inc.*      1,756,223   
  436,104       Healthscope, Ltd.*      965,350   
  9,772       HealthSouth Corp.^      375,831   
  7,337       Humana, Inc.      1,053,813   
  633,400       IHH Healthcare Berhad      871,996   
  105,242       Life Healthcare Group Holdings Pte, Ltd.      388,110   
  11,050       McKesson, Inc.      2,293,758   
  60,203       NMC Health plc      429,300   
  382,799       PT Siloam International Hospital Tbk*      423,743   
  102,000       Raffles Medical Group, Ltd.      299,349   
  9,900       Ship Healthcare Holdings, Inc.^      224,985   
  97,197       Sinopharm Group Co., H Shares      342,147   
  137,245       Spire Healthcare Group plc*      807,289   
  12,100       Tenet Healthcare Corp.*^      613,107   
  15,574       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      1,574,376   
     

 

 

 
        17,884,326   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.3%):

  

  18,709       McDonald’s Corp.      1,753,033   
  12,153       SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.      217,539   
  1,889       Wyndham Worldwide Corp.      162,001   
     

 

 

 
        2,132,573   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.1%):

  

  3,000       Alpine Electronics, Inc.^      49,342   
  31,698       Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes      131,936   
  104,000       Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd.      245,813   
  41,778       MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA      117,919   
  7,300       Rinnai Corp.      491,643   
  18,900       Sony Corp.      384,846   
     

 

 

 
        1,421,499   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.8%):

  

  14,895       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      1,030,585   
  1,043       Energizer Holdings, Inc.      134,088   
  5,451       Kimberly-Clark Corp.      629,809   
  50,384       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      4,589,478   
     

 

 

 
        6,383,960   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.6%):

  

  51,570       AES Corp. (The)      710,119   
  46,687       Calpine Corp.*      1,033,183   
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers, continued

  

  5,123       NextEra Energy Partners LP^    $ 172,901   
  11,954       NextEra Energy, Inc.      1,270,591   
  32,297       NRG Energy, Inc.^      870,404   
  9,032       TerraForm Power, Inc.*(a)(b)      264,963   
  3,476       TerraForm Power, Inc., Class A      107,339   
     

 

 

 
        4,429,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.4%):

  

  858       3M Co.      140,987   
  170,219       Beijing Enterprises Holdings, Ltd.      1,330,826   
  7,944       Danaher Corp.      680,880   
  142,156       General Electric Co.      3,592,282   
  197,000       Keppel Corp., Ltd.      1,314,863   
  12,446       Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV      361,329   
  25,119       Siemens AG, Registered Shares      2,848,413   
     

 

 

 
        10,269,580   
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (1.9%):

  

  1,398       ACE, Ltd.      160,602   
  124,400       AIA Group, Ltd.      685,079   
  8,082       Allstate Corp. (The)      567,761   
  27,295       American International Group, Inc.      1,528,793   
  44,805       AXA SA      1,034,718   
  2,505       Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd.      127,980   
  4       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class A*^      904,000   
  12,164       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*      1,826,424   
  1,093       Chubb Corp. (The)      113,093   
  3,178       CNA Financial Corp.^      123,020   
  102,653       Legal & General Group plc      394,223   
  4,130       Lincoln National Corp.      238,177   
  16,385       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      937,877   
  14,847       MetLife, Inc.      803,074   
  22,300       MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.      529,755   
  19,500       NKSJ Holdings, Inc.      490,117   
  6,067       Prudential Financial, Inc.      548,821   
  49,043       Prudential plc      1,128,447   
  1,725       Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.      151,145   
  35,500       Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.      523,570   
  46,600       Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.      1,513,577   
  15,776       XL Group plc, Class B      542,221   
     

 

 

 
        14,872,474   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.2%):

  

  5,842       Amazon.com, Inc.*      1,813,065   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (2.2%):

  

  30,100       DeNA Co., Ltd.^      359,673   
  44,191       eBay, Inc.*      2,479,999   
  15,437       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      1,204,395   
  4,936       Google, Inc., Class A*      2,619,338   
  7,064       Google, Inc., Class C*      3,718,489   
  63,300       Gree, Inc.^      381,582   
  28,140       SINA Corp.*      1,052,717   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Internet Software & Services, continued

  

  83,283       Twitter, Inc.*^    $ 2,987,361   
  17,133       Uber Technologies, Inc.*(a)(b)      2,283,315   
     

 

 

 
        17,086,869   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.2%):

  

  1,652       Accenture plc, Class A      147,540   
  523       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*      149,604   
  3,055       Amdocs, Ltd.      142,531   
  14,472       Atos Origin SA      1,145,077   
  2,856       Computer Sciences Corp.      180,071   
  2,987       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      185,791   
  6,293       International Business Machines Corp.      1,009,649   
  35,888       MasterCard, Inc., Class A      3,092,111   
  10,391       Visa, Inc., Class A      2,724,520   
  52,314       Worldline SA*      1,011,917   
     

 

 

 
        9,788,811   
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.1%):

  

  5,600       Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.      118,882   
  24,500       Nikon Corp.^      325,366   
  22,500       Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.      288,710   
  7,700       Yamaha Corp.      114,389   
     

 

 

 
        847,347   
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.6%):

  

  24,519       Agilent Technologies, Inc.      1,003,808   
  855       Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*^      258,603   
  13,897       PerkinElmer, Inc.^      607,716   
  15,190       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      1,903,155   
  4,825       Waters Corp.*      543,874   
     

 

 

 
        4,317,156   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.1%):

  

  4,016       CNH Industrial NV      32,366   
  29,402       Colfax Corp.*^      1,516,262   
  75,747       Cummins India, Ltd.      1,044,108   
  1,915       Dover Corp.^      137,344   
  2,900       Fanuc, Ltd.      478,692   
  164,090       Haitian International Holdings, Ltd.      344,105   
  122,000       IHI Corp.      619,538   
  17,100       Komatsu, Ltd.      379,162   
  29,000       Kubota Corp.      421,187   
  129,000       Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.      713,381   
  5,700       Nabtesco Corp.^      136,864   
  11,448       PACCAR, Inc.      778,578   
  1,065       Parker Hannifin Corp.^      137,332   
  13,332       Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.      239,762   
  1,000       SMC Corp.      260,451   
  14,343       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      1,378,075   
  3,200       THK Co., Ltd.      77,272   
     

 

 

 
        8,694,479   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.0%):

  

  38,908       Comcast Corp., Class A      2,257,053   
  10,852       DISH Network Corp., Class A*      791,002   
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

  33,104       Grupo Televisa SAB*    $ 225,750   
  14,308       Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C*^      712,825   
  7,085       Liberty Broadband Corp., Class A*      354,888   
  45,381       Liberty Media Corp., Class C*      1,589,696   
  20,948       Liberty Media Corp.*      738,836   
  17,990       Manchester United plc, Class A*      286,041   
  101,700       RAI Way SpA*      392,522   
  2,382       RTL Group      226,333   
  1,128       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      171,524   
  2,200       TV Asahi Holdings Corp.      34,736   
  1,429       Viacom, Inc., Class B      107,532   
  56,459       Zon Multimedia Servicos de Telecommunicacoes e Multimedia SGPS SA      357,371   
     

 

 

 
        8,246,109   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (2.2%):

  

  177,923       Antofagasta plc      2,065,482   
  63,228       Barrick Gold Corp., ADR      679,701   
  40,304       BHP Billiton plc      861,989   
  53,384       Constellium NV*      877,099   
  60,918       Eldorado Gold Corp.      371,330   
  136,556       First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.      1,941,059   
  145,209       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      3,392,084   
  76,765       Goldcorp, Inc.      1,421,688   
  303,956       Platinum Group Metals, Ltd.*      143,931   
  73,949       Rio Tinto plc      3,406,600   
  57,449       Southern Copper Corp.^      1,620,062   
     

 

 

 
        16,781,025   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.0%):

  

  2,175       Kohl’s Corp.^      132,762   
  2,073       Macy’s, Inc.^      136,300   
  2,800       Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.      346,036   
     

 

 

 
        615,098   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.6%):

  

  23,266       CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      545,122   
  14,815       Dominion Resources, Inc.      1,139,274   
  41,698       GDF Suez      973,754   
  67,090       National Grid plc      956,306   
  7,813       RWE AG      244,580   
  9,816       Sempra Energy      1,093,110   
     

 

 

 
        4,952,146   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (4.8%):

  

  28,501       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      2,351,332   
  19,173       Antero Midstream Partners LP*      527,258   
  112,886       Athabasca Oil Corp.*      251,722   
  42,054       BG Group plc      559,701   
  59,649       Cameco Corp.      978,840   
  2,987       Chevron Corp.      335,082   
  3,655       Cimarex Energy Co.      387,430   
  31,317       CONSOL Energy, Inc.^      1,058,828   
  23,787       Diamondback Energy, Inc.*^      1,421,987   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  30,140       Eclipse Resources Corp.*^    $ 211,884   
  3,818       EOG Resources, Inc.      351,523   
  4,771       EQT Corp.      361,165   
  19,714       Gulfport Energy Corp.*      822,862   
  136,400       INPEX Corp.      1,513,657   
  27,615       KazMunaiGas Exploration Production JSC, Registered Shares, GDR      400,372   
  63,925       Lookout, Inc.*(a)(b)      730,222   
  135,128       Lundin Petroleum AB*^      1,933,490   
  3,387       Marathon Oil Corp.      95,818   
  1,960       Marathon Petroleum Corp.      176,910   
  15,127       Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*^      250,201   
  154,200       Oil & Natural Gas Corp., Ltd.      830,962   
  277,414       Ophir Energy plc*      602,282   
  116,157       Palantir Technologies, Inc.*(a)(b)      931,579   
  7,669       Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*^      122,397   
  71,761       Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Sponsored ADR      523,856   
  49,178       Phillips 66      3,526,062   
  4,315       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      642,288   
  52,935       Royal Dutch Shell plc, Sponsored ADR      3,543,997   
  203,628       Statoil ASA      3,570,909   
  22,665       Stone Energy Corp.*^      382,585   
  4,475       Suncor Energy, Inc.      142,216   
  32,673       Talisman Energy, Inc.      255,830   
  10,686       Tesoro Corp.^      794,504   
  20,473       Total SA      1,055,447   
  41,344       Total SA, Sponsored ADR, Sponsored ADR^      2,116,812   
  47,155       TransCanada Corp.^      2,318,166   
  3,490       Valero Energy Corp.      172,755   
     

 

 

 
        36,252,931   
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.0%):

  

  3,070       International Paper Co.      164,491   
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.3%):

  

  10,433       Beiersdorf AG^      850,841   
  79,423       Hypermarcas SA*      497,664   
  2,428       L’Oreal SA      407,582   
     

 

 

 
        1,756,087   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (4.2%):

  

  51,662       Abbvie, Inc.      3,380,761   
  10,955       Actavis, Inc. plc*      2,819,927   
  4,859       Allergan, Inc.      1,032,975   
  31,100       Astellas Pharma, Inc.      432,910   
  22,957       AstraZeneca plc      1,614,727   
  5,926       AstraZeneca plc, Sponsored ADR^      417,072   
  18,819       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      1,110,886   
  23,382       Catalent, Inc.*^      651,890   
  3,501       Eli Lilly & Co.      241,534   
  59,309       Merck & Co., Inc.      3,368,158   
  6,239       Mylan, Inc.*      351,692   
  18,513       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      1,703,108   
  15,800       Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.      473,951   
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals, continued

  

  4,641       Perrigo Co. plc    $ 775,790   
  115,919       Pfizer, Inc.      3,610,876   
  16,221       Roche Holding AG      4,397,874   
  6,890       Sanofi-Aventis SA, Sponsored ADR      314,253   
  26,019       Sanofi-Aventis SA      2,370,983   
  2,100       Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.^      121,003   
  20,453       Shire plc      1,446,938   
  460,000       Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.      416,134   
  25,005       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Sponsored ADR      1,438,037   
     

 

 

 
        32,491,479   
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.1%):

  

  42,526       Qualicorp SA*      444,913   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.4%):

  

  9,828       American Capital Agency Corp.      214,545   
  7,794       American Tower Corp.      770,437   
  10,532       Crown Castle International Corp.      828,869   
  323,539       Fibra UNO Amdinistracion SA      953,695   
  293,363       TF Administradora Industrial S de RL de C.V.      613,953   
     

 

 

 
        3,381,499   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (1.4%):

  

  74,935       BR Malls Participacoes SA      463,338   
  649,000       CapitaLand, Ltd.      1,612,926   
  338,000       China Overseas Land & Investment, Ltd.      997,616   
  38,000       Daikyo, Inc.*      58,855   
  4,400       Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.      498,276   
  646,000       Global Logistic Properties, Ltd.      1,208,475   
  21,000       Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.      360,923   
  67,467       St. Joe Co. (The)*^      1,240,718   
  144,000       Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.      2,177,721   
  180,000       Wharf Holdings, Ltd. (The)      1,292,765   
     

 

 

 
        9,911,613   
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.9%):

  

  16,462       Canadian National Railway Co.^      1,134,396   
  24,792       CSX Corp.      898,214   
  28,600       East Japan Railway Co.      2,143,088   
  14,285       J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.^      1,203,511   
  25,000       Nippon Express Co., Ltd.      127,167   
  7,000       Seino Holdings Co., Ltd.      70,426   
  16,898       Union Pacific Corp.      2,013,059   
     

 

 

 
        7,589,861   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.4%):

  

  12,006       Infineon Technologies AG      128,702   
  4,467       KLA-Tencor Corp.^      314,119   
  19,400       ROHM Co., Ltd.      1,177,169   
  596       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.      716,521   
  142,000       Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      626,646   
     

 

 

 
        2,963,157   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software (1.7%):

  

  86,301       Activision Blizzard, Inc.    $ 1,738,965   
  2,269       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      164,956   
  2,045       Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.*      160,676   
  11,900       Electronic Arts, Inc.*      559,479   
  53,300       Gungho Online Enetertainment, Inc.^      194,328   
  1,734       Intuit, Inc.      159,857   
  44,916       Microsoft Corp.      2,086,348   
  16,800       Nexon Co., Ltd.      156,673   
  10,200       Nintendo Co., Ltd.      1,063,234   
  80,656       Oracle Corp.      3,627,101   
  9,978       SAP AG      705,416   
  3,800       Trend Micro, Inc.^      103,985   
  23,266       UbiSoft Entertainment SA*      425,895   
  45,940       Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*^      1,213,275   
  4,253       VMware, Inc., Class A*^      350,958   
     

 

 

 
        12,711,146   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.2%):

  

  2,400       Autobacs Seven Co., Ltd.      34,177   
  2,044       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      140,627   
  15,800       Sanrio Co., Ltd.^      393,046   
  800       Shimamura Co., Ltd.^      68,938   
  296,000       Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.^      988,125   
  222,760       Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.^      200,913   
     

 

 

 
        1,825,826   
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.2%):

  

  2,278       Apple, Inc.      251,446   
  211,000       NEC Corp.      615,231   
  1,630       Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.      169,489   
  2,448       Seagate Technology plc      162,792   
  2,403       Western Digital Corp.      266,012   
     

 

 

 
        1,464,970   
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.5%):

  

  52,300       Coach, Inc.      1,964,388   
  255       Hermes International SA      91,046   
  8,056       Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*^      449,444   
  4,361       LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA      689,541   
     

 

 

 
        3,194,419   
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.1%):

  

  5,733       Philip Morris International, Inc.      466,953   
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.7%):

  

  16,891       Fastenal Co.^      803,336   
  68,000       Mitsubishi Corp.      1,247,320   
  197,900       Mitsui & Co., Ltd.      2,646,002   
  67,600       Sumitomo Corp.      694,435   
     

 

 

 
        5,391,093   
     

 

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.0%):

  

  615,711       Delta Topco, Ltd.*(a)(b)      365,178   
  4,000       Kamigumi Co., Ltd.      35,580   
  16,337       Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Trade Port JSC, Registered Shares, GDR      32,395   
     

 

 

 
        433,153   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Water Utilities (0.1%):

  

  14,148       American Water Works Co., Inc.    $ 754,088   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.5%):

  

  27,132       America Movil SAB de C.V., Series L, Sponsored ADR^      601,788   
  341,400       Axiata Group Berhad      687,886   
  105,029       Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd.      241,816   
  14,300       KDDI Corp.      894,904   
  9,900       NTT DoCoMo, Inc.      144,942   
  73,000       Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd.      241,094   
  156,902       Vodafone Group plc      537,552   
  15,162       Vodafone Group plc, Sponsored ADR      518,086   
     

 

 

 
        3,868,068   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $396,539,998)

     422,648,074   
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks (1.9%):

  

 

Auto Components (0.3%):

  

  61,095       Mobileye N.V., Series F, Preferred Shares*(a)(b)      2,354,112   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.2%):

  

  8,234       Volkswagen AG, Preferred Shares      1,839,026   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.8%):

  

  26,482       Citigroup Capital XIII, Series A,
Preferred Shares^
     703,891   
  176,000       Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust VII, Preferred Shares(c)      179,186   
  32,500       GMAC Capital Trust I, Series 2, Preferred Shares      857,349   
  15,683       HSBC Holdings plc, Series 2, Preferred Shares      416,697   
  38,941       Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preferred Shares      507,060   
  21,833       RBS Capital Fund Trust V, Series E, Preferred Shares      530,542   
  27,501       RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, Series G, Preferred Shares      670,749   
  14,719       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series T, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR      375,187   
  12,375       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series M, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR^      305,168   
  9,710       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series Q, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR      246,149   
  7,409       U.S. Bancorp, Series G, Preferred Shares      200,932   
  14,159       U.S. Bancorp, Series F, Preferred Shares^      416,983   
  541,000       USB Capital IX, Preferred Shares      435,505   
     

 

 

 
        5,845,398   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.0%):

  

  41,670       Fannie Mae, Series S, Preferred Shares      161,263   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%):

  

  10,967       Companhia Brasileira de Destribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar, Series A, Preferred Shares      407,073   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.0%):

  

  186,439       Invitae Corp., Series F, Preferred Shares(a)(b)      372,878   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Preferred Stocks, continued

  

 

Machinery (0.0%):

  

  2,123       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Preferred Shares^    $ 249,962   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.1%):

  

  7,500       Dominion Resources, Inc., Preferred Shares      390,075   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2%):

  

  2,976       American Tower Corp., Series A, Preferred Shares      342,121   
  13,044       Health Care REIT, Inc., Series 2, Preferred Shares      861,311   
     

 

 

 
        1,203,432   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  

  15,600       Forestar Group, Inc., Preferred Shares      331,188   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.2%):

  

  1,918       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Preferred Shares      1,794,913   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $12,663,433)

     14,949,320   
     

 

 

 

 

Warrants (0.0%):

  

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.0%):

  

  157,250       TFS Corp., Ltd.*(c)      96,646   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  

  11,666       Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.*      29,489   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Warrants (Cost $—)

     126,135   
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.3%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  

  5,063       United Technologies Corp., 0.49%      310,514   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.0%):

  

  272       Wells Fargo & Co., Series L, Class A, 0.02%      330,480   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.1%):

  

  10,884       NextEra Energy, Inc., 0.33%      746,098   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.0%):

  

  11,422       Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc., Series A, 4.18%      76,527   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2%):

  

  8,784       Crown Castle International Corp., Series A      904,665   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,318,154)

     2,368,284   
     

 

 

 

 

Right (0.0%):

  

 

Media (0.0%):

  

  4,279       Liberty Broadband Corp.*      40,651   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Right (Cost $—)

     40,651   
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Bonds (2.1%):

  

 

Automobiles (0.1%):

  

$ 800,000       Volkswagen International Finance NV,
5.50%, 11/9/15+(c)
     1,070,525   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.1%):

  

  753,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series Q, 5.15%, 12/31/49, Callable 5/1/23 @ 100, Perpetual Bond^(d)      709,326   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Convertible Bonds, continued

  

 

Biotechnology (0.4%):

  

$ 143,000       BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., 0.75%, 10/15/18    $ 168,114   
  155,000       BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., 1.50%, 10/15/20^      189,972   
  244,000       Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2.50%, 11/1/17      845,308   
  331,000       Gilead Sciences, Inc., Series D, 1.63%, 5/1/16      1,369,925   
     

 

 

 
        2,573,319   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment and Services (0.0%):

  

  191,000       Suzlon Energy, Ltd., Series SUEL, 3.25%, 7/16/19, Callable 1/16/15 @ 100.85(c)(d)      173,170   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%):

  

  500,000       Olam International, Ltd., 6.00%, 10/15/16(c)      527,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.0%):

  

  400,000       REI Agro, Ltd., Registered Shares, 5.50%, 11/13/14(a)(e)      39,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.1%):

  

  80,000       Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., 2.75%, 6/15/18      108,950   
  463,000       WellPoint, Inc., 2.75%, 10/15/42      796,939   
     

 

 

 
        905,889   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (0.0%):

  

  380,000       SINA Corp., 1.00%, 12/1/18, Callable 12/1/16 @ 100      350,313   
  375,000       Twitter, Inc., 1.00%, 9/15/21(c)      326,719   
     

 

 

 
        677,032   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%):

  

  886,000       Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 2.63%, 12/1/19      534,923   
  1,111,000       Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 3.13%, 5/15/24^      746,453   
  70,000       Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/31/17      61,600   
     

 

 

 
        1,342,976   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.2%):

  

  402,000       Mylan, Inc., 3.75%, 9/15/15      1,698,952   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.4%):

  

  750,000       CapitaLand, Ltd., 2.10%, 11/15/16+(c)      566,337   
  1,500,000       CapitaLand, Ltd., Series CAPL, 2.95%, 6/20/22, Callable 6/20/17 @ 100+(c)      1,137,998   
  500,000       CapitaLand, Ltd., 1.95%, 10/17/23, Callable 10/17/18 @ 100+(c)      381,994   
  250,000       CapitaLand, Ltd., 1.95%, 10/17/23, Callable 10/17/18 @ 100+(c)      190,997   
  406,000       Forest City Enterprises, Inc., 4.25%, 8/15/18      463,348   
     

 

 

 
        2,740,674   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Convertible Bonds, continued

  

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.1%):

  

$ 246,000       Intel Corp., 3.25%, 8/1/39    $ 427,733   
     

 

 

 

 

Software (0.1%):

  

  420,000       Salesforce.com, Inc., 0.25%, 4/1/18      478,538   
  428,000       Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 1.75%, 12/1/16      647,350   
     

 

 

 
        1,125,888   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%):

  

  500,000       Telecom Italia Finance SA, Registered Shares, 6.13%, 11/15/16+(c)      709,005   
  300,000       Telefonica SA, Series TIT, 6.00%, 7/24/17+      372,772   
  900,000       Telefonica SA, Series TEF, 4.90%, 9/25/17+(c)      1,094,905   
     

 

 

 
        2,176,682   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $15,152,025)

     16,188,666   
     

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loans (1.1%):

  

 

Biotechnology (0.2%):

  

  1,609,718       Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, 3.17%, 3/3/21(d)      1,585,572   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.1%):

  

  304,147       Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH, 3.33%, 12/10/18(d)      366,919   
  122,640       Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH, 3.58%, 12/10/19(d)      147,479   
     

 

 

 
        514,398   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.3%):

  

  377,055       Drillships Financing Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 3/31/21(d)      293,869   
  478,006       Drillships Ocean Ventures, Inc., 5.50%, 7/9/21(d)      382,405   
  405,533       Fieldwood Energy LLC, 9.38%, 9/20/20(d)      294,518   
  1,299,698       Seadrill, Ltd., 4.00%, 2/21/21(d)      1,005,317   
     

 

 

 
        1,976,109   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.2%):

  

  1,728,577       Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, 3.50%, 10/25/20(d)      1,706,244   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.2%):

  

  292,000       AP One Channel Center Owner LP, Series 4814, 5.00%,
7/15/19(b)(d)
     292,000   
  472,000       Charter Communications Operating LLC, 4.25%,
8/12/21(d)
     474,657   
  722,088       Univision Communications, Inc., 4.00%, 3/1/20(d)      705,120   
  389,246       Univision Communications, Inc., 4.00%, 3/1/20(d)      380,098   
     

 

 

 
        1,851,875   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1%):

  

  104,864       Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(d)      82,843   
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Floating Rate Loans, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

$ 753,671       Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(d)    $ 595,399   
  39,120       Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(d)      30,905   
     

 

 

 
        709,147   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.0%):

  

  188,674       Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, 3.25%, 2/24/21(d)      184,806   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loans (Cost $9,380,783)

     8,528,151   
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (2.5%):

  

 

Automobiles (0.1%):

  

  620,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.50%, 7/10/19^      633,096   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.4%):

  

  307,000       Bank of America Corp., 1.32%, 3/22/18, MTN(d)      309,243   
  385,000       Bank of America Corp., 2.60%, 1/15/19      387,994   
  430,000       CIT Group, Inc., 4.75%, 2/15/15(c)      430,323   
  410,000       HSBC USA, Inc., 1.63%, 1/16/18      408,421   
  290,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.13%, 6/27/17      319,997   
  1,565,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series X, 6.10%, 10/29/49, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100(d)      1,561,087   
     

 

 

 
        3,417,065   
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.0%):

  

  258,000       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Worldwide, Inc., 1.38%, 7/15/17      257,771   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.6%):

  

  1,258,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.72%, 12/6/17      1,244,999   
  408,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.38%, 1/16/18^      410,364   
  395,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.00%, 5/15/18      429,186   
  662,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Series L, 5.70%, 12/29/49, Callable 5/10/19 @ 100^(d)      669,613   
  361,000       Merrill Lynch & Co., 6.88%, 4/25/18, MTN      414,637   
  268,000       Morgan Stanley, Series G, 7.30%, 5/13/19      317,887   
  489,000       Morgan Stanley, Series H, 5.45%, 12/29/49, Callable 7/15/19 @ 100^(d)      489,880   
     

 

 

 
        3,976,566   
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.0%):

  

  110,000       Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 7.63%, 6/15/21      121,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.2%):

  

  578,000       Ally Financial, Inc., 2.75%, 1/30/17^      576,197   
  431,000       Ally Financial, Inc., 3.50%, 1/27/19^      425,828   
  370,000       Synchrony Financial, 3.75%, 8/15/21, Callable 6/15/21 @ 100      377,951   
     

 

 

 
        1,379,976   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.3%):

  

$ 558,000       Bank of America Corp., 2.00%, 1/11/18, MTN    $ 557,576   
  298,000       Citigroup, Inc., Series A, 5.95%, 12/29/49, Callable 1/30/23 @ 100^(d)      293,530   
  272,000       General Electric Capital Corp., Series A, 5.55%, 5/4/20, MTN      312,603   
  600,000       General Electric Capital Corp., Series B, 6.25%, 12/15/49, Callable 12/15/22 @ 100^(d)      653,251   
  420,000       General Electric Capital Corp., 6.38%, 11/15/67, Callable 11/15/17 @ 100(d)      450,450   
  222,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 2.13%, 10/2/17(c)      223,082   
     

 

 

 
        2,490,492   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.1%):

  

  820,000       Medtronic, Inc., 3.15%, 3/15/22(c)      830,394   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.0%):

  

  130,000       SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.38%, 11/15/18, Callable 2/9/15 @ 105.53      135,200   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.1%):

  

  245,000       Cablevision Systems Corp., 5.88%, 9/15/22^      248,063   
  200,000       NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc., 5.25%, 12/31/99, Callable 3/19/21 @ 100(c)      207,500   
     

 

 

 
        455,563   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%):

  

  399,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.48%, 4/15/19, Callable 4/15/15 @ 101(d)      391,020   
  325,000       Reliance Holdings USA, Inc., 4.50%, 10/19/20(c)      339,608   
  250,000       Reliance Holdings USA, Inc., 5.40%, 2/14/22(c)      270,827   
  270,000       Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.63%, 4/15/23^      264,600   
     

 

 

 
        1,266,055   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.2%):

  

  475,000       Forest Laboratories, Inc., 4.38%, 2/1/19(c)      501,776   
  331,000       Forest Laboratories, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/21, Callable 9/16/21 @
100(c)
     358,415   
  513,000       Mylan, Inc., 2.55%, 3/28/19^      511,030   
     

 

 

 
        1,371,221   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.0%):

  

  162,000       American Tower Corp., 3.40%, 2/15/19^      164,887   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.1%):

  

  393,000       Best Buy Co., Inc., 5.00%, 8/1/18      406,509   
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0%):

  

  238,000       Xerox Corp., 6.35%, 5/15/18^      269,111   
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.0%):

  

  365,000       Capital One Bank USA NA, Series BNKT, 2.15%, 11/21/18, Callable 10/21/18 @ 100      363,095   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

12


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.1%):

  

$ 516,343       Delta Topco, Ltd., 10.00%, 11/24/60(a)(b)    $ 518,360   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  1,070,000       AT&T, Inc., 2.38%, 11/27/18^      1,078,288   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $19,006,304)

     19,134,649   
     

 

 

 

 

Foreign Bonds (9.2%):

  

 

Banks (0.2%):

  

  610,000       Lloyds TSB Bank plc , Series E, 13.00%, 1/29/49, Callable 1/21/29 @ 100+(d)      1,619,378   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.0%):

  

  270,000       Constellium NV , 7.00%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/18 @ 105.25+(c)      312,791   
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (9.0%):

  

  5,769,000       Australian Government, Series 122, 5.25%, 3/15/19+      5,284,244   
  10,510,000       Australian Government, Series 143, 2.75%, 10/21/19+      8,765,953   
  3,022,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional, Series NTNF, 1.29%, 1/1/17+(f)(g)      1,083,288   
  2,547,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional, Series NTNF, 1.86%, 1/1/21+(f)(g)      865,774   
  8,588,000       Government of Poland, 5.75%, 10/25/21+      2,948,779   
  24,694,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR69, 7.88%, 4/15/19+      2,007,135   
  6,272,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR70, 8.38%, 3/15/24+      525,622   
  150,000,000       Japan Treasury Discount Bill, Series 482, 0.00%, 1/8/15+(f)      1,252,505   
  160,000,000       Japan Treasury Discount Bill, Series 499, 0.00%, 2/4/15+(f)      1,336,005   
  80,000,000       Japan Treasury Discount Bill, Series 478, 0.00%, 3/10/15+(f)      667,969   
  160,000,000       Japan Treasury Discount Bill, Series 500, 0.00%, 3/23/15+(f)      1,336,005   
  49,273,000       Mexican Bonos Desarr, 8.00%, 12/7/23+(d)(h)      3,839,063   
  96,411,800       Mexican Bonos Desarr, Series M 20, 10.00%, 12/5/24+(d)(h)      8,561,039   
  220,707,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 1/22/15+(h)      1,494,024   
  74,245,400       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 2/5/15+(h)      501,988   
  117,581,800       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 2/19/15+(h)      794,156   
  198,377,600       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 3/5/15+(h)      1,338,028   
  225,021,200       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 3/19/15+(h)      1,515,798   
  150,698,400       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 4/1/15+(h)      1,014,059   
  115,860,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 4/16/15+(h)      778,647   
  152,284,900       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 4/30/15+(h)      1,022,225   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 235,914,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 5/28/15+(h)    $ 1,580,010   
  231,730,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 6/11/15+(h)      1,549,318   
  2,278,000       New Zealand Government, Series 319, 5.00%, 3/15/19+      1,875,365   
  4,019,000       Nota do Tesouro Nacional, Series NTNB, 0.00%, 5/15/23+(g)      3,801,374   
  4,555,000       Nota do Tesouro Nacional, Series NTNF, 0.97%, 1/1/25+(f)(g)      1,501,011   
  7,328,000       Poland Government Bond, Series 1020, 5.25%, 10/25/20+      2,408,414   
  6,124,618       United Kingdom Treasury, 2.25%, 9/7/23+(c)      10,000,895   
     

 

 

 
        69,648,693   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Foreign Bonds (Cost $76,543,041)

     71,580,862   
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (2.8%):

  

 

Banks (0.8%):

  

  275,000       Banco Estado Chile, 2.03%, 4/2/15      276,035   
  450,000       Banco Santander Chile SA, 2.11%, 6/7/18(c)(d)      455,625   
  1,172,000       BNP Paribas SA, 2.40%, 12/12/18^      1,183,159   
  253,000       Export-Import Bank of Korea, 2.88%, 9/17/18      259,640   
  1,275,000       HSBC Holdings plc, 6.38%, 12/29/49, Callable 9/17/24 @
100^(d)
     1,287,750   
  221,000       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.88%, 1/16/18^      230,095   
  1,065,000       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.88%, 1/15/19      1,102,694   
  200,000       Lloyds Bank plc, 2.30%, 11/27/18      201,889   
  250,000       Rabobank Nederland, 3.95%, 11/9/22      254,657   
  553,000       State Bank of India, 3.62%,
4/17/19(c)
     560,783   
  460,000       Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., 2.45%, 1/10/19      462,082   
  366,000       UBS AG Stamford CT, 2.38%, 8/14/19      365,978   
     

 

 

 
        6,640,387   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.2%):

  

  501,340       Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 9.00%, 10/31/17, Callable 10/13/17 @
103(c)
     451,206   
  1,098,330       Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/31/17(c)      966,530   
     

 

 

 
        1,417,736   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.1%):

  

  400,000       CSG Guernsey I, Ltd., Registered Shares, 7.88%, 2/24/41, Callable 8/24/16 @ 100(c)(d)      424,000   
  400,000       Odebrecht Finance, Ltd., 4.38%, 4/25/25(c)      343,000   
     

 

 

 
        767,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  489,000       Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.50%, 4/1/21, Callable 4/1/15 @ 103.75      523,230   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

13


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Electric Utilities (0.0%):

  

$ 85,000       Empresa Distribuidora Y Comercializadora Norte SA, 9.75%, 10/25/22, Callable 10/25/18 @
104.88(c)
   $ 59,415   
     

 

 

 

 

Government (0.0%):

  

  178,000       Provincia de Buenos Aires, 10.88%, 1/26/21(c)      161,980   
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.1%):

  

  400,000       Hutchison Whampoa International 11, Ltd., 3.50%, 1/13/17(c)      414,424   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.3%):

  

  470,000       Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 3.13%, 11/28/21, Callable 9/28/21 @ 100(c)      464,349   
  725,000       Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 3.60%, 11/28/24, Callable 8/28/24 @ 100(c)      719,086   
     

 

 

 
        1,183,435   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.0%):

  

  200,000       Unitymedia Hessen, 5.50%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/18 @
103(c)
     209,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  229,000       Petrobras International Finance Co., 5.38%, 1/27/21      212,185   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.3%):

  

  240,000       Bumi Investment Pte, Ltd., 10.75%, 10/6/17,
Callable 2/23/15 @ 105.38(c)(e)
     53,400   
  1,102,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 2.37%, 1/15/19(d)      977,562   
  533,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 6.25%, 3/17/24^      507,171   
  469,000       YPF SA, 8.88%, 12/19/18^(c)      484,993   
  283,000       YPF SA, 8.75%, 4/4/24(c)      287,599   
     

 

 

 
        2,310,725   
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.1%):

  

  425,000       TFS Corp., Ltd., 11.00%, 7/15/18, Callable 7/15/15 @ 108(c)      450,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1%):

  

  516,000       Trust F/1401, 5.25%,
12/15/24(c)
     531,532   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  

  200,000       Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd., Series E, 4.50%, 2/14/22(c)      212,822   
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.0%):

  

  495,000       Inversiones Alsacia SA, 0.00%, 8/18/18(b)(j)        
  388,779       Inversiones Alsacia SA, 8.00%, 12/31/18, Callable 1/23/15 @
100(c)
     283,809   
  173,000       Viterra, Inc., 5.95%, 8/1/20(c)      191,002   
     

 

 

 
        474,811   
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (0.6%):

  

  243,000       Federal Republic of Brazil, 4.88%, 1/22/21      258,188   
  1,583,590       Republic of Argentina, Series X, 2.46%, 4/17/17(f)      1,520,247   
  949,310       Republic of Argentina, 0.93%, 5/7/24(f)      925,577   
  101,000       Republic of Colombia, 7.38%, 1/27/17      111,858   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 178,000       Republic of Hungary, 4.75%, 2/3/15    $ 178,417   
  534,000       Republic of Hungary, 4.13%, 2/19/18      553,800   
  1,028,000       Republic of Turkey, 6.75%, 4/3/18      1,143,650   
     

 

 

 
        4,691,737   
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.0%):

  

  375,000       B.A.T. International Finance plc, 2.13%, 6/7/17(c)      378,485   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  200,000       Colombia Telecomm SA ESP, 5.38%, 9/27/22, Callable 9/27/17 @
102.69(c)
     195,000   
  572,000       Telecom Italia SpA, 5.30%, 5/30/24(c)      579,150   
     

 

 

 
        774,150   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $21,711,149)

     21,413,554   
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgage (0.1%):

  

  768,000       Federal National Mortgage Association, 3.00%, 1/25/45      776,880   
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgage
(Cost $768,360)

     776,880   
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (24.3%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bills (18.5%)

  

  4,230,000       0.01%, 1/2/15(f)      4,230,000   
  15,000,000       0.02%, 1/8/15(f)      14,999,969   
  10,507,000       0.02%, 1/15/15(f)      10,506,905   
  2,000,000       0.02%, 1/22/15(f)      1,999,966   
  1,521,000       0.00%, 2/5/15(f)      1,520,964   
  12,500,000       0.04%, 2/12/15(f)      12,499,750   
  34,484,000       0.02%, 2/19/15(f)      34,483,206   
  12,000,000       0.03%, 2/26/15(f)      11,999,628   
  13,000,000       0.03%, 3/5/15(f)      12,999,610   
  8,000,000       0.02%, 3/12/15(f)      7,999,616   
  2,715,000       0.02%, 3/19/15(f)      2,714,886   
  4,000,000       0.04%, 3/26/15(f)      3,999,840   
  3,000,000       0.04%, 4/2/15(f)      2,999,700   
  5,000,000       0.03%, 4/9/15(f)      4,999,630   
  7,250,000       0.06%, 5/14/15(f)      7,248,601   
  8,500,000       0.06%, 5/21/15(f)      8,498,113   
     

 

 

 
        143,700,384   
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes (5.8%)

  

  3,956,800       0.25%, 3/31/15      3,958,193   
  1,940,000       0.25%, 7/31/15(i)      1,941,364   
  4,037,300       1.25%, 10/31/18      4,011,122   
  5,250,000       1.63%, 7/31/19      5,258,201   
  4,376,800       1.62%, 8/31/19      4,381,588   
  5,647,500       2.25%, 4/30/21      5,763,539   
  7,527,500       2.00%, 5/31/21      7,565,138   
  6,847,700       2.38%, 8/15/24      6,974,492   
  5,459,700       2.25%, 11/15/24      5,496,384   
     

 

 

 
        45,350,021   
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $188,683,250)

     189,050,405   
     

 

 

 

 

Purchased Options (1.3%):

  

 

Total Purchased Options (Cost $8,743,630)

     10,448,717   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

14


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Exchange Traded Funds (0.7%):

  

$ 4,500       ETFS Platinum Trus(i)    $ 526,725   
  5,330       ETFS Physical Palladium Share(i)      413,022   
  112,395       iShares Gold Trus(i)      1,285,799   
  28,438       SPDR Gold Trus(i)      3,229,988   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Exchange Traded Fund (Cost $6,514,097)

     5,455,534   
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (5.9%):

  

  45,894,168       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(k)      45,894,168   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $45,894,168)

     45,894,168   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.1%):

  

  729,538       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(f)      729,538   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company
(Cost $729,538)

     729,538   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Investment Securities
(Cost $804,647,930)(l) — 106.6%

     829,333,588   

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (6.6)%

     (51,590,206
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 777,743,382   
     

 

 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

JPY—Notional amount stated is in Japanese Yen.

 

MTN—Medium Term Note

 

SPDR— Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $44,326,021.

 

+ The principal amount is disclosed in local currency and the fair value is disclosed in U.S. Dollars.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 1.11% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 1.11% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(c) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(d) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(e) Defaulted bond.

 

(f) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(g) Principal amount is stated in 1,000 Brazilian Real Units.

 

(h) Principal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.

 

(i) All or a portion of these securities are held by the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”).

 

(j) Escrow security due to bankruptcy.
(k) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(l) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Argentina

    0.5

Australia

    2.1

Belgium

    %NM 

Bermuda

    0.1

Brazil

    1.3

Canada

    1.3

Cayman Islands

    0.5

Chile

    0.1

China

    0.1

Colombia

    %NM 

Cyprus

    %NM 

Denmark

    %NM 

European Community

    0.1

France

    2.6

Germany

    1.3

Guernsey

    0.1

Hong Kong

    0.9

Hungary

    0.1

India

    0.5

Indonesia

    0.4

Ireland (Republic of)

    0.4

Israel

    0.2

Italy

    0.7

Japan

    8.9

Jersey

    0.2

Kazakhstan

    %NM 

Korea, Republic Of

    0.3

Luxembourg

    0.2

Malaysia

    0.2

Mexico

    3.3

Netherlands

    1.9

New Zealand

    0.2

Norway

    0.4

Poland

    0.7

Portugal

    %NM 

Republic of Korea (South)

    0.2

Russian Federation

    %NM 

Singapore

    1.0

South Africa

    %NM 

Spain

    0.3

Sweden

    0.4

Switzerland

    1.8

Taiwan

    0.2

Thailand

    0.1

Turkey

    0.1

United Arab Emirates

    0.1

United Kingdom

    5.1

United States

    61.1
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

  NM Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%.
 

 

Continued

 

15


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Securities Sold Short (-0.2%):

 

Security Description    Proceeds
Received
     Fair Value      Unrealized
Appreciation/
Deprecation
 

Avery Dennison Corp.

   $ (383,876    $ (394,392    $ (10,516

Campbell Soup Co.

     (152,034      (154,440      (2,406

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

     (462,551      (468,315      (5,764
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (998,461    $ (1,017,147    $ (18,686
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

Cash of $849,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures (U.S. Dollar)

     Short         3/20/15         (135    $ (13,853,700    $ (124,563

DJ EURO STOXX 50 March Futures (Euro)

     Long         3/23/15         14         530,689         512   

Tokyo Price Index March Futures (Japanese Yen)

     Long         3/12/15         27         3,173,221         (68,119

FTSE 100 Index March Futures (British Pounds)

     Long         3/23/15         2         203,294         6,988   

ASX SPI 200 Index March Futures (Australian Dollar)

     Long         3/20/15         1         109,840         4,550   

S&P/Toronto Stock Exchange 60 Index March Futures (Canadian Dollar)

     Long         3/19/15         1         146,638         8,333   

German Stock Index March Futures (Euro)

     Long         3/20/15         3         893,229         26,461   

CAC 40 10 Euro January Futures (Euro)

     Long         1/16/15         3         155,243         1,564   

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini March Futures (U.S. Dollar)

     Long         3/20/15         2         169,310         5,967   

NIKKEI 225 Index March Futures (Japanese Yen)

     Long         3/12/15         60         4,336,172         23,759   
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ (114,548
              

 

 

 

Option Contracts

Over-the-counter options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call      Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Abbvie, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         55.00         06/19/15         36,800       $ 417,774   

Aetna, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         80.00         06/19/15         30,000         332,207   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         85.00         02/20/15         30,275         109,172   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         85.00         02/20/15         8,325         30,020   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         95.00         02/20/15         30,975         33,339   

Apache Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         110.00         01/16/15         10,800         2   

Bank of America Corp.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         20.00         01/15/16         58,700         48,155   

Citigroup, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         70.00         01/15/16         40,400         27,931   

Coach, Inc.

   Bank of America      Call         USD         60.00         02/20/15         13,282         10   

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         45.00         01/16/15         59,130         3,222   

Delphi Automotive plc

   Morgan Stanley      Call         USD         72.50         01/16/15         1,900         2,776   

Devon Energy Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         75.00         04/17/15         14,652         12,939   

Devon Energy Corp.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         75.00         04/17/15         14,653         12,940   

Electronic Arts, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         37.00         01/16/15         17,554         176,701   

EQT Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         100.00         03/20/15         11,550         3,254   

EQT Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         100.00         03/20/15         9,167         2,583   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs      Call         EUR         3500.00         03/16/18         424         103,849   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         EUR         3450.00         03/17/17         495         100,792   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   UBS Warburg      Call         EUR         3600.00         06/15/18         206         43,865   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         EUR         3500.00         06/16/17         462         86,873   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Bank of America      Call         EUR         3600.00         09/15/17         477         86,019   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Deutsche Bank      Call         EUR         3426.55         09/21/18         225         63,264   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Barclays Bank      Call         EUR         3500.00         12/15/17         488         110,818   

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs      Call         EUR         3293.01         12/16/16         1,161         277,013   

 

Continued

 

16


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call      Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         EUR         3325.00         12/18/15         515       $ 77,844   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         95.00         01/15/16         7,700         106,567   

GLDR Gold Shares(a)

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         USD         120.00         09/18/15         16,400         67,622   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         220.00         01/15/16         5,500         34,506   

Google, Inc.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         600.00         01/16/15         1,437         77   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

   UBS Warburg      Call         USD         41.00         02/20/15         3,567         3,181   

Humana, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         125.00         06/19/15         18,048         405,881   

International Business Machines Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         182.00         01/15/16         7,500         35,670   

International Business Machines Corp.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         182.00         01/15/16         7,500         35,670   

Johnson & Johnson

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         110.00         07/17/15         76,700         169,717   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         75.00         01/15/16         36,700         32,204   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         90.00         04/17/15         7,233         45,999   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         90.00         04/17/15         14,559         92,590   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         100.00         04/17/15         18,250         43,351   

MetLife, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         57.50         01/15/16         60,533         158,701   

MS Japan Custom Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         JPY         131.28         12/11/15         1,352,770         122,256   

MS Japan Custom Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         JPY         139.99         12/11/15         349,532         31,932   

Mylan, Inc.

   Bank of America      Call         USD         47.00         01/16/15         18,200         172,130   

Mylan, Inc.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         47.00         01/16/15         14,158         133,902   

Mylan, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         55.00         01/16/15         18,200         40,066   

Nikkei 225

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         JPY         18000.00         03/13/15         30,220         126,442   

Oracle Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         42.00         01/16/15         9,647         29,192   

Pfizer, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         33.00         01/15/16         151,300         181,085   

Phillips 66

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         75.00         05/15/15         18,767         66,066   

Phillips 66

   UBS Warburg      Call         USD         75.00         05/15/15         7,507         26,427   

Phillips 66

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         75.00         05/15/15         3,737         13,155   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         90.00         01/15/16         46,970         384,302   

Siemens AG

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         150.00         01/16/15         18,114           

SPDR Gold Shares(a)

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         USD         133.44         03/20/15         9,230         1,699   

Stoxx Europe 600 Index

   Credit Suisse First Boston      Call         EUR         355.61         03/17/17         4,134         103,266   

Stoxx Europe 600 Index

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         EUR         372.06         09/15/17         3,057         62,851   

Stoxx Europe 600 Index

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         EUR         348.12         09/16/16         4,376         107,779   

Stoxx Europe 600 Index

   Credit Suisse First Boston      Call         EUR         347.97         12/16/16         3,668         97,033   

Taiwan Stock Exchange

   Citibank      Call         TWD         9000.77         09/21/16         6,700         123,543   

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         JPY         1350.00         03/13/15         212,691         161,491   

Topix Index

   Goldman Sachs      Call         JPY         1288.50         06/12/15         261,314         327,687   

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         JPY         1346.15         06/12/15         139,308         129,496   

Topix Index

   Bank of America      Call         JPY         1344.04         09/11/15         146,667         155,217   

Topix Index

   BNP Paribas      Call         JPY         1357.29         09/11/15         117,540         116,689   

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         JPY         1660.07         09/11/15         117,540         22,449   

Topix Index

   Bank of America      Call         JPY         1314.84         12/11/15         247,207         314,033   

Topix Index

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         JPY         1325.00         12/11/15         258,942         315,292   

Visa, Inc.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         220.00         01/16/15         4,800         203,453   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         60.00         01/15/16         18,400         29,195   

Chicago Board Options Exchange Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         16.00         02/18/15         7,941         10,633   

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

   UBS Warburg      Put         USD         38.00         04/17/15         18,350         94,313   

IBOV BC

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         55443.54         02/18/15         27         144,480   

Russell 2000 Index

   Deutsche Bank      Put         USD         1150.00         01/16/15         3,579         16,819   

Russell 2000 Index

   Bank of America      Put         USD         1165.00         02/20/15         3,447         70,794   

S&P 500 Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         2050.00         02/20/15         1,706         74,469   

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         JPY         1161.53         09/11/15         117,540         23,917   

Transocean, Ltd.

   Deutsche Bank      Put         USD         36.00         01/16/15         11,744         208,308   

Transocean, Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs      Put         USD         37.00         01/16/15         35,100         657,648   

Transocean, Ltd.

   Bank of America      Put         USD         38.00         01/16/15         21,131         417,034   

Transocean, Ltd.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Put         USD         26.00         05/15/15         59,581         523,816   
                    

 

 

 

Total

                     $ 9,235,457   
                    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

17


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Over-the-counter options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call      Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Abbvie, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         65.00         06/19/15         36,800       $ (171,105

Aetna, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         90.00         06/19/15         30,000         (145,196

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         95.00         02/20/15         30,975         (33,339

Cimarex Energy Co.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         130.00         03/20/15         3,655         (6,037

Delphi Automotive plc

   Morgan Stanley      Call         USD         82.50         01/16/15         1,900         (36

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         65.00         01/16/15         7,375         (6,790

eBay, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         57.50         01/16/15         7,014         (2,763

EOG Resources, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         100.00         04/17/15         3,769         (14,392

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         110.00         01/15/16         7,700         (63,848

GLDR Gold Shares(a)

   JPMorgan Chase      Call         USD         140.00         09/18/15         16,400         (15,739

Humana, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         155.00         06/19/15         18,048         (101,666

Johnson & Johnson

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         117.50         07/17/15         76,700         (60,597

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         52.50         03/20/15         8,056         (46,436

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         100.00         04/17/15         18,250         (43,351

MetLife, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Call         USD         67.50         01/15/16         60,533         (37,523

Mylan, Inc.

   Bank of America      Call         USD         55.00         01/16/15         18,200         (40,066

Nikkei 225

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         JPY         19500.00         03/13/15         30,220         (34,637

Pfizer, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         37.50         01/15/16         151,300         (55,547

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         105.00         01/15/16         46,970         (136,578

Russell 2000 Index

   Deutsche Bank      Call         USD         1230.00         01/16/15         3,579         (19,828

Russell 2000 Index

   Bank of America      Call         USD         1255.00         02/20/15         3,447         (31,666

S&P 500 Index

   Morgan Stanley      Call         USD         2155.00         02/20/15         1,706         (10,623

Tesoro Corp.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         USD         75.00         02/20/15         10,686         (47,239

Topix Index

   Goldman Sachs      Call         JPY         1490.61         06/12/15         261,314         (95,683

Topix Index

   BNP Paribas      Call         JPY         1660.07         09/11/15         117,540         (22,449

Topix Index

   Citigroup Global Markets      Call         JPY         1600.00         12/11/15         258,942         (93,363

Topix Index

   Bank of America      Call         JPY         1627.28         12/11/15         247,207         (78,521

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Call         USD         87.50         03/20/15         7,375         (104,233

Coach, Inc.

   Bank of America      Put         USD         42.50         02/20/15         13,282         (70,641

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Put         USD         38.00         04/17/15         18,350         (94,313

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

   UBS Warburg      Put         USD         39.00         04/17/15         29,252         (172,381

Delphi Automotive plc

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         65.00         01/16/15         1,900         (402

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs      Put         USD         65.00         01/16/15         7,375         (45,799

EOG Resources, Inc.

   Barclays Bank      Put         USD         100.00         04/17/15         7,310         (86,607

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Deutsche Bank      Put         EUR         2586.07         09/21/18         225         (88,336

General Electric Co.

   Deutsche Bank      Put         USD         23.00         06/19/15         73,725         (42,265

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Put         USD         85.00         01/15/16         7,700         (67,707

IBOV BC

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         50617.48         02/18/15         27         (54,821

MS Japan Custom Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         JPY         128.68         12/11/15         1,352,770         (107,784

MS Japan Custom Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         JPY         137.22         12/11/15         349,532         (30,981

Nikkei 225

   Citigroup Global Markets      Put         JPY         15500.00         03/13/15         30,220         (47,690

Russell 2000 Index

   Deutsche Bank      Put         USD         1050.00         01/16/15         3,579         (2,040

Russell 2000 Index

   Bank of America      Put         USD         1085.00         02/20/15         3,447         (27,065

S&P 500 Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         USD         1935.00         02/20/15         1,706         (32,850

Taiwan Stock Exchange

   Citibank      Put         TWD         8100.70         09/21/16         6,700         (85,059

Tokyo Stock Exchange Price Index

   Bank of America      Put         JPY         1300.00         09/11/15         146,667         (69,610

Topix Index

   Goldman Sachs      Put         JPY         1136.91         06/12/15         261,314         (29,181

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         JPY         1187.78         06/12/15         139,308         (22,538

Topix Index

   BNP Paribas      Put         JPY         1161.53         09/11/15         117,540         (23,917

Topix Index

   Morgan Stanley      Put         JPY         1275.00         09/11/15         121,984         (50,113

Topix Index

   Citigroup Global Markets      Put         JPY         1170.00         12/11/15         258,942         (75,548

Topix Index

   Bank of America      Put         JPY         1171.64         12/11/15         247,207         (72,814

Transocean, Ltd.

   Citigroup Global Markets      Put         USD         32.00         01/16/15         29,406         (404,204

Transocean, Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs      Put         USD         32.00         01/16/15         14,699         (202,046

Transocean, Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs      Put         USD         38.00         01/16/15         21,131         (417,034
                    

 

 

 

Total

                     $ (3,942,997
                    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

18


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Exchange-traded options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Put/Call   

Strike Price

     Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   Call    USD      45.00         01/16/15         167       $ 919   

SPDR Gold Shares(a)

   Call    USD      135.00         06/19/15         146         10,074   
                 

 

 

 

Total

                  $ 10,993   
                 

 

 

 

Exchange-traded options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Put/Call   

Strike Price

     Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   Call    USD      44.00         02/20/15         85       $ (3,613

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

   Call    USD      45.00         05/15/15         88         (6,160

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

   Call    USD      85.00         01/16/15         91         (56,875

GLDR Gold Shares(a)

   Put    USD      108.00         09/18/15         164         (71,750

Ocean RIG UDW, Inc.

   Put    USD      15.00         03/20/15         91         (54,145
                 

 

 

 

Total

                  $ (192,543
                 

 

 

 

Over-the-counter interest rate swaptions purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call   

Exercise
Rate

     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Fair Value  

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Call      USD         2.25         02/17/15         1,394       $ 388,096   

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Bank of America    Call      USD         2.30         02/17/15         759         61,175   

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Call      USD         1.65         03/09/15         4,590         106,596   

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Goldman Sachs    Call      USD         1.73         03/19/15         230,256         84,974   

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Goldman Sachs    Call      USD         1.75         03/19/15         1,528         63,234   

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Call      USD         1.67         03/31/15         3,900         122,985   

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR

   Goldman Sachs    Put      JPY         1.35         01/25/16         30,000         6,297   

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR

   Goldman Sachs    Put      JPY         1.35         01/25/16         13,882         2,914   

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Put      JPY         1.25         07/29/16         1,937,701         9,024   

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Put      JPY         1.07         04/04/18         1,006,980         5,028   
                    

 

 

 

Total

                     $ 850,323   
                    

 

 

 

Over-the-counter interest rate swaptions written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call   

Exercise
Rate

     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Fair Value  

10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Bank of America    Call      USD         2.05         02/17/15         759       $ (13,870

5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR

   Deutsche Bank    Call      USD         1.47         03/31/15         2,341         (25,857
                    

 

 

 

Total

                     $ (39,727
                    

 

 

 

Purchased Currency Options

Exchange-traded currency options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Strike Price      Expiration
Date
    

Notional
Amount

     Fair Value  

European Euro Call Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   Morgan Stanley      1.20         02/19/15         37,819       $ 38,328   

European Euro Call Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   JPMorgan Chase      1.20         03/05/15         43,114         50,807   

Japanese Yen Call Currency Option (USD/JPY)

   JPMorgan Chase      125.00         04/30/15         132,366         145,783   

European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   Credit Suisse First Boston      1.27         02/19/15         45,109         5,637   

European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   Credit Suisse First Boston      1.24         02/19/15         23,300         13,060   

European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   Deutsche Bank      1.24         03/03/15         113,371         63,045   

European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR)

   Deutsche Bank      1.24         03/26/15         38,600         35,284   
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ 351,944   
              

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

19


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

                 

Australian Dollar

   Morgan Stanley    1/16/15      2,168,000       $ 1,918,008       $ 1,767,362       $ 150,646   

Australian Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    1/23/15      2,140,754         1,858,175         1,744,218         113,957   

Australian Dollar

   Morgan Stanley    1/23/15      940,000         781,065         765,882         15,183   

Australian Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    2/6/15      2,127,401         1,823,821         1,731,577         92,244   

Brazilian Real

   Morgan Stanley    1/16/15      4,683,262         1,815,218         1,754,726         60,492   

Brazilian Real

   BNP Paribas    2/6/15      5,042,887         1,908,811         1,878,896         29,915   

Brazilian Real

   Deutsche Bank    2/13/15      1,430,620         522,696         532,097         (9,401

British Pound

   HSBC Bank    1/15/15      444,000         696,299         691,847         4,452   

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    8/24/15      458,662,190         763,000         741,282         21,718   

Chilean Peso

   UBS Warburg    8/26/15      460,660,910         766,000         744,394         21,606   

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    9/15/15      468,006,000         770,000         755,061         14,939   

Chinese Renminbi

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      10,246,207         1,672,000         1,645,448         26,552   

Chinese Renminbi

   JPMorgan Chase    1/30/15      4,087,158         668,000         656,360         11,640   

Chinese Renminbi

   JPMorgan Chase    6/9/15      7,350,064         1,169,000         1,167,610         1,390   

European Euro

   BNP Paribas    1/8/15      1,285,000         1,636,583         1,554,856         81,727   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/8/15      1,339,800         1,705,532         1,621,164         84,368   

European Euro

   BNP Paribas    1/9/15      1,502,000         1,901,998         1,817,445         84,553   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/9/15      2,363,500         2,993,621         2,859,874         133,747   

European Euro

   BNP Paribas    1/15/15      1,498,000         1,910,054         1,812,714         97,340   

European Euro

   UBS Warburg    1/15/15      1,495,000         1,906,230         1,809,084         97,146   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    1/22/15      528,100         656,201         639,094         17,107   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    1/23/15      1,274,400         1,586,628         1,542,263         44,365   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    1/30/15      1,321,600         1,626,863         1,599,497         27,366   

European Euro

   UBS Warburg    1/30/15      1,284,600         1,581,342         1,554,716         26,626   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    2/5/15      824,800         1,024,443         998,272         26,171   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    2/5/15      1,337,600         1,660,844         1,618,924         41,920   

European Euro

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/12/15      2,153,000         2,693,446         2,605,936         87,510   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    2/12/15      2,201,100         2,752,509         2,664,155         88,354   

European Euro

   UBS Warburg    2/12/15      1,334,300         1,667,368         1,615,003         52,365   

European Euro

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/13/15      1,317,000         1,633,896         1,594,073         39,823   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    2/13/15      1,398,300         1,736,164         1,692,477         43,687   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/8/15      324,640,128         2,909,626         2,710,951         198,675   

Japanese Yen

   UBS Warburg    1/8/15      174,802,944         1,536,000         1,459,715         76,285   

Japanese Yen

   BNP Paribas    1/9/15      205,051,417         1,859,436         1,712,324         147,112   

Japanese Yen

   UBS Warburg    1/9/15      157,227,800         1,372,282         1,312,964         59,318   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/15/15      175,494,774         1,533,000         1,465,585         67,415   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/16/15      274,985,900         2,546,166         2,296,472         249,694   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/22/15      154,375,325         1,335,265         1,289,294         45,971   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    1/22/15      153,515,670         1,326,453         1,282,115         44,338   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/23/15      159,548,882         1,383,268         1,332,514         50,754   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/23/15      153,837,060         1,334,233         1,284,810         49,423   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/29/15      82,763,425         709,599         691,258         18,341   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/29/15      228,299,966         1,942,000         1,906,809         35,191   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/30/15      83,827,000         700,438         700,147         291   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/30/15      314,738,755         2,630,078         2,628,788         1,290   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    2/4/15      160,000,000         1,341,393         1,336,421         4,972   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/5/15      140,851,348         1,186,616         1,176,489         10,127   

Japanese Yen

   UBS Warburg    2/5/15      213,404,400         1,796,137         1,782,503         13,634   

Japanese Yen

   BNP Paribas    2/6/15      173,572,532         1,464,142         1,449,811         14,331   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/6/15      241,106,288         2,050,223         2,013,904         36,319   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/12/15      149,504,150         1,275,633         1,248,835         26,798   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      163,526,060         1,395,155         1,365,962         29,193   

 

Continued

 

20


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    3/10/15      80,000,000       $ 750,089       $ 668,419       $ 81,670   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    3/23/15      160,000,000         1,341,910         1,337,043         4,867   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    5/7/15      377,979,550         3,118,000         3,160,316         (42,316

Korean Won

   Credit Suisse First Boston    5/5/15      1,738,304,400         1,554,000         1,577,918         (23,918

Korean Won

   Deutsche Bank    5/5/15      2,106,297,120         1,916,000         1,911,958         4,042   

Mexican Peso

   BNP Paribas    1/22/15      22,070,700         1,661,387         1,494,263         167,124   

Mexican Peso

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/5/15      7,424,540         555,127         502,236         52,891   

Mexican Peso

   UBS Warburg    2/6/15      15,393,725         1,125,305         1,041,250         84,055   

Mexican Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/19/15      11,758,180         879,675         794,700         84,975   

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    3/5/15      19,837,760         1,485,807         1,339,608         146,199   

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    3/19/15      14,897,770         1,107,624         1,005,133         102,491   

Mexican Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    3/19/15      7,604,350         555,691         513,056         42,635   

Mexican Peso

   Credit Suisse First Boston    4/1/15      15,069,840         1,100,261         1,015,912         84,349   

Mexican Peso

   UBS Warburg    4/16/15      11,586,000         776,490         780,336         (3,846

Mexican Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    4/30/15      15,228,490         1,115,804         1,024,784         91,020   

Mexican Peso

   BNP Paribas    5/28/15      23,591,400         1,608,304         1,584,829         23,475   

Mexican Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    6/11/15      23,173,000         1,548,459         1,555,382         (6,923
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 103,632,891       $ 99,931,121       $ 3,701,770   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long Contracts:

                 

British Pound

   HSBC Bank    1/15/15      444,000       $ 715,746       $ 691,847       $ (23,899

British Pound

   Brown Brothers Harriman    1/26/15      139,400         217,984         217,195         (789

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    9/15/15      468,006,000         749,197         755,061         5,864   

Chinese Renminbi

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      6,183,207         998,580         992,967         (5,613

Chinese Renminbi

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      4,063,000         651,539         652,481         942   

Chinese Renminbi

   JPMorgan Chase    1/30/15      4,087,158         653,579         656,361         2,782   

European Euro

   BNP Paribas    1/8/15      1,285,000         1,580,479         1,554,856         (25,623

European Euro

   Brown Brothers Harriman    1/26/15      689,900         856,473         834,934         (21,539

Indian Rupee

   Credit Suisse First Boston    6/26/15      47,611,585         746,000         728,272         (17,728

Indian Rupee

   Credit Suisse First Boston    6/26/15      42,139,033         661,627         644,563         (17,064

Indian Rupee

   Credit Suisse First Boston    8/5/15      48,714,560         752,000         740,159         (11,841

Japanese Yen

   BNP Paribas    1/9/15      205,051,417         1,709,895         1,712,325         2,430   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/15/15      175,494,774         1,470,397         1,465,585         (4,812

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/16/15      274,985,900         2,270,969         2,296,472         25,503   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/22/15      46,184,000         387,023         385,714         (1,309

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/29/15      228,299,966         1,921,393         1,906,809         (14,584

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/30/15      83,827,000         695,478         700,147         4,669   

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/5/15      140,851,348         1,168,634         1,176,489         7,855   

Japanese Yen

   UBS Warburg    2/5/15      213,404,400         1,781,577         1,782,503         926   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/6/15      241,106,288         1,992,853         2,013,904         21,051   

Mexican Peso

   UBS Warburg    2/6/15      11,317,746         784,000         765,546         (18,454
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 22,765,423       $ 22,674,190       $ (91,233
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward cross currency contracts were as follows:

 

Purchase/Sale    Counterparty    Amount
Purchased
   Amount Sold      Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

British Pound/European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1,129,764 GBP      1,421,400 EUR       $ 1,777,029       $ 1,816,621       $ 39,592   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1,777,029       $ 1,816,621       $ 39,592   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

21


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Over-the-Counter Credit Default Swap Agreements—Buy Protection(b)

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open over-the-counter credit default swap agreements were as follows:

 

Underlying Instrument    Counterparty    Expiration
Date
   Implied
Credit
Spread at
December 31,
2014
(%)(c)
     Notional
Amount
($)(d)
     Fixed
Rate
(%)
     Value
($)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid/
(Received)
($)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Transocean, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase    6/20/19      6.58         222,736         1.00         43,382         4,770         38,612   

Transocean, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase    6/20/19      6.58         63,000         1.00         12,271         1,354         10,917   

Transocean, Inc.

   Barclays Bank    6/20/19      6.58         159,000         1.00         30,969         3,449         27,520   

Transocean, Inc.

   Barclays Bank    6/20/19      6.58         254,000         1.00         49,472         5,967         43,505   

Transocean, Inc.

   Barclays Bank    6/20/19      6.58         105,719         1.00         20,591         2,354         18,237   

Transocean, Inc.

   Barclays Bank    6/20/19      6.58         352,400         1.00         68,637         7,847         60,790   

Transocean, Inc.

   Citibank    6/20/19      6.58         246,673         1.00         48,045         4,897         43,148   

Transocean, Inc.

   Barclays Bank    6/20/19      6.75         125,000         1.00         24,346         3,870         20,476   
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                    297,713         34,508         263,205   
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreements—Buy Protection(b)

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open centrally cleared credit default swap agreements were as follows:

 

Underlying Instrument    Clearing Agent    Expiration
Date
   Implied
Credit
Spread at
December 31,
2014
(%)(c)
     Notional
Amount
($)(d)
     Fixed
Rate
(%)
     Value
($)
     Upfront
Premiums
Paid/
(Received)
($)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

CDX North America High Yield Index Swap Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Series 23

   JPMorgan Chase    12/20/19      3.57         853,396         5.00         (53,056      (64,138      11,082   
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                    (53,056      (64,138      11,082   
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements were as follows:

 

Pay/Receive
Floating Rate
   Floating Rate Index    Fixed
Rate
(%)
   Expiration
Date
    

Clearing Agent

     Notional
Amount
(Local)
             Upfront
Premiums
Paid/
(Received)
     Value
($)
    Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    1.18      2/1/17         JPMorgan Chase         36,640,000         USD         424         (160,060     (160,484

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    1.03      3/11/17         JPMorgan Chase         20,300,000         USD         274         7,709        7,435   

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    1.02      3/11/17         JPMorgan Chase         38,680,000         USD         522         25,266        24,744   

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    0.99      3/17/17         JPMorgan Chase         38,670,000         USD         526         53,144        52,618   

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    2.19      2/1/20         JPMorgan Chase         14,660,000         USD         209         261,970        261,761   

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    1.88      3/11/20         JPMorgan Chase         8,260,000         USD         126         3,102        2,976   

Pay

   6-Month Australian Bank Bill Rate    2.89      6/11/20         JPMorgan Chase         963,198         AUD         12         5,882        5,870   

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    2.39      3/11/25         JPMorgan Chase         8,510,000         USD         152         34,640        34,488   

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    2.29      3/17/25         JPMorgan Chase         8,510,000         USD         153         (45,795     (45,948
                       

 

 

   

 

 

 
                          185,858        183,460   
                       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

22


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Over-the-Counter Interest Rate Swap Agreements

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open over-the-counter interest rate swap agreements were as follows:

 

Pay/Receive

Floating Rate

   Floating Rate Index    Fixed
Rate
(%)
   Expiration
Date
     Counterparty      Notional
Amount
(Local)
             Value
($)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Pay

   6-Month Poland Warsaw Interbank Offer Rate    2.76      9/8/24         Deutsche Bank         2,385,000         PLN         34,663         34,663   
                    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                       34,663         34,663   
                    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return Swaps at December 31, 2014

 

Counterparty    Receive/Pay Total Return    Expiration
Date
   Notional
Amount
(Local)
             Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

BNP Paribas SA

   NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures   

4/05/16

     26,350,000         JPY       $ 23,213   

BNP Paribas SA

   NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures   

4/05/16

     26,800,000         JPY         19,456   

BNP Paribas SA

   NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures   

4/05/17

     27,850,000         JPY         32,315   

BNP Paribas SA

   NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures   

4/05/17

     25,515,000         JPY         25,326   

Citibank NA

   PT Siloam International Hospitals Tbk    3/15/15      206,614         USD         40,826   
              

 

 

 
               $ 141,136   
              

 

 

 

 

(a) All or portion of these securities are held by the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. ( the “Subsidiary”).

 

(b) When a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund as a seller of credit protection will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and take delivery of the reference entity or (ii) pay a net amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value. Alternatively, the Fund as a buyer of credit protection will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and deliver the reference entity to the seller or (ii) receive a net amount of equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value.

 

(c) Implied credit spread, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of the credit default swap agreements as of period end will serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront or daily payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Generally, wider credit spreads represent a perceived deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the swap agreement.

 

(d) The notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to make as a seller of credit protection if a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

23


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 804,647,930  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 829,333,588  

Cash

       60,471  

Segregated cash for collateral

       1,558,225  

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

       1,000,895  

Interest and dividends receivable

       1,731,561  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $66,894)

       66,847  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       3,899,788  

Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements

       439,004  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       142,649  

Proceeds paid on swap agreements

       34,508  

Receivable for investments sold

       841,932  

Reclaims receivable

       109,498  

Receivable for variation margin on swaps

       37,275  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       165,934  

Prepaid expenses

       18,226  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       839,440,401  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Cash received as collateral for derivatives

       5,640,000  

Written options (Proceeds received $3,023,316)

       4,175,267  

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       249,659  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       45,894,168  

Payable for investments purchased

       3,896,295  

Securities sold short (Proceeds received $998,461)

       1,017,147  

Dividend payable on securities sold short

       1,747  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       10,279  

Payable for variation margin on swaps

       4,730  

Manager fees payable

       494,919  

Administration fees payable

       41,168  

Distribution fees payable

       164,973  

Custodian fees payable

       82,261  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,279  

Trustee fees payable

       46  

Other accrued liabilities

       22,081  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       61,697,019  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 777,743,382  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 702,832,557  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       13,218,014  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       34,060,252  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       27,632,559  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 777,743,382  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       64,990,839  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 11.97  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $44,326,021.

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 11,113,894  

Interest

       5,604,047  

Income from securities lending

       320,340  

Foreign withholding tax

       (633,322 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       16,404,959  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       5,448,538  

Administration fees

       342,089  

Distribution fees

       1,816,179  

Custodian fees

       346,246  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       9,998  

Trustee fees

       38,616  

Professional fees

       46,958  

Shareholder reports

       9,126  

Dividends on securities sold short

       17,332  

Other expenses

       17,878  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       8,092,960  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (2,782 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       8,090,178  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       8,314,781  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains (losses) on securities transactions

       35,405,316  

Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts

       (3,388,486 )

Net realized gains (losses) on options contracts

       (1,031,132 )

Net realized gains (losses) on swap agreements

       40,619  

Net realized gains (losses) on forward currency contracts

       8,777,270  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (34,975,914 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       4,827,673  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 13,142,454  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

24


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 8,314,781        $ 3,428,686  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       39,803,587          15,537,052  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (34,975,914 )        43,890,720  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       13,142,454          62,856,458  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (4,674,726 )        (48,119 )

From net realized gains

       (15,060,387 )        (976,480 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (19,735,113 )        (1,024,599 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       125,520,079          276,183,753  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       19,735,113          1,024,599  

Value of shares redeemed

       (7,607,923 )        (1,414,434 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       137,647,269          275,793,918  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       131,054,610          337,625,777  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       646,688,772          309,062,995  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 777,743,382        $ 646,688,772  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 13,218,014        $ 3,393,450  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       10,340,877          24,476,115  

Dividends reinvested

       1,622,953          89,877  

Shares redeemed

       (629,704 )        (120,241 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       11,334,126          24,445,751  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

25


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Consolidated Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

      Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  January 10, 2012
to
December 31,
2012 (a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 12.05       $ 10.58       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

            

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.12         0.07         0.13  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.12         1.42         0.58  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.24         1.49         0.71  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

            

Net Investment Income

       (0.08 )       (b)       (0.13 )

Realized Gains

       (0.24 )       (0.02 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.32 )       (0.02 )       (0.13 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 11.97       $ 12.05       $ 10.58  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

       1.95 %       14.11 %       7.13 %(d)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

            

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 777,743       $ 646,689       $ 309,063  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e)

       1.14 %       0.72 %       1.09 %

Expenses Before Reductions(e)(f)

       1.11 %       1.14 %       1.15 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(e)

       1.11 %       1.14 %       1.14 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(e)(g)

       1.11 %       1.14 %       1.15 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       74 %       50 %       74 %(d)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) Less than $0.005.

 

(c) The return includes reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but excludes insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(d) Not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(f) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(g) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, which is used to pay certain Fund Expenses. See Note 2 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

26


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Consolidation of Subsidiaries

The Fund’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to the commodities markets is through investment in the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund formed in the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodity-related instruments.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s aggregate investment in the Subsidiary was $7,386,202, representing 0.95% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the Subsidiary.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Floating Rate Loans

The Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. These loans are made by banks and other large financial institutions to various companies and are typically senior in the borrowing companies’ capital structure. Coupon rates are floating, not fixed and are tied to a benchmark lending rate. Loans involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. A Fund records an investment when the borrower withdraws money and records the interest as earned.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may

 

27


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $31,704 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts as an economic hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio instruments or to obtain exposure to foreign currencies. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $128.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $99.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to gain exposure to, or economically hedge against changes in the value of equity securities. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with

 

28


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $23.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $46.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Options Contracts

The Fund may purchase or write put and call options on a security or an index of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund purchased and wrote call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to underlying instruments (including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or foreign currency exchange rate risk) and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

Purchased Options Contracts — The Fund pays a premium which is included in “Investments, at value” on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and marked to market to reflect the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing put options that expire are treated as realized losses. When a put option is exercised or closed, premiums paid for purchasing put options are offset against proceeds to determine the realized gain/loss on the transaction. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.

Written Options Contracts — The Fund receives a premium which is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options that are either exercised or closed are offset against the proceeds received or the amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. The risk associated with writing an option is that the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of an underlying asset and is required to buy or sell an underlying asset under the contractual terms of the option at a price different from the current value.

Realized gains and losses, if any, are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Fund had the following transactions in purchased call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

        Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount(a)
     Cost

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         2,988,566            1,029,171          $ 4,217,942  

Options purchased

         7,723,772            3,262,792            26,175,134  

Options exercised

         (66,756 )                     (149,158 )

Options expired

         (2,160,735 )                     (4,306,881 )

Options closed

         (3,935,449 )          (627,294 )          (17,193,407 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

         4,549,398            3,664,669          $ 8,743,630  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The Fund had the following transactions in written call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

       

Number of

Contracts

    

Notional
Amount(a)

     Premiums
Received

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         (58,831 )          (5,014 )        $ (1,043,812 )

Options written

         (8,905,644 )          (358,936 )          (12,611,314 )

Options exercised

         51,431                       279,644  

Options expired

         596,561                       1,199,447  

Options closed

         3,565,005            360,850            9,152,719  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

         (4,751,478 )          (3,100 )        $ (3,023,316 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes swaptions and currency options, as applicable.

Swap Agreements

The Fund may invest in swap agreements. A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”). The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to market, interest rate and credit risk. The value of swap agreements are equal to the Fund’s obligations (or rights) under swap agreements, which will generally be equal to the net amounts to be paid or received under the agreements based upon the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreements. In connection with these arrangements, securities may be indentified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty.

Swaps are marked to market daily using pricing sources approved by the Trustees and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. For OTC swaps, payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss upon termination or maturity of the OTC swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the OTC swap is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains (losses). Upon entering a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or assets determined to be liquid (the amount is subject to the clearing organization that clears the trade). Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable, as applicable, for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps.

Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and exposure to loss. The primary risks associated with the use of swap agreements are imperfect correlation between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying instruments and the inability of counterparties or clearing house to perform. The counterparty risk for centrally cleared swap agreements is generally lower than for OTC swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for

 

29


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

each counterparty to a centrally cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to a clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.

The notional amounts reflect the extent of the total investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement (i.e., any unrealized appreciation) in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the swap agreement counterparty. The notional amount and related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of each swap agreement at period end is disclosed in the swap tables in the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund is party to International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with select counterparties that govern transactions, such as OTC swap contracts, entered into by the Fund, through the Subsidiary, and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding OTC swap transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement.

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional amount and are subject to interest rate risk exposure. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into OTC and centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate risk by economically hedging the value of the fixed rate bonds which may decrease when interest rates rise (interest rate risk). The gross notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $175.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for interest rate swaps was $57.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Total return swap agreements involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return, both based on notional amounts. To the extent the total return of the security or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest rate obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty. The gross notional amount of total return swaps outstanding was $1.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for total return swaps was $1.2 million to the year ended December 31, 2014.

Credit default swap agreements may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront, periodic, or daily stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront, periodic, or daily payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. The Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the seller, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into OTC and centrally cleared credit default swaps to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which they are not otherwise exposed (credit risk). The gross notional amount of OTC and centrally cleared credit default swaps outstanding was $2.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for credit default swaps was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Primary Risk Exposure  

Consolidated Statement of

Assets and Liabilities Location

  Total Fair
Value
   

Consolidated Statement of

Assets and Liabilities Location

  Total Fair
Value
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Futures Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*   $ 78,134      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts*   $ 192,682   
Option Contracts   Investment securities, at value (purchased options)     10,448,717      Written options     4,175,267   
Total Return Swap Agreements   Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements     141,136      Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements       

 

30


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Primary Risk Exposure  

Consolidated Statement of

Assets and Liabilities Location

  Total Fair
Value
   

Consolidated Statement of

Assets and Liabilities Location

  Total Fair
Value
 

Credit Risk Exposure

       
Credit Default Swap Agreements   Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements     274,287      Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements       

Interest Rate Risk

       
Interest Rate Swap Agreements   Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements     424,555      Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements     206,432   

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

     
Forward Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts     3,899,788      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts     249,659   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation margin on futures contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

    Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Recognized as a Result from Operations
  Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result from Operations
     Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Futures Contracts
  Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Swap Agreements
  Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Option Contracts
  Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Forward Currency Contracts
  Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Investments

Equity Risk Exposure

    $ (3,388,486 )     $       $ (80,344 )     $       $ 2,365,837  

Credit Risk Exposure

              (19,079 )                       325,968  

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

              59,698         (702,135 )               885,573  

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

                      (248,653 )       8,777,270         2,534,352  

Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. ASU 2013-01 clarified the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of that entity’s financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of U.S. GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11 as applying to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset either in accordance with other requirements of U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

The Fund is generally subject to master netting agreements that allow for amounts owed between the Fund and the counterparty to be netted. The party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting agreements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. The amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Fund’s ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This table also summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by type are as follows:

 

        Assets      Liabilities

Derivative Financial Instruments:

             

Futures contracts

       $ 165,934          $ 10,279  

Forward currency contracts

         3,899,788            249,659  

Option contracts*

         10,448,717            4,175,267  

Swap agreements

         476,279            4,730  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

         14,990,718            4,439,935  

Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

         (214,202 )          (229,880 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total assets and liabilities subject to a MNA

       $ 14,776,516          $ 4,210,055  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

* Includes option contracts purchased at value as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

31


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty     

Derivative Assets
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty

     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    

Non-cash
Collateral
Received*

     Cash
Collateral
Received*
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Assets

Bank of America

       $ 1,276,412          $ (404,253 )        $          $ (570,000 )        $ 302,159  

Barclays Bank

         1,189,109            (634,793 )                     (550,000 )          4,316  

BNP Paribas

         865,006            (71,989 )                                793,017  

Citibank

         2,266,204            (1,166,656 )                     (1,099,548 )           

Credit Suisse First Boston

         1,092,937            (75,363 )                                1,017,574  

Deutsche Bank

         2,596,858            (298,597 )                     (1,400,000 )          898,261  

Goldman Sachs

         2,309,100            (950,114 )                     (1,300,000 )          58,986  

HSBC

         364,005            (23,899 )                                340,106  

JPMorgan Chase

         938,252            (79,562 )                                858,690  

Morgan Stanley

         1,278,886            (310,148 )                     (520,000 )          448,738  

UBS Warburg

         599,747            (194,681 )                                405,066  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 14,776,516          $ (4,210,055 )        $          $ (5,439,548 )        $ 5,126,913  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged*
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged*
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities

Bank of America

       $ 404,253          $ (404,253 )        $          $          $  

Barclays Bank

         634,793            (634,793 )                                 

BNP Paribas

         71,989            (71,989 )                                 

Citibank

         1,166,656            (1,166,656 )                                 

Credit Suisse First Boston

         75,363            (75,363 )                                 

Deutsche Bank

         298,597            (298,597 )                                 

Goldman Sachs

         950,114            (950,114 )                                 

HSBC

         23,899            (23,899 )                                 

JPMorgan Chase

         79,562            (79,562 )                                 

Morgan Stanley

         310,148            (310,148 )                                 

UBS Warburg

         194,681            (194,681 )                                 
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 4,210,055          $ (4,210,055 )        $          $          $  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

* The actual collateral received or pledged may be in excess of the amounts shown in the table. The table only reflects collateral amounts up to the amount of the financial instrument disclosed on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

         0.75 %          1.19 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

 

32


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $8,906 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Options are generally valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the principal exchange on which the option is traded, which are then typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Non exchange-traded derivatives, such as swaps and certain options, are generally valued by approved independent pricing services utilizing techniques which take into account factors such as yields, quality, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

33


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Common Stocks

                           

Aerospace & Defense

       $ 4,371,725          $ 4,323,565          $          $ 8,695,290  

Air Freight & Logistics

         3,438,286            400,592                       3,838,878  

Airlines

         1,938,874            1,592,243                       3,531,117  

Auto Components

         2,146,531            7,567,447                       9,713,978  

Automobiles

         2,015,357            12,152,113                       14,167,470  

Banks

         18,664,696            14,667,429                       33,332,125  

Beverages

         3,323,779            2,464,857                       5,788,636  

Biotechnology

         7,649,771            220,168                       7,869,939  

Building Products

                    1,582,421                       1,582,421  

Capital Markets

         4,373,677            1,049,888                       5,423,565  

Chemicals

         2,488,529            12,017,085                       14,505,614  

Commercial Services & Supplies

         158,213            74,541                       232,754  

Communications Equipment

         4,154,972            920,676                       5,075,648  

Construction & Engineering

                    1,499,525                       1,499,525  

Distributors

                    36,960                       36,960  

Diversified Financial Services

                    1,482,748                       1,482,748  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

         4,067,830            4,612,647                       8,680,477  

Electric Utilities

         2,443,283            1,156,763                       3,600,046  

Electrical Equipment

         3,278,013            2,964,632                       6,242,645  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

         455,483            4,285,792                       4,741,275  

Energy Equipment & Services

         2,059,756            1,767,900            1,827,985            5,655,641  

Food & Staples Retailing

         866,765            134,416                       1,001,181  

Food Products

         615,962            7,425,606                       8,041,568  

Gas Utilities

                    2,150,966                       2,150,966  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

         2,753,083            580,995                       3,334,078  

Health Care Providers & Services

         11,272,548            6,611,778                       17,884,326  

Household Durables

                    1,421,499                       1,421,499  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

         4,164,537                       264,963            4,429,500  

Industrial Conglomerates

         4,414,149            5,855,431                       10,269,580  

Insurance

         8,572,988            6,299,486                       14,872,474  

Internet Software & Services

         14,062,299            741,255            2,283,315            17,086,869  

IT Services

         7,631,817            2,156,994                       9,788,811  

Leisure Products

                    847,347                       847,347  

Machinery

         3,979,957            4,714,522                       8,694,479  

Media

         7,627,669            618,440                       8,246,109  

Metals & Mining

         10,446,954            6,334,071                       16,781,025  

Multiline Retail

         269,062            346,036                       615,098  

Multi-Utilities

         2,777,506            2,174,640                       4,952,146  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         24,124,310            10,466,820            1,661,801            36,252,931  

Personal Products

                    1,756,087                       1,756,087  

Pharmaceuticals

         19,513,851            12,977,628                       32,491,479  

Professional Services

                    444,913                       444,913  

Real Estate Management & Development

         1,240,718            8,670,895                       9,911,613  

Road & Rail

         5,249,180            2,340,681                       7,589,861  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

         314,119            2,649,038                       2,963,157  

Software

         10,061,615            2,649,531                       12,711,146  

Specialty Retail

         140,627            1,685,199                       1,825,826  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

         680,250            784,720                       1,464,970  

 

34


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

       $ 2,413,832          $ 780,587          $          $ 3,194,419  

Trading Companies & Distributors

         803,336            4,587,757                       5,391,093  

Transportation Infrastructure

                    67,975            365,178            433,153  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

         1,119,874            2,748,194                       3,868,068  

All Other Common Stocks+

         26,235,550                                  26,235,550  

Preferred Stocks

                           

Auto Components

                               2,354,112            2,354,112  

Automobiles

                    1,839,026                       1,839,026  

Banks

         4,723,647            1,121,751                       5,845,398  

Food & Staples Retailing

                    407,073                       407,073  

Health Care Providers & Services

                               372,878            372,878  

Real Estate Management & Development

                    331,188                       331,188  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                    1,794,913                       1,794,913  

All Other Preferred Stocks+

         2,004,732                                  2,004,732  

Warrants

         29,489            96,646                       126,135  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

                           

Banks

                    330,480                       330,480  

All Other Convertible Preferred Stocks+

         2,037,804                                  2,037,804  

Right

         40,651                                  40,651  

Convertible Bonds+

                    16,188,666                       16,188,666  

Floating Rate Loans

                           

Media

                               292,000            292,000  

All Other Floating Rate Loans+

                    8,236,151                       8,236,151  

Corporate Bonds

                           

Transportation Infrastructure

                               518,360            518,360  

All Other Corporate Bonds+

                    18,616,289                       18,616,289  

Foreign Bonds+

                    71,580,862                       71,580,862  

Yankee Dollars+

                    21,413,554                       21,413,554  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgage

                    776,880                       776,880  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

                    189,050,405                       189,050,405  

Purchased Options

         10,993            10,437,724                       10,448,717  

Exchange Traded Funds

         5,455,534                                  5,455,534  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    45,894,168                       45,894,168  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         729,538                                  729,538  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         253,413,721            565,979,275            9,940,592            829,333,588  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Securities Sold Short

         (1,017,147 )                                (1,017,147 )

Other Financial Instruments:*

                           

Futures Contracts

         (114,548 )                                (114,548 )

Written Options

         (84,018 )          (1,066,048 )                     (1,150,066 )

Written Swaptions

                    (1,885 )                     (1,885 )

Forward Currency Contracts

                    3,650,129                       3,650,129  

Credit Default Swaps

                    274,287                       274,287  

Interest Rate Swaps

                    218,123                       218,123  

Total Return Swaps

                    141,136                       141,136  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 252,198,008          $ 569,195,017          $ 9,940,592          $ 831,333,617  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, written options, forward currency contracts, and swaps. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant Level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 500,771,721          $ 446,878,694  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 60,327,084          $ 58,989,550  

 

35


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

6. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.

 

Security      Acquisition
Date(a)
     Acquisition
Cost
     Shares or
Principal
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Net Assets
                                    

Delta Topco, Ltd.

         5/2/12          $ 379,997          $ 615,711          $ 365,178            0.05 %

Delta Topco, Ltd., 10.00%, 11/24/60

         5/2/12            650,228            516,343            518,360            0.07 %

Dropbox, Inc.

         1/28/14            1,827,985            95,700            1,827,985            0.23 %

Invitae Corp., Series F, Preferred Shares

         10/8/14            372,878            186,439            372,878            0.05 %

Lookout, Inc.

         9/19/14            730,222            63,925            730,222            0.09 %

Mobileye N.V., Series F, Preferred Shares

         8/15/13            426,443            61,095            2,354,112            0.30 %

Palantir Technologies, Inc.

         3/27/14            712,042            116,157            931,579            0.12 %

REI Agro, Ltd., Registered Shares, 5.50%, 11/13/14

         2/7/12            300,000            400,000            39,000            0.01 %

TerraForm Power, Inc.

         11/21/14            359,149            9,032            264,963            0.03 %

Uber Technologies, Inc.

         3/21/14            1,063,120            17,133            2,283,315            0.29 %

 

(a) Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security.

7. Investment Risks

Commodities-Related Investment Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission has proposed changes to certain of its rules governing investment in commodities by mutual funds, such as the Fund. In the event these changes are adopted, or if there are changes in the tax treatment of the Fund’s direct and indirect investments in commodities, the Fund may be unable to obtain exposure to commodity markets, or may be limited in the extent to which or manner in which it can obtain such exposure.

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

Security Quality Risk (also known as “High Yield Risk”): The Fund may invest in high yield, high risk debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose the value of its entire investment.

8. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

36


AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $806,832,652. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 61,235,992  

Unrealized depreciation

    (38,735,056
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 22,500,936   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 10,567,371          $ 9,167,742          $ 19,735,113  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 1,024,599          $          $ 1,024,599  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund

       $ 22,960,149          $ 30,339,018          $          $ 21,642,407          $ 74,941,574  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

9. Ownership and Principal Holders

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2 (a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had an individual shareholder account which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser representing ownership in excess of 90% of the Fund.

10. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

37


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund and Subsidiary (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the consolidated schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

38


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 23.84% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $9,167,742.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $5,892,645.

 

39


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

40


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

41


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

42


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

43


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010   43   None

 

44


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

45


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 13

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 14

Other Information

Page 15

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 16

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 19

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund and The Dreyfus Corporation serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund returned 8.45%. That compared to a 13.05% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index1.

Global equities produced mixed returns for 2014 as investors responded to a mix of encouraging U.S. data, increasing volatility and rising geopolitical risk. Equities gained modestly in the first quarter as policymakers around the world acted to support the global economy. U.S. stocks rallied on positive economic news and the European Central Bank (ECB) maintained its record-low interest rate. As volatility subsided and interest rates remained low in the second quarter, markets charged higher.

Global equity returns were subdued through the late summer as geopolitical risks rose and economic data disappointed. Despite these conditions, U.S. stocks posted third-quarter gains following better-than-expected growth indicators, including improvements in consumer spending, tourism and manufacturing. In Asia, the Bank of Japan provided assurances that it would take further action to bolster the economy. By the end of the period under review, U.S. stocks had tallied another solid quarterly gain after more encouraging growth data. Low inflation continued to pose challenges for ECB policymakers. Emerging-market equities struggled as stocks in Russia declined thanks to a falling ruble and weak oil prices, and Brazil grappled with a corruption scandal that threatened several key public-works projects.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark during the period. Investors moved away from momentum stocks, weakening relative returns in March and April. For the year, industrials, consumer staples and consumer discretionary were the worst relative performers by sector. Holdings in an

engineering construction company, which fell on concerns that low oil prices would negatively affect the company’s pending projects, detracted from relative performance. Additionally, shares in a specialty food retailer dropped after disappointing earnings, as did a position in a media streaming service, which experienced weak subscriber growth. The Fund sold its position in the latter two holdings.*

The Fund’s relative performance was bolstered by a lack of exposure to telecommunication services, and high-performing health care stocks. For example, shares in one pharmaceutical company rose with the continued success of one of its drugs, while shares of another appreciated as confidence in its cystic fibrosis program grew. Also, shares of a science tools company rose as the company announced strong quarterly reports, bolstered by ongoing demand for its next-generation sequencing tools.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital and income. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in stocks that are included in a widely recognized index of stock market performance.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile than other types of securities.

Investing in a single industry or sector, or concentrating investments in a limited number of industries or sectors, tends to increase the risk that economic, political, or regulatory developments affecting certain industries or sectors will have a large impact on the value of the portfolio.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

     8.45     20.20     15.63     7.64

Russell 1000® Growth Index

     13.05     20.26     15.81     8.49

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

     1.07

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager has voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,042.80          $ 5.15            1.00 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.16          $ 5.09            1.00 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      31.7 %

Health Care

      16.4  

Consumer Discretionary

      16.0  

Consumer Staples

      10.7  

Industrials

      10.2  

Financials

      5.9  

Energy

      4.4  

Materials

      2.8  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      98.1  

Affiliated Investment Company

      2.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      100.1  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (0.1 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares                
    
    
    
     
Fair Value
 

 

Common Stocks (98.1%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (4.5%):

  

  67,874       Honeywell International, Inc.    $ 6,781,969  
  20,502       Precision Castparts Corp.      4,938,522  
  33,052       Raytheon Co.      3,575,235  
     

 

 

 
        15,295,726  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.1%):

  

  21,725       FedEx Corp.      3,772,764  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.8%):

  

  37,519       Delphi Automotive plc      2,728,382  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (4.0%):

  

  96,223       Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.      4,254,981  
  98,147       PepsiCo, Inc.      9,280,781  
     

 

 

 
        13,535,762  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (9.0%):

  

  23,895       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      4,421,292  
  14,398       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      4,887,401  
  55,206       Celgene Corp.*      6,175,342  
  76,375       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      7,199,107  
  7,790       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      3,195,848  
  38,892       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      4,620,370  
     

 

 

 
        30,499,360  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.5%):

  

  32,222       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      4,261,361  
  11,536       BlackRock, Inc., Class A      4,124,812  
     

 

 

 
        8,386,173  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.0%):

  

  71,956       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      3,281,913  
  28,704       Praxair, Inc.      3,718,890  
     

 

 

 
        7,000,803  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.2%):

  

  89,978       Tyco International plc      3,946,435  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (1.0%):

  

  54,777       Fluor Corp.      3,321,130  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.8%):

  

  24,559       Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.      2,709,349  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.8%):

  

  42,954       Discover Financial Services      2,813,057  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.3%):

  

  20,205       IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc.      4,430,754  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.9%):

  

  77,835       Schlumberger, Ltd.      6,647,887  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.6%):

  

  30,702       Costco Wholesale Corp.      4,352,009  
  47,289       CVS Caremark Corp.      4,554,403  
     

 

 

 
        8,906,412  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.1%):

  

  107,158       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      3,892,514  
     

 

 

 
Shares                
    
    
    
     
Fair Value
 

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.7%):

  

  25,629       McKesson, Inc.    $ 5,320,068  
  39,322       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      3,975,061  
     

 

 

 
        9,295,129  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.6%):

  

  78,891       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      5,458,468  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.2%):

  

  49,485       Danaher Corp.      4,241,359  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (1.3%):

  

  78,725       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      4,506,219  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (1.7%):

  

  5,042       Priceline.com, Inc.*      5,748,939  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (8.3%):

  

  45,081       Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      2,838,300  
  121,732       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      9,497,530  
  11,751       Google, Inc., Class C*      6,185,726  
  11,751       Google, Inc., Class A*      6,235,786  
  15,245       LinkedIn Corp., Class A*      3,501,929  
     

 

 

 
        28,259,271  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (4.7%):

  

  35,861       Accenture plc, Class A      3,202,746  
  65,817       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*      3,465,923  
  35,184       Visa, Inc., Class A      9,225,245  
     

 

 

 
        15,893,914  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.0%):

  

  19,091       Illumina, Inc.*      3,523,817  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.2%):

  

  29,418       Cummins, Inc.      4,241,193  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (4.8%):

  

  38,661       AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*      2,465,412  
  120,154       Comcast Corp., Class A      6,970,133  
  163,952       Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)      3,405,283  
  47,415       Viacom, Inc., Class B      3,567,979  
     

 

 

 
        16,408,807  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.9%):

  

  42,487       Dollar General Corp.*      3,003,831  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (2.5%):

  

  53,122       EOG Resources, Inc.      4,890,943  
  82,216       Kinder Morgan, Inc.      3,478,559  
     

 

 

 
        8,369,502  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (1.4%):

  

  62,856       Estee Lauder Co., Inc. (The), Class A      4,789,627  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (3.7%):

  

  21,679       Actavis, Inc. plc*      5,580,391  
  54,598       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      3,222,920  
  23,523       Perrigo Co. plc      3,932,105  
     

 

 

 
        12,735,416  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares                
    
    
    
     
Fair Value
 

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software (9.2%):

  

  48,795       Adobe Systems, Inc.*    $ 3,547,397  
  88,832       Fortinet, Inc.*      2,723,589  
  59,667       Intuit, Inc.      5,500,701  
  206,196       Microsoft Corp.      9,577,804  
  113,512       Oracle Corp.      5,104,635  
  81,682       Salesforce.com, Inc.*      4,844,559  
     

 

 

 
        31,298,685  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (3.3%):

  

  75,980       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      7,975,620  
  26,514       Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.*      3,389,550  
     

 

 

 
        11,365,170  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (9.5%):

  

  215,657       Apple, Inc.      23,804,220  
  145,342       EMC Corp.      4,322,471  
  43,752       SanDisk Corp.      4,286,821  
     

 

 

 
        32,413,512  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (4.5%):

  

  53,487       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*      4,016,874  
  54,301       Nike, Inc., Class B      5,221,041  
  33,658       PVH Corp.      4,313,946  
  27,097       Under Armour, Inc., Class A*      1,839,886  
     

 

 

 
        15,391,747  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $237,466,638)

     334,831,114  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Affiliated Investment Company (2.0%):

  

  6,976,164       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a)    $ 6,976,164  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Affiliated Investment Company (Cost $6,976,164)

     6,976,164  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $244,442,802)(b) — 100.1%

     341,807,278  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (0.1)%

     (328,670
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 341,478,608  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

(a) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(b) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investments in non-affiliates, at cost

     $ 237,466,638  

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       6,976,164  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at cost

     $ 244,442,802  
    

 

 

 

Investments in non-affiliates, at value

     $ 334,831,114  

Investments in affiliates, at value

       6,976,164  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at value

       341,807,278  

Interest and dividends receivable

       241,601  

Prepaid expenses

       2,938  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       342,051,817  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       267,417  

Manager fees payable

       205,008  

Administration fees payable

       7,890  

Distribution fees payable

       73,217  

Custodian fees payable

       2,710  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       930  

Trustee fees payable

       19  

Other accrued liabilities

       16,018  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       573,209  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 341,478,608  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 200,826,345  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       599,506  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       42,688,281  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       97,364,476  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 341,478,608  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       22,545,048  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 15.15  
    

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 4,072,580  

Dividends from affiliates

       1  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       4,072,581  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,648,258  

Administration fees

       93,396  

Distribution fees

       870,252  

Custodian fees

       11,964  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       4,578  

Trustee fees

       17,664  

Professional fees

       18,856  

Shareholder reports

       16,297  

Other expenses

       8,323  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       3,689,588  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (211,556 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (4,973 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       3,473,059  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       599,522  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       42,895,777  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (15,932,685 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       26,963,092  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 27,562,614  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 599,522        $ 643,804  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       42,895,777          29,632,495  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (15,932,685 )        68,018,427  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       27,562,614          98,294,726  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (536,742 )        (1,345,946 )

From net realized gains

       (17,640,893 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (18,177,635 )        (1,345,946 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       16,458,753          20,353,105  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       18,177,635          1,345,946  

Value of shares redeemed

       (63,316,636 )        (39,532,733 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (28,680,248 )        (17,833,682 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (19,295,269 )        79,115,098  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       360,773,877          281,658,779  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 341,478,608        $ 360,773,877  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 599,506        $ 643,780  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       1,097,285          1,617,698  

Dividends reinvested

       1,238,259          102,353  

Shares redeemed

       (4,252,112 )        (3,128,891 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,916,568 )        (1,408,840 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 14.75       $ 10.89       $ 9.28       $ 9.62       $ 7.86  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.03         0.03         0.05         0.03         0.05  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.19         3.88         1.60         (0.34 )       1.75  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.22         3.91         1.65         (0.31 )       1.80  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.02 )       (0.05 )       (0.04 )       (0.03 )       (0.04 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.80 )                                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.82 )       (0.05 )       (0.04 )       (0.03 )       (0.04 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 15.15       $ 14.75       $ 10.89       $ 9.28       $ 9.62  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       8.45 %       36.00 %       17.75 %       (3.20 )%       22.92 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 341,479       $ 360,774       $ 281,659       $ 219,720       $ 193,126  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.17 %       0.20 %       0.53 %       0.43 %       0.49 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.07 %       1.10 %       1.11 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.00 %       1.00 %       1.00 %       1.00 %       0.99 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.00 %       1.00 %       1.02 %       1.03 %       1.04 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       46 %       48 %       53 %       109 %       112 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

9


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not enter into any futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with The Dreyfus Corporation (“Dreyfus”), Dreyfus provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

         1.00 %          1.20 %

 

* The fees payable to the Manager are based on a tiered structure for various net assets levels as follows: the first $10 million at 1.00%, the next $10 million at 0.875% and above $20 million at 0.75%. The Manager voluntarily reduced management fees to 0.70%. The Manager reserves the right to stop reducing the manager fee at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

 

10


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,362 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund paid approximately $641 to affiliated broker/dealers of the Subadvisor on the execution of purchases and sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 334,831,114          $          $ 334,831,114  

Affiliated Investment Company

         6,976,164                       6,976,164  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 341,807,278          $          $ 341,807,278  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 157,813,821          $ 204,033,595  

 

11


AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $244,666,414. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 98,006,396   

Unrealized depreciation

    (865,532
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 97,140,864   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 536,741          $ 17,640,894          $ 18,177,635  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 1,345,946          $          $ 1,345,946  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

       $ 599,506          $ 42,911,893          $          $ 97,140,864          $ 140,652,263  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Effective close of business on April 27, 2015, The Boston Company will replace The Dreyfus Corporation as the subadviser to the AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund. In addition, the following name change will be effective on April 27, 2015.

 

Name effective on April 27, 2015    Previous Name

AZL® Boston Company Research Growth Fund

   AZL® Dreyfus Research Growth Fund

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report. There are no other subsequent events to report.

 

12


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

13


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $17,640,894.

 

14


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

15


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

16


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

17


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

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Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

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Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering
Compliance Officer
   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

20


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

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Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 17

Statement of Operations

Page 17

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 18

Financial Highlights

Page 19

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 20

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 27

Other Information

Page 28

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 29

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 32

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund had a total return of 5.35%. That compared to a 5.97% total return for its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index1.

Fixed-income markets performed relatively well during the 12- month period as a decline in long-term yields pushed prices higher. Investors started the period with an appetite for risk, which supported higher prices on securities such as corporate bonds. As the period progressed, however, that sentiment changed. Investors grew increasingly concerned about long-term growth prospects for the global economy because of persistent factors such as muted inflation, weak wage growth, declining oil prices and a lag in the U.S. housing recovery. Poor economic growth abroad drove international investors to seek safety in U.S. Treasuries, which drove up prices and pushed down yields. Investors abandoned riskier assets in the second half of the period, causing spreads to widen. The resulting drop in prices in investment grade corporate bonds offset earlier gains, leading the asset class to post a loss for the year and dragging on the Fund’s absolute return.

Despite a strong absolute return, the Fund slightly underperformed its benchmark for the year. The Fund’s allocation to Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) was the largest detractor from relative performance. The drop in energy prices in conjunction with renewed fears about global growth in the second half of the period limited inflation concerns and led TIPS to underperform. The portfolio’s duration positioning also weighed on relative performance. The Fund favored a shorter duration stance than the benchmark throughout the second half of the period in anticipation of a rise in interest rates. When rates fell, the strategy underperformed. An underweight allocation to corporate bonds also dragged on performance early in the period as these bonds benefited from the positive outlook that prevailed in the period’s first half.*

The largest positive contributor to relative performance involved the portfolio’s yield curve positioning, which involved a tactical “flattener trade” in anticipation that the yield curve on Treasuries would flatten. The strategy contributed to relative performance as long-term yields fell and short-term yields rose. An overweight position in commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and asset-backed securities (ABS) boosted the Fund’s relative performance, as those sectors outperformed duration-adjusted Treasuries. A preference for auto collateral in the ABS sector also contributed to relative performance, as did an underweight to corporate bonds given that asset class’s underperformance.*

The Fund held derivatives to hedge risk and adjust its duration and yield curve exposure rather than to generate performance. Forward contracts were used to hedge against the portfolio’s currency exposure from non-dollar bonds, while Treasury futures served to adjust the Fund’s duration and yield curve exposure.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to exceed the total return of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in investment-grade debt securities (those of medium and high quality) of all types and repurchase agreements for those securities.

Investment Concerns

Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss. Intermediate-term, higher-quality bonds generally offer less risk than longer-term bonds and a lower rate of return.

Mortgage-backed investments involve risk of loss due to prepayments and, like any bond, due to default. Because of the sensitivity of mortgage-related securities to changes in interest rates, the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than if it did not hold these securities.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

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The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(7/10/09)
 

AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund

     5.35     2.36     3.98     3.70

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

     5.97     2.66     4.45     4.57

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Enhanced Bond Index Fund

     0.69

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.70% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.66%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which is an unmanaged market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,016.40          $ 3.30            0.65 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,021.93          $ 3.31            0.65 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

      36.0 %

U.S. Treasury Obligation

      24.1  

Corporate Bonds

      18.0  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      17.4  

Asset Backed Securities

      8.9  

Yankee Dollars

      8.2  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

      6.6  

Money Market

      5.4  

Municipal Bonds

      1.0  

Convertible Preferred Stock

      0.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      125.7  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (25.7 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Asset Backed Securities (8.9%):

  

$ 2,991,825       American Homes 4 Rent LLC, Class A, Series 2014-SFR2, 3.79%, 10/17/36(a)    $ 3,052,446  
  2,635,000       American Homes 4 Rent LLC, Class A, Series 2014-SFR3, 3.68%, 12/17/36(a)      2,663,819  
  2,360,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class A3, Series 2013-5, 0.90%, 9/8/18      2,359,202  
  3,210,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class A2A, Series 2014-4, 0.72%, 4/9/18      3,208,587  
  225,458       Auto ABS Compartiment, Class A, Series 2012-2, 2.80%, 4/27/25(a)      274,841  
  2,160,000       Cabela’s Master Credit Card Trust, Class A2, Series 2013-2A, 0.81%, 8/16/21(a)(b)      2,174,118  
  598,901       Capital Auto Receivables Asset Trust, Class A2, Series 2013-1, 0.62%, 7/20/16      598,988  
  2,560,000       Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables Trust, Class A3, Series 2013-BA, 0.85%, 5/15/18(a)      2,559,191  
  1,270,000       Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2013-BA, 1.78%, 6/17/19(a)      1,272,851  
  2,210,000       Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Class A1, Series 2014-A1, 2.88%, 1/23/23      2,266,313  
  1,983,817       CNH Equipment Trust, Class A3,
Series 2013-A, 0.69%, 6/15/18
     1,983,444  
  1,920,000       Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2013-1A, 1.21%, 10/15/20(a)      1,920,564  
  2,840,000       Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2014-1A, 1.55%, 10/15/21(a)      2,834,400  
  3,190,000       Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2014-2A, 1.88%, 3/15/22(a)      3,190,115  
  557,814       First Investors Auto Owner Trust, Class A2, Series 2013-1A, 0.90%, 10/15/18(a)      557,707  
  1,314,913       Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, Class A3, Series 2013-A, 0.55%, 7/15/17      1,314,616  
  2,025,000       Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Class A, Series 2012-2, 1.92%, 1/15/19      2,047,232  
  1,595,000       Golden Credit Card Trust, Class A, Series 2013-1A, 0.40%, 2/15/18(a)(b)      1,594,455  
  3,290,000       Golden Credit Card Trust, Class A, Series 2014-1A, 0.48%, 3/15/19(a)(b)      3,287,681  
  2,190,000       GoldenTree Loan Opportunities VII, Ltd., Class A, Series 2013-7A, 1.38%, 4/25/25(a)(b)      2,148,075  
  2,340,000       Invitation Homes Trust, Class A,
Series 2014-SFR2, 1.25%, 9/17/31(a)(b)
     2,310,933  
  2,345,000       Invitation Homes Trust, Class A,
Series 2014-SFR3, 1.35%, 12/17/31(a)(b)
     2,331,927  
  2,140,000       Nextgear Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Class A, Series 2014-1A, 1.92%, 10/15/19(a)      2,135,236  
  1,830,000       Nissan Master Owner Trust Receivables, Class A, Series 2013-A, 0.45%, 2/15/18(b)      1,827,914  
  2,205,000       Nomad CLO, Ltd., Class A1, Series 2013-1A, 1.43%, 1/15/25(a)(b)      2,171,200  
  2,975,000       OneMain Financial Issuance Trust, Class A, Series 2014-2A, 2.47%, 9/18/24(a)      2,986,662  
  1,735,000       PFS Financing Corp., Class A, Series 2013-AA, 0.71%, 2/15/18(a)(b)      1,734,565  
  616,758       Prestige Auto Receivables Trust, Class A2, Series 2013-1A, 1.09%, 2/15/18(a)      617,534  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Asset Backed Securities, continued

  

$ 2,300,000       Prestige Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2014-1A, 2.39%, 5/15/20(a)    $ 2,290,982  
  2,000,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2013-5, 1.55%, 10/15/18      2,006,394  
  142,728       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2011-3, 3.09%, 5/15/17      143,602  
  1,330,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2012-5, 1.56%, 8/15/18      1,332,990  
  501,017       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2012-3, 1.94%, 12/15/16      501,750  
  1,200,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2012-6, 1.94%, 4/16/18      1,208,195  
  1,785,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2013-2, 1.33%, 3/15/18      1,788,734  
  1,900,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2013-4, 3.25%, 1/15/20      1,956,669  
  2,468,946       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class A3, Series 2013-A, 1.02%, 1/16/18(a)      2,472,491  
  2,075,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2013-A, 1.89%, 10/15/19(a)      2,093,275  
  1,431,481       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class R, Series 2014-S6, 1.43%, 12/16/19(a)      1,437,551  
  3,342,022       Silver Bay Realty 2014-1 Trust, Class A, Series 2014-1, 1.15%, 9/17/31(a)(b)      3,291,136  
  393,040       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A2, Series 2004-B, 0.44%, 6/15/21(b)      390,276  
  2,217,540       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A4, Series 2006-A, 0.43%, 12/15/23(b)      2,198,473  
  606,486       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A1, Series 2012-A, 1.56%, 4/15/16(a)(b)      612,795  
  2,140,000       Sway Residential Trust, Class A,
Series 2014-1, 1.46%, 1/17/20(a)(b)
     2,133,859  
  1,115,000       World Financial Network Credit Card Master Trust, Class A, Series 2012-A, 3.14%, 1/17/23      1,159,187  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $84,306,658)

     84,442,975  
     

 

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (6.6%):

  

  1,309,695       Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Class A1A, Series 2007-3, 5.78%, 6/10/49(b)      1,411,833  
  146,865       Banc of America Large Loan, Class A4B, Series 2010-UB4, 4.94%, 12/20/41(a)(b)      146,880  
  50,000       Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class AM, Series 2005-PW10, 5.45%, 12/15/15(b)      51,618  
  1,777,756       Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class A1A,
Series 2006-PW14, 5.19%, 12/11/38
     1,885,169  
  3,310,434       Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class A1A,
Series 2007-PW15, 5.32%, 2/11/44
     3,533,007  
  625,000       Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class AM, Series 2007-PW16, 5.90%, 6/1/40(b)      681,198  
  2,540,000       BHMS Mortgage Trust, Class AFL, Series 2014-ATLS, 1.66%, 7/5/33(a)(b)      2,527,861  
  1,170,000       Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A, Series 2014-388G, 0.91%, 6/15/33(a)(b)      1,171,114  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, continued

  

$ 2,030,609       Commercial Mortgage Loan Trust, Class A1A, Series 2008-LS1, 6.24%, 12/10/49(b)    $ 2,217,398  
  590,000       Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Class AM, Series 2006-C8, 5.35%, 12/10/16      631,506  
  1,115,000       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2014-UBS3, 3.82%, 6/10/47      1,181,962  
  2,360,000       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A3, Series 2014-CR21, 3.53%, 12/10/47      2,448,744  
  428,000       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class B, Series 2012-LTRT, 3.80%, 10/5/30(a)      414,154  
  1,901,684       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A, Series 2013-FL3, 1.68%, 10/13/28(a)(b)      1,906,034  
  1,510,000       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class C, Series 2014-CR17, 4.90%, 5/10/47(b)      1,594,223  
  1,975,000       Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A, Series 2014-TWC, 1.00%, 2/13/32(a)(b)      1,967,890  
  2,245,000       Commerical Mortgage Trust, Class B, Series 2014-FL5, 2.30%, 10/15/31(a)(b)      2,237,331  
  2,068,247       Connecticut Avenue Securities, Class 1M1, Series 2014-C04, 2.11%, 11/25/24(b)      2,070,407  
  855,000       Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class AM, Series 2006-C5, 5.34%, 12/15/39      907,695  
  100,000       Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Class AM, Series 2006-C3, 6.00%, 6/15/16(b)      105,544  
  1,940       Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Class A2, Series 2007-C2, 5.45%, 1/15/49(b)      1,925  
  2,022,602       DBRR Trust, Class A, Series 2013-EZ3, 1.64%, 12/18/49(a)(b)      2,033,031  
  1,320,000       DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Class A2, Series 2011-LC1A, 4.53%, 7/1/19(a)      1,424,795  
  1,022,737       DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Class A1, Series 2011-LC1A, 3.74%, 6/10/17(a)      1,047,764  
  9,266,892       Government National Mortgage Association, Class XA, Series 2014-GC20, 1.38%, 4/10/47(b)      706,971  
  10,721,826       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class XA, Series 2013-GC10, 1.88%, 2/10/46(b)      1,040,307  
  1,100,000       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A, Series 2012-SHOP, 2.93%, 6/5/31(a)      1,127,600  
  1,065,000       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class B, Series 2014-GC22, 4.39%, 6/10/47      1,126,721  
  1,500,000       Hilton USA Trust, Class AFX,
Series 2013-HLT, 2.66%, 11/5/30(a)
     1,501,892  
  2,185,000       JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A4, Series 2014-C22, 3.80%, 9/15/47      2,310,908  
  14,553       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A2, Series 2007-LD11, 5.96%, 6/15/49(b)      14,522  
  600,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A, Series 2012-WLDN, 3.90%, 5/5/30(a)      627,168  
  11,423,526       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class XA, Series 2013-LC11, 1.71%, 4/15/46(b)      981,327  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, continued

  

$ 1,082,674       Lanark Master Issuer plc, Class 1A, Series 2012-2A, 1.63%, 12/22/54(a)(b)    $ 1,092,306  
  1,200,000       LB Commercial Conduit Mortgage Trust, Class AM, Series 2007-C3, 6.10%, 7/15/44(b)      1,305,208  
  1,500,387       Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2007-C1, 6.03%, 6/12/50(b)      1,598,243  
  1,229,668       ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2006-4, 5.17%, 12/12/49(b)      1,296,787  
  2,101,835       ML-CFC Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2006-3, 5.41%, 7/12/46(b)      2,228,983  
  1,395,000       Morgan Stanley BAML Trust, Class C, Series 2013-C13, 5.06%, 11/15/46(b)      1,477,569  
  1,196,234       Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Class A1A, Series 2007-IQ13, 5.31%, 3/15/44      1,271,069  
  2,715,000       Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Class A, Series 2014-MP, 3.47%, 8/11/29(a)      2,810,084  
  573,886       Morgan Stanley Re-REMIC Trust, Class B, Series 2011-IO, 0.02%, 3/23/51(a)      568,865  
  623,231       Morgan Stanley Re-REMIC Trust, Class A, Series 2012-XA, 2.00%, 7/28/49(a)      624,789  
  63,421       Morgan Stanley Re-REMIC Trust, Class AXB1, Series 2012-IO, 1.00%, 3/29/51(a)      63,358  
  1,010,000       Motel 6 Trust, Class B, Series 2012-MTL6, 2.74%, 10/5/25(a)      1,006,185  
  616,662       RBSCF Trust, Class WBTA, Series 2010-RR3, 6.14%, 4/16/17(a)(b)      642,496  
  403,058       STRIPS, Class A, Series 2012-1A, 1.50%, 12/25/44(a)      403,058  
  18,395,765       WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class XA, Series 2014-C20, 1.40%, 5/15/47(b)      1,401,279  
  1,545,000       WF-RBS Commercial Mortgate Trust, Class A5, Series 2014-LC14, 4.05%, 3/15/47(b)      1,662,843  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $62,781,979)

     62,489,621  
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (18.0%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  
  345,000       Boeing Co. (The), 2.85%, 10/30/24, Callable 7/30/24 @ 100      342,831  
     

 

 

 

 

Aerospace/Defense (0.2%):

  

  785,000       Precision Castparts Corp., 3.90%, 1/15/43, Callable 7/15/42 @ 100      789,551  
  390,000       United Technologies Corp., 3.10%, 6/1/22^      397,928  
  1,040,000       United Technologies Corp., 4.50%, 6/1/42      1,132,341  
     

 

 

 
        2,319,820  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.1%):

  

  500,000       FedEx Corp., 3.88%, 8/1/42^      481,868  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (3.5%):

  
  1,650,000       Bank of America Corp., 1.50%, 10/9/15      1,656,766  
  430,000       Bank of America Corp., Series 1, 3.75%, 7/12/16      445,376  
  1,245,000       Bank of America Corp., 6.50%, 8/1/16      1,341,271  
  820,000       Bank of America Corp., 5.63%, 10/14/16      878,126  
  1,315,000       Bank of America Corp., 0.49%, 10/14/16(b)      1,305,293  
  1,050,000       Bank of America Corp., Series L, 1.35%, 11/21/16      1,047,015  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

$ 1,065,000       Bank of America Corp., 1.32%, 3/22/18, MTN(b)    $ 1,072,781  
  2,695,000       Bank of America Corp., 2.60%, 1/15/19      2,715,955  
  390,000       Bank of America Corp., 4.00%, 4/1/24      406,078  
  700,000       Bank of America Corp., 4.20%, 8/26/24      713,108  
  1,155,000       Bank of America Corp., 4.25%, 10/22/26, MTN^      1,152,407  
  1,260,000       Citigroup, Inc., 1.30%, 4/1/16      1,261,788  
  1,035,000       Citigroup, Inc., 1.03%, 4/1/16(b)      1,038,629  
  1,180,000       Citigroup, Inc., 2.50%, 7/29/19^      1,180,948  
  395,000       Fifth Third Bank, Series BKNT, 2.88%, 10/1/21, Callable 9/1/21 @ 100      394,960  
  1,630,000       HSBC USA, Inc., 3.50%, 6/23/24^      1,681,911  
  1,350,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series G, 0.85%, 2/26/16(b)      1,352,673  
  730,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.00%, 8/15/17^      736,942  
  775,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 1.13%, 1/25/18^(b)      781,086  
  1,095,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.20%, 10/22/19^      1,085,558  
  2,205,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.63%, 5/13/24^      2,257,044  
  1,565,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 1.25%, 7/20/16      1,570,190  
  1,300,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 1.40%, 9/8/17^      1,298,944  
  1,170,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 0.86%, 4/23/18(b)      1,171,916  
  1,080,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 3.30%, 9/9/24, MTN^      1,086,758  
  1,040,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 4.10%, 6/3/26, MTN      1,062,939  
  360,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 5.38%, 11/2/43      409,577  
  580,000       Wells Fargo & Co., Series K, 7.98%, 3/29/49, Callable 3/15/18 @ 100(b)      640,175  
  435,000       Wells Fargo & Co., Series S, 5.90%, 12/31/49, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100(b)      438,263  
     

 

 

 
        32,184,477  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.1%):

  

  460,000       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Worldwide, Inc., 5.00%, 4/15/20^      514,313  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.2%):

  

  450,000       Amgen, Inc., 3.63%, 5/15/22, Callable 2/15/22 @ 100      463,262  
  545,000       Amgen, Inc., 5.15%, 11/15/41, Callable 5/15/41 @ 100      614,297  
  395,000       Amgen, Inc., 5.38%, 5/15/43, Callable 11/15/42 @ 100^      458,888  
  310,000       Gilead Sciences, Inc., 3.50%, 2/1/25, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100      318,184  
     

 

 

 
        1,854,631  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.0%):

  

  1,045,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.72%, 12/6/17      1,034,200  
  1,055,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8.13%, 1/15/20      1,306,785  
  370,000       General Electric Capital Corp., 4.38%, 9/16/20      405,237  
  555,000       General Electric Capital Corp., Series G, 6.15%, 8/7/37, MTN^      723,901  
  905,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 0.70%, 3/22/16(b)      902,982  
  1,175,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.38%, 1/22/18, MTN      1,186,866  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  

$ 915,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.43%, 4/30/18(b)    $ 925,736  
  932,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.90%, 7/19/18      956,120  
  192,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.63%, 1/31/19^      193,172  
  3,000,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.55%, 10/23/19^      2,989,045  
  190,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.63%, 1/22/23      192,398  
  360,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 4.80%, 7/8/44, Callable 1/8/44 @ 100      385,588  
  2,525,000       Morgan Stanley, 6.00%, 4/28/15, MTN      2,565,865  
  470,000       Morgan Stanley, 2.38%, 7/23/19^      468,267  
  870,000       Morgan Stanley, 3.75%, 2/25/23      892,464  
  290,000       Morgan Stanley, Series F, 3.88%, 4/29/24^      297,550  
  730,000       Morgan Stanley, 3.70%, 10/23/24^      739,943  
  320,000       Morgan Stanley, Series G, 4.35%, 9/8/26, MTN      321,912  
  1,740,000       State Street Capital Trust IV, 1.24%, 6/15/37, Callable 2/9/15 @ 100(b)      1,444,200  
  264,670       SteelRiver Transmission Co. LLC, 4.71%, 6/30/17(a)      275,580  
     

 

 

 
        18,207,811  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.2%):

  

  233,000       Dow Chemical Co. (The), 4.25%, 10/1/34, Callable 4/1/34 @ 100^      228,840  
  555,000       Eastman Chemical Co., 2.40%, 6/1/17      563,664  
  410,000       Eastman Chemical Co., 2.70%, 1/15/20, Callable 12/15/19 @ 100      412,327  
  690,000       Eastman Chemical Co., 3.80%, 3/15/25, Callable 12/15/24 @ 100      702,407  
  70,000       Eastman Chemical Co., 4.65%, 10/15/44, Callable 4/15/44 @ 100^      71,631  
     

 

 

 
        1,978,869  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.5%):

  

  1,135,000       American Express Credit Corp., 1.13%, 6/5/17^      1,131,427  
  975,000       Capital One Bank USA NA, Series BKNT, 1.15%, 11/21/16, Callable 10/21/16 @ 100      971,488  
  290,000       Capital One Bank USA NA, 1.30%, 6/5/17, Callable 5/5/17 @ 100      287,505  
  2,575,000       Capital One Bank USA NA, Series BKNT, 2.25%, 2/13/19, Callable 1/13/19 @ 100      2,556,352  
     

 

 

 
        4,946,772  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.6%):

  

  310,000       Bayer US Finance LLC, 3.38%, 10/8/24(a)      315,447  
  1,155,000       Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 1.10%, 5/29/15, MTN^      1,158,662  
  795,000       Citigroup, Inc., 5.30%, 5/6/44^      871,057  
  1,090,000       Daimler Finance NA LLC, 1.88%, 1/11/18^(a)      1,093,788  
  1,090,000       General Electric Capital Corp., 0.95%, 4/2/18(b)      1,100,127  
  720,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.00%, 1/15/18      805,563  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Diversified Financial Services, continued

  

$ 125,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.50%, 1/24/22    $ 136,469  
  130,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.25%, 9/23/22      130,757  
  515,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.88%, 9/10/24^      515,438  
     

 

 

 
        6,127,308  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.7%):

  

  860,000       AT&T, Inc., 0.90%, 2/12/16      859,773  
  3,000,000       AT&T, Inc., 3.74%, 11/27/22, Callable 5/27/15 @ 70(a)(c)      2,270,569  
  550,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.45%, 11/1/22, Callable 8/1/22 @ 100      516,043  
  1,195,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.15%, 9/15/23      1,319,558  
  780,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 4.40%, 11/1/34, Callable 5/1/34 @ 100      775,305  
  925,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.55%, 9/15/43      1,185,063  
     

 

 

 
        6,926,311  
     

 

 

 

 

Education Services (0.1%):

  

  700,000       Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 4.68%, 7/1/14      809,572  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.7%):

  

  425,000       Alabama Power Co., 4.15%, 8/15/44, Callable 2/15/44 @ 100      446,196  
  430,000       Carolina Power & Light Co., 4.10%, 3/15/43, Callable 9/15/42 @ 100^      456,378  
  610,000       CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, 4.50%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100      680,842  
  355,000       DTE Electric Co., Series A, 4.00%, 4/1/43, Callable 10/1/42 @ 100^      366,242  
  445,000       Exelon Corp., 5.63%, 6/15/35      520,266  
  1,350,000       Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC, 6.38%, 1/15/15      1,351,938  
  180,000       Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC, 7.00%, 9/1/22      227,997  
  635,000       Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 5.13%, 11/15/43, Callable 5/15/43 @ 100      727,372  
  250,000       Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 4.75%, 2/15/44, Callable 8/15/43 @ 100^      274,951  
  350,000       PPL Capital Funding, Inc., 5.00%, 3/15/44, Callable 9/15/43 @ 100      389,527  
  220,000       Southern California Edison Co., Series 06-E, 5.55%, 1/15/37      273,861  
  185,000       Virginia Electric & Power Co., Series A, 6.00%, 5/15/37      243,742  
  25,000       Virginia Electric & Power Co., 6.35%, 11/30/37      34,769  
  200,000       Virginia Electric & Power Co., 4.00%, 1/15/43, Callable 7/15/42 @ 100      202,857  
     

 

 

 
        6,196,938  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.3%):

  

  840,000       Eaton Corp., 1.50%, 11/2/17^      835,134  
  255,000       Eaton Corp., 4.00%, 11/2/32      259,376  
  1,720,000       General Electric Co., 2.70%, 10/9/22      1,720,698  
     

 

 

 
        2,815,208  
     

 

 

 
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.0%):

  

$ 111,000       Agilent Technologies, Inc., 6.50%, 11/1/17    $ 123,207  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.2%):

  

  630,000       Kraft Foods Group, Inc., 2.25%, 6/5/17      640,392  
  1,425,000       Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 1.40%, 10/21/16(a)      1,426,153  
     

 

 

 
        2,066,545  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.3%):

  

  210,000       Baxter International, Inc., 3.20%, 6/15/23, Callable 3/15/23 @ 100      211,605  
  170,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 1.80%, 12/15/17^      170,627  
  125,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 2.68%, 12/15/19      126,644  
  180,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 3.73%, 12/15/24, Callable 9/15/24 @ 100      185,324  
  505,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 4.69%, 12/15/44, Callable 6/15/44 @ 100      543,865  
  270,000       CareFusion Corp., 3.88%, 5/15/24, Callable 2/15/24 @ 100      278,638  
  1,035,000       Medtronic, Inc., 3.50%, 3/15/25(a)      1,058,773  
  665,000       Medtronic, Inc., 4.63%, 3/15/45(a)      720,853  
     

 

 

 
        3,296,329  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.4%):

  

  380,000       Aetna, Inc., 4.13%, 11/15/42, Callable 5/15/42 @ 100      381,815  
  725,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 1.40%, 10/15/17      724,290  
  200,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.88%, 10/15/20, Callable 7/15/20 @ 100      211,870  
  610,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 2.88%, 12/15/21      616,941  
  410,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 4.25%, 3/15/43, Callable 9/15/42 @ 100^      429,830  
  325,000       WellPoint, Inc., 3.30%, 1/15/23      324,683  
  600,000       WellPoint, Inc., 3.50%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100      604,351  
  300,000       WellPoint, Inc., 5.10%, 1/15/44      337,125  
     

 

 

 
        3,630,905  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.0%):

  

  460,000       Procter & Gamble Co. (The), 1.90%, 11/1/19^      460,922  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.6%):

  

  220,000       Carolina Power & Light Co., 5.70%, 4/1/35      268,227  
  300,000       Columbus Southern Power Co., 6.05%, 5/1/18      338,998  
  65,000       Florida Power & Light Co., 5.95%, 2/1/38      86,396  
  845,000       Florida Power Corp., 6.40%, 6/15/38      1,168,324  
  40,000       MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., 5.95%, 5/15/37      49,779  
  450,000       MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., 6.50%, 9/15/37      588,956  
  850,000       PacifiCorp, 5.65%, 7/15/18      960,242  
  395,000       PacifiCorp, 5.75%, 4/1/37      507,424  
  630,000       PacifiCorp, 4.10%, 2/1/42, Callable 8/1/41 @ 100      664,678  
  350,000       Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., 5.30%, 1/15/19      392,158  
  865,000       Public Service Electric & Gas Co., 2.38%, 5/15/23, Callable 2/15/23 @ 100^      831,876  
     

 

 

 
        5,857,058  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.1%):

  

$ 495,000       3M Co., 3.88%, 6/15/44    $ 509,048  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (1.0%):

  

  410,000       ACE INA Holdings, Inc., 4.15%, 3/13/43^      430,621  
  125,000       American International Group, Inc., Series MP, 5.45%, 5/18/17, MTN      136,387  
  1,080,000       American International Group, Inc., 4.88%, 6/1/22      1,213,212  
  690,000       American International Group, Inc., 4.13%, 2/15/24      734,513  
  695,000       American International Group, Inc., 4.50%, 7/16/44, Callable 1/16/44 @ 100      734,275  
  405,000       Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., 4.30%, 5/15/43^      429,352  
  410,000       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 4.30%, 4/15/43^      420,465  
  555,000       Loews Corp., 4.13%, 5/15/43, Callable 11/15/42 @ 100      526,457  
  1,710,000       MetLife Institutional Funding II LLC, 1.63%, 4/2/15(a)      1,714,575  
  1,125,000       MetLife, Inc., 6.75%, 6/1/16      1,212,858  
  905,000       New York Life Global Funding, 1.65%, 5/15/17(a)      911,889  
  90,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., Series D, 4.75%, 9/17/15, MTN      92,351  
  720,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., 3.50%, 5/15/24^      731,850  
     

 

 

 
        9,288,805  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.0%):

  

  450,000       MasterCard, Inc., 3.38%, 4/1/24^      461,906  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.0%):

  

  280,000       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 5.30%, 2/1/44, Callable 8/1/43 @ 100^      321,579  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.1%):

  

  605,000       Deere & Co., 2.60%, 6/8/22, Callable 3/8/22 @ 100      595,184  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.0%):

  

  875,000       Comcast Corp., 4.20%, 8/15/34, Callable 2/15/34 @ 100^      914,940  
  200,000       Comcast Corp., 6.50%, 11/15/35      266,999  
  330,000       Comcast Corp., 6.45%, 3/15/37      439,039  
  935,000       Comcast Corp., 4.65%, 7/15/42      1,023,369  
  575,000       Cox Communications, Inc., 4.70%, 12/15/42(a)      574,491  
  575,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 3.50%, 3/1/16      589,998  
  730,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 5.20%, 3/15/20      807,197  
  190,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 3.80%, 3/15/22      193,300  
  150,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 4.45%, 4/1/24, Callable 1/1/24 @ 100^      156,946  
  185,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 3.95%, 1/15/25, Callable 10/15/24 @ 100      186,456  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

$ 89,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 5.15%, 3/15/42    $ 91,969  
  111,000       Discovery Communications, Inc., 4.88%, 4/1/43      114,443  
  1,135,000       NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc., 0.92%, 4/15/18(a)(b)      1,144,443  
  280,000       NBCUniversal Media LLC, 5.15%, 4/30/20      317,744  
  816,000       NBCUniversal Media LLC, 4.45%, 1/15/43^      864,644  
  525,000       Omnicom Group, Inc., 5.90%, 4/15/16      555,619  
  820,000       Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., 2.70%, 12/15/16      842,226  
  385,000       Viacom, Inc., 2.75%, 12/15/19, Callable 11/11/19 @ 100^      385,763  
     

 

 

 
        9,469,586  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.3%):

  

  870,000       Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 4.00%, 11/14/21^      861,998  
  1,505,000       Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 3.88%, 3/15/23, Callable 12/15/22 @ 100      1,418,968  
  675,000       Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 4.55%, 11/14/24, Callable 8/14/24 @ 100^      655,444  
  340,000       Freeport-McMoRan, Inc., 5.40%, 11/14/34, Callable 5/14/34 @ 100^      331,468  
     

 

 

 
        3,267,878  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.1%):

  

  640,000       Target Corp., 3.50%, 7/1/24^      664,431  
  390,000       Target Corp., 4.00%, 7/1/42^      396,172  
     

 

 

 
        1,060,603  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.2%):

  

  155,000       CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., 6.25%, 2/1/37      196,588  
  900,000       DTE Energy Co., Series F, 3.85%, 12/1/23, Callable 9/1/23 @ 100      945,427  
  505,000       Duke Energy Carolinas LLC, 6.10%, 6/1/37      656,879  
  470,000       Northwest Florida Timber Finance LLC, 4.75%, 3/4/29(a)      475,381  
     

 

 

 
        2,274,275  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.8%):

  

  2,025,000       Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.38%, 9/15/17      2,251,398  
  435,000       Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 3.45%, 7/15/24, Callable 4/15/24 @ 100^      424,664  
  225,000       Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 4.50%, 7/15/44, Callable 1/15/44 @ 100      218,357  
  270,000       Chevron Corp., 2.19%, 11/15/19^      270,999  
  175,000       ConocoPhillips Co., 3.35%, 11/15/24, Callable 8/15/24 @ 100^      176,811  
  220,000       ConocoPhillips Co., 4.30%, 11/15/44, Callable 5/15/44 @ 100      230,139  
  225,000       Continental Resources, Inc., 4.90%, 6/1/44, Callable 12/1/43 @ 100      194,999  
  216,000       El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Co. LLC, 6.50%, 4/1/20      244,248  
  220,000       El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Co. LLC, 4.30%, 5/1/24, Callable 2/1/24 @ 100      220,426  
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

$ 1,390,000       Energy Transfer Partners LP, 6.50%, 2/1/42, Callable 8/1/41 @ 100    $ 1,597,737  
  500,000       Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 3.90%, 2/15/24, Callable 11/15/23 @ 100      509,244  
  370,000       Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 3.75%, 2/15/25, Callable 11/15/24 @ 100      371,409  
  200,000       Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 4.85%, 8/15/42, Callable 2/15/42 @ 100^      207,833  
  220,000       Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 5.10%, 2/15/45, Callable 8/15/44 @ 100      236,542  
  1,415,000       Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Series A, 8.38%, 8/1/66, Callable 8/1/16 @ 100      1,519,356  
  530,000       EOG Resources, Inc., 2.45%, 4/1/20, Callable 3/1/20 @ 100      527,251  
  165,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 3.95%, 9/1/22, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100      163,608  
  60,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 3.50%, 9/1/23, Callable 6/1/23 @ 100^      56,961  
  220,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 4.15%, 2/1/24      219,437  
  454,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 5.50%, 3/1/44, Callable 9/1/43 @ 100      461,509  
  2,435,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 5.40%, 9/1/44, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100^      2,439,988  
  685,000       Kinder Morgan, Inc., 4.30%, 6/1/25, Callable 3/1/25 @ 100^      685,319  
  375,000       Marathon Petroleum Corp., 4.75%, 9/15/44, Callable 3/15/44 @ 100^      354,152  
  515,000       Noble Energy, Inc., 5.25%, 11/15/43, Callable 5/15/43 @ 100      523,007  
  1,045,000       Phillips 66, 4.65%, 11/15/34, Callable 5/15/34 @ 100^      1,071,123  
  335,000       Plains All American Pipeline LP, 4.90%, 2/15/45, Callable 8/15/44 @ 100      340,443  
  480,000       Williams Partners LP, 4.00%, 11/15/21^      481,175  
  1,140,000       Williams Partners LP, 3.90%, 1/15/25, Callable 10/15/24 @ 100^      1,095,627  
     

 

 

 
        17,093,762  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.1%):

  

  400,000       Georgia-Pacific LLC, 7.70%, 6/15/15      411,589  
  67,000       International Paper Co., 3.65%, 6/15/24, Callable 3/15/24 @ 100^      66,952  
  191,000       International Paper Co., 4.80%, 6/15/44, Callable 12/15/43 @ 100^      195,050  
     

 

 

 
        673,591  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.7%):

  

  795,000       Abbvie, Inc., 2.00%, 11/6/18^      792,333  
  535,000       Abbvie, Inc., 4.40%, 11/6/42      551,943  
  400,000       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., 4.50%, 3/1/44, Callable 9/1/43 @ 100      437,116  
  1,020,000       Merck & Co., Inc., 0.59%, 5/18/18^(b)      1,021,720  
  265,000       Mylan, Inc., 5.40%, 11/29/43, Callable 5/29/43 @ 100      294,102  
  390,000       Novartis Capital Corp., 4.40%, 5/6/44      437,050  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals, continued

  

$ 710,000       Pfizer, Inc., 3.40%, 5/15/24^    $ 738,668  
  400,000       Roche Holding, Inc., 4.00%, 11/28/44^(a)      419,866  
  995,000       Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1.88%, 10/1/17      991,143  
  1,174,000       Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 3.25%, 10/1/22, Callable 7/1/22 @ 100      1,143,030  
     

 

 

 
        6,826,971  
     

 

 

 

 

Property & Casualty Insurance (0.0%):

  

  325,000       ACE INA Holdings, Inc., 3.35%, 5/15/24      328,412  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.7%):

  

  1,670,000       ARC Properties Operating Partnership LP, 4.60%, 2/6/24, Callable 11/6/23 @ 100      1,540,646  
  835,000       Boston Properties LP, 3.85%, 2/1/23, Callable 11/1/22 @ 100      866,794  
  380,000       ERP Operating LP, 4.50%, 7/1/44, Callable 1/1/44 @ 100      396,033  
  1,225,000       HCP, Inc., 3.88%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100      1,244,376  
  620,000       Simon Property Group LP, 3.75%, 2/1/24, Callable 11/1/23 @ 100^      651,197  
  955,000       Simon Property Group LP, 4.25%, 10/1/44^      988,225  
  485,000       UDR, Inc., 3.75%, 7/1/24, Callable 4/1/24 @ 100      488,262  
     

 

 

 
        6,175,533  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.2%):

  

  370,000       Burlington North Santa Fe LLC, 4.45%, 3/15/43, Callable 9/15/42 @ 100      386,556  
  445,000       Burlington North Santa Fe LLC, 4.90%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100      500,331  
  240,000       Union Pacific Corp., 4.85%, 6/15/44, Callable 12/15/43 @ 100^      275,437  
  505,000       Union Pacific Railroad Co., Series 14-1, 3.23%, 5/14/26      507,613  
     

 

 

 
        1,669,937  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (0.3%):

  

  1,401,000       Oracle Corp., 3.40%, 7/8/24, Callable 4/8/24 @ 100      1,431,923  
  1,040,000       Oracle Corp., 4.30%, 7/8/34, Callable 1/8/34 @ 100      1,113,499  
     

 

 

 
        2,545,422  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.2%):

  

  215,000       Home Depot, Inc., 4.40%, 3/15/45, Callable 9/15/44 @ 100      234,977  
  465,000       Lowe’s Cos., Inc., 4.65%, 4/15/42, Callable 10/15/41 @ 100      517,186  
  510,000       Lowe’s Cos., Inc., 5.00%, 9/15/43, Callable 3/15/43 @ 100      596,631  
  815,000       Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP, 3.13%, 5/11/15(a)      821,600  
     

 

 

 
        2,170,394  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.1%):

  

  860,000       Apple, Inc., 2.85%, 5/6/21      879,745  
  410,000       Apple, Inc., 3.45%, 5/6/24      429,378  
     

 

 

 
        1,309,123  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Tobacco (0.2%):

  

$ 680,000       Altria Group, Inc., 5.38%, 1/31/44^    $ 774,055  
  155,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 4.50%, 3/20/42      163,643  
  20,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 3.88%, 8/21/42      18,988  
  370,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 4.13%, 3/4/43      362,695  
  425,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 4.88%, 11/15/43      473,803  
  442,000       Reynolds American, Inc., 6.15%, 9/15/43^      512,575  
     

 

 

 
        2,305,759  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.1%):

  

  825,000       GATX Corp., 2.50%, 7/30/19      818,775  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  535,000       Crown Castle Towers LLC, 6.11%, 1/15/20(a)      614,523  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $166,988,271)

     170,922,761  
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stock(0.1%):

  

 

Banks (0.1%):

  

  38,500       Wells Fargo & Co., Callable 9/15/23 @ 25      987,525  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stock (Cost $986,755)

     987,525  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (8.2%):

  

 

Banks (3.5%):

  

  1,965,000       Asian Development Bank, Series G, 0.75%, 1/11/17      1,963,219  
  1,045,000       Barclays Bank plc, 2.75%, 11/8/19^      1,038,615  
  210,000       Barclays Bank plc, 5.14%, 10/14/20^      225,853  
  2,235,000       Barclays Bank plc, 3.75%, 5/15/24      2,303,729  
  675,000       BPCE SA, 5.70%, 10/22/23^(a)      724,793  
  430,000       BPCE SA, 4.50%, 3/15/25(a)      420,165  
  790,000       Caixa Economica Federal, 2.38%, 11/6/17(a)      745,563  
  920,000       Credit Agricole SA, 3.88%, 4/15/24(a)      950,555  
  710,000       HSBC Holdings plc, 5.25%, 3/14/44^      795,310  
  1,115,000       ING Bank NV, 3.75%, 3/7/17(a)      1,166,850  
  314,000       ING Bank NV, 5.80%, 9/25/23(a)      348,314  
  1,914,000       KFW, 0.50%, 7/15/16      1,911,397  
  1,465,000       Kommunalbanken AS, 0.25%, 1/26/15(a)(b)      1,465,041  
  1,856,000       Kommunalbanken AS, 0.36%, 10/31/16(a)(b)      1,857,514  
  1,110,000       National Bank of Canada, 1.50%, 6/26/15      1,113,953  
  805,000       Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden NV, Series G, 1.50%, 2/12/18(a)      805,657  
  1,740,000       Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV, Series E, 3.00%, 3/17/15(a)      1,749,025  
  1,185,000       Nordea Bank AB, 2.38%, 4/4/19(a)      1,195,453  
  555,000       Nordea Eiendomskreditt AS, 2.13%, 9/22/16^(a)      565,141  
  2,610,000       Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG, Series G, 1.13%, 7/6/15      2,619,566  
  386,000       Oriental Republic of Uruguay, 4.50%, 8/14/24^      405,300  
  2,005,000       Royal Bank of Canada, 1.13%, 7/22/16      2,013,676  
  2,670,000       Royal Bank of Canada, 2.20%, 9/23/19      2,689,544  
  710,000       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 1.88%, 3/31/17      709,438  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

$ 674,000       Societe Generale SA, 5.00%, 1/17/24(a)    $ 677,694  
  1,490,000       Westpac Banking Corp., 2.45%, 11/28/16^(a)      1,527,190  
     

 

 

 
        31,988,555  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.1%):

  

  1,355,000       Credit Suisse Guernsey, Ltd., 2.60%, 5/27/16(a)      1,387,340  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.0%):

  

  275,000       Agrium, Inc., 5.25%, 1/15/45, Callable 7/15/44 @ 100      297,032  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.3%):

  

  2,190,000       CDP Financial, Inc., 4.40%, 11/25/19(a)      2,411,466  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.1%):

  

  600,000       Schlumberger Investment SA, 3.30%, 9/14/21, Callable 6/14/21 @ 100(a)      615,811  
     

 

 

 

 

Government (0.1%):

  

  689,000       Province of Manitoba Canada, 3.05%, 5/14/24      714,067  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.2%):

  

  1,595,000       Carnival Corp., 1.20%, 2/5/16      1,594,073  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.0%):

  

  250,000       AIA Group, Ltd., 4.88%, 3/11/44^(a)      283,113  
  185,000       Aon plc, 4.60%, 6/14/44, Callable 3/14/44 @ 100^      192,117  
  310,000       Manulife Financial Corp., 3.40%, 9/17/15      315,582  
     

 

 

 
        790,812  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1%):

  

  885,000       Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 2.50%, 11/28/19, Callable 10/28/19 @ 100(a)      873,068  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.1%):

  

  580,000       Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Finance SA, 3.55%, 11/1/24, Callable 8/1/24 @ 100      576,464  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.0%):

  

  370,000       British Sky Broadcasting Group plc, 3.75%, 9/16/24(a)      372,266  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  

  385,000       BHP Billiton Finance USA, Ltd., 5.00%, 9/30/43      436,406  
  848,000       Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc, 4.13%, 8/21/42, Callable 2/21/42 @ 100^      823,367  
     

 

 

 
        1,259,773  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-National (0.8%):

  

  1,885,000       African Development Bank, 0.75%, 10/18/16      1,885,285  
  1,640,000       FMS Wertmanagement, 0.63%, 4/18/16      1,640,489  
  1,415,000       FMS Wertmanagement, 1.13%, 9/5/17      1,414,181  
  2,790,000       FMS Wertmanagement, 1.63%, 11/20/18      2,795,027  
     

 

 

 
        7,734,982  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.2%):

  

  945,000       BP Capital Markets plc, 0.74%, 5/10/18(b)      934,786  
  575,000       BP Capital Markets plc, 4.74%, 3/11/21      625,893  
  575,000       BP Capital Markets plc, 2.75%, 5/10/23      537,697  
  555,000       Ecopetrol SA, 4.13%, 1/16/25      527,250  
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

$ 525,000       Ensco plc, 4.50%, 10/1/24, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100^    $ 510,288  
  774,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 6.25%, 3/17/24^      736,492  
  1,080,000       Petrobras International Finance Co., 3.88%, 1/27/16      1,059,803  
  50,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 8.00%, 5/3/19      59,125  
  107,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.00%, 3/5/20      120,108  
  2,923,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.88%, 1/24/22      3,061,579  
  270,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.88%, 1/18/24      280,530  
  295,000       Shell International Finance BV, 4.55%, 8/12/43      322,721  
  800,000       Statoil ASA, 2.45%, 1/17/23      763,067  
  1,100,000       Statoil ASA, 3.70%, 3/1/24      1,138,869  
  175,000       Transocean, Inc., 3.80%, 10/15/22, Callable 7/15/22 @ 100^      141,807  
     

 

 

 
        10,820,015  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.2%):

  

  690,000       GlaxoSmithKline Capital plc, 2.85%, 5/8/22      690,037  
  670,000       Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1.63%, 3/17/17(a)      672,075  
     

 

 

 
        1,362,112  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.1%):

  

  1,115,000       Actavis Funding SCS, 3.85%, 6/15/24, Callable 3/15/24 @ 100      1,120,696  
  445,000       Actavis Funding SCS, 4.85%, 6/15/44, Callable 12/15/43 @ 100      451,558  
     

 

 

 
        1,572,254  
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (1.1%):

  

  620,000       Canada Government, 1.63%, 2/27/19      621,897  
  1,349,000       Federal Republic of Brazil, 4.88%, 1/22/21^      1,433,313  
  1,070,000       Federal Republic of Brazil, 2.63%, 1/5/23      973,700  
  2,811,000       Federal Republic of Brazil, 4.25%, 1/7/25^      2,810,999  
  1,270,000       Republic of Colombia, 4.00%, 2/26/24      1,298,575  
  430,000       Republic of South Africa, 5.38%, 7/24/44      454,188  
  262,000       United Mexican States, 3.50%, 1/21/21      267,502  
  1,826,000       United Mexican States, 3.63%, 3/15/22^      1,865,258  
  562,000       United Mexican States, 4.00%, 10/2/23      583,075  
  1,519,000       United Mexican States, 3.60%, 1/30/25      1,513,684  
     

 

 

 
        11,822,191  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.2%):

  

  1,296,000       Vodafone Group plc, 2.95%, 2/19/23^      1,249,187  
  74,000       Vodafone Group plc, 6.15%, 2/27/37      89,291  
  555,000       Vodafone Group plc, 4.38%, 2/19/43      540,896  
     

 

 

 
        1,879,374  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $77,568,042)

     78,071,655  
     

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bonds (1.0%):

  

 

California (0.1%):

  

  700,000       California State, GO, 5.00%, 9/1/42, Callable 9/1/22 @ 100      796,607  
  360,000       California State Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Series A, 5.00%, 8/15/52, Callable 8/15/23 @ 100      402,379  
     

 

 

 
        1,198,986  
     

 

 

 
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Municipal Bonds, continued

  

 

Illinois (0.2%):

  

  1,320,000       Illinois State, GO, 5.50%, 7/1/24, Callable 7/1/23 @ 100      1,529,180  
     

 

 

 

 

Nevada (0.1%):

  

  1,100,000       Las Vegas Valley Nevada Water District, GO, 5.00%, 6/1/39, Callable 12/1/24 @ 100      1,268,894  
     

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts (0.1%):

  

  450,000       Massachusetts State School Building Authority Sales Tax Revenue, Series B, 5.00%, 10/15/41, Callable 10/15/21 @ 100      512,177  
     

 

 

 

 

Missouri (0.1%):

  

  460,000       Metropolitan Saint Louis Sewer District West Water System Revenue, Series A, 5.00%, 5/1/42, Callable 5/1/22 @ 100      523,600  
     

 

 

 

 

New Jersey (0.2%):

  

  2,005,000       New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue, Series AA, 5.00%, 6/15/36, Callable 6/15/23 @ 100      2,204,677  
  420,000       New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, 5.00%, 7/1/44      470,119  
     

 

 

 
        2,674,796  
     

 

 

 

 

New York (0.2%):

  

  895,000       New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue, Series E, 5.00%, 3/15/24, Callable 3/15/23 @ 100      1,081,885  
  670,000       New York City Municipal Finance Authority Water & Sewer System Revenue, Series EE, 5.00%, 6/15/47, Callable 6/15/23 @ 100      753,308  
     

 

 

 
        1,835,193  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $9,173,394)

     9,542,826  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (36.0%):

  

 

Federal Farm Credit Bank (0.2%)

  

  2,120,000       2.35%, 4/24/23, Callable 1/15/15 @ 100      2,088,713  
     

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (4.6%)

  

  1,299,000       1.00%, 9/27/17      1,295,148  
  1,135,327       Class BW, Series 3738, 3.50%, 10/15/28      1,179,183  
  591,000       4.47%, 9/15/29(c)      365,866  
  1,694,000       4.65%, 12/17/29(c)      1,042,559  
  197,000       4.74%, 3/15/31(c)      117,017  
  190,000       6.75%, 3/15/31      285,651  
  160,592       5.00%, 7/1/35, Pool #G01840      177,901  
  213,025       5.00%, 7/1/35, Pool #G01838      235,972  
  490,824       6.00%, 4/1/39, Pool #G07613      558,805  
  92,302       4.00%, 10/1/40, Pool #A95923      99,356  
  94,649       4.00%, 11/1/40, Pool #A94779      101,874  
  95,406       4.00%, 11/1/40, Pool #A95144      102,700  
  90,260       4.00%, 11/1/40, Pool #A94977      97,156  
  139,197       3.13%, 3/1/41, Pool #1B8062(b)      145,638  
  1,951,766       5.50%, 6/1/41, Pool #G07553      2,181,885  
  180,120       4.00%, 10/1/41, Pool #Q04022      193,859  
  87,937       4.00%, 10/1/41, Pool #Q03841      94,591  
  347,693       5.00%, 10/1/41, Pool #G07642      384,712  
  1,586,307       Class BU, Series 4150, 4.00%, 2/15/42      1,679,780  
  543,485       3.50%, 4/1/42, Pool #C03811      567,842  
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, continued

  
$ 367,386       3.50%, 4/1/42, Pool #C03805    $ 383,419  
  296,865       2.03%, 7/1/42, Pool #2B0646(b)      306,836  
  98,765       3.50%, 8/1/42, Pool #Q10031      103,098  
  583,304       3.50%, 11/1/42, Pool #Q12841      607,606  
  562,483       3.00%, 1/1/43, Pool #Q14866      569,351  
  97,142       3.50%, 2/1/43, Pool #Q15442      101,633  
  655,087       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #Q16567      663,015  
  373,038       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #Q16403      377,625  
  545,769       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #Q16673      552,314  
  179,926       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #Q17095      182,238  
  1,026,750       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #Q20262      1,071,637  
  377,807       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #Q20206      394,791  
  3,727,697       3.00%, 7/1/43, Pool #V80169      3,771,412  
  378,096       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #Q20021      395,624  
  854,640       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #V80355      894,175  
  2,050,779       3.00%, 8/1/43, Pool #G07550      2,075,582  
  168,519       4.00%, 9/1/43, Pool #Q21579      181,643  
  740,096       3.50%, 12/1/43, Pool #G07591      772,401  
  48,970       3.50%, 1/1/44, Pool #Q24368      51,175  
  700,000       5.50%, 1/15/44      781,977  
  1,100,000       3.50%, 1/15/44      1,143,742  
  4,800,000       4.50%, 1/15/44      5,202,563  
  200,000       5.00%, 1/15/44      220,695  
  37,441       3.50%, 4/1/44, Pool #Q25812      39,128  
  34,160       3.50%, 5/1/44, Pool #Q26452      35,699  
  54,421       3.50%, 5/1/44, Pool #Q26218      56,923  
  23,800       3.50%, 5/1/44, Pool #Q25988      24,865  
  98,021       3.50%, 5/1/44, Pool #Q26362      102,421  
  47,875       3.50%, 6/1/44, Pool #Q26707      50,029  
  196,041       3.50%, 7/1/44, Pool #Q27230      204,626  
  41,768       3.50%, 7/1/44, Pool #Q27319      43,701  
  196,480       3.50%, 7/1/44, Pool #Q27351      205,082  
  1,061,586       4.00%, 8/1/44, Pool #G07786      1,144,075  
  197,216       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #Q27843      206,100  
  88,878       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #Q28604      92,993  
  195,123       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #Q28605      203,885  
  199,137       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #Q28268      207,864  
  9,100,000       4.00%, 1/15/45      9,700,031  
     

 

 

 
        44,029,469  
     

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association (18.3%)

  
  192,718       4.00%, 7/1/19, Pool #AE0968      204,180  
  24,089       Class NT, Series 2009-70, 4.00%, 8/25/19      24,950  
  388,204       4.00%, 7/1/24, Pool #AL1938      414,769  
  436,856       5.50%, 7/1/25, Pool #AE0096      488,161  
  3,385,115       3.50%, 12/1/25, Pool# AH1359      3,598,979  
  505,474       4.00%, 9/1/26, Pool #AL2683      541,396  
  5,142,717       4.00%, 5/1/27, Pool# AL5956      5,484,623  
  6,040,863       2.50%, 5/1/28, Pool #310125      6,163,363  
  2,982,911       3.50%, 9/1/28, Pool #AL4245      3,171,679  
  926,631       3.50%, 10/1/28, Pool #AV0198      985,145  
  1,187,619       3.50%, 11/1/28, Pool #AV1360      1,262,502  
  844,390       Class CD, Series 2011-56, 3.50%, 1/25/29      871,023  
  4,900,000       2.50%, 1/25/29      4,988,813  
  829,481       3.50%, 2/1/29, Pool #AL4922      881,852  
  965,852       3.00%, 4/1/29, Pool #AW0937      1,007,359  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association, continued

  
$ 677,441       3.00%, 5/1/29, Pool #AW2544    $ 707,166  
  1,255,813       3.00%, 6/1/29, Pool #AS2676      1,309,908  
  874,225       3.00%, 9/1/29, Pool #AS3220      911,954  
  614,885       3.50%, 9/1/29, Pool #AX0105      653,957  
  4,000,000       3.50%, 12/1/29, Pool# AL6161      4,230,849  
  2,605,000       5.67%, 1/15/30(c)      1,593,880  
  1,700,000       2.00%, 1/25/30      1,693,095  
  100,000       4.50%, 1/25/30      105,070  
  6,200,000       3.00%, 1/25/30      6,444,367  
  1,100,000       5.00%, 1/25/30      1,159,159  
  1,200,000       5.50%, 1/25/30      1,267,687  
  3,901,000       5.20%, 5/15/30(c)      2,372,245  
  382,955       5.50%, 1/1/33, Pool #676661      431,720  
  381,648       5.00%, 2/1/33, Pool #AB0107      423,019  
  256,418       5.50%, 5/1/33, Pool #555424      289,038  
  2,012,115       5.00%, 9/1/33, Pool #741878      2,228,875  
  175,078       5.00%, 7/1/34, Pool #725589      193,868  
  1,580,239       5.00%, 2/1/35, Pool #AB0117      1,753,488  
  2,838,363       5.00%, 2/1/35, Pool #931574      3,143,356  
  2,524,394       5.00%, 2/1/35, Pool #AB0112      2,795,924  
  598,199       5.50%, 2/1/35, Pool #735989      674,041  
  94,443       5.00%, 2/1/35, Pool #AB0108      104,575  
  49,265       6.00%, 4/1/35, Pool #735504      56,317  
  2,600,773       5.00%, 4/1/36, Pool #AB0111      2,880,401  
  1,390,395       5.50%, 9/1/36, Pool #995113      1,563,686  
  124,886       5.50%, 2/1/38, Pool #961545      139,551  
  50,529       6.00%, 3/1/38, Pool #889529      58,062  
  157,470       6.00%, 5/1/38, Pool #889466      181,039  
  374,875       5.50%, 5/1/38, Pool #889692      418,896  
  274,095       5.50%, 5/1/38, Pool #889441      306,282  
  262,532       5.50%, 6/1/38, Pool #995018      293,361  
  72,304       5.50%, 9/1/38, Pool #889995      80,795  
  177,243       6.00%, 10/1/38, Pool #889983      201,117  
  188,146       5.50%, 10/1/39, Pool #AD0362      211,517  
  182,839       5.50%, 12/1/39, Pool #AD0571      206,119  
  1,149,728       6.00%, 4/1/40, Pool #AL4141      1,303,739  
  231,203       6.50%, 5/1/40, Pool #AL1704      263,300  
  571,493       4.50%, 7/1/40, Pool #AD7127      620,661  
  1,589,891       4.50%, 8/1/40, Pool #AD8036      1,727,532  
  126,442       6.00%, 9/1/40, Pool #AE0823      143,460  
  2,680,000       Class CY, Series 2010-136, 4.00%, 12/25/40      2,888,048  
  537,643       4.00%, 1/1/41, Pool #AE0835      579,794  
  169,559       2.90%, 2/1/41, Pool #AH6958(b)      179,014  
  1,600,328       5.00%, 4/1/41, Pool #AH6283      1,774,447  
  2,087,810       5.00%, 4/1/41, Pool #AH6176      2,314,285  
  254,952       6.00%, 6/1/41, Pool #AL4142      289,411  
  327,124       3.24%, 7/1/41, Pool #AL0533(b)      349,751  
  178,523       4.00%, 12/1/41, Pool #AJ4188      192,592  
  2,369,714       5.00%, 1/1/42, Pool #AX5297      2,626,706  
  97,107       3.50%, 1/1/42, Pool #AK2073      101,680  
  49,101       3.50%, 5/1/42, Pool #AO3128      51,363  
  171,006       4.00%, 5/1/42, Pool #AT6144      184,777  
  45,019       3.50%, 5/1/42, Pool #AO3360      47,095  
  83,241       3.50%, 6/1/42, Pool #AL2168      87,186  
  82,196       3.50%, 6/1/42, Pool #AO3107      86,075  
 

 

Continued

 

12


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association, continued

  
$ 365,581       2.02%, 7/1/42, Pool #AP0006(b)    $ 379,538  
  107,202       2.29%, 7/1/42, Pool #AO6482(b)      111,000  
  80,116       3.50%, 7/1/42, Pool #AO8011      83,814  
  2,404,272       4.00%, 7/1/42, Pool #AL4244      2,597,875  
  3,884,112       4.50%, 7/1/42, Pool #AL6003      4,215,054  
  97,411       3.50%, 10/1/42, Pool #AQ0393      102,163  
  337,108       4.00%, 11/1/42, Pool #AL5227      363,625  
  321,770       3.00%, 12/1/42, Pool #AB7425      326,150  
  384,138       3.00%, 12/1/42, Pool #AB7271      389,384  
  964,818       3.00%, 1/1/43, Pool #AB7497      977,863  
  975,644       3.00%, 1/1/43, Pool #AB7458      988,969  
  662,335       3.00%, 1/1/43, Pool #AB7755      671,361  
  1,048,748       3.00%, 1/1/43, Pool #AB7567      1,063,050  
  1,341,982       3.00%, 2/1/43, Pool #AL3162      1,361,117  
  362,425       3.00%, 2/1/43, Pool #AB8558      367,591  
  364,672       3.00%, 2/1/43, Pool #AB7762      369,887  
  482,846       3.50%, 2/1/43, Pool #AL2935      505,650  
  711,833       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AR9194      721,998  
  263,529       4.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AL3377      284,400  
  665,511       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AB8701      674,600  
  260,549       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AR9218      264,000  
  85,800       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AB8712      86,964  
  235,148       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AB8830      238,351  
  183,329       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AR7576      185,834  
  147,126       3.00%, 3/1/43, Pool #AR7568      149,034  
  279,562       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AR8630      283,228  
  622,884       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AB9016      631,377  
  115,207       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AT2037      116,727  
  186,774       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AB8923      189,220  
  178,157       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AB8924      180,591  
  186,583       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AT2043      189,136  
  87,596       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AB9033      88,792  
  342,501       3.00%, 4/1/43, Pool #AT2040      347,043  
  714,967       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AT2719      725,168  
  322,825       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AB9462      327,643  
  2,615,223       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AT5974      2,652,494  
  266,211       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AT6654      270,012  
  272,882       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AL3759      276,776  
  1,108,521       4.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AL3692      1,195,921  
  447,943       3.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #AB9173      454,341  
  382,214       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AB9662      387,912  
  24,301       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AB9564      24,662  
  124,941       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AT7676      126,719  
  486,361       3.50%, 6/1/43, Pool #AR8582      508,834  
  24,157       4.00%, 7/1/43, Pool #AU0878      26,066  
  1,545,652       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AU1633      1,619,194  
  991,798       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AT7940      1,040,148  
  346,030       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AT8464      362,485  
  2,825,644       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AL4014      2,959,789  
  319,255       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AT4327      334,869  
  2,742,456       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AL4009      2,876,373  
  820,202       3.50%, 7/1/43, Pool #AL4010      858,882  
  814,695       4.00%, 8/1/43, Pool #AL5096      878,628  
  2,751,930       4.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AL5097      2,988,360  
  187,335       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AU0613      196,169  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association, continued

  
$ 92,580       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AU3270    $ 96,960  
  22,583       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AT7333      23,652  
  187,139       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AU0570      195,973  
  22,295       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AU3032      23,350  
  920,642       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AS0209      964,137  
  94,690       3.50%, 8/1/43, Pool #AU3267      99,298  
  35,906       3.50%, 9/1/43, Pool #AT7267      37,616  
  40,308       3.50%, 10/1/43, Pool #AU7247      42,278  
  1,819,809       4.00%, 11/1/43, Pool #890567      1,965,793  
  313,584       4.00%, 12/1/43, Pool #AS1200      338,368  
  943,221       3.50%, 12/1/43, Pool #AL4682      989,285  
  175,413       3.50%, 1/1/44, Pool #AS1539      183,760  
  2,677,409       2.91%, 1/1/44, Pool #AV7743(b)      2,765,231  
  166,442       3.50%, 1/1/44, Pool #AS1703      174,319  
  108,312       3.50%, 1/1/44, Pool #AS1453      113,577  
  380,405       4.00%, 1/1/44, Pool #AV2356      411,147  
  92,914       4.00%, 1/1/44, Pool #AS1460      100,321  
  4,852,156       4.00%, 1/1/44, Pool #AL4685      5,234,671  
  600,000       5.50%, 1/25/44      671,156  
  2,300,000       6.00%, 1/25/44      2,608,254  
  1,200,000       2.50%, 1/25/44      1,172,156  
  10,400,000       4.50%, 1/25/44      11,288,876  
  335,411       4.00%, 2/1/44, Pool #AL4915      362,425  
  846,248       4.00%, 2/1/44, Pool #AL4840      914,606  
  1,040,453       4.00%, 2/1/44, Pool #AS1773      1,124,458  
  325,047       4.00%, 5/1/44, Pool #AS2316      350,721  
  42,612       4.00%, 5/1/44, Pool #AV8073      45,975  
  118,403       4.00%, 5/1/44, Pool #AW1006      127,736  
  47,481       3.50%, 6/1/44, Pool #AW6405      49,742  
  23,087       3.50%, 6/1/44, Pool #AS2591      24,180  
  34,679       3.50%, 6/1/44, Pool #AV8080      36,331  
  63,928       4.00%, 7/1/44, Pool #AV8811      68,973  
  24,809       4.00%, 7/1/44, Pool #AX0365      26,769  
  52,341       3.50%, 7/1/44, Pool #AW9544      54,834  
  36,447       4.00%, 7/1/44, Pool #AW4579      39,324  
  98,168       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AW8558      102,726  
  99,692       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AW7923      104,324  
  26,435       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AW4287      27,695  
  481,731       4.00%, 8/1/44, Pool #AL5735      519,792  
  363,878       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AS3031      381,214  
  25,299       4.00%, 8/1/44, Pool #AX1260      27,297  
  51,668       4.00%, 8/1/44, Pool #AX1378      55,751  
  225,415       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AS3034      236,440  
  70,496       4.00%, 8/1/44, Pool #AV8823      76,068  
  24,855       3.50%, 8/1/44, Pool #AW9207      26,072  
  1,488,951       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX0832      1,558,115  
  2,191,338       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AS3259      2,368,527  
  1,191,794       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool# AL6051      1,273,450  
  45,193       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AV8836      48,751  
  25,103       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX4057      27,088  
  132,821       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX3209      143,332  
  108,919       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX0830      114,251  
  24,895       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX4214      26,864  
  31,472       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX0584      33,924  
  55,060       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AW9087      59,408  
 

 

Continued

 

13


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association, continued

  
$ 49,782       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #AW8191    $ 52,157  
  49,302       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #AW8188      51,709  
  99,400       3.50%, 9/1/44, Pool #AX0983      104,015  
  67,799       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AW8760      73,156  
  30,996       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AW8776      33,445  
  123,765       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AX3063      133,552  
  36,566       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AX4698      39,457  
  25,341       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AX4717      27,346  
  27,457       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AX5017      29,630  
  305,990       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AL5987      330,210  
  24,933       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AW8061      26,907  
  24,933       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AW9115      26,903  
  49,642       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AV8847      53,571  
  25,088       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool #AX1180      27,074  
  170,826       4.00%, 10/1/44, Pool# AL5986      184,665  
  124,153       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX4403      134,000  
  539,018       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX2569      581,766  
  54,322       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AW8073      58,631  
  260,994       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AV8862      281,693  
  301,816       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AS3698      325,753  
  25,894       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX9361      27,948  
  73,130       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX6852      79,067  
  239,373       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AS3696      258,358  
  77,023       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX6014      83,131  
  25,139       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX4776      27,133  
  307,251       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX6846      331,619  
  183,429       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AS3684      197,976  
  460,018       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AS3949      497,361  
  28,411       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX9746      30,664  
  159,908       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX6909      172,590  
  981,814       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AS3945      1,058,758  
  38,927       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX6976      42,014  
  1,250,432       3.50%, 12/31/49, Pool #AL4543      1,308,095  
     

 

 

 
        174,208,620  
     

 

 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association (12.9%)

  
  54,711       4.50%, 9/15/33, Pool #615516      60,306  
  194,881       5.00%, 12/15/33, Pool #783571      216,738  
  56,867       6.50%, 8/20/38, Pool #4223      64,336  
  71,512       6.50%, 10/15/38, Pool #673213      81,603  
  32,541       6.50%, 11/20/38, Pool #4292      36,870  
  63,406       6.50%, 12/15/38, Pool #782510      72,353  
  614,951       5.00%, 1/15/39, Pool #782557      680,615  
  430,367       5.00%, 4/15/39, Pool #782619      476,195  
  43,087       5.00%, 6/15/39, Pool #782696      48,065  
  349,839       5.00%, 10/20/39, Pool #4559      390,627  
  100,814       4.50%, 1/15/40, Pool #728627      110,420  
  260,607       5.00%, 5/15/40, Pool #782958      289,477  
  283,754       4.50%, 7/15/40, Pool #745793      310,703  
  50,089       4.00%, 9/20/40, Pool #G24800      53,880  
  474,192       4.50%, 10/15/40, Pool #783609      519,478  
  93,260       4.00%, 10/20/40, Pool #G24833      100,322  
  1,299,440       4.00%, 12/20/40, Pool #G24882      1,398,087  
  979,925       4.00%, 1/20/41, Pool #004922      1,054,425  
  139,590       4.50%, 2/15/41, Pool #738019      152,752  
  16,614       4.00%, 2/20/41, Pool #4945      17,875  
    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Government National Mortgage Association, continued

  

$ 25,391       5.00%, 4/20/41, Pool #5018    $ 28,333  
  425,270       4.50%, 6/20/41, Pool #783590      466,209  
  55,491       5.00%, 6/20/41, Pool #5083      61,920  
  955,902       4.50%, 7/20/41, Pool #5115      1,047,736  
  283,632       4.50%, 7/20/41, Pool #783584      310,881  
  28,362       5.00%, 7/20/41, Pool #5116      31,647  
  323,146       4.50%, 11/15/41, Pool #783610      353,976  
  188,926       3.50%, 10/20/42, Pool #MA0462      198,632  
  188,975       3.50%, 1/20/43, Pool #MA0699      198,684  
  4,512,865       3.50%, 4/20/43, Pool #MA0934      4,743,792  
  93,338       4.00%, 7/20/43, Pool #MA1158      100,183  
  3,300,000       4.50%, 1/20/44      3,605,637  
  57,095       4.00%, 8/20/44, Pool #AJ2723      61,762  
  28,489       4.00%, 8/20/44, Pool #AJ4687      30,818  
  78,246       4.00%, 8/20/44, Pool #AI4167      84,641  
  24,827       4.00%, 8/20/44, Pool #AI4166      26,988  
  37,980,993       4.00%, 10/20/44, Pool #MA2304      40,805,643  
  23,779,384       3.50%, 10/20/44, Pool #MA2303      24,998,457  
  11,476,147       4.00%, 11/20/44, Pool #MA2372      12,330,609  
  7,500,000       4.00%, 12/20/44, Pool #MA2446      8,054,297  
  2,800,000       4.00%, 1/15/45      3,003,842  
  2,100,000       3.50%, 1/15/45      2,204,344  
  500,000       5.00%, 1/15/45      550,654  
  400,000       4.50%, 1/15/45      437,047  
  1,100,000       3.00%, 2/15/45      1,124,888  
  10,900,000       3.00%, 2/20/45      11,146,613  
     

 

 

 
        122,143,360  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgages
(Cost $339,010,007)

     342,470,162  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (24.1%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds (2.1%)

  

  2,600,000       4.75%, 2/15/37^      3,586,578  
  4,080,000       3.75%, 8/15/41^      4,917,355  
  890,000       2.88%, 5/15/43      910,303  
  350,000       3.75%, 11/15/43      420,738  
  8,745,200       3.13%, 8/15/44^      9,414,750  
  620,000       3.00%, 11/15/44      651,582  
     

 

 

 
        19,901,306  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Bonds (0.4%)

  

  1,535,000       2.38%, 1/15/25      2,270,050  
  1,705,000       1.38%, 2/15/44      1,965,935  
     

 

 

 
        4,235,985  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes (3.3%)

  

  21,050,000       0.13%, 4/15/19      21,094,785  
  10,354,647       0.13%, 7/15/24      9,971,513  
     

 

 

 
        31,066,298  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes (18.3%)

  

  11,250,000       0.88%, 8/15/17      11,222,753  
  1,665,000       0.88%, 10/15/17^      1,658,626  
  4,170,000       0.63%, 11/30/17      4,116,574  
  73,540,000       1.00%, 12/15/17^      73,367,621  
  4,390,000       2.63%, 1/31/18      4,584,464  
  5,910,000       0.75%, 2/28/18      5,828,738  
 

 

Continued

 

14


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations, continued

  

 

U.S. Treasury Notes, continued

  

$ 6,385,000       1.50%, 12/31/18    $ 6,393,479  
  7,160,000       1.38%, 2/28/19      7,121,400  
  4,500,000       1.63%, 3/31/19      4,520,039  
  5,945,000       3.13%, 5/15/19      6,337,465  
  13,750,000       1.50%, 11/30/19^      13,662,990  
  20,120,000       1.88%, 11/30/21^      20,002,117  
  13,821,200       2.25%, 11/15/24^      13,914,065  
     

 

 

 
        172,730,331  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $226,278,243)

     227,933,920  
     

 

 

 
Shares or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (17.4%):

  

$ 165,341,312       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(d)    $ 165,341,312  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $165,341,312)

     165,341,312  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (5.4%):

  

  51,423,686       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(c)      51,423,686  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $51,423,686)

     51,423,686  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $1,183,858,347)(e) — 125.7%

     1,193,626,443  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (25.7)%

     (244,200,680
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 949,425,763  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

GO—General Obligation

MTN—Medium Term Note

Re-REMIC—Restructured Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $161,434,424.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(b) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(c) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(d) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Securities Sold Short (-13.9%):

 

Security Description    Coupon
Rate
  Maturity
Date
   Par
Amount
     Proceeds
Received
     Fair Value      Unrealized
Appreciation/
Deprecation
 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

   3.00%   1/15/44    $ (5,200,000 )    $ (5,204,062    $ (5,252,812 )    $ (48,750 )

Federal National Mortgage Association

   4.00%   1/25/45      (15,075,000 )      (16,057,217      (16,088,853 )      (31,636 )

Federal National Mortgage Association

   5.00%   1/25/45      (5,600,000 )      (6,192,723      (6,187,016 )      5,707  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   3.00%   1/25/45      (3,875,000 )      (3,880,450      (3,919,805 )      (39,355 )

Federal National Mortgage Association

   3.50%   1/25/30      (9,400,000 )      (9,920,373      (9,930,218 )      (9,845 )

Federal National Mortgage Association

   3.50%   1/25/45      (13,667,500 )      (14,131,981      (14,247,303 )      (115,322 )

Government National Mortgage Association

   4.00%   1/20/45      (52,600,000 )      (56,241,750      (56,396,447 )      (154,697 )

Government National Mortgage Association

   3.50%   1/20/45      (18,600,000 )      (19,394,656      (19,524,187 )      (129,531 )
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ (131,023,212    $ (131,546,641 )    $ (523,429 )
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

15


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Type      Expiration
Date
     Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Value
(USD)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

British Pound Sterling 90-Day June Futures

     Short         6/15/16         (236    $ (45,476,562    $ (119,919

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         199         25,232,578        167,069  

U.S. Treasury 30-Year Bond March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         144         20,817,000        577,001  

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note March Futures

     Long         3/31/15         182         21,645,203        32,926  

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Note March Futures

     Long         3/31/15         138         30,165,938        (7,533
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ 649,544  
              

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract
Amount
(Local
Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

  

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    1/21/15      317,553      $ 405,150      $ 384,291      $ 20,859  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

            $ 405,150      $ 384,291      $ 20,859  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long Contracts:

  

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    1/21/15      29,000      $ 36,434      $ 35,095      $ (1,339

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    1/21/15      30,000        37,310        36,305        (1,005
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

            $ 73,744      $ 71,400      $ (2,344
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

16


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 1,183,858,347  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 1,193,626,443  

Cash

       6,924  

Interest and dividends receivable

       4,172,663  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $83,286)

       89,656  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       20,859  

Receivable for investments sold

       135,809,401  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       118,937  

Prepaid expenses

       7,697  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       1,333,852,580  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       2,344  

Payable for investments purchased

       86,911,850  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       82,392  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       165,341,312  

Securities sold short (Proceeds received $131,023,212)

       131,546,641  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       9,195  

Manager fees payable

       279,912  

Administration fees payable

       26,084  

Distribution fees payable

       199,938  

Custodian fees payable

       7,111  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,881  

Trustee fees payable

       38  

Other accrued liabilities

       18,119  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       384,426,817  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 949,425,763  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 918,256,923  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       14,170,123  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       7,079,621  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       9,919,096  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 949,425,763  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       85,312,707  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 11.13  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $161,434,424.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Interest

     $ 18,539,161  

Dividends

       43,372  

Income from securities lending

       193,354  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       18,775,887  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,063,876  

Administration fees

       305,141  

Distribution fees

       2,188,488  

Custodian fees

       37,834  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       10,983  

Trustee fees

       42,035  

Professional fees

       47,436  

Shareholder reports

       10,046  

Other expenses

       20,128  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       5,725,967  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       13,049,920  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       14,262,823  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       2,763,411  

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       20,700  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       15,133,180  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       32,180,114  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 45,230,034  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

17


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 13,049,920        $ 7,243,910  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       17,046,934          (6,611,504 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       15,133,180          (14,704,971 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       45,230,034          (14,072,565 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (8,934,761 )        (7,329,474 )

From net realized gains

                (7,727,147 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (8,934,761 )        (15,056,621 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       188,396,560          317,585,411  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       8,934,761          15,056,621  

Value of shares redeemed

       (73,114,167 )        (18,147,991 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       124,217,154          314,494,041  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       160,512,427          285,364,855  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       788,913,336          503,548,481  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 949,425,763        $ 788,913,336  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 14,170,123        $ 8,936,842  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       17,171,705          29,111,948  

Dividends reinvested

       818,202          1,427,168  

Shares redeemed

       (6,635,017 )        (1,679,500 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       11,354,890          28,859,616  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

18


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 10.67       $ 11.17       $ 11.02       $ 10.51       $ 10.04  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.14         0.05         0.09         0.11         0.15  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.43         (0.31 )       0.38         0.65         0.41  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.57         (0.26 )       0.47         0.76         0.56  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.11 )       (0.12 )       (0.13 )       (0.13 )       (0.03 )

Net Realized Gains

               (0.12 )       (0.19 )       (0.12 )       (0.06 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.11 )       (0.24 )       (0.32 )       (0.25 )       (0.09 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 11.13       $ 10.67       $ 11.17       $ 11.02       $ 10.51  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       5.35 %       (2.32 )%       4.22 %       7.28 %       5.62 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 949,426       $ 788,913       $ 503,548       $ 341,219       $ 205,572  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.49 %       1.14 %       1.35 %       1.69 %       2.01 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       0.65 %       0.66 %       0.68 %       0.69 %       0.71 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.65 %       0.66 %       0.68 %       0.69 %       0.70 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)

       564 %       663 %       385 %       407 %       700 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

19


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield and thereby involve risk that the yield obtained in the transaction will be less than that available in the market when the delivery takes place. A Fund will not pay for such securities or start earning interest on them until they are received. When a Fund agrees to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, the Fund will segregate or designate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are recorded as an asset and are subject to changes in the value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates. A Fund may sell when-issued securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss.

Short Sales

The Fund may engage in short sales against the box (i.e., where the Fund owns or has an unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost a security substantially similar to the security sold short) for hedging purposes to limit exposure to a possible market decline in the value of its portfolio securities. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The Fund may also incur an interest expense if a security that has been sold short has an interest payment. When a Fund engages in a short sale, the Fund records a liability for securities sold short and records an asset equal to the proceeds received. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the market value of the securities sold short. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold.

 

20


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $71.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $19,271 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $0.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide market exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $143.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $70.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

 

21


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Foreign Currency Risk Exposure

       
Foreign Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 20,859      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 2,344   
Currency Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*          Payable for variation margin on futures contracts*     119,919   

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

       

Interest Rate Contracts

 

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*

    776,996     

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts*

    7,533   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Foreign Currency Risk Exposure

            
Foreign Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts/ Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 20,700         $ 33,738   
Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments                  (119,919

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

            

Interest Rate Contracts

  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       2,763,411           1,357,249   

Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. ASU 2013-01 clarified the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of that entity’s financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of U.S. GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11 as applying to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset either in accordance with other requirements of U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

The Fund is generally subject to master netting agreements that allow for amounts owed between the Fund and the counterparty to be netted. The party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting agreements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. The amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Fund’s ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This table also summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by type are as follows:

 

        Assets      Liabilities

Derivative Financial Instruments:

             

Futures contracts

       $ 118,937          $ 9,195  

Forward currency contracts

         20,859            2,344  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

         139,796            11,539  

Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

         (118,937 )          (9,195 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total assets and liabilities subject to a MNA

       $ 20,859          $ 2,344  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

22


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received by the Fund as of December 31, 2013:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Assets
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Received
     Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Assets

JPMorgan Chase

       $ 20,859          $ (1,005 )        $          $          $ 19,854  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 20,859          $ (1,005 )        $          $          $ 19,854  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities

JPMorgan Chase

       $ 1,005          $ (1,005 )        $          $          $  

Goldman Sachs

         1,339                                             1,339  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 2,344          $ (1,005 )        $          $          $ 1,339  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BlackRock Financial”), BlackRock Financial provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

         0.35 %          0.70 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

 

23


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $10,760 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Asset Backed Securities

       $          $ 84,442,975          $ 84,442,975  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

                    62,489,621            62,489,621  

Convertible Preferred Stock+

         987,525                       987,525  

Corporate Bonds+

                    170,922,761            170,922,761  

Municipal Bonds

                    9,542,826            9,542,826  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

                    342,470,162            342,470,162  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

                    227,933,920            227,933,920  

Yankee Dollars+

                    78,071,655            78,071,655  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    165,341,312            165,341,312  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         51,423,686                       51,423,686  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         52,411,211            1,141,215,232            1,193,626,443  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Securities Sold Short

                    (131,546,641 )          (131,546,641 )

 

24


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

       $ 649,544          $          $ 649,544  

Forward Currency Contracts

                    18,515            18,515  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 53,060,755          $ 1,009,687,106          $ 1,062,747,861  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures and forward currency contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 4,598,558,548          $ 4,343,483,587  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 4,300,850,047          $ 4,092,478,315  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Risk: The Fund may invest in a variety of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which are subject to certain additional risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds mortgage-related securities may exhibit additional volatility. This is known as extension risk. In addition, adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-related securities are subject to call risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of a Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. If a Fund purchases mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities that are subordinated to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund may receive payments only after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such subordinated securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. An unexpectedly high or low rate of prepayments on a pool’s underlying mortgages may have a similar effect on subordinated securities. A mortgage pool may issue securities subject to various levels of subordination. The risk of non-payment affects securities at each level, although the risk is greater in the case of more highly subordinated securities. A Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $1,184,498,919. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 12,935,691  

Unrealized depreciation

    (3,808,167
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 9,127,524   
 

 

 

 

 

25


AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $8,685,941 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 8,934,761          $          $ 8,934,761  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

       $ 13,419,467          $ 1,637,154          $ 15,056,621  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund

    $ 20,614,173          $ 1,944,153          $          $ 8,610,514          $ 31,168,840  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

26


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

27


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

28


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

29


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

30


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

31


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Other
Directorships
Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

32


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

33


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 14

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 15

Other Information

Page 16

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 17

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 20

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund and Federated Global Investment Management Corp. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund returned 7.54%. That compared to a 4.22% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index1.

The Fund’s sub-advisor, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., employs a bottom-up stock selection process. As a result, the portfolio frequently contains industry and security allocations that may be significantly different than those of the index.*

Stocks performed relatively well during much of the 12-month period. The U.S. economy continued to strengthen amid improving corporate profits and a healthier job market. However, investors remained concerned about continued weakness in international economies such as Europe, Russia and Japan. Late in the period, plunging oil prices led investors to seek out relatively safe areas of the market. Small-cap stocks underperformed the broader equity market in that environment. In particular, the steep decline in energy prices led to weak performance among many small-cap stocks in the energy sector, including oil and gas exploration firms.

The Fund outperformed its benchmark during the period. Stock selection in the materials sector was among the largest contributors to relative returns. In particular, shares of a plastics company and a mining firm that specializes in platinum and palladium added to results. Consumer staples holdings also helped relative returns. Shares of an organic food company advanced amid increased consumer demand for healthy eating options, and holdings of a meat processor added to returns as the company was acquired during the period.*

The Fund benefited from strong stock selection in the financial sector, particularly among shares of banks, REITs2 and insurance firms. An underweight position in REITs dragged on performance, however, as such stocks were strong gainers during the period.*

The Fund was hurt by stock selection in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors. In the consumer discretionary sector, holdings of a footwear and apparel company and a for-profit education company dragged on returns. Stock selection among semiconductor firms also hurt relative returns.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
2  The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in investments of small-capitalization companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

Investing in a single industry or sector, or concentrating investments in a limited number of industries or sectors, tends to increase the risk that economic, political, or regulatory developments affecting certain industries or sectors will have a large impact on the value of the portfolio.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund

     7.54     17.51     14.66     7.32

Russell 2000® Value Index

     4.22     18.29     14.26     6.89

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Federated Clover Small Value Fund

     1.12

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.35% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 1.08%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 2000® Value Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 987.30          $ 4.86            0.97 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.32          $ 4.94            0.97 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      40.4 %

Industrials

      11.9  

Consumer Discretionary

      10.8  

Information Technology

      10.7  

Health Care

      7.1  

Utilities

      6.7  

Energy

      3.6  

Materials

      3.5  

Consumer Staples

      2.7  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      97.4  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      29.1  

Money Market

      1.6  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      128.1  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (28.1 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (97.4%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (3.9%):

  
  65,900       Curtiss-Wright Corp.^    $ 4,651,880  
  44,940       Esterline Technologies Corp.*^      4,929,018  
  83,175       Hexcel Corp.*^      3,450,931  
  51,425       Triumph Group, Inc.^      3,456,789  
     

 

 

 
        16,488,618  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.8%):

  
  59,650       Tenneco, Inc.*^      3,376,787  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (13.8%):

  
  127,743       Capital Bank Financial Corp.*^      3,423,512  
  46,735       City Holding Co.^      2,174,580  
  275,100       F.N.B. Corp.^      3,664,332  
  155,150       First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.^      2,654,617  
  178,075       Great Western Bancorp, Inc.*^      4,058,329  
  681,623       Investors Bancorp, Inc.^      7,651,218  
  101,550       PacWest Bancorp      4,616,463  
  200,075       Popular, Inc.*      6,812,554  
  302,103       Synovus Financial Corp.^      8,183,969  
  193,725       Talmer Bancorp, Inc., Class A^      2,719,899  
  297,700       TCF Financial Corp.^      4,730,453  
  142,500       Umpqua Holdings Corp.^      2,423,925  
  163,750       Webster Financial Corp.^      5,326,788  
     

 

 

 
        58,440,639  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks (0.3%):

  
  52,350       Ameris Bancorp      1,342,254  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.9%):

  
  31,375       UniFirst Corp.      3,810,494  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (2.2%):

  
  218,675       Ciena Corp.*^      4,244,481  
  220,275       SeaChange International, Inc.*^      1,405,354  
  56,850       ViaSat, Inc.*^      3,583,256  
     

 

 

 
        9,233,091  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (1.3%):

  
  61,150       Granite Construction, Inc.^      2,324,923  
  123,900       Tutor Perini Corp.*^      2,982,273  
     

 

 

 
        5,307,196  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (1.9%):

  
  257,825       Berry Plastics Group, Inc.*      8,134,379  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.5%):

  
  189,625       Bridgepoint Education, Inc.*^      2,146,555  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.2%):

  
  90,300       FXCM, Inc.^      1,496,271  
  141,275       PHH Corp.*^      3,384,949  
     

 

 

 
        4,881,220  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (3.5%):

  
  120,675       IDACORP, Inc.^      7,987,479  
  179,575       Portland General Electric Co.^      6,793,322  
     

 

 

 
        14,780,801  
     

 

 

 

    
    
Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.3%):

  
  33,450       Anixter International, Inc.*^    $ 2,958,987  
  93,225       Insight Enterprises, Inc.*      2,413,595  
     

 

 

 
        5,372,582  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.2%):

  
  240,625       Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*^      5,221,563  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.7%):

  
  646,025       Rite AID Corp.*^      4,858,108  
  71,725       WhiteWave Foods Co., Class A*      2,509,658  
     

 

 

 
        7,367,766  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (1.8%):

  
  135,250       Atmos Energy Corp.      7,538,835  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.9%):

  
  62,425       Alere, Inc.*      2,372,150  
  111,334       Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*      1,929,418  
  144,700       Wright Medical Group, Inc.*^      3,888,089  
     

 

 

 
        8,189,657  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.4%):

  
  82,225       Capital Senior Living Corp.*      2,048,225  
  51,750       IPC The Hospitalist Co.*      2,374,808  
  67,550       Magellan Health Services, Inc.*      4,055,026  
  48,100       Owens & Minor, Inc.^      1,688,791  
  52,375       WellCare Health Plans, Inc.*^      4,297,892  
     

 

 

 
        14,464,742  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels Restaurants & Leisure (0.9%):

  
  284,725       Belmond, Ltd., Class A*      3,522,049  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.8%):

  
  158,325       KB Home^      2,620,279  
  92,950       La-Z-Boy, Inc.^      2,494,778  
  47,700       Tempur-Pedic International, Inc.*^      2,619,207  
     

 

 

 
        7,734,264  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (1.4%):

  

  197,650       Dynegy, Inc.*      5,998,678  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (6.5%):

  
  109,550       American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.^      3,197,765  
  81,572       Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.      4,524,798  
  300,475       CNO Financial Group, Inc.^      5,174,178  
  140,775       Fidelity & Guaranty Life^      3,416,609  
  100,525       First American Financial Corp.^      3,407,798  
  60,250       Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)^      4,297,030  
  272,075       Maiden Holdings, Ltd.      3,479,839  
     

 

 

 
        27,498,017  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.8%):

  
  97,725       CSG Systems International, Inc.^      2,449,966  
  90,625       Evertec, Inc.      2,005,531  
  100,600       Unisys Corp.*^      2,965,688  
     

 

 

 
        7,421,185  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.6%):

  
  135,950       Bruker Corp.*^      2,667,339  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Machinery (2.2%):

  
  103,550       Barnes Group, Inc.^    $ 3,832,386  
  51,525       Greenbrier Companies, Inc.^      2,768,438  
  94,750       Terex Corp. ^      2,641,630  
     

 

 

 
        9,242,454  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (2.2%):

  
  74,450       Carmike Cinemas, Inc.*^      1,955,802  
  83,525       Cinemark Holdings, Inc.^      2,971,819  
  132,425       Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.^      4,240,249  
     

 

 

 
        9,167,870  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.6%):

  
  364,550       Stillwater Mining Co.*^      5,373,467  
  58,550       US Silica Holdings, Inc.^      1,504,150  
     

 

 

 
        6,877,617  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (2.4%):

  
  176,825       Newfield Exploration Co.*      4,795,494  
  394,875       SandRidge Energy, Inc.*^      718,673  
  92,900       Teekay Shipping Corp.      4,727,681  
     

 

 

 
        10,241,848  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.2%):

  
  82,550       Impax Laboratories, Inc.*^      2,615,184  
  86,200       Medicines Co. (The)*^      2,385,154  
     

 

 

 
        5,000,338  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (1.4%):

  
  49,500       Dun & Bradstreet Corp.^      5,987,521  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (14.0%):

  
  266,450       Colony Financial, Inc.^      6,346,838  
  57,725       EPR Properties^      3,326,692  
  342,775       FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.^      3,708,826  
  272,400       irst Potomac Realty Trust      3,366,864  
  73,050       Highwoods Properties, Inc.^      3,234,654  
  132,625       LaSalle Hotel Properties^      5,367,334  
  448,625       Lexington Realty Trust^      4,925,903  
  509,975       MFA Financial, Inc.^      4,074,700  
  385,687       New Residential Investment Corp.      4,925,223  
  345,587       NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.      6,075,418  
  204,475       Starwood Property Trust, Inc.^      4,751,999  
  139,010       Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust^      3,665,694  
  80,050       Sun Communities, Inc.^      4,839,823  
     

 

 

 
        58,609,968  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.7%):

  
  248,350       Swift Transportation Co.*^      7,110,261  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.8%):

  
  397,875       Atmel Corp.*^      3,340,161  
  328,175       Brooks Automation, Inc.      4,184,230  
  74,175       Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.*^      1,252,074  
  70,775       MKS Instruments, Inc.^      2,590,365  
  52,875       Tessera Technologies, Inc.^      1,890,810  
  82,100       Veeco Instruments, Inc.*^      2,863,648  
     

 

 

 
        16,121,288  
     

 

 

 

Contracts,

Shares,

Notional

Amount or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software (0.6%):

  
  42,025       Verint Systems, Inc.*^    $ 2,449,217  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (2.1%):

  
  77,825       GNC Holdings, Inc., Class A^      3,654,662  
  55,700       Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (The)^      2,459,155  
  81,025       Rent-A-Center, Inc.^      2,942,828  
     

 

 

 
        9,056,645  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%):

  
  1,275,366       Quantum Corp.*      2,244,644  
  451,450       Violin Memory, Inc.*^      2,162,446  
     

 

 

 
        4,407,090  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.5%):

  
  48,375       Deckers Outdoor Corp.*^      4,404,059  
  62,300       Kate Spade & Co.*^      1,994,223  
  32,550       Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*^      1,798,388  
  110,225       Vera Bradley, Inc.*^      2,246,386  
     

 

 

 
        10,443,056  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (4.6%):

  
  235,553       Flushing Financial Corp.      4,774,659  
  174,200       Provident Financial Services, Inc.      3,146,052  
  376,875       Radian Group, Inc.^      6,301,349  
  70,075       WSFS Financial Corp.      5,388,067  
     

 

 

 
        19,610,127  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.0%):

  
  202,437       Vector Group, Ltd.^      4,313,932  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.5%):

  
  69,825       H&E Equipment Services, Inc.^      1,961,384  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $363,129,069)

     411,539,327  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (29.1%):

  

$ 122,822,444       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      122,822,444  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $122,822,444)

     122,822,444  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (1.6%):

  

  6,723,415       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      6,723,415  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $6,723,415)

     6,723,415  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $492,674,928)(c) —
128.1%

     541,085,186  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (28.1)%

     (118,535,486
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 422,549,700  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $118,745,782.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 492,674,928  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 541,085,186  

Interest and dividends receivable

       885,848  

Receivable for investments sold

       5,778,552  

Prepaid expenses

       3,727  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       547,753,313  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Cash overdraft

       1  

Payable for investments purchased

       1,647,189  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       327,075  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       122,822,444  

Manager fees payable

       267,904  

Administration fees payable

       9,690  

Distribution fees payable

       89,302  

Custodian fees payable

       5,165  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,516  

Trustee fees payable

       30  

Other accrued liabilities

       33,297  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       125,203,613  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 422,549,700  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 319,081,181  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       4,872,809  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       50,185,452  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       48,410,258  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 422,549,700  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       19,040,801  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 22.19  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $118,745,782.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 6,777,334  

Income from securities lending

       177,942  

Foreign withholding tax

       (19,385 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       6,935,891  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,348,139  

Administration fees

       116,926  

Distribution fees

       1,116,046  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,657  

Trustee fees

       10,261  

Professional fees

       6,782  

Other expenses

       5,226  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       4,606,037  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (20,170 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       4,585,867  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2,350,024  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       53,397,943  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (23,855,458 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       29,542,485  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 31,892,509  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,350,024        $ 3,958,815  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       53,397,943          54,010,895  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (23,855,458 )        29,950,075  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       31,892,509          87,919,785  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (3,659,066 )        (2,163,714 )

From net realized gains

       (52,470,818 )        (1,287,134 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (56,129,884 )        (3,450,848 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       9,136,593          17,347,315  

Proceeds from shares issued in merger

                164,648,332  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       56,129,884          3,450,848  

Value of shares redeemed

       (100,368,050 )        (49,757,745 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (35,101,573 )        135,688,750  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (59,338,948 )        220,157,687  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       481,888,648          261,730,961  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 422,549,700        $ 481,888,648  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 4,872,809        $ 3,958,416  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       378,828          826,337  

Shares issued in merger

                7,290,861  

Dividends reinvested

       2,559,502          161,936  

Shares redeemed

       (4,260,773 )        (2,346,338 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,322,443 )        5,932,796  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

      Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 23.66       $ 18.14       $ 15.96       $ 16.72       $ 13.27  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.15         0.20         0.15         0.11         0.09  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.60         5.58         2.13         (0.77 )       3.48  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.75         5.78         2.28         (0.66 )       3.57  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.21 )       (0.16 )       (0.10 )       (0.10 )       (0.12 )

Net Realized Gains

       (3.01 )       (0.10 )                        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (3.22 )       (0.26 )       (0.10 )       (0.10 )       (0.12 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 22.19       $ 23.66       $ 18.14       $ 15.96       $ 16.72  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       7.54 %       32.00 %       14.32 %       (3.92 )%       27.11 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 422,550       $ 481,889       $ 261,731       $ 199,020       $ 234,305  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.53 %       1.27 %       0.96 %       0.60 %       0.59 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.03 %       1.08 %       1.07 %       1.09 %       1.08 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.03 %       1.01 %       0.99 %       1.09 %       1.08 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.03 %       1.08 %       1.07 %       1.09 %       1.08 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       74 %       97 %(d)       156 %(e)       15 %       23 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) Cost of purchase and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities incurred to realign the Fund’s portfolio after the fund merger are excluded from the portfolio turnover rate. If such amounts had not been excluded, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 140%.

 

(e) Effective February 24, 2012, the Subadviser changed from Franklin Advisory Services LLC to Federated Global Investment Management Corp. Costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities associated with the change in Subadviser contributed to a higher portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33  1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $17,632 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with Federated Global Investment Management Corp. (“Federated”), Federated provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

         0.75 %          1.35 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the

 

11


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $5,510 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 411,539,327          $          $ 411,539,327  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    122,822,444            122,822,444  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         6,723,415                       6,723,415  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 418,262,742          $ 122,822,444          $ 541,085,186  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

12


AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 321,020,069          $ 403,695,455  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $495,933,174. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 58,851,977  

Unrealized depreciation

    (13,699,965
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 45,152,012   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 11,915,520          $ 44,214,364          $ 56,129,884  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 2,163,714          $ 1,287,134          $ 3,450,848  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund

       $ 16,612,828          $ 41,703,679          $          $ 45,152,012          $ 103,468,519  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

14


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 24.34% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $44,214,364.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $8,256,454.

 

15


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

16


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

17


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

18


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

19


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

20


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

21


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Franklin Templeton

Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

LOGO

 


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 25

Statement of Operations

Page 25

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 26

Financial Highlights

Page 27

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 28

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 37

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 38

Other Information

Page 39

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 40

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 43

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund. Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Mutual Shares Strategy, Templeton Global Advisors Limited serves as Subadviser to the Templeton Growth Strategy, and Franklin Advisers Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Franklin Income Strategy and the Templeton Global Bond Strategy.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund returned 2.14%. That compared to a 10.56% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of a 60% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 40% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.

The AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (“the Fund”) invests in a portfolio of four underlying sleeves. The Fund’s portfolio is allocated equally among the following sleeves:

 

  The AZL Templeton Growth Strategy seeks U.S. and international equities selling at prices that are low relative to managers’ appraisal of value.

 

  The AZL Franklin Income Strategy primarily invests in equity and fixed-income securities identified by the portfolio managers as undervalued.

 

  The AZL Mutual Shares Strategy focuses on undervalued dividend-paying stocks and bonds.

 

  The AZL Templeton Global Bond Strategy invests predominantly in bonds issued by governments and government agencies around the world.

The global economy grew moderately during 2014. U.S. economic growth accelerated while growth rates in much of the rest of the world declined. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board ended its asset purchase program in October, while keeping interest rates low. The European Central Bank reduced its main interest rate and implemented an asset purchase program. Japan’s economy entered a recession, and the Bank of Japan expanded its stimulus measures. Global developed market stocks advanced overall during the 12-month period amid a generally accommodative monetary policy environment and continued strength in corporate earnings. Meanwhile, emerging market stocks overall fell amid headwinds such as soft domestic demand, weak exports, plummeting crude oil prices, regional geopolitical tensions and concerns about possible U.S. interest rate increases.

The Fund’s absolute performance benefited from its component funds’ equity holdings in the health care and information technology sectors. However, the energy and industrials sectors weighed on absolute returns. And while holdings in the U.S. performed well, European stocks declined.*

The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark. Relative performance was hurt by the AZL Templeton Growth Strategy’s stock selection in the energy, industrials and consumer staples sectors. In addition, an overweighting and stock selection in Europe, particularly the Netherlands and U.K., were detrimental. Detractors for the AZL Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy included holdings in a U.K.-based

retailer, a natural resources company and an offshore contract oil driller. Additionally, the AZL Templeton Global Bond Strategy’s interest rate strategies and select bond duration exposures in Europe and the U.S. detracted from relative performance.*

Investments for AZL Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy in a U.S. technology leader, an Israel-based pharmaceutical firm and a regional grocery retailer were key contributors to the Fund’s performance. Driven by modest earnings growth and U.S. economic and employment growth, the AZL Franklin Income Strategy’s equities also performed well.*

The AZL Franklin Income Strategy’s fixed income assets remained positioned largely in high yield corporate bonds, which performed positively as long-term interest rates declined. Among fixed income investments, communications, consumer non-cyclical and technology positions benefited performance.*

Some of the sleeves employed currency positions during the period, to varying effect. For instance, the AZL Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy held currency forwards during the period with the goal of somewhat hedging the currency risk of the Fund’s non-U.S. dollar investments. The hedges had a positive impact on the Fund’s performance. Net negative exposures to the yen and euro within the AZL Templeton Global Bond Strategy were significant relative contributors. However, exposure to several other currencies that also depreciated had a negative effect on relative returns, and overall currency exposures detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole.
2  The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation, with income as a secondary goal. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of subportfolios or strategies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Investing in a single industry or sector, or concentrating investments in a limited number of industries or sectors, tends to increase the risk that economic, political, or regulatory developments affecting certain industries or sectors will have a large impact on the value of the portfolio.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss. Intermediate-term, higher-quality bonds generally offer less risk than longer-term bonds and a lower rate of return.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(10/23/09)
 

AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

     2.14     11.46     8.38     8.57

Balanced Composite Index

     10.56     13.18     11.29     11.36

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     15.45     15.67

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

     5.97     2.66     4.45     4.33

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

     1.05

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Funds have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 60% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 964.30          $ 5.20            1.05 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.91          $ 5.35            1.05 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Common Stocks, Preferred Stocks, and Convertible Preferred Stocks

      58.6 %

Foreign Bonds

      16.0  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      9.2  

Money Market

      7.8  

Corporate Bonds

      6.8  

Yankee Dollars

      3.3  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

      2.5  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

      1.0  

Convertible Bonds

      0.7  

Equity-Linked Securities

      0.7  

Floating Rate Loans

      0.6  

Municipal Bond

      0.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      107.3  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (7.3 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 
Investments   Percent of net assets

United States

      59.3 %

United Kingdom

      6.7  

France

      2.1  

Netherlands

      2.0  

Germany

      1.9  

Switzerland

      1.8  

Republic of Korea (South)

      1.5  

Israel

      1.1  

All other countries

      24.7  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      101.1  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (1.1 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 
 

 

3


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (57.9%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.0%):

  

  87,790       BAE Systems plc    $ 640,791   
  19,530       BE Aerospace, Inc.*^      1,133,131   
  6,360       Boeing Co. (The)      826,673   
  21,753       Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.      2,446,342   
  9,765       KLX, Inc.*^      402,806   
  7,200       Lockheed Martin Corp.      1,386,504   
  6,370       Raytheon Co.^      689,043   
  2,000       United Technologies Corp.      230,000   
     

 

 

 
        7,755,290   
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.3%):

  

  204,142       TNT Express NV^      1,356,129   
  7,540       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      838,222   
     

 

 

 
        2,194,351   
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.7%):

  

  205,190       Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Registered Shares      3,435,863   
  296,020       International Consolidated Airlines Group SA*      2,211,938   
     

 

 

 
        5,647,801   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.3%):

  

  26,971       Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin SCA, Class B      2,444,966   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (1.2%):

  

  40,000       Ford Motor Co.      620,000   
  147,382       General Motors Co.      5,145,106   
  265,200       Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.      2,310,342   
  26,700       Toyota Motor Corp.      1,665,305   
     

 

 

 
        9,740,753   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (5.6%):

  

  10,830       Bank of America Corp.      193,749   
  289,820       Barclays plc      1,089,445   
  37,480       BNP Paribas SA      2,202,225   
  23,852       CIT Group, Inc.      1,140,841   
  124,160       Citigroup, Inc.      6,718,297   
  24,979       Citizens Financial Group, Inc.^      620,978   
  9,886       Columbia Banking System, Inc.      272,952   
  51,180       Commerzbank AG*      679,831   
  5,306       Commonwealth Bank of Australia      368,413   
  153,240       Credit Agricole SA      1,969,774   
  111,000       DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.      1,714,563   
  38,540       HSBC Holdings plc      364,177   
  249,352       HSBC Holdings plc      2,372,539   
  104,950       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      6,567,771   
  80,600       KB Financial Group, Inc.      2,632,706   
  48,622       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.^      4,435,785   
  9,100       Royal Bank of Canada      628,656   
  7,304       Societe Generale      306,887   
  95,633       SunTrust Banks, Inc.^      4,007,023   
  364,398       UniCredit SpA      2,322,219   
  60,611       Wells Fargo & Co.      3,322,695   
     

 

 

 
        43,931,526   
     

 

 

 

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Beverages (0.5%):

  

  6,095       Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.    $ 269,521   
  37,254       PepsiCo, Inc.      3,522,738   
     

 

 

 
        3,792,259   
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.5%):

  

  23,270       Amgen, Inc.      3,706,678   
  1,251       FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*      30,825   
  5,250       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      494,865   
     

 

 

 
        4,232,368   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.8%):

  

  130,427       Credit Suisse Group AG      3,270,639   
  74,040       Morgan Stanley      2,872,752   
     

 

 

 
        6,143,391   
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.4%):

  

  12,000       Agrium, Inc.      1,136,640   
  37,598       Akzo Nobel NV      2,606,912   
  10,000       BASF SE      845,237   
  62,170       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      2,835,574   
  27,620       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.      2,042,223   
  15,000       LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A      1,190,850   
  16,000       Mosaic Co. (The)      730,400   
     

 

 

 
        11,387,836   
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.3%):

  

  230       CEVA Group plc*      177,979   
  28,550       Republic Services, Inc., Class A      1,149,138   
  216,304       Serco Group plc^      537,843   
  16,210       Waste Management, Inc.^      831,897   
     

 

 

 
        2,696,857   
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.1%):

  

  256,049       Cisco Systems, Inc.      7,122,003   
  145,920       Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, B Shares      1,768,396   
     

 

 

 
        8,890,399   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.2%):

  

  31,440       FLSmidth & Co. A/S^      1,379,428   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.3%):

  

  111,618       CRH plc      2,685,131   
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.2%):

  

  44,980       Ally Financial, Inc.*      1,062,427   
  5,950       Capital One Financial Corp.      491,173   
     

 

 

 
        1,553,600   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.3%):

  

  47,384       MeadWestvaco Corp.^      2,103,376   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.0%):

  

  7,063       Cengage Learning Holdings II, LP*      162,626   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.5%):

  

  307,744       ING Groep NV*      3,984,077   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.8%):

  

  76,170       AT&T, Inc.      2,558,551   
  10,000       CenturyLink, Inc.^      395,800   
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services, continued

  

  27,407       China Telecom Corp., Ltd., Sponsored ADR    $ 1,609,065   
  403,330       Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV      1,271,461   
  548,520       Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.      1,610,534   
  205,627       Telefonica SA      2,940,932   
  84,310       Telstra Corp., Ltd.      409,326   
  34,930       Verizon Communications, Inc.      1,634,025   
  21,203       Verizon Communications, Inc.      987,817   
  31,132       Vivendi      776,501   
     

 

 

 
        14,194,012   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (1.6%):

  

  15,000       American Electric Power Co., Inc.      910,800   
  30,897       Duke Energy Corp.      2,581,135   
  14,000       Entergy Corp.^      1,224,720   
  85,050       Exelon Corp.^      3,153,654   
  16,000       FirstEnergy Corp.^      623,840   
  124,100       HK Electric Investments, Ltd.(a)      81,864   
  22,920       PPL Corp.      832,684   
  65,960       Southern Co. (The)^      3,239,296   
     

 

 

 
        12,647,993   
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.0%):

  

  101,615       Dongfang Electric Corp., Ltd.      186,203   
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.1%):

  

  49,730       Flextronics International, Ltd.*      555,981   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.9%):

  

  55,109       Baker Hughes, Inc.      3,089,961   
  7,189       Ensco plc, Class A, Sponsored ADR^      215,311   
  7,500       Halliburton Co.      294,975   
  95,250       Noble Corp. plc      1,578,292   
  20,710       Paragon Offshore plc^      57,367   
  23,389       Saipem SpA*^      245,609   
  7,000       Schlumberger, Ltd.      597,870   
  6,210       Technip-Coflexip SA      370,778   
  44,144       Transocean, Ltd.^      809,160   
     

 

 

 
        7,259,323   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.9%):

  

  47,016       CVS Health Corp.      4,528,111   
  51,529       Kroger Co. (The)      3,308,677   
  57,540       Metro AG*^      1,761,460   
  514,704       Tesco plc      1,497,565   
  49,803       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      3,794,989   
     

 

 

 
        14,890,802   
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.0%):

  

  2,870       AGL Resources, Inc.      156,444   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.9%):

  

  100,680       Getinge AB, B Shares      2,288,342   
  141,740       Medtronic, Inc.^      10,233,628   
  26,110       Stryker Corp.      2,462,956   
     

 

 

 
        14,984,926   
     

 

 

 

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.3%):

  

  24,186       CIGNA Corp.    $ 2,488,981   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.0%):

  

  5,000       Las Vegas Sands Corp.^      290,800   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.0%):

  

  2,533       Energizer Holdings, Inc.      325,642   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.5%):

  

  15,370       Dynegy, Inc.*      466,480   
  16,670       NextEra Energy, Inc.      1,771,854   
  61,463       NRG Energy, Inc.^      1,656,428   
     

 

 

 
        3,894,762   
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.7%):

  

  115,820       General Electric Co.      2,926,771   
  37,630       Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV      1,092,464   
  14,360       Siemens AG, Registered Shares      1,628,378   
     

 

 

 
        5,647,613   
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (3.6%):

  

  27,677       ACE, Ltd.      3,179,533   
  5,453       Alleghany Corp.*      2,527,466   
  31,483       Allstate Corp. (The)      2,211,681   
  138,736       American International Group, Inc.      7,770,602   
  251,567       Aviva plc      1,884,802   
  86,573       AXA SA      1,999,299   
  58,751       MetLife, Inc.      3,177,842   
  4,840       Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG      969,539   
  27,000       NN Group NV*^      804,437   
  22,760       Swiss Re AG      1,904,979   
  980       White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.      617,508   
  4,951       Zurich Insurance Group AG      1,550,838   
     

 

 

 
        28,598,526   
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1%):

  

  34,300       QIAGEN NV*      803,147   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.6%):

  

  12,807       Caterpillar, Inc.      1,172,225   
  134,634       CNH Industrial NV      1,085,211   
  8,060       Deere & Co.      713,068   
  3,788       Federal Signal Corp.      58,487   
  41,856       Navistar International Corp.*^      1,401,339   
     

 

 

 
        4,430,330   
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.3%):

  

  1,345       A.P. Moeller — Maersk A/S, Class B      2,673,970   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.5%):

  

  109,077       British Sky Broadcasting Group plc      1,517,971   
  47,115       CBS Corp., Class B      2,607,344   
  80,502       Comcast Corp., Class A^      4,634,097   
  83,860       News Corp., Class A*      1,315,763   
  59,790       Reed Elsevier NV      1,428,736   
  169,909       Reed Elsevier plc      2,890,375   
  25,671       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      3,903,532   
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

  19,939       Time Warner, Inc.    $ 1,703,189   
  5,213       Tribune Co.#*(b)        
  3,393       Tribune Co.*^      202,800   
  2,462       Tribune Co., B Shares*(c)      147,154   
  1,618       Tribune Publishing Co.      37,052   
  63,920       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      2,454,848   
  123,684       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class B      4,562,702   
  7,740       Walt Disney Co. (The)      729,031   
     

 

 

 
        28,134,594   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.8%):

  

  28,081       Anglo American plc      519,489   
  27,100       Barrick Gold Corp., ADR      291,325   
  65,240       BHP Billiton plc      1,395,300   
  127,985       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      2,989,730   
  33,460       Goldcorp, Inc.      619,679   
  105,428       Mining and Metallurgical Co. Norilsk Nickel, Sponsored ADR      1,457,026   
  8,511       POSCO      2,147,635   
  67,180       Rio Tinto plc, Registered Shares, Sponsored ADR^      3,094,311   
  60,616       ThyssenKrupp AG*      1,558,890   
     

 

 

 
        14,073,385   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.9%):

  

  16,021       Kohl’s Corp.^      977,922   
  156,610       Marks & Spencer Group plc      1,156,148   
  64,120       Target Corp.^      4,867,349   
     

 

 

 
        7,001,419   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.9%):

  

  17,270       Dominion Resources, Inc.      1,328,063   
  55,430       PG&E Corp.      2,951,092   
  22,060       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      913,505   
  11,070       Sempra Energy      1,232,755   
  3,650       TECO Energy, Inc.^      74,789   
  27,390       Xcel Energy, Inc.      983,849   
     

 

 

 
        7,484,053   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (6.0%):

  

  13,280       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      1,095,600   
  40,280       Apache Corp.^      2,524,348   
  75,548       BG Group plc      1,005,475   
  401,711       BP plc      2,550,447   
  80,765       BP plc, Sponsored ADR^      3,078,762   
  39,300       Canadian Oil Sands, Ltd.      352,567   
  26,620       Chevron Corp.      2,986,231   
  543,000       China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd.      1,599,292   
  33,229       CONSOL Energy, Inc.^      1,123,472   
  7,500       Devon Energy Corp.      459,075   
  124,593       Eni SpA      2,175,785   
  15,580       Exxon Mobil Corp.      1,440,371   
  133,040       Galp Energia SGPS SA      1,345,798   
  12,340       HollyFrontier Corp.      462,503   

Shares

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  
  1,595,700       Kunlun Energy Co., Ltd.    $ 1,511,173   
  84,406       Marathon Oil Corp.      2,387,846   
  22,280       Murphy Oil Corp.^      1,125,586   
  5,000       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      403,050   
  137,722       Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Sponsored ADR      1,043,933   
  56,209       Royal Dutch Shell plc, Sponsored ADR      3,763,192   
  97,577       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares      3,263,296   
  460       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares      15,246   
  54,908       Royal Dutch Shell plc, B Shares      1,886,074   
  22,490       Spectra Energy Corp.^      816,387   
  3,020       Talisman Energy, Inc.      23,647   
  108,613       Talisman Energy, Inc.      850,440   
  461,554       Talisman Energy, Inc.      3,616,135   
  52,650       Total SA      2,714,271   
  23,740       Total SA, Sponsored ADR, Sponsored ADR^      1,215,488   
  23,280       Williams Cos., Inc. (The)      1,046,203   
     

 

 

 
        47,881,693   
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.4%):

  

  56,446       International Paper Co.      3,024,377   
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.1%):

  

  107,548       Avon Products, Inc.      1,009,876   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (5.6%):

  

  5,957       Actavis, plc*      1,533,391   
  56,919       Eli Lilly & Co.      3,926,842   
  117,242       GlaxoSmithKline plc      2,508,090   
  38,211       Hospira, Inc.*      2,340,424   
  10,000       Johnson & Johnson Co.      1,045,700   
  172,224       Merck & Co., Inc.      9,780,600   
  21,980       Merck KGaA      2,084,898   
  177,360       Pfizer, Inc.      5,524,764   
  14,010       Roche Holding AG      3,798,423   
  21,470       Sanofi-Aventis SA      1,956,456   
  15,000       Sanofi-Aventis SA, Sponsored ADR      684,150   
  155,012       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Sponsored ADR      8,914,740   
     

 

 

 
        44,098,478   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1%):

  

  2,556       Alexander’s, Inc.^      1,117,432   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  

  13,131       Canary Wharf Group plc*(c)      110,688   
  2,292       Forestar Group, Inc.*      35,297   
     

 

 

 
        145,985   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.3%):

  

  49,140       Intel Corp.(a)      1,783,291   
  6,094       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.      7,326,305   
  19,910       Texas Instruments, Inc.      1,064,488   
  12,300       Xilinx, Inc.      532,467   
     

 

 

 
        10,706,551   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares                
    
    
    
     
Fair Value
 
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software (2.6%):

  

  42,508       CA, Inc.    $ 1,294,369   
  287,440       Microsoft Corp.      13,351,587   
  14,870       Oracle Corp.      668,704   
  12,060       SAP AG      852,607   
  145,068       Symantec Corp.      3,721,720   
     

 

 

 
        19,888,987   
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (0.1%):

  

  85,800       Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd.      503,801   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.5%):

  

  34,252       Best Buy Co., Inc.      1,335,143   
  503,764       Kingfisher plc      2,654,314   
     

 

 

 
        3,989,457   
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (2.0%):

  

  60,749       Apple, Inc.      6,705,474   
  126,490       Hewlett-Packard Co.      5,076,044   
  166,600       Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.      1,797,343   
  210,925       Xerox Corp.      2,923,421   
     

 

 

 
        16,502,282   
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.7%):

  

  55,557       Altria Group, Inc.      2,737,293   
  67,257       British American Tobacco plc      3,653,883   
  51,028       Imperial Tobacco Group plc      2,234,402   
  52,720       Lorillard, Inc.      3,318,197   
  13,457       Philip Morris International, Inc.      1,096,073   
     

 

 

 
        13,039,848   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.9%):

  

  49,000       China Mobile, Ltd.      575,697   
  7,130       Mobile TeleSystems, Sponsored ADR      51,193   
  164,437       Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Sponsored ADR*      2,486,287   
  1,238,869       Vodafone Group plc      4,244,415   
     

 

 

 
        7,357,592   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $393,051,079)

     460,715,300   
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks (0.4%):

  

 

Automobiles (0.2%):

  

  5,955       Volkswagen AG, Preferred Shares      1,330,022   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.0%):

  

  6,800       GMAC Capital Trust I      179,384   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.0%):

  

  10,000       Morgan Stanley, Series I      253,100   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  

  20,000       Alcoa, Inc., Series 1      1,009,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.1%):

  

  9,300       Dominion Resources, Inc.      483,693   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $3,425,443)

     3,255,199   
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.3%):

  

 

Banks (0.3%):

  

  800       Bank of America Corp., Series L      930,376   
  416       Wells Fargo & Co., Series L, Class A, 0.02%      505,440   
     

 

 

 
        1,435,816   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Convertible Preferred Stocks, continued

  

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.0%):

  

$ 6       CEVA Group plc, Series A-1    $ 6,000   
  49       CEVA Group plc, Series A-2      37,626   
     

 

 

 
        43,626   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.0%):

  

  2,500       Dominion Resources, Inc., Series B      150,300   
  2,500       Dominion Resources, Inc., Series A      150,025   
     

 

 

 
        300,325   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  100       Chesapeake Energy Corp., Series A^      102,375   
  3,500       SandRidge Energy, Inc., 0.51%      192,938   
     

 

 

 
        295,313   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.0%):

  

  2,500       FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc., Series A, 30.53%^      63,867   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $1,873,266)

     2,138,947   
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Bonds (0.7%):

  

 

Automobiles (0.4%):

  

  1,000,000       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Series FCAU, 7.88%, 12/15/16      1,075,000   
  1,500,000       Volkswagen International Finance NV, 5.50%, 11/9/15+(a)      2,007,235   
     

 

 

 
        3,082,235   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.1%):

  

  1,000,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series Q, 5.15%, 12/31/49, Callable 5/1/23 @ 100, Perpetual
Bond^(d)
     942,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.0%):

  

  300,000       Cemex SAB de C.V., 3.75%, 3/15/18      361,688   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%):

  

  2,000,000       Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 3.13%, 5/15/24^      1,343,750   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $6,159,638)

     5,729,673   
     

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loans (0.6%):

  

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.1%):

  

  3,860,813       Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., 0.00%, 12/31/49(d)      953,157   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.0%):

  

  149,307       Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 4.65%, 10/10/17(d)(e)      96,366   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.1%):

  

  368,078       Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc., 9.75%, 3/1/17(d)      321,608   
  89,801       Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc., 4.45%, 1/28/18(d)      78,184   
  429,156       Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc., 5.45%, 1/28/18(d)      374,245   
     

 

 

 
        774,037   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.1%):

  

  483,718       Navistar International Corp., 5.75%, 8/17/17(d)      480,090   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Floating Rate Loans, continued

  

 

Media (0.1%):

  

$ 43,780       Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., 7.00%, 3/31/20(d)    $ 43,287   
  224       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 3.81%, 1/19/16(d)      220   
  3,371       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 3.81%, 1/29/16(d)      3,332   
  430,631       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 6.91%, 1/30/19(d)      405,100   
  138,444       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 7.66%, 7/30/19(d)      131,694   
     

 

 

 
        583,633   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  459,113       Walter Energy, Inc., 7.25%,
4/1/18(d)
     354,793   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1%):

  

  1,000,000       Fieldwood Energy LLC, 8.38%, 9/30/20(d)      726,250   
  25,502       NGPL PipeCo LLC, 6.75%,
9/15/17(d)
     24,705   
     

 

 

 
        750,955   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.1%):

  

  883,802       Toys “R” US, 9.75%, 4/24/20(d)      804,260   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loans (Cost $6,026,588)

     4,797,291   
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (6.8%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  

  100,000       TransDigm Group, Inc., 6.00%, 7/15/22, Callable 7/15/17 @ 104.5      99,750   
  100,000       TransDigm Group, Inc., 6.50%, 7/15/24, Callable 7/15/19 @ 103.25      100,500   
     

 

 

 
        200,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.2%):

  

  100,000       Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 8.25%, 8/15/20, Callable 8/15/15 @ 104.13^      106,000   
  1,600,000       Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 6.50%, 3/1/21, Callable 3/1/16 @ 104.88^      1,696,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,802,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.1%):

  

  200,000       Chrysler GP / Chrysler CG Co. Issuer, 8.00%, 6/15/19, Callable 6/15/15 @ 104^      210,250   
  400,000       Chrysler GP / Chrysler CG Co. Issuer, 8.25%, 6/15/21, Callable 6/15/15 @ 104.13      443,000   
     

 

 

 
        653,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.1%):

  

  250,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series 1, 7.90%, 4/29/49, Callable 4/30/18 @ 100(d)      269,075   
  200,000       Wells Fargo & Co., Series S, 5.90%, 12/31/49, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100(d)      201,500   
     

 

 

 
        470,575   
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.1%):

  

  475,000       CEVA Group plc, 4.00%, 5/1/18, Callable 2/9/15 @ 101(a)      413,250   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Consumer Finance (0.1%):

  

$ 500,000       OneMain Financial Holdings, Inc., 7.25%, 12/15/21, Callable 12/15/17 @ 103.63^(a)    $ 512,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.1%):

  

  500,000       Laureate Education, Inc., 9.25%, 9/1/19, Callable 9/1/15 @ 106.94(a)      515,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.3%):

  

  200,000       CenturyLink, Inc., Series W, 6.75%, 12/1/23^      219,000   
  1,700,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.15%, 9/15/23      1,877,196   
     

 

 

 
        2,096,196   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.2%):

  

  1,000,000       Dynegy Finance I, Inc., 6.75%, 11/1/19, Callable 5/1/17 @ 103.38(a)      1,017,500   
  330,000       NGL Energy Partners, LP, 6.88%, 10/15/21, Callable 10/15/16 @
105(a)
     325,050   
  200,000       NRG Yield Operating LLC, 5.38%, 8/15/24, Callable 8/15/19 @
102.69(a)
     203,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,545,550   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%):

  

  300,000       JBS USA LLC / JBS USA Finance Corp., 8.25%, 2/1/20, Callable 2/1/15 @ 106.19(a)      315,750   
  161,000       JBS USA LLC / JBS USA Finance Corp., 7.25%, 6/1/21, Callable 6/1/15 @ 105.44(a)      165,830   
  200,000       US Foods, Inc., 8.50%, 6/30/19, Callable 2/9/15 @ 106.38      212,000   
  300,000       WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.38%, 10/1/22      309,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,002,580   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.4%):

  

  100,000       Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.13%, 8/1/21, Callable 2/1/17 @ 103.85      103,750   
  300,000       Community Health Systems, Inc., 6.88%, 2/1/22, Callable 2/1/18 @ 103.44^      317,813   
  800,000       HCA, Inc., 7.50%, 2/15/22      914,000   
  500,000       HCA, Inc., 5.88%, 5/1/23^      526,875   
  1,400,000       Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.13%, 4/1/22      1,564,500   
     

 

 

 
        3,426,938   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.1%):

  

  500,000       MGM Resorts International, 10.00%, 11/1/16^      556,250   
  200,000       MGM Resorts International, 6.75%, 10/1/20      210,000   
     

 

 

 
        766,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.2%):

  

  300,000       Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 7.88%, 8/15/19, Callable 8/15/15 @ 103.94      316,125   
  200,000       Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 9.88%, 8/15/19, Callable 8/15/15 @ 104.94      212,000   
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Household Products, continued

  

$ 500,000       Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/20, Callable 10/15/15 @ 104.31    $ 512,500   
  600,000       Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 8.25%, 2/15/21, Callable 2/15/16 @ 104.13^      615,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,655,625   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.5%):

  

  1,000,000       AES Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/23, Callable 5/15/18 @ 102.44^      992,500   
  350,000       Calpine Corp., 7.88%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/17 @ 103.94(a)      385,875   
  500,000       Calpine Corp., 5.38%, 1/15/23, Callable 10/15/18 @ 102.69^      505,000   
  500,000       Calpine Corp., 5.75%, 1/15/25, Callable 10/15/19 @ 102.88^      506,250   
  115,000       RRI Energy, Inc., 7.88%, 6/15/17^      114,425   
  2,581,000       Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 11.50%, 10/1/20, Callable 4/1/16 @ 105.75(a)(e)      1,826,058   
     

 

 

 
        4,330,108   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.0%):

  

  200,000       SRA International, Inc., 11.00%, 10/1/19, Callable 10/1/15 @ 105.5      212,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.1%):

  

  245,000       Aviation Capital Group Corp., 6.75%, 4/6/21(a)      277,463   
  400,000       Navistar International Corp., 8.25%, 11/1/21, Callable 2/9/15 @ 104.13      394,500   
     

 

 

 
        671,963   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.1%):

  

  325,000       Cablevision Systems Corp., 8.63%, 9/15/17      361,563   
  100,000       Cablevision Systems Corp., 7.75%, 4/15/18      110,000   
  100,000       CBS Outdoor Americas Capital LLC / CBS Outdoor Americas Capital Corp., 5.25%, 2/15/22, Callable 2/15/17 @ 103.94^(a)      100,750   
  100,000       CBS Outdoor Americas Capital LLC / CBS Outdoor Americas Capital Corp., 5.63%, 2/15/24, Callable 2/15/19 @ 102.81(a)      100,500   
  500,000       CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 6.50%, 4/30/21, Callable 4/30/15 @ 104.88      525,000   
  700,000       CSC Holdings LLC, 6.75%, 11/15/21^      773,500   
  175,000       Cumulus Media Holdings, Inc., 7.75%, 5/1/19, Callable 5/1/15 @ 103.88^      176,750   
  1,000,000       Dish DBS Corp., 5.88%, 7/15/22^      1,025,000   
  500,000       Dish DBS Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/23      483,750   
  1,548,000       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 9.00%, 12/15/19, Callable 7/15/15 @ 104.5      1,524,779   
  1,000,000       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 9.00%, 3/1/21, Callable 3/1/16 @ 104.5      980,000   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  
$ 1,500,000       iHeartCommunications, Inc., 9.00%, 9/15/22, Callable 9/15/17 @ 106.75(a)    $ 1,470,000   
  200,000       Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 6.00%, 7/15/24, Callable 7/15/19 @ 103(a)      205,000   
  1,000,000       Univision Communications, Inc., 5.13%, 5/15/23, Callable 5/15/18 @ 102.56(a)      1,010,000   
  200,000       Visant Corp., 10.00%, 10/1/17, Callable 2/9/15 @ 105^      173,500   
     

 

 

 
        9,020,092   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  

  500,000       Dynacast International LLC / Dynacast Finance, Inc., 9.25%, 7/15/19, Callable 7/15/15 @ 104.63      536,250   
  500,000       Molycorp, Inc., 10.00%, 6/1/20, Callable 6/1/16 @ 105^      277,500   
     

 

 

 
        813,750   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.1%):

  

  842,243       J.C. Penney Co., Inc., 6.00%, 5/22/18(d)      824,699   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.6%):

  

  200,000       Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 7.50%, 8/1/20, Callable 8/1/16 @ 105.63^(a)      126,000   
  200,000       Antero Resources Finance Corp., 5.38%, 11/1/21, Callable 11/1/16 @ 104.03      193,500   
  250,000       Arch Coal, Inc., 7.00%, 6/15/19, Callable 6/15/15 @ 103.5      73,750   
  750,000       Arch Coal, Inc., 7.25%, 6/15/21, Callable 6/15/16 @ 103.63      218,438   
  500,000       Bill Barrett Corp., 7.00%, 10/15/22, Callable 10/15/17 @ 103.5^      402,500   
  200,000       BreitBurn Energy / BreitBurn Finance, 7.88%, 4/15/22, Callable 1/15/17 @ 103.94^      154,500   
  800,000       California Resources Corp., 6.00%, 11/15/24, Callable 8/15/24 @ 100^(a)      676,000   
  345,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.50%, 8/15/17      367,425   
  200,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 7.25%, 12/15/18      219,000   
  1,700,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/23^(a)      1,750,999   
  500,000       CONSOL Energy, Inc., 5.88%, 4/15/22, Callable 4/15/17 @ 104.41^(a)      465,000   
  350,000       Denbury Resources, Inc., 5.50%, 5/1/22, Callable 5/1/17 @ 104.13^      320,250   
  500,000       Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., 9.25%, 12/15/17, Callable 2/9/15 @ 104.63^      325,000   
  500,000       EP Energy/EP Finance, Inc., 9.38%, 5/1/20, Callable 5/1/16 @ 104.69      505,000   
  400,000       EXCO Resources, Inc., 7.50%, 9/15/18, Callable 2/9/15 @ 103.75      305,750   
  500,000       Halcon Resources Corp., 9.75%, 7/15/20, Callable 7/15/16 @ 104.88      375,000   
  400,000       Halcon Resources Corp., 8.88%, 5/15/21, Callable 11/15/16 @ 104.44^      301,000   
  1,300,000       Kinder Morgan (Delaware), Inc., 5.63%, 11/15/23, Callable 8/15/23 @ 100(a)      1,391,553   
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  
$ 100,000       Linn Energy LLC / Linn Energy Finance Corp., 8.63%, 4/15/20, Callable 4/15/15 @ 104.31    $ 87,000   
  325,000       Midstates Petroleum Co., Inc. / Midstates Petroleum Co. LLC, 10.75%, 10/1/20, Callable 10/1/16 @ 105.38      172,250   
  315,000       NGPL PipeCo LLC, 7.12%, 12/15/17^(a)      309,488   
  469,000       NGPL PipeCo LLC, 9.63%, 6/1/19, Callable 6/1/15 @ 107.22^(a)      470,173   
  200,000       Peabody Energy Corp., 6.25%, 11/15/21^      171,000   
  100,000       Regency Energy Partners LP / Regency Energy Finance Corp., 5.88%, 3/1/22, Callable 12/1/21 @ 100      99,750   
  100,000       Rice Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 5/1/22, Callable 5/1/17 @ 104.69^(a)      93,000   
  300,000       Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.75%, 5/15/24, Callable 2/15/24 @ 100      294,375   
  500,000       Samson Investment Co., 9.75%, 2/15/20, Callable 2/15/16 @ 104.88      207,188   
  900,000       Sanchez Energy Corp., 7.75%, 6/15/21, Callable 6/15/17 @ 103.88^      836,999   
  500,000       SandRidge Energy, Inc., 8.75%, 1/15/20, Callable 1/15/15 @ 104.38^      337,500   
  300,000       SandRidge Energy, Inc., 7.50%, 3/15/21, Callable 3/15/16 @ 103.75^      192,000   
  400,000       W&T Offshore, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19, Callable 6/15/15 @ 104.25      262,000   
  506,000       Walter Energy, Inc., 9.50%, 10/15/19, Callable 10/15/16 @ 107.12^(a)      384,560   
  217,000       Walter Energy, Inc., 11.00%, 4/1/20, Callable 4/1/17 @
105.5(a)
     70,525   
     

 

 

 
        12,158,473   
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.0%):

  

  100,000       United Rentals (North America), Inc., 8.38%, 9/15/20, Callable 9/15/15 @ 104.19      107,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1%):

  

  1,000,000       iStar Financial, Inc., 5.00%, 7/1/19, Callable 7/1/16 @ 102.5      970,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.1%):

  

  256,000       Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 8.05%, 2/1/20, Callable 6/1/15 @ 104.03^      270,080   
  480,000       Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 10.75%, 8/1/20, Callable 8/1/15 @ 105.38      524,400   
     

 

 

 
        794,480   
     

 

 

 

 

Software (0.4%):

  

  500,000       BMC Software Finance, Inc., 8.13%, 7/15/21, Callable 7/15/16 @ 106.1(a)      470,000   
  1,389,000       First Data Corp., 8.25%, 1/15/21, Callable 1/15/16 @ 104.13^(a)      1,486,230   
  600,000       First Data Corp., 12.63%, 1/15/21, Callable 1/15/16 @ 112.63^      712,500   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Software, continued

  
$ 326,000       First Data Corp., 11.75%, 8/15/21, Callable 5/15/16 @ 108.81    $ 374,085   
  141,000       First Data Corp., 8.75%, 1/15/22, Callable 1/15/16 @ 104.38(a)      151,575   
  200,000       Infor (US), Inc., 9.38%, 4/1/19, Callable 4/1/15 @ 107.03      214,000   
     

 

 

 
        3,408,390   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.1%):

  

  400,000       Academy, Ltd., 9.25%, 8/1/19, Callable 2/9/15 @ 106.94(a)      420,000   
  105,000       Toys “R” US Delaware, Inc., 8.25%, 10/15/19(d)      103,425   
     

 

 

 
        523,425   
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.0%):

  

  250,000       HD Supply, Inc., 5.25%, 12/15/21, Callable 12/15/17 @ 103.94(a)      254,375   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.6%):

  

  507,448       Avaya, Inc., 4.65%, 10/26/17(d)      485,881   
  124,796       Avaya, Inc., 6.50%, 3/31/18(d)      122,715   
  339,000       Avaya, Inc., 7.00%, 4/1/19, Callable 4/1/15 @ 103.5^(a)      330,525   
  1,326,000       Avaya, Inc., 10.50%, 3/1/21, Callable 3/1/17 @ 107.88^(a)      1,133,731   
  100,000       Frontier Communications Corp., 8.50%, 4/15/20^      111,500   
  500,000       Sprint Communications, Inc., 9.00%, 11/15/18(a)      568,700   
  700,000       Sprint Nextel Corp., 9.13%, 3/1/17^      769,965   
  500,000       Sprint Nextel Corp., 11.50%, 11/15/21      601,250   
  900,000       T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.54%, 4/28/20, Callable 4/28/16 @ 103.27      929,250   
     

 

 

 
        5,053,517   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $55,174,121)

     54,202,986   
     

 

 

 

 

Equity-Linked Securities (0.7%):

  

 

Banks (0.4%):

  

  7,000       Barclays Bank plc, 6.00%(a)      594,020   
  6,000       Credit Suisse NY, 6.00%, MTN(a)      325,980   
  60,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.00%(a)      1,066,980   
  8,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
7.00%(a)
     677,360   
     

 

 

 
        2,664,340   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.1%):

  

  27,000       Bank of America Corp., 7.00%(a)      611,550   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.1%):

  

  20,000       Citigroup, Inc., 6.00%(a)      602,600   
  13,000       Citigroup, Inc., 7.00%(a)      571,350   
     

 

 

 
        1,173,950   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.1%):

  

  30,000       Bank of America Corp., 6.50%      1,064,100   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Equity-Linked Securities (Cost $5,568,941)

     5,513,940   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds (16.0%):

  

 

Chemicals (0.0%):

  

$ 100,000       Kerling plc, 10.63%, 2/1/17, Callable 2/1/17 @ 102.66+(a)    $ 122,249   
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (16.0%):

  

  12,085,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 0214, 3.03%, 1/8/15+(f)      3,455,895   
  3,200,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 0414, 3.22%, 1/20/15+(f)      914,084   
  1,140,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3414, 3.10%, 1/22/15+(f)      325,590   
  190,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 5914, 3.32%, 2/10/15+(f)      54,169   
  2,150,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 0914, 3.09%, 2/17/15+(f)      612,571   
  3,600,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3614, 3.21%, 3/3/15+(f)      1,024,373   
  1,400,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 1114, 3.00%, 3/5/15+(f)      398,293   
  150,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 1214, 2.89%, 3/12/15+(f)      42,647   
  5,660,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 1314, 3.05%, 3/24/15+(f)      1,607,404   
  220,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 4514, 3.16%, 4/7/15+(f)      62,397   
  810,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 1614, 2.93%, 4/16/15+(f)      229,541   
  1,250,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 4814, 3.24%, 4/23/15+(f)      353,999   
  17,220,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 1914, 2.91%, 4/28/15+(f)      4,874,773   
  690,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 2014, 2.96%, 5/5/15+(f)      195,148   
  8,425,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 2214, 3.06%, 5/19/15+(f)      2,380,095   
  930,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, 3.31%, 5/28/15+(f)      262,503   
  320,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 2514, 3.07%, 6/3/15+(f)      90,272   
  220,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 5814, 3.30%, 6/4/15+(f)      62,056   
  680,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 2814, 3.08%, 6/16/15+(f)      191,589   
  80,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3014, 3.19%, 6/30/15+(f)      22,510   
  500,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3014, 3.36%, 6/30/15+(f)      140,684   
  1,290,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3314, 3.04%, 7/16/15+(f)      362,505   
  540,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3514, 3.01%, 8/4/15+(f)      151,371   
  510,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3714, 3.26%,
8/11/15+(f)
     142,913   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 2,510,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 3714, 3.40%,
8/11/15+(f)
   $ 703,358   
  400,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 4014, 3.16%,
8/18/15+(f)
     112,012   
  370,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 4314, 3.32%,
9/8/15+(f)
     103,397   
  320,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 4714, 3.15%,
9/22/15+(f)
     89,301   
  400,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 5014, 3.19%,
10/1/15+(f)
     111,526   
  120,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 5414, 3.23%,
10/27/15+(f)
     33,371   
  240,000       Bank Negara Monetary Notes, Series 5714, 3.23%,
11/3/15+(f)
     66,697   
  365,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNB, 6.00%,
5/15/15+(g)
     351,301   
  75,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNB, 10.00%, 8/15/16+(g)
     72,609   
  3,200,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNF, 1.29%,
1/1/17+(f)(g)
     1,147,096   
  230,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNB, 6.00%,
8/15/18+(g)
     220,806   
  4,910,000      

Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,

Series NTNF, 0.94%,
1/1/19+(g)

     1,707,043   
  630,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNF, 1.04%,
1/1/21+(f)(g)
     214,149   
  910,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNB, 6.00%,
8/15/22+(g)
     873,529   
  1,790,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNF, 1.01%,
1/1/23+(g)
     597,342   
  140,000       Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional,
Series NTNB, 6.00%,
5/15/45+(g)
     130,327   
  1,922,000       Canada Treasury Bill, 0.86%, 2/12/15+(f)      1,653,069   
  840,000       Canada Treasury Bill, 0.86%, 3/12/15+(f)      721,952   
  230,000       Canada Treasury Bill, 0.89%, 4/23/15+(f)      197,457   
  1,672,000       Canadian Government, 1.00%, 2/1/15+      1,439,446   
  260,000       Canadian Government, 1.50%, 8/1/15+      224,493   
  7,800,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 15/A, 8.00%, 2/12/15+      30,023   
  15,720,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 15/C, 7.75%, 8/24/15+      62,566   
  12,500,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 16/C, 5.50%, 2/12/16+      49,906   
  1,257,570,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 16/D, 5.50%, 12/22/16+      5,138,533   
  491,980,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 17/B, 6.75%, 2/24/17+      2,059,764   
  309,150,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 17/A, 6.75%, 11/24/17+      1,321,462   
  141,790,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 18/B, 4.00%, 4/25/18+      561,048   
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 333,880,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 18/A, 5.50%, 12/20/18+    $ 1,398,424   
  204,600,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 19/A, 6.50%, 6/24/19+      894,488   
  9,040,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 20/A, 7.50%, 11/12/20+      42,248   
  19,760,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 22/A, 7.00%, 6/24/22+      92,838   
  387,060,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 23/A, 6.00%, 11/24/23+      1,755,131   
  15,660,000       Hungary Government Bond, Series 25/B, 5.50%, 6/24/25+      69,069   
  561,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR69, 7.88%, 4/15/19+      45,598   
  47,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR31, 11.00%, 11/15/20+      4,331   
  5,300,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR34, 12.80%, 6/15/21+      530,600   
  120,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR53, 8.25%, 7/15/21+      9,935   
  3,200,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR44, 10.00%, 9/15/24+      291,179   
  3,300,000,000       Indonesia Government, Series FR47, 10.00%, 2/15/28+      302,545   
  921,000       Irish Government, 5.90%, 10/18/19+      1,400,830   
  324,000       Irish Government, 4.50%, 4/18/20+      472,290   
  1,251,000       Irish Government, 5.00%, 10/18/20+      1,893,809   
  958,580       Irish Government, 5.40%, 3/13/25+      1,598,038   
  732,800,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 0113, 2.06%, 1/13/15+(f)      666,348   
  1,013,290,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1502, 2.74%, 2/2/15+      922,469   
  434,060,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1504, 2.47%, 4/2/15+      395,342   
  1,618,900,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1506, 2.76%, 6/2/15+      1,477,119   
  368,750,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1506, 2.66%, 6/9/15+      336,730   
  2,757,580,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1508, 2.80%, 8/2/15+      2,519,387   
  6,041,000,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1510, 2.81%, 10/2/15+      5,526,365   
  508,900,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1510, 2.13%, 10/8/15+      464,771   
  2,618,100,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1512, 2.90%, 12/2/15+      2,399,542   
  211,700,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1602, 2.78%, 2/2/16+      194,018   
  3,372,650,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1604, 2.80%, 4/2/16+      3,095,338   
  797,300,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1606, 2.79%, 6/2/16+      732,424   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 1,750,600,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1608, 2.46%, 8/2/16+    $ 1,601,528   
  426,200,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1610, 2.22%, 10/2/16+      388,584   
  767,500,000       Korea Monetary Stab Bond, Series 1612, 2.07%, 12/2/16+      697,897   
  314,700,000       Korea Treasury Bond, Series 1506, 3.25%, 6/10/15+      287,774   
  2,224,930,000       Korea Treasury Bond, Series 1512, 2.75%, 12/10/15+      2,036,922   
  1,053,800,000       Korea Treasury Bond, Series 1606, 2.75%, 6/10/16+      967,496   
  1,117,200,000       Korea Treasury Bond, Series 1612, 3.00%, 12/10/16+      1,033,639   
  96,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 10.13%, 1/1/15+(f)(g)      36,112   
  160,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 11.32%, 10/1/15+(f)(g)      54,992   
  2,050,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 11.91%, 1/1/16+(f)(g)      682,884   
  1,500,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 12.38%, 7/1/16+(f)(g)      470,013   
  150,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 12.15%, 10/1/16+(f)(g)      45,553   
  3,160,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 13.41%, 1/1/17+(f)(g)      932,567   
  1,820,000       Letra do Tesouro Nacional, Series LTN, 14.77%, 1/1/18+(f)(g)      478,110   
  1,915,000       Malaysian Government, Series 0409, 3.74%, 2/27/15+      548,198   
  2,485,000       Malaysian Government, Series 0110, 3.84%, 8/12/15+      712,659   
  3,105,000       Malaysian Government, Series 2/05, 4.72%, 9/30/15+      895,661   
  13,730,000       Malaysian Government, Series 0312, 3.20%, 10/15/15+      3,916,640   
  6,000,000       Malaysian Government, Series 0113, 3.17%, 7/15/16+      1,706,182   
  16,796,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 3/19/15+(h)      113,142   
  182,810,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 4/1/15+(h)      1,230,177   
  43,258,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 4/16/15+(h)      290,719   
  33,120,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 5/28/15+(h)      221,818   
  33,834,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 6/11/15+(h)      226,210   
  12,010,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 7/23/15+(h)      80,042   
  44,372,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 9/17/15+(h)      294,202   
  25,153,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 10/1/15+(h)      166,553   
  4,168,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 11/12/15+(h)      27,468   
  8,604,000       Mexican Cetes, Series BI, 0.00%, 12/10/15+(h)      56,516   
  1,908,400       Mexican Udibonos, 5.00%,
6/16/16+(d)(h)
     137,429   
  1,623,273       Mexican Udibonos, 3.50%,
12/14/17+(d)(h)
     117,449   
 

 

Continued

 

12


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 980,288       Mexican Udibonos, 4.00%,
6/13/19+(d)(h)
   $ 72,523   
  790,555       Mexican Udibonos, 2.50%,
12/10/20+(d)(h)
     54,875   
  22,590,000       Mexico Bonos Desarr, Series M, 6.00%, 6/18/15+(d)(h)      1,551,787   
  21,310,000       Mexico Bonos Desarr, Series M 10, 8.00%,
12/17/15+(d)(h)
     1,508,528   
  28,886,000       Mexico Bonos Desarr, Series M, 6.25%, 6/16/16+(d)(h)      2,031,502   
  2,407,000       Mexico Bonos Desarr, Series M 10, 7.25%,
12/15/16+(d)(h)
     174,058   
  1,010,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, Series 84, 0.00%, 1/2/15+(f)      762,667   
  540,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, 0.27%, 1/9/15+(f)      407,710   
  3,100,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, Series 168, 0.59%,
1/20/15+(f)
     2,340,088   
  2,641,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, Series 84, 0.62%, 1/30/15+(f)      1,993,236   
  2,286,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, Series 84, 0.63%, 2/13/15+(f)      1,724,866   
  1,690,000       Monetary Authority of Singapore Bill, Series 87, 0.64%, 2/23/15+(f)      1,274,928   
  3,030,000       Philippine Government International Bond, Series 7-48, 7.00%, 1/27/16+      70,887   
  14,210,000       Philippine Government International Bond, Series 3-20, 1.63%, 4/25/16+      314,363   
  1,830,000       Philippine Government International Bond, Series 1042, 9.13%, 9/4/16+      45,414   
  1,800,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.20%, 4/8/15+(f)
     40,035   
  960,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 182, 1.36%, 5/6/15+(f)
     21,292   
  1,470,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.40%, 6/3/15+(f)
     32,577   
  440,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.43%, 7/8/15+(f)
     9,733   
  520,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.28%, 8/5/15+(f)
     11,482   
  1,800,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.49%, 9/2/15+(f)
     39,676   
  3,580,000       Philippine Treasury Bill, 1.49%,
10/7/15+(f)
     78,638   
  1,120,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.36%, 11/4/15+(f)
     24,623   
  2,780,000       Philippine Treasury Bill,
Series 364, 1.43%, 12/2/15+(f)
     60,926   
  1,201,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0415, 5.50%, 4/25/15+
     343,575   
  1,146,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0715, 2.91%, 7/25/15+(f)
     320,997   
  15,863,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 1015, 6.25%, 10/24/15+
     4,642,162   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Foreign Bonds, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 7,419,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0116, 2.95%, 1/25/16+(f)
   $ 2,058,623   
  3,145,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0416, 5.00%, 4/25/16+
     925,424   
  6,340,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0716, 2.88%, 7/25/16+(f)
     1,742,834   
  12,465,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 1016, 4.75%, 10/25/16+
     3,706,860   
  3,343,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0117, 2.69%, 1/25/17+(d)
     944,895   
  160,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0417, 4.75%, 4/25/17+
     48,148   
  3,391,000       Poland Government Bond,
Series 0121, 2.69%, 1/25/21+(d)
     943,805   
  15,500       Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro, 4.95%, 10/25/23+(a)      22,185   
  38,700       Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro, 5.65%, 2/15/24+(a)      57,922   
  2,250,000       Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro, 3.88%, 2/15/30+(a)      2,847,575   
  180,000       Republic of Hungary, 4.38%,
7/4/17+(a)
     233,398   
  260,000       Republic of Hungary, 5.75%, 6/11/18+(a)      358,616   
  70,000       Republic of Hungary, 6.00%, 1/11/19+      98,261   
  350,000       Singapore Government , 1.13%, 4/1/16+      266,003   
  200,000       Singapore Treasury Bill, 0.84%, 3/27/15+(f)      150,788   
  34,500,000       Swedish Government Bond, Series 1049, 4.50%, 8/12/15+      4,545,573   
  100,000       Ukraine Government, 4.95%, 10/13/15+(a)      81,669   
     

 

 

 
        126,923,034   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Foreign Bonds (Cost $135,515,888)

     127,045,283   
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (3.3%):

  

 

Chemicals (0.0%):

  

  300,000       INEOS Finance plc, 8.38%, 2/15/19, Callable 2/15/15 @ 106.28(a)      318,750   
  200,000       INEOS Group Holdings SA, 5.88%, 2/15/19, Callable 2/15/16
@ 102.94(a)
     189,500   
     

 

 

 
        508,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.0%):

  

  400,000       Abengoa Finance SAU, 8.88%, 11/1/17(a)      380,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.1%):

  

  300,000       Cemex SAB de C.V., 5.88%, 3/25/19, Callable 3/25/16 @
102.94(a)
     304,500   
  500,000       Cemex SAB de C.V., 7.25%, 1/15/21, Callable 1/15/18 @
103.63(a)
     523,750   
     

 

 

 
        828,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.2%):

  

  700,000       Ardagh Packaging Finance plc / Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., 6.25%, 1/31/19, Callable 1/31/16 @ 103.13(a)      684,250   
 

 

Continued

 

13


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Containers & Packaging, continued

  
$ 800,000       Ardagh Packaging Finance plc / Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., 6.75%, 1/31/21, Callable 1/31/17 @ 103.38^(a)    $ 796,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,480,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0%):

  

  400,000       Intelsat Jackson Holding SA, 5.50%, 8/1/23, Callable 8/1/18 @ 102.75      397,560   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.2%):

  

  300,000       CGGVeritas, 6.50%, 6/1/21, Callable 6/1/16 @ 103.25^      228,000   
  2,000,000       Ocean Rig UDW, Inc., 7.25%, 4/1/19, Callable 4/1/17 @
105.44(a)
     1,400,000   
     

 

 

 
        1,628,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.1%):

  

  1,000,000       InterGen NV, 7.00%, 6/30/23, Callable 6/30/18 @ 103.5^(a)      950,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.1%):

  

  200,000       Stena AB, 7.00%, 2/1/24^(a)      183,000   
  400,000       Stena International SA, 5.75%, 3/1/24^(a)      376,000   
     

 

 

 
        559,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.1%):

  

  300,000       Altice SA, 7.75%, 5/15/22, Callable 5/15/17 @ 106(a)      300,563   
  500,000       Numericable Group SA, 6.00%, 5/15/22, Callable 5/15/17 @
104.5(a)
     502,750   
     

 

 

 
        803,313   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.2%):

  

  230,000       First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., 6.75%, 2/15/20, Callable 2/15/17 @ 103.38^(a)      208,150   
  230,000       First Quantum Minerals, Ltd., 7.00%, 2/15/21, Callable 2/15/18 @ 103.5^(a)      207,000   
  222,222       FMG Resources Pty, Ltd., 6.88%, 2/1/18, Callable 2/9/15 @
103.44^(a)
     201,667   
  250,000       FMG Resources Pty, Ltd., 8.25%, 11/1/19, Callable 11/1/15 @
104^(a)
     227,500   
     

 

 

 
        844,317   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  500,000       Niska Gas Storage Canada ULC / Niska Gas Storage Canada Finance Corp., 6.50%, 4/1/19, Callable 10/1/16 @ 103.25^(a)      376,250   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1%):

  

  500,000       Algeco Scotsman Global Finance plc, 8.50%, 10/15/18, Callable 10/15/15 @ 104.25^(a)      482,500   
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (1.8%):

  

  200,000       Financing of Infrastructure, 7.40%, 4/20/18(a)      119,322   
  430,000       Republic of Hungary, 4.13%, 2/19/18      445,944   
  1,077,000       Republic of Hungary, 6.25%, 1/29/20      1,210,279   
  542,000       Republic of Hungary, 6.38%, 3/29/21      619,574   
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Sovereign Bonds, continued

  

$ 800,000       Republic of Hungary, 5.38%, 2/21/23    $ 862,000   
  240,000       Republic of Iceland, 5.88%, 5/11/22(a)      268,972   
  100,000       Republic of Lithuania, 7.38%, 2/11/20(a)      120,613   
  230,000       Republic of Lithuania, 7.38%, 2/11/20(a)      277,409   
  150,000       Republic of Lithuania, 6.13%, 3/9/21(a)      174,470   
  1,840,000       Republic of Portugal, 5.13%, 10/15/24(a)      1,932,953   
  200,000       Republic of Serbia, 5.25%, 11/21/17(a)      205,400   
  300,000       Republic of Serbia, 4.88%, 2/25/20(a)      299,550   
  320,000       Republic of Serbia, 7.25%, 9/28/21(a)      358,426   
  1,400,000       Republic of Slovenia, 5.50%, 10/26/22(a)      1,552,250   
  1,025,000       Republic of Slovenia, 5.85%, 5/10/23(a)      1,158,916   
  484,700       Russia Foreign Bond, 7.50%, 3/31/30(a)      502,634   
  200,000       Ukraine Government, 6.25%, 6/17/16(a)      129,700   
  100,000       Ukraine Government, 6.58%, 11/21/16(a)      62,000   
  760,000       Ukraine Government, 9.25%, 7/24/17(a)      463,600   
  1,400,000       Ukraine Government, 6.75%, 11/14/17(a)      866,320   
  620,000       Ukraine Government, 7.75%, 9/23/20(a)      372,000   
  1,430,000       Ukraine Government, 7.95%, 2/23/21(a)      872,300   
  1,240,000       Ukraine Government, 7.80%, 11/28/22(a)      756,400   
  2,400,000       Ukraine Government, 7.50%, 4/17/23(a)      1,415,999   
     

 

 

 
        15,047,031   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.4%):

  

  500,000       Telecom Italia SpA, 5.30%, 5/30/24(a)      506,250   
  1,000,000       Virgin Media Secured Finance plc, 5.50%, 1/15/25, Callable 1/15/19 @ 102.75(a)      1,032,500   
  500,000       Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 7.38%, 4/23/21, Callable 4/23/17 @ 103.69(a)      471,900   
     

 

 

 
        2,010,650   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $28,789,781)

     26,295,371   
     

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond (0.1%):

  

 

Puerto Rico (0.1%):

  

  569,000       Puerto Rico Commonwealth, GO, Series A, 8.00%, 7/1/35, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100      495,030   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bond (Cost $530,442)

     495,030   
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (1.0%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bills (1.0%)

  

  3,000,000       0.04%, 1/2/15(f)      3,000,000   
  1,000,000       0.06%, 1/8/15(f)      999,998   
  1,000,000       0.06%, 1/22/15(f)      999,983   
  1,000,000       0.04%, 4/9/15(f)      999,926   
  1,000,000       0.06%, 4/30/15^(f)      999,853   
  1,000,000       0.06%, 5/14/15(f)      999,807   
     

 

 

 
        7,999,567   
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cos$7,999,432)

     7,999,567   
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (2.5%):

  

  20,000,000       Federal Home Loan Bank, 0.00%,
1/2/15(f)
     20,000,000   
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (Cost $20,000,000)

     20,000,000   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

14


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (9.2%):

  

$ 73,231,722       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral
Trust(i)
   $ 73,231,722   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $73,231,722)

     73,231,722   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (7.8%):

  

$ 62,395,347       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(f)    $ 62,395,347   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $62,395,347)

     62,395,347   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities
(Cost $799,741,688)(j) — 107.3%

     853,815,656   

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (7.3)%

     (58,302,368
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 795,513,288   
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

GO—General Obligation

MTN—Medium Term Note

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

# Security issued in connection with a pending litigation settlement.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $70,346,825.

 

+ The principal amount is disclosed in local currency and the fair value is disclosed in U.S. Dollars.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(b) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(c) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 0.03% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(d) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(e) Defaulted bond.

 

(f) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(g) Principal amount is stated in 1,000 Brazilian Real Units.

 

(h) Principal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.

 

(i) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(j) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “_” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    0.2

Bermuda

    0.1

Brazil

    1.0

Canada

    1.5

China

    0.4

Denmark

    0.5

France

    1.9

Germany

    1.8

Hong Kong

    0.3

Hungary

    2.0

Iceland

    %NM 

Indonesia

    0.1

Ireland (Republic of)

    1.1

Israel

    1.0

Italy

    0.7

Japan

    0.7

Korea, Republic Of

    1.0

Lithuania

    0.1

Luxembourg

    0.2

Malaysia

    3.2

 

NM Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%.
Country   Percentage  

Marshall Islands

    0.2

Mauritania

    %NM 

Mexico

    1.1

Netherlands

    2.4

Philippines

    0.1

Poland

    1.8

Portugal

    0.7

Republic of Korea (South)

    3.6

Russian Federation

    0.3

Serbia (Republic of)

    0.1

Singapore

    1.5

Slovenia

    0.3

Spain

    0.6

Sweden

    1.1

Switzerland

    1.7

Thailand

    0.1

Turkey

    0.3

Ukraine

    0.5

United Kingdom

    6.3

United States

    59.5
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

15


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

                 

British Pound

   Bank of America    2/19/15      3,367,179       $ 5,580,553       $ 5,245,316       $ 335,237   

British Pound

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/19/15      3,094,491         5,145,824         4,820,533         325,291   

British Pound

   Deutsche Bank    2/19/15      212,211         331,895         330,578         1,317   

British Pound

   HSBC Bank    2/19/15      185,296         292,921         288,650         4,271   

British Pound

   State Street    2/19/15      3,515,514         5,818,955         5,476,391         342,564   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/7/15      312,372         426,054         377,968         48,086   

European Euro

   Bank of America    1/20/15      1,386,664         1,872,103         1,678,074         194,029   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    1/20/15      18,218         22,849         22,047         802   

European Euro

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/20/15      94,869         120,128         114,807         5,321   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/20/15      121,479         155,558         147,008         8,550   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    1/20/15      136,727         175,175         165,459         9,716   

European Euro

   State Street    1/20/15      381,903         505,190         462,160         43,030   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    1/21/15      97,000         132,211         117,386         14,825   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/26/15      1,650,000         2,239,380         1,996,870         242,510   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      2,630,000         3,594,684         3,183,027         411,657   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    2/3/15      2,280,000         3,090,426         2,759,493         330,933   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    2/9/15      1,411,000         1,908,660         1,707,805         200,855   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    2/9/15      181,000         252,267         219,074         33,193   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    2/19/15      30,000         41,142         36,313         4,829   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    2/20/15      210,000         288,555         254,192         34,363   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    2/23/15      17,000         23,395         20,578         2,817   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    2/25/15      277,730         381,740         336,185         45,555   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    2/26/15      170,862         234,619         206,825         27,794   

European Euro

   Bank of America    2/27/15      76,694         104,864         92,837         12,027   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/5/15      43,000         59,282         52,054         7,228   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    3/9/15      141,063         193,749         170,772         22,977   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/9/15      660,000         906,147         799,002         107,145   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    3/9/15      15,000         20,621         18,159         2,462   

European Euro

   Citibank    3/10/15      1,704,605         2,359,216         2,063,632         295,584   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    3/10/15      43,000         59,554         52,057         7,497   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/16/15      134,000         185,857         162,234         23,623   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    3/16/15      15,000         20,787         18,160         2,627   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    3/17/15      10,012         13,962         12,122         1,840   

European Euro

   Citibank    3/17/15      10,643         14,850         12,886         1,964   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    3/23/15      9,076         12,638         10,989         1,649   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/23/15      173,000         240,816         209,466         31,350   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/26/15      78,000         107,418         94,444         12,974   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    3/27/15      200,000         276,200         242,168         34,032   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    3/31/15      4,566         6,285         5,529         756   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    3/31/15      130,000         165,705         157,415         8,290   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    4/2/15      17,912         24,691         21,690         3,001   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    4/7/15      192,660         265,773         233,307         32,466   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    4/10/15      73,000         100,643         88,404         12,239   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    4/13/15      77,961         107,607         94,415         13,192   

European Euro

   Standard Charter    4/13/15      37,000         51,143         44,809         6,334   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    4/14/15      99,000         137,219         119,896         17,323   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    4/15/15      370,000         513,264         448,099         65,165   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    4/16/15      78,849         109,491         95,493         13,998   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    4/22/15      16,935         23,372         20,511         2,861   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    4/22/15      5,188         7,177         6,284         893   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    4/30/15      11,783         16,337         14,272         2,065   

European Euro

   Standard Charter    4/30/15      380,000         525,867         460,283         65,584   

 

Continued

 

16


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    5/5/15      228,900       $ 317,223       $ 277,274       $ 39,949   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    5/7/15      112,000         155,432         135,672         19,760   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    5/7/15      317,570         440,832         384,691         56,141   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    5/12/15      1,425,000         1,973,340         1,726,277         247,063   

European Euro

   Citibank    5/13/15      136,787         188,451         165,709         22,742   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    5/13/15      142,000         195,654         172,024         23,630   

European Euro

   Standard Charter    5/13/15      56,000         77,032         67,840         9,192   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    5/14/15      87,000         119,837         105,396         14,441   

European Euro

   Bank of America    5/18/15      1,201,984         1,500,917         1,456,202         44,715   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    5/18/15      266,076         365,248         322,351         42,897   

European Euro

   Credit Suisse First Boston    5/18/15      1,222,355         1,526,170         1,480,881         45,289   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    5/18/15      1,231,873         1,537,755         1,492,412         45,343   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    5/18/15      52,599         65,096         63,724         1,372   

European Euro

   State Street    5/18/15      21,956         27,325         26,600         725   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    5/20/15      327,027         410,450         396,201         14,249   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    5/21/15      130,000         163,254         157,500         5,754   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    5/21/15      289,000         396,742         350,134         46,608   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    5/22/15      363,741         498,734         440,690         58,044   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    5/26/15      172,504         235,816         209,006         26,810   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    5/29/15      72,758         99,061         88,156         10,905   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    6/1/15      760,000         1,034,121         920,874         113,247   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    6/5/15      237,868         323,964         288,231         35,733   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    6/8/15      1,113,075         1,449,602         1,348,786         100,816   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    6/10/15      285,500         390,079         345,966         44,113   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    6/15/15      124,000         168,066         150,270         17,796   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    6/22/15      28,929         39,356         35,060         4,296   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    6/22/15      420,000         571,116         509,016         62,100   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    7/16/15      82,000         112,001         99,420         12,581   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    7/16/15      277,000         378,205         335,844         42,361   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/17/15      514,000         698,912         623,203         75,709   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    7/20/15      129,000         174,889         156,416         18,473   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/20/15      360,000         488,160         436,510         51,650   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    7/20/15      910,000         1,233,568         1,103,401         130,167   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/21/15      470,000         637,250         569,899         67,351   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/22/15      71,000         96,269         86,093         10,176   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    7/22/15      366,000         495,469         443,803         51,666   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/23/15      93,795         127,062         113,736         13,326   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/27/15      207,975         280,467         252,210         28,257   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    7/27/15      197,000         265,783         238,901         26,882   

European Euro

   Citibank    7/28/15      60,360         81,421         73,200         8,221   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    7/29/15      19,995         26,919         24,248         2,671   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    7/29/15      9,978         13,442         12,101         1,341   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    7/31/15      380,000         510,895         460,859         50,036   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    8/4/15      97,592         130,904         118,368         12,536   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    8/4/15      380,000         509,970         460,895         49,075   

European Euro

   UBS Warburg    8/4/15      380,000         509,960         460,895         49,065   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    8/5/15      229,000         307,839         277,755         30,084   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    8/5/15      269,500         362,305         326,878         35,427   

European Euro

   Citibank    8/10/15      44,168         59,068         53,576         5,492   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    8/11/15      180,000         241,192         218,349         22,843   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    8/11/15      239,500         320,780         290,525         30,255   

European Euro

   Goldman Sachs    8/12/15      61,000         81,907         73,997         7,910   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    8/14/15      66,000         82,431         80,066         2,365   

European Euro

   Morgan Stanley    8/17/15      66,000         88,607         80,070         8,537   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    8/18/15      237,000         318,058         287,531         30,527   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    8/20/15      133,000         178,396         161,364         17,032   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    8/20/15      263,000         352,913         319,087         33,826   

 

Continued

 

17


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    8/26/15      75,988       $ 101,112       $ 92,204       $ 8,908   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    8/31/15      28,980         38,330         35,168         3,162   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    9/2/15      49,000         64,753         59,465         5,288   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    9/8/15      137,800         181,789         167,249         14,540   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    9/8/15      1,125,000         1,463,738         1,365,421         98,317   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    9/21/15      19,406         25,254         23,559         1,695   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    9/23/15      229,000         295,742         278,020         17,722   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    9/24/15      45,864         59,136         55,683         3,453   

European Euro

   Citibank    9/28/15      13,451         17,348         16,332         1,016   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    9/28/15      107,000         137,798         129,917         7,881   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    9/29/15      200,000         255,361         242,841         12,520   

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    9/30/15      180,000         229,362         218,561         10,801   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/1/15      1,320,000         1,683,818         1,602,810         81,008   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/9/15      420,000         532,791         510,064         22,727   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    10/14/15      1,688,000         2,156,167         2,050,172         105,995   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    10/14/15      3,156,000         4,032,529         3,833,142         199,387   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/15/15      320,000         406,096         388,666         17,430   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    10/16/15      1,172,000         1,494,886         1,423,516         71,370   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/21/15      570,000         732,678         692,392         40,286   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    10/22/15      3,724,000         4,771,245         4,523,712         247,533   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/26/15      319,000         404,923         387,534         17,389   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    10/27/15      175,515         222,899         213,227         9,672   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10/30/15      1,747,075         2,230,927         2,122,581         108,346   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    11/3/15      7,376         9,342         8,962         380   

European Euro

   Barclays Bank    11/6/15      49,418         62,081         60,048         2,033   

European Euro

   Citibank    11/9/15      1,793,000         2,245,060         2,178,800         66,260   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    11/9/15      3,620,000         4,538,756         4,398,916         139,840   

European Euro

   Citibank    11/12/15      1,801,000         2,257,337         2,188,649         68,688   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    11/12/15      278,508         348,984         338,454         10,530   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    11/16/15      335,703         420,116         407,992         12,124   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    11/19/15      93,863         117,333         114,082         3,251   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    11/20/15      1,113,000         1,396,993         1,352,773         44,220   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    12/4/15      100,000         124,770         121,576         3,194   

European Euro

   Standard Charter    12/9/15      76,800         94,873         93,379         1,494   

European Euro

   Bank of America    12/15/15      433,000         538,414         526,536         11,878   

European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    12/15/15      97,000         121,088         117,954         3,134   

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    12/17/15      525,093         655,631         638,548         17,083   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/7/15      5,989,000         57,509         50,012         7,497   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    1/8/15      23,997,000         231,383         200,390         30,993   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    1/13/15      1,520,000         14,533         12,694         1,839   

Japanese Yen

   Standard Charter    1/14/15      4,550,000         43,549         37,997         5,552   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    1/15/15      101,530,000         979,037         847,893         131,144   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    1/15/15      5,640,000         54,231         47,101         7,130   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/15/15      66,000,000         636,362         551,177         85,185   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/16/15      38,540,000         372,846         321,857         50,989   

Japanese Yen

   Standard Charter    1/16/15      7,340,000         71,040         61,298         9,742   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    1/20/15      33,615,000         323,785         280,737         43,048   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    1/27/15      7,610,000         73,615         63,559         10,056   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/28/15      7,248,281         70,992         60,539         10,453   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    1/28/15      9,353,364         91,399         78,121         13,278   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      121,466,500         1,191,642         1,014,523         177,119   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/6/15      100,100,000         991,397         836,112         155,285   

Japanese Yen

   Standard Charter    2/6/15      100,170,000         991,807         836,697         155,110   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    2/9/15      100,180,000         991,778         836,801         154,977   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/9/15      100,400,000         991,800         838,638         153,162   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    2/10/15      5,590,000         55,059         46,694         8,365   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    2/12/15      3,771,000         36,934         31,500         5,434   

 

Continued

 

18


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      53,860,000       $ 528,441       $ 449,902       $ 78,539   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/12/15      53,831,000         528,776         449,660         79,116   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    2/13/15      71,350,000         700,059         596,004         104,055   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/13/15      35,730,000         349,800         298,462         51,338   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    2/17/15      35,630,000         349,177         297,636         51,541   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    2/18/15      36,744,860         361,981         306,951         55,030   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/18/15      37,560,000         369,893         313,761         56,132   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    2/24/15      4,020,000         39,403         33,583         5,820   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    2/25/15      17,870,000         174,469         149,287         25,182   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    2/25/15      4,000,000         39,039         33,416         5,623   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    2/26/15      35,700,000         349,086         298,243         50,843   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    2/27/15      11,991,000         117,640         100,175         17,465   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    3/3/15      9,700,000         95,259         81,039         14,220   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    3/4/15      4,600,000         45,076         38,431         6,645   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    3/9/15      64,145,400         627,287         535,943         91,344   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    3/16/15      44,142,850         431,188         368,850         62,338   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    3/17/15      2,260,084         22,088         18,885         3,203   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    3/19/15      46,322,000         456,311         387,072         69,239   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    3/19/15      7,060,000         69,922         58,994         10,928   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    3/24/15      20,538,000         201,124         171,628         29,496   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    3/25/15      25,522,830         249,904         213,287         36,617   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    4/15/15      3,500,000         34,576         29,256         5,320   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    4/16/15      68,447,040         673,280         572,144         101,136   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    4/17/15      32,710,000         321,923         273,424         48,499   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    4/21/15      19,660,000         192,815         164,347         28,468   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    4/22/15      24,420,000         239,547         204,140         35,407   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    5/12/15      5,590,000         55,198         46,741         8,457   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    5/13/15      7,475,000         73,638         62,504         11,134   

Japanese Yen

   Standard Charter    5/13/15      5,588,000         55,098         46,725         8,373   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    5/14/15      5,587,000         54,964         46,717         8,247   

Japanese Yen

   Bank of America    5/18/15      84,777,550         835,000         708,927         126,073   

Japanese Yen

   Bank of America    5/19/15      84,522,875         835,000         706,806         128,194   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    5/19/15      84,752,500         835,000         708,726         126,274   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    5/19/15      84,652,200         835,000         707,887         127,113   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    5/19/15      84,820,600         835,000         709,295         125,705   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    5/20/15      5,564,000         47,420         46,528         892   

Japanese Yen

   Goldman Sachs    6/1/15      48,990,000         482,670         409,734         72,936   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    6/9/15      51,300,000         502,291         429,096         73,195   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    6/9/15      76,900,000         752,866         643,225         109,641   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    6/10/15      60,420,000         591,729         505,386         86,343   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    6/10/15      95,140,000         930,355         795,803         134,552   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    6/10/15      64,350,000         630,453         538,258         92,195   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    6/11/15      21,300,000         208,537         178,167         30,370   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    6/11/15      59,620,000         583,583         498,700         84,883   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    6/17/15      2,416,000         23,749         20,210         3,539   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    6/17/15      25,100,000         246,755         209,968         36,787   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    6/22/15      69,330,000         680,841         579,998         100,843   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    6/30/15      16,411,000         161,960         137,305         24,655   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    7/13/15      26,073,000         257,181         218,209         38,972   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    7/23/15      50,187,445         497,122         420,123         76,999   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    7/24/15      74,785,000         739,991         626,045         113,946   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    7/24/15      115,000,000         1,137,319         962,696         174,623   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    7/27/15      40,100,000         396,794         335,711         61,083   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    7/29/15      8,700,000         85,754         72,838         12,916   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    8/5/15      46,922,100         458,559         392,905         65,654   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    8/11/15      2,240,000         21,980         18,759         3,221   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    8/11/15      2,240,000         21,988         18,759         3,229   

 

Continued

 

19


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    8/12/15      2,240,000       $ 22,072       $ 18,760       $ 3,312   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    8/31/15      22,800,000         220,423         191,031         29,392   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    9/18/15      2,251,755         21,121         18,874         2,247   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    9/29/15      2,255,332         20,760         18,909         1,851   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    10/7/15      399,565,980         3,656,016         3,350,616         305,400   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    10/7/15      329,300,000         3,039,926         2,761,392         278,534   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    10/9/15      163,800,000         1,520,221         1,373,630         146,591   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    10/13/15      82,900,000         769,901         695,265         74,636   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    10/13/15      81,800,000         760,152         686,039         74,113   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    10/19/15      33,615,000         318,032         281,960         36,072   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    10/20/15      63,490,000         600,520         532,562         67,958   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    10/22/15      26,770,000         251,574         224,560         27,014   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    10/28/15      20,662,500         192,523         173,351         19,172   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    11/5/15      91,650,000         825,862         769,053         56,809   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    11/6/15      536,000,000         4,752,194         4,497,782         254,412   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    11/12/15      94,163,000         823,830         790,266         33,564   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    11/12/15      3,336,000         29,243         27,997         1,246   

Japanese Yen

   JPMorgan Chase    11/12/15      36,450,000         320,265         305,908         14,357   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    11/16/15      45,848,000         399,738         384,816         14,922   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    11/18/15      6,194,000         53,406         51,990         1,416   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    11/19/15      7,667,000         66,206         64,356         1,850   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    11/20/15      8,613,000         74,314         72,298         2,016   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    11/24/15      1,616,000         13,824         13,566         258   

Japanese Yen

   Morgan Stanley    12/16/15      41,392,500         350,514         347,657         2,857   

Japanese Yen

   Deutsche Bank    12/21/15      69,210,000         592,450         581,364         11,086   

Japanese Yen

   HSBC Bank    12/21/15      69,320,000         592,732         582,288         10,444   

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    12/22/15      34,730,000         293,720         291,739         1,981   

Japanese Yen

   Citibank    12/22/15      54,180,000         458,841         455,123         3,718   

Korean Won

   Bank of America    2/12/15      723,226,042         690,422         657,468         32,954   

Korean Won

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/12/15      909,682,762         876,322         826,972         49,350   

Korean Won

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      955,832,073         922,729         868,925         53,804   

Korean Won

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      32,868,512         29,716         29,881         (165

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/8/15      86,100         26,656         24,619         2,037   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/9/15      46,000         14,241         13,152         1,089   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/12/15      14,000         4,333         4,002         331   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    2/4/15      2,661,000         822,515         759,241         63,274   

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    2/18/15      1,235,558         374,128         352,133         21,995   

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    2/23/15      720,000         217,951         205,117         12,834   

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    3/11/15      2,909,811         880,027         827,859         52,168   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    3/12/15      735,120         226,749         209,129         17,620   

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    3/31/15      500,000         151,057         142,013         9,044   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    4/2/15      2,190,750         674,928         622,148         52,780   

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    4/10/15      340,000         102,657         96,505         6,152   

Malaysian Ringgit

   Deutsche Bank    5/19/15      2,093,018         643,135         592,535         50,600   

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    7/2/15      988,250         302,875         278,958         23,917   

Malaysian Ringgit

   Deutsche Bank    7/3/15      177,180         54,303         50,009         4,294   

Swiss Franc

   Bank of America    2/12/15      505,362         559,817         508,873         50,944   

Swiss Franc

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/12/15      15,425         16,458         15,532         926   

Swiss Franc

   Deutsche Bank    2/12/15      8,722         9,527         8,783         744   

Swiss Franc

   Deutsche Bank    2/12/15      18,943         20,130         19,075         1,055   

Swiss Franc

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      50,597         53,139         50,948         2,191   

Swiss Franc

   State Street    2/12/15      51,424         53,748         51,786         1,962   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 155,650,494       $ 142,203,602       $ 13,446,892   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long Contracts:

                 

Brazilian Real

   Deutsche Bank    10/30/15      435,000       $ 159,985       $ 150,493       $ (9,492

British Pound

   Bank of America    2/19/15      235,979         378,690         367,603         (11,087

 

Continued

 

20


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

British Pound

   Barclays Bank    2/19/15      76,394       $ 122,865       $ 119,005       $ (3,860

British Pound

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/19/15      422,337         679,245         657,907         (21,338

British Pound

   Deutsche Bank    2/19/15      255,408         414,909         397,868         (17,041

British Pound

   HSBC Bank    2/19/15      803,172         1,269,162         1,251,164         (17,998

British Pound

   State Street    2/19/15      499,191         804,192         777,628         (26,564

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    1/12/15      8,700,000         15,774         14,328         (1,446

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      111,647,000         185,325         183,509         (1,816

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/2/15      110,603,000         184,590         181,749         (2,841

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/3/15      91,616,000         152,897         150,536         (2,361

Chilean Peso

   Barclays Bank    2/10/15      4,400,000         7,569         7,226         (343

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    2/12/15      10,560,000         18,346         17,339         (1,007

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/17/15      3,930,000         6,840         6,450         (390

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/18/15      4,400,000         7,530         7,221         (309

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    2/20/15      2,150,000         3,685         3,528         (157

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    2/23/15      5,200,000         9,104         8,530         (574

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    2/24/15      7,300,000         12,789         11,974         (815

Chilean Peso

   Barclays Bank    2/25/15      153,759,000         256,308         252,188         (4,120

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    2/25/15      5,600,000         9,767         9,185         (582

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    2/26/15      3,890,000         6,772         6,380         (392

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    3/3/15      700,000         1,208         1,148         (60

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    3/12/15      990,530,400         1,708,547         1,622,625         (85,922

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    3/20/15      4,300,000         7,294         7,039         (255

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    5/11/15      4,500,000         7,680         7,335         (345

Chilean Peso

   Barclays Bank    6/4/15      12,000,000         21,116         19,521         (1,595

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    6/5/15      2,500,000         4,380         4,067         (313

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    7/10/15      162,750,000         285,652         263,975         (21,677

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    7/20/15      305,012,200         531,658         494,327         (37,331

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    7/28/15      8,010,000         13,782         12,973         (809

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    8/12/15      4,400,000         7,435         7,118         (317

Chilean Peso

   Morgan Stanley    8/18/15      4,010,000         6,757         6,484         (273

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    8/20/15      2,150,000         3,624         3,476         (148

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    8/27/15      2,610,000         4,355         4,217         (138

Chilean Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    8/28/15      3,900,000         6,509         6,301         (208

Chilean Peso

   Deutsche Bank    9/8/15      700,000         1,156         1,130         (26

European Euro

   Bank of America    1/20/15      10,199         12,720         12,343         (377

European Euro

   Credit Suisse First Boston    1/20/15      18,463         22,901         22,344         (557

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/20/15      176,775         221,464         213,924         (7,540

European Euro

   HSBC Bank    1/20/15      49,110         61,080         59,431         (1,649

European Euro

   State Street    1/20/15      48,004         59,755         58,093         (1,662

European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    1/26/15      658,000         805,063         796,327         (8,736

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    1/14/15      5,537,000         89,309         87,465         (1,844

Indian Rupee

   Deutsche Bank    1/20/15      8,080,848         129,450         127,483         (1,967

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    1/20/15      5,537,000         89,059         87,351         (1,708

Indian Rupee

   Deutsche Bank    1/27/15      4,760,000         75,978         74,980         (998

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    1/27/15      26,253,400         422,013         413,545         (8,468

Indian Rupee

   Deutsche Bank    1/30/15      15,866,666         255,066         249,770         (5,296

Indian Rupee

   Deutsche Bank    2/2/15      7,933,333         127,479         124,814         (2,665

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    2/4/15      14,490,000         232,577         227,883         (4,694

Indian Rupee

   Citibank    2/9/15      25,456,000         407,018         399,966         (7,052

Indian Rupee

   HSBC Bank    2/13/15      8,549,600         137,079         134,230         (2,849

Indian Rupee

   HSBC Bank    2/20/15      8,645,260         138,373         135,552         (2,821

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    2/23/15      26,253,400         417,875         411,401         (6,474

Indian Rupee

   JPMorgan Chase    3/13/15      5,537,000         88,155         86,425         (1,730

Indian Rupee

   HSBC Bank    10/8/15      258,409,000         3,950,000         3,884,291         (65,709

Korean Won

   Bank of America    2/12/15      14,573,214         13,535         13,248         (287

Korean Won

   Bank of America    2/12/15      37,119,000         34,691         33,744         (947

Korean Won

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      161,840,975         146,966         147,127         161   

 

Continued

 

21


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Korean Won

   JPMorgan Chase    5/15/15      258,825,900       $ 249,015       $ 234,912       $ (14,103

Korean Won

   JPMorgan Chase    5/18/15      44,818,000         43,045         40,675         (2,370

Korean Won

   JPMorgan Chase    5/20/15      213,852,600         205,095         194,080         (11,015

Korean Won

   JPMorgan Chase    5/21/15      270,144,000         259,879         245,164         (14,715

Korean Won

   Deutsche Bank    6/29/15      316,000,000         305,196         286,621         (18,575

Korean Won

   HSBC Bank    9/30/15      317,000,000         301,445         287,488         (13,957

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/8/15      86,100         25,695         24,619         (1,076

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/9/15      46,000         13,738         13,152         (586

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    1/12/15      14,000         4,185         4,002         (183

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    2/4/15      2,661,000         786,371         759,241         (27,130

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    2/18/15      1,235,558         365,636         352,133         (13,503

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    2/23/15      720,000         214,286         205,117         (9,169

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    3/11/15      2,909,811         876,740         827,859         (48,881

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    3/12/15      735,120         219,819         209,129         (10,690

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    3/31/15      500,000         148,907         142,013         (6,894

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    4/2/15      1,202,500         360,775         341,496         (19,279

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    4/2/15      988,250         303,293         280,652         (22,641

Malaysian Ringgit

   HSBC Bank    4/10/15      340,000         102,087         96,505         (5,582

Malaysian Ringgit

   Deutsche Bank    5/19/15      2,093,018         635,017         592,535         (42,482

Malaysian Ringgit

   JPMorgan Chase    7/2/15      988,250         301,719         278,958         (22,761

Malaysian Ringgit

   Deutsche Bank    7/3/15      177,180         54,167         50,010         (4,157

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    1/12/15      3,813,785         284,187         258,364         (25,823

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    1/20/15      2,130,000         144,517         144,226         (291

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    3/10/15      10,223,640         772,062         690,167         (81,895

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    3/13/15      1,070,200         80,660         72,232         (8,428

Mexican Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    3/13/15      28,297,935         2,079,507         1,909,947         (169,560

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    3/17/15      10,351,100         706,098         698,464         (7,634

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    3/24/15      2,637,800         192,963         177,913         (15,050

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    5/19/15      51,197,819         3,832,000         3,441,282         (390,718

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    6/8/15      2,731,280         205,085         183,359         (21,726

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    6/9/15      2,728,000         205,693         183,127         (22,566

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    6/12/15      5,548,030         414,899         372,363         (42,536

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    6/15/15      2,384,400         178,513         160,003         (18,510

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    6/22/15      2,146,000         160,293         143,943         (16,350

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    7/10/15      3,689,235         277,115         247,166         (29,949

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    9/4/15      11,644,900         866,275         777,225         (89,050

Mexican Peso

   Deutsche Bank    10/14/15      19,592,000         1,432,583         1,304,109         (128,474

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    10/22/15      6,418,829         463,554         427,027         (36,527

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    11/9/15      27,672,950         1,991,003         1,838,757         (152,246

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    12/11/15      3,316,000         225,348         219,856         (5,492

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    12/17/15      4,769,000         315,252         316,063         811   

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    12/17/15      5,058,000         335,300         335,217         (83

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    12/17/15      5,003,000         331,000         331,572         572   

Mexican Peso

   Citibank    12/18/15      4,161,750         275,479         275,800         321   

Mexican Peso

   HSBC Bank    12/18/15      3,143,000         207,504         208,287         783   

Phillipine Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    6/25/15      6,140,000         139,362         136,331         (3,031

Phillipine Peso

   Deutsche Bank    6/26/15      16,461,720         373,062         365,497         (7,565

Phillipine Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    6/29/15      5,340,000         121,121         118,548         (2,573

Phillipine Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    7/1/15      9,520,000         217,630         211,331         (6,299

Phillipine Peso

   Deutsche Bank    7/20/15      28,970,800         661,796         642,737         (19,059

Phillipine Peso

   JPMorgan Chase    9/25/15      3,020,000         67,216         66,863         (353

Singapore Dollar

   JPMorgan Chase    1/26/15      348,966         281,311         263,355         (17,956

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    2/9/15      123,000         98,716         92,809         (5,907

Singapore Dollar

   Barclays Bank    2/12/15      34,819         27,802         26,272         (1,530

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    2/12/15      246,000         196,172         185,614         (10,558

Singapore Dollar

   Barclays Bank    2/17/15      103,000         82,535         77,714         (4,821

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    2/17/15      77,000         61,636         58,097         (3,539

 

Continued

 

22


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    2/18/15      77,000       $ 60,918       $ 58,096       $ (2,822

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    2/23/15      77,000         61,658         58,094         (3,564

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    2/27/15      172,000         137,424         129,764         (7,660

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    3/13/15      499,540         394,270         376,818         (17,452

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    3/16/15      215,700         170,741         162,703         (8,038

Singapore Dollar

   JPMorgan Chase    4/30/15      1,750,000         1,372,872         1,319,467         (53,405

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    5/7/15      3,474,156         2,693,144         2,619,290         (73,854

Singapore Dollar

   Citibank    5/18/15      260,154         208,332         196,121         (12,211

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    5/19/15      77,000         61,632         58,047         (3,585

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    5/19/15      167,000         133,664         125,894         (7,770

Singapore Dollar

   JPMorgan Chase    5/19/15      60,863         48,706         45,882         (2,824

Singapore Dollar

   JPMorgan Chase    5/20/15      229,983         183,824         173,373         (10,451

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    5/28/15      66,000         50,861         49,751         (1,110

Singapore Dollar

   Deutsche Bank    5/29/15      66,000         52,579         49,750         (2,829

Singapore Dollar

   JPMorgan Chase    6/15/15      156,000         118,902         117,574         (1,328

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    6/22/15      190,000         144,608         143,191         (1,417

Singapore Dollar

   HSBC Bank    9/21/15      252,000         199,683         189,857         (9,826

Swiss Franc

   Bank of America    2/12/15      59,434         61,413         59,846         (1,567

Swiss Franc

   Credit Suisse First Boston    2/12/15      97,478         101,342         98,155         (3,187

Swiss Franc

   Deutsche Bank    2/12/15      72,524         75,076         73,027         (2,049

Swiss Franc

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      1,793         1,854         1,805         (49

Swiss Franc

   HSBC Bank    2/12/15      53,100         55,544         53,469         (2,075

Swiss Franc

   State Street    2/12/15      102,720         106,408         103,423         (2,985
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 45,831,917       $ 43,536,679       $ (2,295,238
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward cross currency contracts were as follows:

 

Purchase/Sale    Counterparty    Amount
Purchased
   Amount Sold      Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

European Euro/Hungarian Forint

   JPMorgan Chase           84,776 EUR      26,454,170 HUF       $ 114,789       $ 116,406       $ 1,617   

European Euro/Hungarian Forint

   Deutsche Bank         282,728 EUR      88,267,600 HUF         382,823         388,052         5,229   

European Euro/Hungarian Forint

   JPMorgan Chase         282,893 EUR      88,280,000 HUF         383,050         388,444         5,394   

European Euro/Polish Zloty

   Deutsche Bank           55,635 EUR      233,000 PLN         75,310         76,895         1,585   

European Euro/Polish Zloty

   Barclays Bank           55,606 EUR      233,000 PLN         75,271         76,823         1,552   

European Euro/Polish Zloty

   Deutsche Bank           55,611 EUR      233,000 PLN         75,282         76,859         1,577   

European Euro/Polish Zloty

   Morgan Stanley           21,594 EUR      91,000 PLN         29,255         29,835         580   

European Euro/Swedish Krona

   Deutsche Bank      1,112,265 EUR      10,280,000 SEK         1,394,801         1,421,190         26,389   

Hungarian Forint/Euopean Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    44,021,000 HUF      138,444 EUR         193,541         194,025         484   

Hungarian Forint/European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    26,454,170 HUF      82,915 EUR         115,687         116,322         635   

Hungarian Forint/European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    88,267,600 HUF      276,614 EUR         386,003         388,176         2,173   

Hungarian Forint/European Euro

   JPMorgan Chase    44,259,000 HUF      139,192 EUR         194,587         195,074         487   

Polish Zloty/European Euro

   Deutsche Bank         233,000 PLN      54,509 EUR         74,401         74,179         (222

Polish Zloty/European Euro

   Barclays Bank         233,000 PLN      54,477 EUR         74,396         74,209         (187

Polish Zloty/European Euro

   Morgan Stanley           91,000 PLN      21,321 EUR         29,245         28,995         (250

Polish Zloty/European Euro

   Deutsche Bank         233,000 PLN      54,721 EUR         74,430         73,932         (498

Swedish Krona/European Euro

   Deutsche Bank    10,280,000 SEK      1,097,435 EUR         1,403,382         1,394,942         (8,440
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 5,076,253       $ 5,114,358       $ 38,105   
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

23


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Over-the-Counter Interest Rate Swap Agreements

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open over-the-counter interest rate swap agreements were as follows:

 

Pay/ Receive Floating Rate    Floating Rate Index    Fixed
Rate
(%)
   Expiration
Date
     Counterparty      Notional
Amount
(Local)
             Value
($)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    3.018      8/22/23         JPMorgan Chase         3,910,000         USD         (297,781      (297,781

Receive

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    3.848      8/24/43         JPMorgan Chase         2,230,000         USD         (547,852      (547,852
                    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                       (845,633      (845,633
                    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements were as follows:

 

Pay/ Receive
Floating Rate
   Floating Rate Index    Fixed
Rate
(%)
   Expiration
Date
     Clearing Agent      Notional
Amount
(Local)
             Premiums
Paid/
Received
($)
     Value
($)
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    0.93      10/17/17         JPMorgan Chase         9,940,000         USD                 78,081         78,081   

Pay

   3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA    2.73      7/8/24         JPMorgan Chase         1,840,000         USD                 (37,858      (37,858
                       

 

 

    

 

 

 
                          40,223         40,223   
                       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

24


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 799,741,688  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 853,815,656  

Cash

       178,925  

Segregated cash for collateral

       183,776  

Interest and dividends receivable

       3,817,323  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,327,669)

       1,287,991  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       13,497,407  

Receivable for investments sold

       1,206,460  

Receivable for variation margin on swaps

       12  

Reclaims receivable

       178,453  

Prepaid expenses

       6,845  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       874,172,848  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       2,307,648  

Payable for investments purchased

       387,053  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       1,116,426  

Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements

       845,633  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       73,231,722  

Manager fees payable

       474,883  

Administration fees payable

       23,424  

Distribution fees payable

       169,601  

Custodian fees payable

       63,260  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,204  

Trustee fees payable

       44  

Other accrued liabilities

       37,662  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       78,659,560  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 795,513,288  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 692,032,124  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       20,075,863  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       19,068,211  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       64,337,090  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 795,513,288  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       57,990,314  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 13.72  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $70,346,825.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 16,875,722  

Interest

       11,351,916  

Income from securities lending

       275,580  

Foreign withholding tax

       (725,658 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       27,777,560  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       5,475,790  

Administration fees

       279,946  

Distribution fees

       1,955,633  

Custodian fees

       291,739  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       10,719  

Trustee fees

       39,443  

Professional fees

       44,844  

Shareholder reports

       35,840  

Other expenses

       22,396  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       8,156,350  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (769 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       8,155,581  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       19,621,979  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       18,351,802  

Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts

       (161,366 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on swap agreements

       (231,391 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       2,606,346  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (25,275,309 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (4,709,918 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 14,912,061  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

25


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
     

For the

Year Ended

December 31,

2014

  

For the

Year Ended
December 31,

2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 19,621,979        $ 11,578,127  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       20,565,391          12,463,128  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (25,275,309 )        66,386,266  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       14,912,061          90,427,521  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (12,323,008 )        (9,755,765 )

From net realized gains

       (13,056,696 )        (4,135,980 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (25,379,704 )        (13,891,745 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       150,487,951          286,382,484  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       25,379,704          13,891,744  

Value of shares redeemed

       (81,100,254 )        (75,479,718 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       94,767,401          224,794,510  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       84,299,758          301,330,286  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       711,213,530          409,883,244  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 795,513,288        $ 711,213,530  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 20,075,863        $ 11,906,144  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       10,676,240          21,891,005  

Dividends reinvested

       1,797,429          1,063,686  

Shares redeemed

       (5,801,940 )        (5,767,982 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       6,671,729          17,186,709  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

26


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 13.86       $ 12.01       $ 10.75       $ 10.99       $ 10.20  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.32         0.15         0.27         0.23         0.20  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.01 )       2.01         1.31         (0.43 )       0.82  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.31         2.16         1.58         (0.20 )       1.02  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.22 )       (0.22 )       (0.27 )       (0.02 )       (0.18 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.23 )       (0.09 )       (0.05 )       (0.02 )       (0.05 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.45 )       (0.31 )       (0.32 )       (0.04 )       (0.23 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 13.72       $ 13.86       $ 12.01       $ 10.75       $ 10.99  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       2.14 %       18.12 %       14.78 %       (1.83 )%       10.02 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 795,513       $ 711,214       $ 409,883       $ 302,592       $ 156,980  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2.51 %       2.10 %       2.80 %       2.90 %       3.13 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.04 %       1.05 %       1.09 %       1.16 %       1.25 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.04 %       1.05 %       1.09 %       1.16 %       1.19 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.04 %       1.05 %       1.09 %       1.16 %       1.19 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       23 %       24 %       19 %       17 %       17 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

27


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Floating Rate Loans

The Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. These loans are made by banks and other large financial institutions to various companies and are typically senior in the borrowing companies’ capital structure. Coupon rates are floating, not fixed and are tied to a benchmark lending rate. Loans involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. A Fund records an investment when the borrower withdraws money and records the interest as earned.

Structured Notes

The Fund may invest in structured notes, the values of which are based on the price movements of a reference security or index. Structured notes are derivative debt securities, the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator. The terms of the structured notes may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and therefore, may result in a loss of invested capital. Structured notes may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the reference may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the structured note at maturity may be calculated as a specified multiple of the change in the value of the reference; therefore, the value of such security may be very volatile. Structured notes may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the investor bears the risk of the reference. Structured notes may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities or more traditional debt securities.

 

28


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield and thereby involve risk that the yield obtained in the transaction will be less than that available in the market when the delivery takes place. A Fund will not pay for such securities or start earning interest on them until they are received. When a Fund agrees to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, the Fund will segregate or designate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are recorded as an asset and are subject to changes in the value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates. A Fund may sell when-issued securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss.

Short Sales

The Fund may engage in short sales against the box (i.e., where the Fund owns or has an unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost a security substantially similar to the security sold short) for hedging purposes to limit exposure to a possible market decline in the value of its portfolio securities. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The Fund may also incur an interest expense if a security that has been sold short has an interest payment. When a Fund engages in a short sale, the Fund records a liability for securities sold short and records an asset equal to the proceeds received. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the market value of the securities sold short. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $39.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $27,328 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

 

29


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Forward Currency Contracts 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $206.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $ 190 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Options Contracts

The Fund may purchase or write put and call options on a security or an index of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used purchased call options to hedge against security prices (equity risk).

A stock index fluctuates with changes in the fair values of the stocks included in the index, and therefore options on stock indexes and options on stocks involve elements of equity price risk.

Purchased Options Contracts — The Fund pays a premium which is included in “Investments, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and marked to market to reflect the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing put options that expire are treated as realized losses. When a put option is exercised or closed, premiums paid for purchasing put options are offset against proceeds to determine the realized gain/loss on the transaction. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.

Realized gains and losses, if any, are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

The Fund had the following transactions in purchased call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

        Number of
Contracts
     Cost

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         152          $ 112,029  

Options purchased

         98            49,337  

Options exercised

                     

Options expired

                     

Options closed

         (250 )          (161,366 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

                  $  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Swap Agreements

The Fund may invest in swap agreements. A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”). The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to market, interest rate and credit risk. The value of swap agreements are equal to the

Fund’s obligations (or rights) under swap agreements, which will generally be equal to the net amounts to be paid or received under the agreements based upon the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreements. In connection with these arrangements, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty.

Swaps are marked to market daily using pricing sources approved by the Trustees and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. For OTC swaps, payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss upon termination or maturity of the OTC swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the OTC swap is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part

of realized gains (losses). Upon entering a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or assets determined to be liquid (the amount is subject to the clearing organization that clears the trade). Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable, as applicable, for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps.

Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and exposure to loss. The primary risks associated with the use of swap agreements are imperfect correlation between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying instruments and the inability of counterparties or clearing house to perform. The counterparty risk for centrally cleared swap agreements is generally lower than for OTC swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for

each counterparty to a centrally cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to a clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.

The notional amounts reflect the extent of the total investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement (i.e., any unrealized appreciation) in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the swap agreement counterparty. The notional amount and related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of each swap agreement at period end is disclosed in the swap tables in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund is party to International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with select counterparties that govern transactions, such as OTC swap contracts, entered into by the Fund, through the Subsidiary, and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding OTC swap transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement.

 

30


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional amount and are subject to interest rate risk exposure. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into interest rate swap agreements to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate risk by economically hedging the value of the fixed rate bonds which may decrease when interest rates rise (interest rate risk). The gross notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $17.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount of interest rate swaps was $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

     
Interest Rate Swap Agreements   Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements+   $ 78,081      Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements+   $ 883,491   

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

     
Forward Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts     13,497,407      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts     2,307,648   

 

+ For swap agreements, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these agreements as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation margin on swaps.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

     Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Recognized as a Result from Operations
   Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Derivatives  Recognized
as a Result from Operations
      Net Realized
Gains/(Losses) on
Swap Agreements
   Net Realized
Gains/(Losses) on
Options Contracts
   Net Realized
Gains/(Losses) on
Forward Currency Contracts
   Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Investments

Equity Risk Exposure

     $        $ (161,366 )      $        $ 13,989  

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

       (231,391 )                          (704,752 )

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

                         2,606,346          11,270,984  

Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. ASU 2013-01 clarified the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of that entity’s financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of U.S. GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11 as applying to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset either in accordance with other requirements of U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

The Fund is generally subject to master netting agreements that allow for amounts owed between the Fund and the counterparty to be netted. The party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting agreements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. The amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Fund’s ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This table also summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by type are as follows:

 

        Assets      Liabilities

Derivative Financial Instruments:

             

Forward currency contracts

       $ 13,497,407          $ 2,307,648  

Swap agreements

         12            845,633  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

         13,497,419            3,153,281  

Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

         (7,681,939 )          (1,494,212 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total assets and liabilities subject to a MNA

       $ 5,815,480          $ 1,659,069  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

31


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Assets
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Received*
     Cash
Collateral
Received*
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Assets

Barclays Bank

       $ 2,081,701          $ (16,456 )        $          $ (1,270,000 )        $ 795,245  

Citibank

         1,293,741            (270,228 )                                1,023,513  

JPMorgan Chase

         2,440,038            (1,372,385 )                                1,067,653  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 5,815,480          $ (1,659,069 )        $          $ (1,270,000 )        $ 2,886,411  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged*
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged*
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities

Barclays Bank

       $ 16,456          $ (16,456 )        $          $          $  

Citibank

         270,228            (270,228 )                                 

JPMorgan Chase

         1,372,385            (1,372,385 )                                 
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 1,659,069          $ (1,659,069 )        $          $          $  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

* The actual collateral received or pledged may be in excess of the amounts shown in the table. The table only reflects collateral amounts up to the amount of the financial instrument disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained three independent money management organizations (the “Subadviser”), Franklin Advisers, Inc. (“Advisers”), Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (“Franklin Mutual”) and Templeton Global Advisors Limited (“Global Advisors”) to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to subadvisory agreements with the Manager and Advisers, the Manager and Franklin Mutual, and the Manager and Global Advisors, and the Trust, Advisers, Franklin Mutual and Global Advisors provide investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

         0.70 %          1.20 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services

 

32


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $9,228 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for

certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Options are generally valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the principal exchange on which the option is traded, which are then typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Non exchange-traded derivatives, such as swaps and certain options, are generally valued by approved independent pricing services utilizing techniques which take into account factors such as yields, quality, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

33


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Common Stocks

                           

Aerospace & Defense

       $ 7,114,499          $ 640,791          $          $ 7,755,290  

Air Freight & Logistics

         838,222            1,356,129                       2,194,351  

Airlines

                    5,647,801                       5,647,801  

Auto Components

                    2,444,966                       2,444,966  

Automobiles

         5,765,106            3,975,647                       9,740,753  

Banks

         27,908,747            16,022,779                       43,931,526  

Capital Markets

         2,872,752            3,270,639                       6,143,391  

Chemicals

         7,935,687            3,452,149                       11,387,836  

Commercial Services & Supplies

         1,981,035            715,822                       2,696,857  

Communications Equipment

         7,122,003            1,768,396                       8,890,399  

Construction & Engineering

                    1,379,428                       1,379,428  

Construction Materials

                    2,685,131                       2,685,131  

Diversified Financial Services

                    3,984,077                       3,984,077  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

         6,197,441            7,996,571                       14,194,012  

Electric Utilities

         12,566,129            81,864                       12,647,993  

Electrical Equipment

                    186,203                       186,203  

Energy Equipment & Services

         6,642,936            616,387                       7,259,323  

Food & Staples Retailing

         11,631,777            3,259,025                       14,890,802  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

         12,696,584            2,288,342                       14,984,926  

Industrial Conglomerates

         2,926,771            2,720,842                       5,647,613  

Insurance

         19,484,632            9,113,894                       28,598,526  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

                    803,147                       803,147  

Machinery

         3,345,119            1,085,211                       4,430,330  

Marine

                    2,673,970                       2,673,970  

Media

         22,150,358            5,837,082            147,154            28,134,594  

Metals & Mining

         8,452,071            5,621,314                       14,073,385  

Multiline Retail

         5,845,271            1,156,148                       7,001,419  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         29,814,836            18,066,857                       47,881,693  

Pharmaceuticals

         33,750,611            10,347,867                       44,098,478  

Real Estate Management & Development

         35,297                       110,688            145,985  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

         3,380,246            7,326,305                       10,706,551  

Software

         19,036,380            852,607                       19,888,987  

Sovereign Bonds

                    503,801                       503,801  

Specialty Retail

         1,335,143            2,654,314                       3,989,457  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

         14,704,939            1,797,343                       16,502,282  

Tobacco

         7,151,563            5,888,285                       13,039,848  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

         2,537,480            4,820,112                       7,357,592  

Other Common Stocks+

         32,192,577                                  32,192,577  

Preferred Stocks

                           

Automobiles

                    1,330,022                       1,330,022  

Other Preferred Stocks+

         1,925,177                                  1,925,177  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

                           

Banks

         930,376            505,440                       1,435,816  

Commercial Services & Supplies

                    43,626                       43,626  

Multi-Utilities

         300,325                                  300,325  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    295,313                       295,313  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

                    63,867                       63,867  

Convertible Bonds

                           

Automobiles

         1,075,000            2,007,235                       3,082,235  

Banks

                    942,000                       942,000  

Construction Materials

                    361,688                       361,688  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    1,343,750                       1,343,750  

Corporate Bonds+

                    54,202,986                       54,202,986  

Equity-Linked Securities+

                    5,513,940                       5,513,940  

Floating Rate Loans+

                    4,797,291                       4,797,291  

Foreign Bonds+

                    127,045,283                       127,045,283  

Municipal Bond

                    495,030                       495,030  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

                    20,000,000                       20,000,000  

 

34


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

U.S. Treasury Obligations

       $          $ 7,999,567          $          $ 7,999,567  

Yankee Dollars+

                    26,295,371                       26,295,371  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    73,231,722                       73,231,722  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         62,395,347                                  62,395,347  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         384,042,437            469,515,377            257,842            853,815,656  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                           

Forward Currency Contracts

                    11,189,759                       11,189,759  

Over-the Counter Interest Rate Swaps

                    (845,633 )                     (845,633 )

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

                    40,223                       40,223  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 384,042,437          $ 479,899,726          $ 257,842          $ 864,200,005  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as forward currency contracts and swaps. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant Level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 219,075,233          $ 149,931,340  

6. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.

 

Security      Acquisition
Date(a)
     Acquisition
Cost
     Shares or
Principal
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Net Assets
                                    

Tribune Co.

         12/31/12          $          $ 5,213          $            %

 

(a) Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security.

7. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

Security Quality Risk (also known as “High Yield Risk”): The Fund may invest in high yield, high risk debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities are

 

35


AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose the value of its entire investment.

8. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $800,248,483. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 99,378,441  

Unrealized depreciation

    (45,811,268
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 53,567,173   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 14,767,710          $ 10,611,994          $ 25,379,704  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 11,523,700          $ 2,368,045          $ 13,891,745  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund

       $ 31,655,383          $ 19,573,129          $          $ 52,252,652          $ 103,481,164  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

36


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

37


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 29.88% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $10,611,994.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $2,444,673.

 

38


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

39


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

40


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

41


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

42


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010   43   None

 

43


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

44


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Gateway Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 9

Statement of Operations

Page 9

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 10

Financial Highlights

Page 11

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 12

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 18

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 19

Other Information

Page 20

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 21

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 24

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Gateway Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Gateway Fund and Gateway Investment Advisers, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Gateway Fund returned 3.09%. That compared to a 13.69% total return for its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index1. The Fund’s performance reflects its hedged-equity strategy, which seeks to reduce wide swings in the portfolio’s value that can be caused by stock market volatility.

The Fund’s objective is to capture the majority of returns of equity market investments, but at a reduced level of risk. To pursue this strategy, the Fund holds a broadly diversified portfolio of stocks while also using index options to generate cash inflow and reduce the risk associated with un-hedged equity market investments. Selling index call options reduces the Fund’s volatility and provides steady cash flow that is an important source of the Fund’s return. However, the use of these options limits the Fund’s ability to profit from increases in the value of its equity portfolio. The Fund also purchases put options to attempt protect against sudden, short-term stock market declines.*

The period was marked by an improving U.S. economy and strong corporate earnings, though central bank policy and geopolitical tensions contributed to market choppiness. The S&P 500 experienced five brief but sharp pullbacks with losses ranging from 3.85% to 7.28%. Meanwhile, volatility remained low in the equity and equity index options markets.

The low levels of volatility during much of the period dragged on the Fund’s returns. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index2 (the VIX) averaged just 14.17 while falling as low as 10.32 and spending little time above its long-term average of 20. A lower VIX results in less cash flow for the sale of call options, and that reduced cash flow acts as a headwind against the Fund’s performance.*

As expected, the nature of the Fund’s strategy also limits relative returns in times when the S&P 500 posts strong gains in a short period of time, such as during the fourth quarter of 2014. When the S&P 500 rises far above the level of premiums the Fund earned from selling call options, the Fund’s relative returns suffer. As a result, when the S&P 500 advanced 11.03% from October 15, 2014, through the end of the period, the Fund gained just 3.19%.*

The roughly one-month period between mid-September and mid-October was the weakest for the period. During this period, the S&P 500 returned -7.28%. The Fund’s hedging strategy helped to minimize losses, leading to a return of -3.43%—less than half that of the index.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
2 Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index® (VIX®) is a key measure of market expectations of near-term volatility conveyed by the S&P 500 Index options.
 

 

1


AZL® Gateway Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to capture the majority of the returns associated with equity market investments, while exposing investors to less risk than other equity investments. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of common stocks, while also selling index call options.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/30/10)
 

AZL® Gateway Fund

     3.09     5.20     4.41

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     14.95

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Gateway Fund

     1.11

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.25% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”), an unmanaged index that is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Gateway Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Gateway Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,007.60          $ 5.57            1.10 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.66          $ 5.60            1.10 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Information Technology

      20.4 %

Financials

      16.1  

Health Care

      14.0  

Consumer Discretionary

      11.8  

Industrials

      10.1  

Consumer Staples

      9.4  

Energy

      8.3  

Materials

      3.3  

Utilities

      3.2  

Telecommunication Services

      2.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      98.7  

Money Market

      2.9  

Purchased Options

      0.4  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      102.0  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (2.0 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Gateway Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+ (98.7%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.2%):

  

  9,900       Boeing Co. (The)    $ 1,286,802  
  13,855       Honeywell International, Inc.      1,384,392  
  7,320       Raytheon Co.      791,804  
  11,210       United Technologies Corp.      1,289,150  
     

 

 

 
        4,752,148  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.8%):

  

  15,195       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      1,689,228  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.3%):

  

  6,380       American Airlines Group, Inc.      342,159  
  5,430       United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      363,213  
     

 

 

 
        705,372  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.3%):

  

  4,775       Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.      165,454  
  4,520       TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.*      464,882  
     

 

 

 
        630,336  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.5%):

  

  55,930       Ford Motor Co.      866,915  
  710       Tesla Motors, Inc.*      157,911  
     

 

 

 
        1,024,826  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (5.8%):

  

  7,645       Associated Banc-Corp.      142,426  
  132,325       Bank of America Corp.      2,367,294  
  39,828       Citigroup, Inc.      2,155,093  
  2,290       FirstMerit Corp.      43,258  
  45,405       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      2,841,445  
  2,940       Old National Bancorp      43,747  
  32,135       U.S. Bancorp      1,444,468  
  64,905       Wells Fargo & Co.      3,558,093  
     

 

 

 
        12,595,824  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (2.2%):

  

  51,675       Coca-Cola Co. (The)      2,181,719  
  3,643       Monster Beverage Corp.*      394,719  
  24,440       PepsiCo, Inc.      2,311,046  
     

 

 

 
        4,887,484  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (3.3%):

  

  3,045       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      563,416  
  10,465       Amgen, Inc.      1,666,970  
  3,265       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      1,108,304  
  12,050       Celgene Corp.*      1,347,913  
  20,940       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      1,973,805  
  3,650       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      433,620  
     

 

 

 
        7,094,028  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.2%):

  

  2,400       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*      509,376  
  25,980       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      784,336  
  8,600       Eaton Vance Corp.      351,998  
  5,975       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      1,158,134  
  9,270       Legg Mason, Inc.      494,740  
  23,805       Morgan Stanley      923,634  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  
  9,420       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.    $ 337,048  
  3,600       Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A      179,352  
     

 

 

 
        4,738,618  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.2%):

  

  17,955       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      818,928  
  15,570       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.      1,151,246  
  5,685       Eastman Chemical Co.      431,264  
  8,215       LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A      652,189  
  8,835       Monsanto Co.      1,055,517  
  7,875       Olin Corp.      179,314  
  2,965       Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.      104,724  
  9,510       RPM International, Inc.      482,252  
     

 

 

 
        4,875,434  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.7%):

  

  4,360       ADT Corp. (The)      157,963  
  270       R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.      4,537  
  15,750       Tyco International plc      690,795  
  12,015       Waste Management, Inc.      616,610  
     

 

 

 
        1,469,905  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.8%):

  

  65,755       Cisco Systems, Inc.      1,828,975  
  6,354       Motorola Solutions, Inc.      426,226  
  21,875       QUALCOMM, Inc.      1,625,969  
  1,735       Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Sponsored ADR      20,994  
     

 

 

 
        3,902,164  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.0%):

  

  15,200       American Express Co.      1,414,208  
  11,000       Discover Financial Services      720,390  
     

 

 

 
        2,134,598  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.4%):

  

  5,475       Avery Dennison Corp.      284,043  
  10,700       MeadWestvaco Corp.      474,973  
  3,090       Sonoco Products Co.      135,033  
     

 

 

 
        894,049  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.3%):

  

  6,850       Genuine Parts Co.      730,005  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (2.4%):

  

  27,765       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B      4,168,914   
  6,555       CME Group, Inc.      581,100  
  3,448       FNFV Group*      54,272  
  2,220       IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.      486,824  
     

 

 

 
        5,291,110  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.9%):

  

  50,830       AT&T, Inc.      1,707,380  
  24,259       Frontier Communications Corp.      161,808  
  48,180       Verizon Communications, Inc.      2,253,860  
     

 

 

 
        4,123,048  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Gateway Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Electric Utilities (1.5%):

  

  15,125       American Electric Power Co., Inc.    $ 918,390  
  17,076       Duke Energy Corp.      1,426,530  
  2,580       Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.      86,378  
  11,885       OGE Energy Corp.      421,680  
  12,395       Pepco Holdings, Inc.      333,797  
     

 

 

 
        3,186,775  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.8%):

  

  8,445       Eaton Corp. plc      573,922  
  12,975       Emerson Electric Co.      800,947  
  2,505       Hubbell, Inc., Class B      267,609  
     

 

 

 
        1,642,478  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.4%):

  

  23,645       Corning, Inc.      542,180  
  7,235       TE Connectivity, Ltd.      457,614  
     

 

 

 
        999,794  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.6%):

  

  9,955       Baker Hughes, Inc.      558,177  
  430       CARBO Ceramics, Inc.      17,222  
  3,265       Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.      119,858  
  19,950       Halliburton Co.      784,633  
  6,830       Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.      113,310  
  22,551       Schlumberger, Ltd.      1,926,081  
  1,885       Seventy Seven Energy, Inc.*      10,198  
     

 

 

 
        3,529,479  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.3%):

  

  21,820       CVS Caremark Corp.      2,101,485  
  14,770       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      1,125,474  
  21,455       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.      1,842,555  
     

 

 

 
        5,069,514  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.2%):

  

  14,175       ConAgra Foods, Inc.      514,269  
  13,445       Kraft Foods Group, Inc.      842,464  
  33,525       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      1,217,795  
     

 

 

 
        2,574,528  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.3%):

  

  2,161       AGL Resources, Inc.      117,796  
  3,605       National Fuel Gas Co.      250,656  
  761       ONE Gas, Inc.      31,368  
  3,090       WGL Holdings, Inc.      168,776  
     

 

 

 
        568,596  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (2.2%):

  

  25,375       Abbott Laboratories      1,142,383  
  9,155       Baxter International, Inc.      670,970  
  35,295       Boston Scientific Corp.*      467,659  
  9,380       Covidien plc      959,385  
  620       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      327,943  
  18,185       Medtronic, Inc.      1,312,956  
     

 

 

 
        4,881,296  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.4%):

  

  8,584       Aetna, Inc.    $ 762,517  
  4,430       Anthem, Inc.      556,718  
  12,425       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      1,052,025  
  4,355       HCA Holdings, Inc.*      319,613  
  4,120       Patterson Cos., Inc.      198,172  
  4,360       Quest Diagnostics, Inc.      292,382  
  14,835       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      1,499,670  
  3,965       Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B      441,146  
     

 

 

 
        5,122,243  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.1%):

  

  6,770       International Game Technology      116,783  
  2,190       Las Vegas Sands Corp.      127,370  
  17,480       McDonald’s Corp.      1,637,876  
  2,945       Melco Crown Entertainment, Ltd., Sponsored ADR      74,803  
  14,555       MGM Resorts International*      311,186  
  1,852       Restaurant Brands International, Inc.*      72,310   
  12,505       Wendy’s Co. (The)      112,920  
     

 

 

 
        2,453,248  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.9%):

  

  13,305       Leggett & Platt, Inc.      566,927  
  14,735       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      561,256  
  9,100       Toll Brothers, Inc.*      311,857  
  1,085       Tupperware Brands Corp.      68,355  
  2,095       Whirlpool Corp.      405,885  
     

 

 

 
        1,914,280  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (2.1%):

  

  14,265       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      986,995  
  5,820       Kimberly-Clark Corp.      672,443  
  32,295       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      2,941,752  
     

 

 

 
        4,601,190  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.2%):

  

  12,125       3M Co.      1,992,380  
  108,735       General Electric Co.      2,747,733  
     

 

 

 
        4,740,113  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (3.0%):

  

  6,580       AFLAC, Inc.      401,972  
  12,325       Allstate Corp. (The)      865,831  
  19,390       American International Group, Inc.      1,086,034  
  6,685       Aon plc      633,938  
  6,020       Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.      283,422  
  7,165       FNF Group      246,834  
  9,580       Lincoln National Corp.      552,479  
  17,570       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      1,005,707  
  9,905       Principal Financial Group, Inc.      514,466  
  6,120       Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)      647,802  
  7,040       XL Group plc,      241,965  
     

 

 

 
        6,480,450  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Gateway Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (1.2%):

  

  5,155       Amazon.com, Inc.*    $ 1,599,854  
  577       Lands’ End, Inc.*      31,135  
  810       Priceline.com, Inc.*      923,570  
     

 

 

 
        2,554,559  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (3.9%):

  

  5,245       Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      330,225  
  690       Baidu, Inc., Sponsored ADR*      157,299  
  15,750       eBay, Inc.*      883,890  
  26,440       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      2,062,849  
  3,045       Google, Inc., Class C*      1,602,888  
  4,195       Google, Inc., Class A*      2,226,118  
  625       LinkedIn Corp., Class A*      143,569  
  6,285       VeriSign, Inc.*      358,245  
  14,415       Yahoo!, Inc.*      728,102  
     

 

 

 
        8,493,185  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (3.2%):

  

  13,720       Automatic Data Processing, Inc.      1,143,836  
  5,915       Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      273,155  
  11,935       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*      628,497  
  9,350       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      581,570  
  10,555       International Business Machines Corp.      1,693,444  
  12,770       Paychex, Inc.      589,591  
  7,000       Visa, Inc., Class A      1,835,400  
  15,190       Western Union Co.      272,053  
     

 

 

 
        7,017,546  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.1%):

  

  10,305       Mattel, Inc.      318,888  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1%):

  

  890       Illumina, Inc.*      164,276  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (2.1%):

  

  10,210       Caterpillar, Inc.      934,522  
  4,710       Cummins, Inc.      679,041  
  5,600       Deere & Co.      495,432  
  4,780       Parker Hannifin Corp.      616,381  
  5,649       Pentair, Ltd.      375,207  
  3,910       Snap-On, Inc.      534,653  
  2,595       SPX Corp.      222,962  
  5,980       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      574,558  
  3,225       Timken Co.      137,643  
     

 

 

 
        4,570,399  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.7%):

  

  37,660       Comcast Corp., Class A      2,184,657  
  2,048       Liberty Global plc, Series C*      98,939  
  2,719       Liberty Global plc, Class A*      136,507  
  7,651       News Corp., Class B*      115,377  
  8,555       Omnicom Group, Inc.      662,756  
  78,395       Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.*      274,383  
  14,330       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      1,224,069  
  5,085       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      773,225  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  
  2,823       Time, Inc.    $ 69,474  
  26,705       Walt Disney Co. (The)      2,515,343  
     

 

 

 
        8,054,730  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.6%):

  

  16,405       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      383,221  
  10,475       Nucor Corp.      513,798  
  4,239       Southern Copper Corp.      119,540  
  12,760       Steel Dynamics, Inc.      251,882  
  1,587       TimkenSteel Corp.      58,767  
  2,295       Worthington Industries, Inc.      69,057  
     

 

 

 
        1,396,265  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.9%):

  

  8,295       Macy’s, Inc.      545,396  
  7,440       Nordstrom, Inc.      590,662  
  1,555       Sears Holdings Corp.*      51,284  
  9,105       Target Corp.      691,160  
     

 

 

 
        1,878,502  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (1.5%):

  

  15,300       Ameren Corp.      705,789  
  24,020       CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      562,789  
  13,450       Consolidated Edison, Inc.      887,834  
  3,445       Integrys Energy Group, Inc.      268,193  
  21,100       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      873,751  
     

 

 

 
        3,298,356  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (6.7%):

  

  5,698       California Resources Corp.*      31,396  
  6,020       Cheniere Energy, Inc.*      423,808  
  26,865       Chevron Corp.      3,013,716  
  5,190       Concho Resources, Inc.*      517,703  
  24,200       ConocoPhillips      1,671,252  
  10,740       CONSOL Energy, Inc.      363,119  
  11,550       Continental Resources, Inc.*      443,058  
  53,320       Exxon Mobil Corp.      4,929,433  
  4,730       Gulfport Energy Corp.*      197,430  
  14,235       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      1,147,483  
  6,730       ONEOK, Inc.      335,087  
  13,855       Phillips 66      993,404  
  16,025       Southwestern Energy Co.*      437,322  
  970       Statoil ASA, Sponsored ADR      17,082  
     

 

 

 
        14,521,293  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.0%):

  

  1,145       Herbalife, Ltd.      43,167  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (6.1%):

  

  22,000       Abbvie, Inc.      1,439,680  
  4,310       Actavis, Inc. plc*      1,109,437  
  23,360       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      1,378,941  
  15,725       Eli Lilly & Co.      1,084,868  
  470       GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sponsored ADR      20,088  
  35,325       Johnson & Johnson Co.      3,693,935  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Gateway Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals, continued

  
  36,580       Merck & Co., Inc.    $ 2,077,378  
  77,080       Pfizer, Inc.      2,401,042  
     

 

 

 
        13,205,369  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.1%):

  

  2,080       Dun & Bradstreet Corp.      251,597  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.7%):

  

  16,980       American Capital Agency Corp.      370,673  
  28,500       Annaly Capital Management, Inc.      308,085  
  33,930       Duke Realty Corp.      685,386  
  7,895       Hatteras Financial Corp.      145,505  
  3,710       Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.      101,357  
  11,610       Liberty Property Trust      436,884  
  10,190       Mack-Cali Realty Corp.      194,221  
  19,300       Senior Housing Properties Trust      426,723  
  13,363       Ventas, Inc.      958,128  
     

 

 

 
        3,626,962  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.9%):

  

  3,700       Avis Budget Group, Inc.*      245,421  
  1,610       Canadian Pacific Railway, Ltd.      310,231  
  33,040       CSX Corp.      1,197,039  
  7,085       Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*      176,700  
     

 

 

 
        1,929,391  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.7%):

  

  14,645       Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*      39,102  
  7,810       Altera Corp.      288,501  
  4,965       Analog Devices, Inc.      275,657  
  25,740       Applied Materials, Inc.      641,441  
  58,720       Intel Corp.      2,130,949  
  8,210       Linear Technology Corp.      374,376  
  4,725       Microchip Technology, Inc.      213,145  
  14,630       Micron Technology, Inc.*      512,196  
  11,215       NVIDIA Corp.      224,861  
  2,435       Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      177,049  
  14,930       Texas Instruments, Inc.      798,232  
  6,355       Xilinx, Inc.      275,108  
     

 

 

 
        5,950,617  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (3.7%):

  

  5,700       Activision Blizzard, Inc.      114,855  
  10,005       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      727,364  
  7,065       Autodesk, Inc.*      424,324  
  99,050       Microsoft Corp.      4,600,872  
  4,650       Nuance Communications, Inc.*      66,356  
  40,870       Oracle Corp.      1,837,923  
  14,155       Symantec Corp.      363,147  
     

 

 

 
        8,134,841  
     

 

 

 

Contracts,

Shares,

Notional

Amount or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks+, continued

  

 

Specialty Retail (2.6%):

  

  370       Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A    $ 10,597  
  1,445       American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.      20,057  
  5,770       Foot Locker, Inc.      324,159  
  5,690       Gap, Inc. (The)      239,606  
  19,355       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      2,031,693  
  5,365       L Brands, Inc.      464,341  
  19,815       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      1,363,272  
  4,325       Tiffany & Co.      462,170  
  10,045       TJX Cos., Inc. (The)      688,886  
     

 

 

 
        5,604,781  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (4.5%):

  

  71,700       Apple, Inc.      7,914,246  
  26,205       EMC Corp.      779,337  
  23,540       Hewlett-Packard Co.      944,660  
  5,525       Seagate Technology plc      367,413  
     

 

 

 
        10,005,656  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.2%):

  

  6,160       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*      462,616  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.1%):

  

  16,515       New York Community Bancorp, Inc.      264,240  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.5%):

  

  30,040       Altria Group, Inc.      1,480,070  
  16,580       Philip Morris International, Inc.      1,350,441  
  6,625       Reynolds American, Inc.      425,789  
  3,522       Vector Group, Ltd.      75,054  
     

 

 

 
        3,331,354  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.1%):

  

  2,845       GATX Corp.      163,701  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.2%):

  

  3,590       SBA Communications Corp., Class A*      397,628  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $154,681,303)

     214,942,080  
     

 

 

 

 

Purchased Options (0.4%):

  

 

Total Purchased Options (Cost $1,371,118)

     828,073  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (2.9%):

  

  6,340,456       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a)      6,340,456  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $6,340,456)

     6,340,456  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $162,392,877)(b) — 102.0%

     222,110,609  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (2.0)%

     (4,358,081
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 217,752,528  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Gateway Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

+ All or a portion of each common stock has been pledged as collateral for outstanding call options written.

 

(a) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(b) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Exchange-traded options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Put/
Call
         Strike
Price
     Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair
Value
 

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1800.00         01/16/15         188      $ 32,430  

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1875.00         01/16/15         169        51,968  

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1950.00         01/16/15         98        62,230  

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1825.00         02/20/15         241        218,105  

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1850.00         02/20/15         163        171,965  

S&P 500 Index

   Put    USD      1825.00         03/20/15         175        291,375  
                 

 

 

 

Total

                  $ 828,073  
                 

 

 

 

Exchange-traded options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Put/
Call
         Strike
Price
     Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair
Value
 

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2060.00         01/02/15         116      $ (85,260

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2090.00         01/09/15         93        (42,315

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2025.00         01/16/15         120        (586,800

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2000.00         01/16/15         130        (904,800

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2050.00         01/16/15         98        (297,920

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2025.00         02/20/15         233        (1,523,820

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2050.00         02/20/15         122        (589,260

S&P 500 Index

   Call    USD      2075.00         02/20/15         122        (407,480
                 

 

 

 

Total

                  $ (4,437,655
                 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Gateway Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 162,392,877  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value

     $ 222,110,609  

Cash

       1,002  

Interest and dividends receivable

       307,104  

Reclaims receivable

       2,350  

Prepaid expenses

       1,837  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       222,422,902  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       23,302  

Written Options (Premiums received $4,598,555)

       4,437,655  

Manager fees payable

       148,417  

Administration fees payable

       5,178  

Distribution fees payable

       46,380  

Custodian fees payable

       2,378  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       508  

Trustee fees payable

       10  

Other accrued liabilities

       6,546  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       4,670,374  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 217,752,528  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 197,912,125  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       2,484,287  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (42,522,516 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       59,878,632  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 217,752,528  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       18,347,855  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 11.87  
    

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 4,800,585  

Foreign withholding tax

       (1,294 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       4,799,291  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,713,999  

Administration fees

       60,272  

Distribution fees

       535,624  

Custodian fees

       11,983  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,655  

Trustee fees

       10,299  

Professional fees

       11,280  

Shareholder reports

       5,822  

Other expenses

       4,809  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       2,356,743  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2,442,548  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       8,872,640  

Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts

       (19,332,201 )

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       14,315,683  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       3,856,122  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 6,298,670  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Gateway Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,442,548        $ 2,574,178  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       (10,459,561 )        (28,154,431 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       14,315,683          40,871,485  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       6,298,670          15,291,232  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (2,524,790 )        (1,613,620 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (2,524,790 )        (1,613,620 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       27,031,916          48,460,939  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       2,524,790          1,613,620  

Value of shares redeemed

       (27,741,916 )        (21,384,395 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       1,814,790          28,690,164  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       5,588,670          42,367,776  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       212,163,858          169,796,082  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 217,752,528        $ 212,163,858  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,484,287        $ 2,576,767  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       2,299,425          4,277,413  

Dividends reinvested

       212,703          142,798  

Shares redeemed

       (2,377,336 )        (1,891,764 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       134,792          2,528,447  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

10


AZL Gateway Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

      Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  Year Ended
December 31,
2012
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  April 30, 2010
to
December 31,
2010(a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 11.65       $ 10.83       $ 10.44       $ 10.13       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.13         0.13         0.06         0.09         0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.23         0.78         0.37         0.22         0.13  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.36         0.91         0.43         0.31         0.20  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.14 )       (0.09 )       (0.04 )               (0.07 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.14 )       (0.09 )       (0.04 )               (0.07 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 11.87       $ 11.65       $ 10.83       $ 10.44       $ 10.13  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       3.09 %       8.44 %       4.15 %       3.06 %       1.98 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 217,753       $ 212,164       $ 169,796       $ 52,116       $ 16,217  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d)

       1.14 %       1.35 %       1.74 %       1.37 %       1.38 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)(e)

       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.14 %       1.25 %       1.59 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       1.10 %       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.24 %       1.25 %

Expense Net of Reductions, excluding Expense Paid Indirectly(d)(f)

       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.14 %       1.25 %       1.25 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       18 %       16 %       5 %       12 %       28 %(c)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Not annualized.

 

(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(e) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(f) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

11


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Gateway Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

12


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Options Contracts

The Fund may purchase or write put and call options on a security or an index of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used purchased and written call options to hedge against security prices (equity risk). A stock index fluctuates with changes in the fair values of the stocks included in the index, and therefore options on stock indexes and options on stocks involve elements of equity price risk.

Purchased Options Contracts — The Fund pays a premium which is included in “Investments, at value” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and marked to market to reflect the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing put options that expire are treated as realized losses. When a put option is exercised or closed, premiums paid for purchasing put options are offset against proceeds to determine the realized gain/loss on the transaction. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.

Written Options Contracts — The Fund receives a premium which is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options that are either exercised or closed are offset against the proceeds received or the amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. The risk associated with writing an option is that the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of an underlying asset and is required to buy or sell an underlying asset under the contractual terms of the option at a price different from the current value.

Realized gains and losses, if any, are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

The Fund had the following transactions in purchased call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

        Number of
Contracts
     Cost

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         1,122          $ 941,255  

Options purchased

         8,716            9,036,743  

Options exercised

                     

Options expired

         (552 )          (436,320 )

Options closed

         (8,252 )          (8,170,560 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

         1,034          $ 1,371,118  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

The Fund had the following transactions in written call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

       

Number of

Contracts

     Premiums
Received

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         (1,122 )        $ (3,078,945 )

Options written

         (13,198 )          (37,759,070 )

Options exercised

                     

Options expired

         436            663,953  

Options closed

         12,850            35,575,507  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

         (1,034 )        $ (4,598,555 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Total Fair
Value
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Investment securities, at value (purchased options)   $ 828,073      Written options   $ 4,437,655   

 

13


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ (19,332,201    $ 3,309,051   

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Gateway Investment Advisers, LLC (“Gateway”), Gateway provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Gateway Fund

         0.80 %          1.25 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,667 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

 

14


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Options are generally valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the principal exchange on which the option is traded, which are then typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Fund generally values index options at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the principal exchange on which the option is traded and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. For options where market quotations are not readily available, fair value procedures as described below may be applied. Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 214,942,080          $          $ 214,942,080  

Purchased Options

         828,073                       828,073  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         6,340,456                       6,340,456  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         222,110,609                       222,110,609  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Written Options

         160,900                       160,900  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 222,271,509          $          $ 222,271,509  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as written options. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 39,140,979          $ 53,527,274  

 

15


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $162,950,538. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 61,911,743  

Unrealized depreciation

    (2,751,672
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 59,160,071   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2018

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 10,170  

CLCFs not subject to expiration:

 

        Short Term
Amount
     Long Term
Amount
     Total
Amount

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 22,222,306          $ 20,074,988          $ 42,297,294  

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 2,524,790          $          $ 2,524,790  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 1,613,620          $          $ 1,613,620  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

16


AZL Gateway Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Gateway Fund

       $ 2,444,751          $          $ (42,307,464 )        $ 59,703,116          $ 19,840,403  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

17


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Gateway Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

18


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

19


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

20


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

21


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

22


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

23


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

24


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

25


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® International Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 16

Statement of Operations

Page 16

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 17

Financial Highlights

Page 18

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 19

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 25

Other Information

Page 26

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 27

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 30

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® International Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® International Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® International Index Fund returned -6.18%. That compared to a -4.48% total return for its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index1.

The Fund attempts to replicate the performance of the MSCI EAFE index, which tracks the performance of 21 international equity markets.

Equity markets in most countries represented in the index declined for the period in U.S. dollar terms. International stocks started the period on a negative note: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Global equity markets declined sharply in January, but soon rebounded—particularly in Europe—on signs that the global economic recovery was strengthening and hopes that the European Central Bank (ECB) would soon take measures to combat very low inflation in the eurozone. The ECB eventually took aggressive action in June, moving to a negative deposit rate. The resulting rebound in equity markets came with an increase in volatility.

A combination of high valuations and persistent uncertainty about global central bank policies left equities vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza, the downing of civilian airplane in the Ukraine, and Scotland’s flirtation with independence from the United Kingdom—added to concerns. These factors caused many investors to retreat from risk assets such as stocks.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. In Europe, most developed economies posted sluggish growth, while equity prices whipsawed under the influence of geopolitical turmoil and hopes for central bank stimulus. The eurozone faced dangerously low inflation rates, while the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and Greece’s failure to successfully elect a new president drove volatility higher.

The impact of currency fluctuations was notable in Asia. Developed Asian economies performed well in local currency terms, but generated negative results on a U.S. dollar basis. The Japanese economy continued to struggle to find firm footing, even as the nation’s equity markets benefited from central bank stimulus. Strong corporate earnings helped push Japanese stocks higher, but the weakening of the yen against the U.S. dollar resulted in Japanese equities having the largest negative effect on the performance of the index.

Later in the year, the strengthening U.S. dollar put pressure on commodity prices. Oil prices in particular declined sharply as global supply fell out of balance with demand. Lower prices harmed oil-exporting economies, but most developed markets benefited from the resulting boost to consumer spending. On an absolute basis (in U.S. dollar terms), Israeli stocks generated the strongest returns for the year.

The Fund’s underperformance of its benchmark was primarily due to the Fund adjusting valuations of international securities to account for anticipated market movement, although fees and expenses also detracted. The Fund’s daily net asset value (NAV) is adjusted based on fair market values to avoid market timing by investors. Meanwhile, the benchmark’s NAV reflects local closing prices. The difference in timing between the close of domestic and international markets can create a short-term difference in performance that corrects itself when trading reopens the next day. Any difference does not impact long-term performance, but it can appear as tracking error when the difference occurs on the last day of the period.

Health care and utilities were the only sectors posting gains in U.S. dollar terms. Utilities shares benefited from the low-interest rate environment, as stocks in that sector offered attractive yields to income-seeking investors. Energy stocks fell due to the steep decline in oil prices, and had the greatest negative effect on the index’s performance. Shares in the materials sector also posted large losses amid falling prices in other commodities.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® International Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Index (“MSCI EAFE® Index”) as closely as possible. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in a statistically selected sampling of equity securities of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index and in derivative instruments linked to the MSCI EAFE Index, primarily futures contracts.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/09)
 

AZL® International Index Fund

     -6.18     10.35     4.66     9.48

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -4.48     11.56     5.81     10.97

MSCI EAFE Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -4.90     11.06     5.33     10.48

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® International Index Fund

     0.76

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contact limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 0.77% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index, which is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. The index noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The index noted as “net of withholding taxes” reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL International Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL International Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 897.60          $ 3.54            0.74 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,021.48          $ 3.77            0.74 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Japan

      20.8 %

United Kingdom

      19.7  

Switzerland

      9.2  

Germany

      9.1  

France

      9.1  

Australia

      7.4  

Spain

      3.4  

Netherlands

      3.2  

Hong Kong

      3.1  

Sweden

      3.0  

All other countries

      10.6  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks

      98.6  

Rights

      ^

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      3.3  

Money Market

      0.3  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      102.2  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (2.2 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%.

 

3


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (98.0%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.9%):

  

  215,081       BAE Systems plc    $ 1,569,905  
  76,147       Cobham plc      381,785  
  40,110       European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV      1,991,916  
  29,968       Finmeccanica SpA*      278,221  
  56,599       Meggitt plc      452,360  
  131,047       Rolls-Royce Holdings plc      1,765,126  
  18,663       Safran SA      1,148,552  
  117,000       Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd.      299,621  
  6,454       Thales SA      348,191  
  13,420       Zodiac Aerospace      452,839  
     

 

 

 
        8,688,516  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.4%):

  

  34,900       Bollore^      158,373  
  66,624       Deutsche Post AG      2,179,588  
  43,571       Royal Mail plc      290,099  
  32,834       TNT Express NV^      218,118  
  43,939       Toll Holdings, Ltd.      209,082  
  24,800       Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.      488,404  
     

 

 

 
        3,543,664  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.2%):

  

  91,000       All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.      224,023  
  89,000       Cathay Pacific Airways, Ltd.      193,682  
  16,758       Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Registered Shares      280,609  
  11,214       easyJet plc      289,414  
  69,322       International Consolidated Airlines Group SA*      513,057  
  8,470       Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.      247,455  
  39,055       Qantas Airways, Ltd.*      75,709  
  1,900       Ryanair Holdings plc, ADR*^      135,413  
  39,000       Singapore Airlines, Ltd.      341,071  
     

 

 

 
        2,300,433  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (1.1%):

  

  12,700       Aisin Sieki Co., Ltd.      456,549  
  44,600       Bridgestone Corp.      1,550,147  
  12,753       Compagnie Generale des Establissements Michelin SCA, Class B      1,156,081  
  7,535       Continental AG      1,599,886  
  33,200       DENSO Corp.      1,547,564  
  115,141       GKN plc      610,653  
  6,600       Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      201,331  
  12,000       NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.      362,428  
  9,600       NHK SPRING Co., Ltd.      83,771  
  7,000       NOK Corp.      177,812  
  8,587       Nokian Renkaat OYJ^      210,303  
  15,275       Pirelli & C. SpA      205,117  
  9,000       Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.      194,568  
  13,500       Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.      201,034  
  15,000       The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.^      137,064  
  3,700       Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.      74,725  
  10,900       Toyota Industries Corp.      557,053  
  5,282       Valeo SA      657,833  
     

 

 

 
        9,983,919  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Automobiles (3.5%):

  

  22,972       Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)    $ 2,494,551  
  12,000       Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.^      157,433  
  66,273       Daimler AG, Registered Shares      5,528,542  
  60,814       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV*^      697,785  
  40,200       Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.      1,415,882  
  112,500       Honda Motor Co., Ltd.      3,272,011  
  39,500       Isuzu Motors, Ltd.      482,005  
  37,600       Mazda Motor Corp.      902,706  
  42,800       Mitsubishi Motors Corp.      392,158  
  170,200       Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.      1,482,731  
  26,690       PSA Peugeot Citroen SA*      325,549  
  13,217       Renault SA      965,725  
  24,800       Suzuki Motor Corp.      745,637  
  188,100       Toyota Motor Corp.      11,731,981  
  2,081       Volkswagen AG      453,385  
  19,100       Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.      384,192  
     

 

 

 
        31,432,273  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (13.5%):

  

  77,000       Aozora Bank, Ltd.      239,013  
  189,741       Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd.      4,934,484  
  299,489       Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA*      170,273  
  408,686       Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA      3,845,900  
  2,415,085       Banco Commercial Portugues SA*^      189,889  
  241,519       Banco de Sabadell SA      632,643  
  23,948       Banco Popolare SC*      286,647  
  125,391       Banco Popular Espanol SA      620,773  
  850,642       Banco Santander SA      7,112,076  
  69,291       Bank Hapoalim BM      327,321  
  89,523       Bank Leumi Le*      307,620  
  87,600       Bank of East Asia, Ltd. (The)      351,395  
  1,884,536       Bank of Ireland*      701,692  
  26,000       Bank of Kyoto, Ltd. (The)      217,507  
  22,737       Bank of Queensland, Ltd.      224,633  
  2,163       Bank of Queensland, Ltd.*      21,370  
  82,000       Bank of Yokohama, Ltd. (The)      445,128  
  311,293       Bankia SA*      461,442  
  46,043       Bankinter SA      367,086  
  1,130,378       Barclays plc      4,249,137  
  29,210       Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Ltd.      303,504  
  72,913       BNP Paribas SA      4,284,173  
  255,500       BOC Hong Kong Holdings, Ltd.      850,757  
  53,000       Chiba Bank, Ltd. (The)      347,912  
  12,700       Chugoku Bank, Ltd. (The)      173,439  
  226,030       Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.      862,761  
  67,383       Commerzbank AG*      895,058  
  111,591       Commonwealth Bank of Australia      7,748,127  
  70,657       Credit Agricole SA      908,237  
  156,625       Criteria Caixacorp SA      813,440  
  44,898       Danske Bank A/S      1,208,638  
  120,000       DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.      1,853,581  
  67,310       DnB NOR ASA      993,123  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Banks, continued

  

  18,715       Erste Group Bank AG    $ 429,018  
  57,000       Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.      294,338  
  26,000       Gunma Bank, Ltd. (The)      168,681  
  28,000       Hachijuni Bank, Ltd. (The)      180,264  
  53,000       Hang Seng Bank, Ltd.      881,349  
  33,000       Hiroshima Bank, Ltd. (The)      156,884  
  84,000       Hokuhoku Financial Group, Inc.      169,802  
  1,317,938       HSBC Holdings plc      12,453,616  
  60,208       Intesa Sanpaolo      148,185  
  803,775       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA      2,324,917  
  17,400       Iyo Bank, Ltd. (The)      188,635  
  45,000       Joyo Bank, Ltd. (The)      223,346  
  17,218       KBC Groep NV      955,495  
  3,930,243       Lloyds Banking Group plc*      4,640,525  
  877,700       Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.      4,811,602  
  8,445       Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, Ltd.*      88,726  
  1,588,639       Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.      2,669,834  
  162,842       National Australia Bank, Ltd.      4,435,914  
  66,332       Natixis      436,136  
  209,566       Nordea Bank AB^      2,421,984  
  199,899       Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.      1,571,495  
  8,407       Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG^      125,595  
  153,087       Resona Holdings, Inc.      772,776  
  173,570       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc*      1,053,531  
  41,600       Seven Bank, Ltd.      175,114  
  103,000       Shinsei Bank, Ltd.      179,849  
  35,000       Shizuoka Bank, Ltd. (The)      320,201  
  103,532       Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A      1,310,494  
  49,992       Societe Generale      2,100,480  
  170,361       Standard Chartered plc      2,554,590  
  87,569       Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.      3,164,615  
  13,700       Suruga Bank, Ltd.      251,058  
  34,368       Svenska Handelsbanken AB, A Shares      1,605,797  
  61,767       Swedbank AB, A Shares      1,537,961  
  58,312       UBI Banca – Unione di Banche Italiane SCPA      415,037  
  300,005       UniCredit SpA      1,911,857  
  88,073       United Overseas Bank, Ltd.      1,628,711  
  213,995       Westpac Banking Corp.      5,751,574  
  15,000       Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc.^      154,554  
     

 

 

 
        111,613,319  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (2.4%):

  

  55,346       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV      6,227,552  
  26,500       Asahi Breweries, Ltd.      818,092  
  7,581       Carlsberg A/S, Class B      588,817  
  41,751       Coca-Cola Amatil, Ltd.      315,872  
  13,540       Coca-Cola HBC AG      257,592  
  172,924       Diageo plc      4,959,048  
  7,264       Heineken Holding NV      455,272  
  15,792       Heineken NV^      1,121,720  
  56,000       Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.      693,796  
  14,487       Pernod Ricard SA      1,606,084  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Beverages, continued

  

  1,764       Remy Cointreau SA    $ 117,812  
  66,675       SABMiller plc      3,450,160  
  9,100       Suntory Beverage & Food, Ltd.      314,255  
  46,255       Treasury Wine Estates, Ltd.      179,894  
     

 

 

 
        21,105,966  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.4%):

  

  7,171       Actelion, Ltd., Registered Shares      825,252  
  32,479       CSL, Ltd.      2,286,321  
  10,048       Grifols SA      399,940  
     

 

 

 
        3,511,513  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.6%):

  

  74,000       Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.^      361,411  
  23,171       Assa Abloy AB, Class B      1,225,325  
  31,613       Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA      1,330,727  
  16,400       Daikin Industries, Ltd.      1,057,932  
  2,607       Geberit AG, Registered Shares      886,213  
  18,300       Lixil Group Corp.      387,074  
  18,000       TOTO, Ltd.      209,397  
     

 

 

 
        5,458,079  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.8%):

  

  69,769       3i Group plc      484,822  
  60,954       Aberdeen Asset Management plc      407,070  
  105,107       Credit Suisse Group AG      2,635,704  
  117,300       Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.      913,640  
  95,028       Deutsche Bank AG, Registered Shares      2,871,953  
  38,492       ICAP plc      268,455  
  40,414       Investec plc      337,567  
  15,596       Julius Baer Group, Ltd.      711,939  
  20,082       Macquarie Group, Ltd.      947,611  
  43,892       Mediobanca SpA      355,339  
  248,300       Nomura Holdings, Inc.      1,413,208  
  1,256       Partners Group Holding AG      364,359  
  14,490       SBI Holdings, Inc.      157,366  
  8,833       Schroders plc      366,043  
  251,373       UBS Group AG*      4,322,331  
     

 

 

 
        16,557,407  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (3.5%):

  

  23,720       Air Liquide SA      2,926,430  
  10,000       Air Water, Inc.      158,552  
  16,633       Akzo Nobel NV      1,153,273  
  4,498       Arkema, Inc.      298,248  
  85,000       Asahi Kasei Corp.      779,102  
  63,219       BASF SE      5,343,503  
  9,085       Croda International plc      374,292  
  18,000       Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.      210,784  
  568       Ems-Chemie Holding AG      230,679  
  636       Givaudan SA, Registered Shares      1,137,547  
  6,600       Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.      116,934  
  123,366       Incitec Pivot, Ltd.      318,932  
  28,383       Israel Chemicals, Ltd.      205,057  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Chemicals, continued

  

  163       Israel Corp., Ltd. (The)*    $ 77,597  
  14,211       Johnson Matthey plc      744,906  
  11,800       JSR Corp.      202,661  
  11,663       K+S AG, Registered Shares^      323,831  
  23,000       Kaneka Corp.      123,694  
  16,000       Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.      247,315  
  12,193       Koninklijke DSM NV      741,325  
  22,300       Kuraray Co., Ltd.      254,287  
  6,273       Lanxess AG      291,806  
  12,682       Linde AG      2,365,164  
  90,000       Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp.      438,347  
  25,000       Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.      125,608  
  56,000       Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.      159,094  
  12,000       Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.^      348,364  
  11,100       Nitto Denko Corp.      620,855  
  16,112       Novozymes A/S, B Shares      676,119  
  24,762       Orica, Ltd.^      379,403  
  28,200       Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.      1,834,920  
  154       Sika AG, Bearer Shares      451,820  
  4,146       Solvay SA      560,023  
  101,000       Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.      399,951  
  8,392       Symrise AG      508,863  
  6,434       Syngenta AG, Registered Shares      2,066,584  
  10,000       Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.^      110,363  
  62,000       Teijin, Ltd.      165,140  
  101,000       Toray Industries, Inc.      809,042  
  7,101       Umicore      285,974  
  12,073       Yara International ASA      540,295  
     

 

 

 
        29,106,684  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.5%):

  

  17,509       Aggreko plc      407,882  
  16,312       Babcock International Group plc      266,847  
  105,428       Brambles, Ltd.      907,710  
  41,000       Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.      370,095  
  13,832       Edenred      384,029  
  104,235       G4S plc      448,527  
  6,457       ISS A/S*      185,924  
  6,600       Park24 Co., Ltd.      97,210  
  14,300       SECOM Co., Ltd.      821,702  
  21,326       Securitas AB, B Shares      258,562  
  1,867       Societe BIC SA      247,748  
  37,000       Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.      240,913  
     

 

 

 
        4,637,149  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.7%):

  

  197,922       Alcatel-Lucent*      702,575  
  260,199       Nokia OYJ      2,047,662  
  209,976       Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, B Shares      2,544,687  
     

 

 

 
        5,294,924  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.8%):

  

  11,849       ACS, Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA      410,222  
  11,215       Bouygues SA      404,649  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Construction & Engineering, continued

  

  9,000       Chiyoda Corp.    $ 74,036  
  28,141       Ferrovial SA^      554,415  
  15,000       JGC Corp.      309,188  
  58,000       Kajima Corp.      239,744  
  5,932       Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV      324,273  
  6,904       Leighton Holdings, Ltd.      125,584  
  46,000       Obayashi Corp.      295,691  
  5,805       OCI NV*      201,441  
  38,000       Shimizu Corp.      258,793  
  26,975       Skanska AB, B Shares      577,072  
  69,000       TAISEI Corp.      392,831  
  33,719       Vinci SA      1,844,908  
     

 

 

 
        6,012,847  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.6%):

  

  53,332       Boral, Ltd.      228,708  
  50,501       CRH plc      1,214,874  
  50,748       Fletcher Building, Ltd.      327,216  
  9,587       HeidelbergCement AG      681,922  
  15,755       Holcim, Ltd., Registered Shares^      1,119,102  
  2,219       Imerys SA      163,619  
  29,548       James Hardie Industries SE      314,544  
  13,073       Lafarge SA      917,411  
  77,000       Taiheiyo Cement Corp.      242,335  
     

 

 

 
        5,209,731  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.1%):

  

  30,000       ACOM Co., Ltd.*^      91,295  
  7,900       Aeon Credit Service Co., Ltd.^      154,464  
  10,400       Credit Saison Co., Ltd.      193,532  
     

 

 

 
        439,291  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.1%):

  

  84,320       Amcor, Ltd.      927,672  
  46,579       Rexam plc      327,424  
  9,800       Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.      120,918  
     

 

 

 
        1,376,014  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.0%):

  

  7,000       Jardine Cycle & Carriage, Ltd.      224,829  
  386,000       Li & Fung, Ltd.      361,027  
     

 

 

 
        585,856  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.0%):

  

  4,900       Benesse Holdings, Inc.      145,582  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.3%):

  

  13,974       ASX, Ltd.      417,017  
  13,471       Deutsche Boerse AG      965,272  
  2,685       Eurazeo      187,530  
  6,343       EXOR SpA      258,747  
  149,750       First Pacific Co., Ltd.      147,836  
  5,367       Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA      456,771  
  15,821       Hargreaves Lansdown plc      246,646  
  70,900       Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.      1,559,877  
  12,449       Industrivarden AB, C Shares      216,365  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Diversified Financial Services, continued

  

  266,243       ING Groep NV*    $ 3,446,802  
  31,335       Investor AB, B Shares      1,136,309  
  17,300       Japan Exchange Group, Inc.      403,129  
  16,766       Kinnevik Investment AB, Class B      544,105  
  15,016       London Stock Exchange Group plc      515,832  
  34,700       Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co., Ltd.      164,003  
  89,900       ORIX Corp.      1,124,017  
  2,449       Pargesa Holding SA      188,712  
  54,000       Singapore Exchange, Ltd.      317,587  
     

 

 

 
        12,296,557  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (3.3%):

  

  10,188       Belgacom SA      368,862  
  142,170       Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd.      253,170  
  560,832       BT Group plc      3,480,972  
  218,723       Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares      3,505,336  
  9,694       Elisa OYJ      263,807  
  128,022       France Telecom SA      2,176,919  
  175,820       HKT Trust & HKT, Ltd.      228,789  
  1,876       Iliad SA      450,597  
  28,073       Inmarsat plc      347,851  
  222,344       Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV      700,919  
  25,776       Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.      1,326,603  
  277,000       PCCW, Ltd.      188,724  
  552,000       Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.      1,620,751  
  1,605       Swisscom AG, Registered Shares^      843,041  
  54,444       TDC A/S      414,976  
  125,177       Telecom Corp. of New Zealand, Ltd.      303,196  
  680,689       Telecom Italia SpA^      721,799  
  433,869       Telecom Italia SpA RSP      362,600  
  37,982       Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG      202,817  
  289,990       Telefonica SA      4,147,514  
  3,471       Telenet Group Holding NV*      194,922  
  52,436       Telenor ASA      1,058,010  
  163,818       TeliaSonera AB      1,054,202  
  298,238       Telstra Corp., Ltd.      1,447,950  
  18,376       TPG Telecom, Ltd.      100,276  
  83,648       Vivendi      2,086,365  
     

 

 

 
        27,850,968  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (2.1%):

  

  114,914       AusNet Services      124,112  
  41,000       Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd.      302,186  
  42,900       Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.*      504,779  
  21,800       Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)      285,535  
  131,000       CLP Holdings, Ltd.      1,134,355  
  29,786       Contact Energy, Ltd.      148,189  
  138,634       E.ON AG      2,380,337  
  161,507       EDP – Energias de Portugal SA      624,542  
  17,048       Electricite de France      468,063  
  456,327       Enel SpA      2,040,108  
  30,119       Fortum OYJ      650,777  
  11,200       Hokuriku Electric Power Co.      143,052  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Electric Utilities, continued

  

  94,000       Hongkong Electric Holdings, Ltd.    $ 908,196  
  7,525       Iberdrola SA      50,596  
  350,122       Iberdrola SA      2,355,403  
  46,700       Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)*      444,365  
  28,700       Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.*^      287,481  
  49,648       Mighty River Power, Ltd.      115,137  
  6,231       Red Electrica Corporacion SA      546,936  
  66,914       Scottish & Southern Energy plc      1,679,646  
  11,900       Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc.*      144,282  
  102,361       Terna – Rete Elettrica Nationale SpA      463,650  
  31,000       Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.      360,170  
  98,600       Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. (The)*      401,850  
     

 

 

 
        16,563,747  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.4%):

  

  151,373       ABB, Ltd.      3,202,762  
  14,320       Alstom SA*      461,887  
  37,000       Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.      147,625  
  17,924       Legrand SA      938,190  
  3,400       Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.      134,013  
  134,000       Mitsubishi Electric Corp.      1,595,675  
  15,000       Nidec Corp.      973,100  
  6,048       Osram Licht AG*      238,278  
  14,919       Prysmian SpA      271,512  
  36,156       Schneider Electric SA^      2,626,850  
  53,200       Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.      663,878  
  15,153       Vestas Wind Systems A/S*^      547,496  
     

 

 

 
        11,801,266  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.4%):

  

  21,100       Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.      162,356  
  31,500       Fujifilm Holdings Corp.      950,790  
  4,800       Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.      229,405  
  18,215       Hexagon AB, B Shares      563,668  
  2,300       Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.^      267,802  
  5,200       Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.      150,062  
  336,100       Hitachi, Ltd.      2,459,742  
  29,400       HOYA Corp.      984,505  
  7,600       IBIDEN Co., Ltd.      111,708  
  23,600       Japan Display, Inc.*^      72,196  
  3,070       Keyence Corp.      1,360,046  
  22,100       Kyocera Corp.      1,013,096  
  13,900       Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      1,518,600  
  25,000       Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.      112,720  
  14,400       Omron Corp.      645,522  
  19,796       Rexel SA      353,452  
  17,000       Shimadzu Corp.      173,039  
  8,400       TDK Corp.      495,008  
  17,100       Yaskawa Electric Corp.^      218,765  
  15,100       Yokogawa Electric Corp.      166,246  
     

 

 

 
        12,008,728  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.5%):

  

  26,412       AMEC plc    $ 345,636  
  18,997       Petrofac, Ltd.      206,010  
  17,660       Saipem SpA*^      185,449  
  27,844       Seadrill, Ltd.^      320,742  
  18,110       Subsea 7 SA^      184,808  
  7,375       Technip-Coflexip SA      440,336  
  33,584       Tenaris SA      507,212  
  24,064       Transocean, Ltd.^      441,151  
  14,329       WorleyParsons, Ltd.      118,161  
     

 

 

 
        2,749,505  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.6%):

  

  46,000       Aeon Co., Ltd.^      463,087  
  42,908       Carrefour SA      1,303,478  
  3,732       Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA      343,393  
  4,894       Colruyt SA      226,905  
  6,919       Delhaize Group      502,550  
  41,668       Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentacion SA      280,141  
  3,700       FamilyMart Co., Ltd.      138,150  
  5,357       ICA Gruppen AB      209,816  
  82,141       J Sainsbury plc      312,241  
  15,701       Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA      157,355  
  60,657       Koninklijke Ahold NV      1,078,113  
  4,400       LAWSON, Inc.      266,105  
  57,202       Metcash, Ltd.      85,999  
  11,067       Metro AG*^      338,792  
  51,400       Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.      1,854,345  
  564,438       Tesco plc      1,642,270  
  77,343       Wesfarmers, Ltd.      2,617,654  
  149,018       William Morrison Supermarkets plc      424,048  
  85,972       Woolworths, Ltd.      2,141,496  
     

 

 

 
        14,385,938  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (4.0%):

  

  38,000       Ajinomoto Co., Inc.      704,248  
  6,188       Aryzta AG      475,614  
  24,458       Associated British Foods plc      1,188,162  
  146       Barry Callebaut AG, Registered Shares      149,575  
  5,300       Calbee, Inc.      182,990  
  39,887       Danone SA      2,623,715  
  458,382       Golden Agri-Resources, Ltd.      159,009  
  11,026       Kerry Group plc, Class A      760,661  
  10,000       Kikkoman Corp.      245,379  
  69       Lindt & Spruengli AG      340,741  
  7       Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered Shares      401,897  
  4,126       Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.      375,839  
  221,941       Nestle SA, Registered Shares      16,273,528  
  12,000       Nippon Meat Packers, Inc.      262,522  
  15,345       Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc.      148,707  
  4,100       Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.      196,239  
  31,089       Tate & Lyle plc      291,998  
  6,000       Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.      193,767  
  112,127       Unilever NV      4,404,135  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Food Products, continued

  

  88,377       Unilever plc    $ 3,589,499  
  255,000       WH Group, Ltd.*      145,578  
  131,000       Wilmar International, Ltd.      319,656  
  6,000       Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.^      316,693  
  8,000       Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.^      98,725  
     

 

 

 
        33,848,877  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.6%):

  

  75,257       APA Group      458,109  
  11,088       Enagas      350,925  
  23,534       Gas Natural SDG SA      591,971  
  438,829       Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd.      999,350  
  127,000       Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.      474,755  
  135,981       Snam Rete Gas SpA      670,732  
  28,000       Toho Gas Co., Ltd.      137,240  
  161,000       Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.      868,928  
     

 

 

 
        4,552,010  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.8%):

  

  3,915       Cochlear, Ltd.      247,027  
  7,790       Coloplast A/S, Class B      655,785  
  27,094       Elekta AB, B Shares^      276,708  
  13,935       Essilor International SA Cie Generale d’Optique      1,551,014  
  13,459       Getinge AB, B Shares      305,908  
  16,900       Olympus Co., Ltd.*      595,586  
  61,772       Smith & Nephew plc      1,133,957  
  3,787       Sonova Holding AG, Registered Shares      555,316  
  9,600       Sysmex Corp.      425,958  
  20,100       Terumo Corp.      457,848  
  1,418       William Demant Holding A/S*^      107,649  
     

 

 

 
        6,312,756  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.5%):

  

  10,800       Alfresa Holdings Corp.      130,544  
  3,756       Celesio AG      121,434  
  14,940       Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co., KgaA      1,117,990  
  26,360       Fresenius SE & Co. KgaA      1,376,360  
  78,492       Healthscope, Ltd.*      173,748  
  11,100       Medipal Holdings Corp.      128,925  
  4,300       Miraca Holdings, Inc.      185,338  
  8,808       Ramsay Health Care, Ltd.      408,336  
  29,544       Ryman Healthcare, Ltd.      196,071  
  27,471       Sonic Healthcare, Ltd.      412,447  
  4,700       Suzuken Co., Ltd.      129,916  
     

 

 

 
        4,381,109  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.0%):

  

  12,500       M3, Inc.^      207,899  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.3%):

  

  11,993       Accor SA      537,297  
  12,228       Carnival plc      552,049  
  114,470       Compass Group plc      1,950,824  
  24,349       Crown, Ltd.      250,083  
  3,662       Flight Centre, Ltd.^      96,833  
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, continued

  

  158,000       Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.    $ 879,629  
  407,757       Genting Singapore plc      330,464  
  16,669       InterContinental Hotels Group plc      667,880  
  4,629       McDonald’s Holdings Co., Ltd.^      101,285  
  35,141       Merlin Entertainments plc      216,920  
  60,400       MGM China Holdings, Ltd.      152,280  
  3,500       Oriental Land Co., Ltd.^      802,753  
  169,300       Sands China, Ltd.      823,532  
  81,333       Shangri-La Asia, Ltd.      111,929  
  136,000       SJM Holdings, Ltd.      215,098  
  6,348       Sodexo, Inc.      622,344  
  49,758       Tabcorp Holdings, Ltd.      167,820  
  104,744       Tatts Group, Ltd.      294,602  
  30,714       TUI AG*      493,494  
  12,669       Whitbread plc      934,819  
  63,000       William Hill plc      354,242  
  103,600       Wynn Macau, Ltd.^      288,855  
     

 

 

 
        10,845,032  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.8%):

  

  13,600       Casio Computer Co., Ltd.^      208,893  
  16,240       Electrolux AB, Series B      476,817  
  26,794       Husqvarna AB, B Shares      197,183  
  10,800       Iida Group Holdings Co., Ltd.      131,188  
  150,400       Panasonic Corp.      1,767,296  
  21,578       Persimmon plc      527,775  
  2,300       Rinnai Corp.      154,901  
  31,000       Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.      373,256  
  39,600       Sekisui House, Ltd.^      518,759  
  104,000       Sharp Corp.*^      230,515  
  71,700       Sony Corp.      1,459,972  
  100,500       Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.      322,107  
     

 

 

 
        6,368,662  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.6%):

  

  7,926       Henkel AG & Co. KgaA      771,706  
  44,761       Reckitt Benckiser Group plc      3,610,488  
  26,500       Unicharm Corp.      637,819  
     

 

 

 
        5,020,013  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.0%):

  

  7,700       Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.      260,672  
  122,358       Enel Green Power SpA      254,190  
  88,932       Meridian Energy, Ltd.      121,891  
     

 

 

 
        636,753  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.4%):

  

  329       Delek Group, Ltd.      82,690  
  77,000       Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.      414,330  
  146,000       Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd.      1,671,679  
  35,000       Keihan Electric Railway Co., Ltd.^      186,963  
  98,200       Keppel Corp., Ltd.      655,429  
  66,266       Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV      1,923,816  
  105,390       NWS Holdings, Ltd.      193,297  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Industrial Conglomerates, continued

  

  55,283       Orkla ASA    $ 377,027  
  7,500       Seibu Holdings, Inc.^      153,040  
  63,000       SembCorp Industries, Ltd.      211,325  
  54,574       Siemens AG, Registered Shares      6,188,515  
  26,718       Smiths Group plc      452,149  
  2,053       Wendel      229,414  
     

 

 

 
        12,739,674  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (5.6%):

  

  13,109       Admiral Group plc      268,422  
  126,896       AEGON NV      951,988  
  15,076       Ageas NV      534,588  
  829,000       AIA Group, Ltd.      4,565,358  
  30,734       Allianz SE, Registered Shares +      5,105,962  
  206,349       AMP, Ltd.      918,028  
  80,397       Assicurazioni Generali SpA      1,642,754  
  200,374       Aviva plc      1,501,252  
  125,768       AXA SA      2,904,461  
  3,163       Baloise Holding AG, Registered Shares      404,086  
  11,102       CNP Assurances      196,569  
  74,500       Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (The)      1,130,705  
  13,649       Delta Lloyd NV      299,939  
  100,611       Direct Line Insurance Group plc      453,732  
  14,068       Gjensidige Forsikring ASA      229,306  
  4,189       Hannover Rueckversicherung AG, Registered Shares      379,926  
  164,881       Insurance Australia Group, Ltd.      835,727  
  406,290       Legal & General Group plc      1,560,295  
  63,211       Mapfre SA^      212,842  
  185,079       Medibank Private, Ltd.*      364,058  
  35,311       MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.      838,842  
  11,910       Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG      2,385,788  
  22,425       NKSJ Holdings, Inc.      563,635  
  8,431       NN Group NV*^      251,193  
  339,678       Old Mutual plc      998,842  
  176,656       Prudential plc      4,064,735  
  93,865       QBE Insurance Group, Ltd.      851,185  
  100,978       Resolution, Ltd.      570,826  
  72,460       RSA Insurance Group plc*      487,588  
  30,648       Sampo OYJ, A Shares      1,436,902  
  10,667       SCOR SE      322,775  
  13,900       Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.      205,004  
  164,480       Standard Life plc      1,013,142  
  88,880       Suncorp-Metway, Ltd.      1,012,553  
  2,177       Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered Shares      514,611  
  24,246       Swiss Re AG      2,029,355  
  38,336       T&D Holdings, Inc.      461,274  
  47,200       Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.      1,533,063  
  1,487       Tryg A/S      166,285  
  69,878       UnipolSai SpA      187,221  
  2,681       Vienna Insurance Group Weiner Staeditische Versicherung AG^      119,317  
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Insurance, continued

  

  10,287       Zurich Insurance Group AG    $ 3,222,273  
     

 

 

 
        47,696,407  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1%):

  

  55,600       Rakuten, Inc.      774,226  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (0.1%):

  

  11,400       Kakaku.com, Inc.      163,924  
  2,600       mixi, Inc.^      97,051  
  8,224       United Internet AG, Registered Shares      372,898  
  95,500       Yahoo! Japan Corp.^      344,660  
     

 

 

 
        978,533  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.3%):

  

  29,736       Amadeus IT Holding SA      1,181,486  
  5,688       Atos Origin SA      450,055  
  9,987       Cap Gemini SA      711,270  
  34,820       Computershare, Ltd.      332,928  
  1,200       Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.      42,528  
  7,200       Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.      221,120  
  8,600       NTT Data Corp.      321,539  
  2,700       Otsuka Corp.      85,462  
     

 

 

 
        3,346,388  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.2%):

  

  11,400       Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.      242,010  
  23,100       Nikon Corp.      306,774  
  3,200       Sankyo Co., Ltd.      110,304  
  11,700       Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.      150,129  
  5,300       Shimano, Inc.      685,670  
  11,800       Yamaha Corp.      175,298  
     

 

 

 
        1,670,185  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.0%):

  

  3,538       Lonza Group AG, Registered Shares      398,843  
  15,784       QIAGEN NV*      369,588  
     

 

 

 
        768,431  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (2.5%):

  

  21,201       Alfa Laval AB^      401,363  
  23,000       AMADA Co., Ltd.      197,231  
  4,684       Andritz AG      257,385  
  27,394       Atlas Copco AB, B Shares      702,404  
  46,809       Atlas Copco AB, A Shares      1,303,891  
  67,292       CNH Industrial NV      542,404  
  13,300       Fanuc, Ltd.      2,195,381  
  12,900       GEA Group AG^      571,104  
  17,500       Hino Motors, Ltd.      228,974  
  6,900       Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.      146,317  
  100,000       IHI Corp.      507,818  
  19,581       IMI plc      383,275  
  13,200       JTEKT Corp.      223,605  
  96,000       Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.      438,476  
  64,100       Komatsu, Ltd.      1,421,304  
  21,883       Kone OYJ, B Shares^      993,775  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Machinery, continued

  

  77,000       Kubota Corp.    $ 1,118,323  
  8,300       Kurita Water Industries, Ltd.      173,427  
  8,600       Makita Corp.      389,160  
  2,458       MAN AG      274,102  
  72,910       Melrose Industries plc      299,965  
  7,570       Metso Corp. OYJ      225,754  
  21,000       Minebea Co., Ltd.      307,427  
  209,000       Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.      1,155,790  
  7,900       Nabtesco Corp.      189,689  
  18,000       NGK Insulators, Ltd.      370,778  
  34,000       NSK, Ltd.      402,744  
  72,307       Sandvik AB      704,496  
  1,465       Schindler Holding AG, Registered Shares      210,184  
  3,061       Schindler Holding AG^      441,814  
  66,000       SembCorp Marine, Ltd.^      162,621  
  26,798       SKF AB, B Shares      564,121  
  3,800       SMC Corp.      989,712  
  1,669       Sulzer AG, Registered Shares      177,363  
  37,000       Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.      198,874  
  7,200       THK Co., Ltd.      173,862  
  6,864       Vallourec SA      187,411  
  105,749       Volvo AB, B Shares      1,142,827  
  9,900       Wartsila Corp. OYJ^      444,201  
  15,272       Weir Group plc (The)      437,060  
  134,250       Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings, Ltd.      121,956  
  12,422       Zardoya Otis SA      137,449  
     

 

 

 
        21,515,817  
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.4%):

  

  485       A.P. Moeller – Maersk A/S, Class B      964,219  
  270       A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S, Class A      516,701  
  3,866       Kuehne & Nagel International AG, Registered Shares      525,669  
  70,000       Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.      207,965  
  116,000       Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha      328,155  
     

 

 

 
        2,542,709  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.5%):

  

  6,203       Altice SA*      489,432  
  2,825       Axel Springer AG^      170,352  
  72,482       British Sky Broadcasting Group plc      1,008,697  
  15,177       Dentsu, Inc.      638,808  
  10,353       Eutelsat Communications SA      334,646  
  15,400       Hakuhodo DY Holdings, Inc.      147,633  
  265,562       ITV plc      884,575  
  4,332       JC Decaux SA      148,740  
  1,514       Kabel Deutschland Holding AG*      205,870  
  8,346       Lagardere S.C.A.      216,580  
  6,471       Numericable-SFR*      319,049  
  57,072       Pearson plc      1,049,723  
  14,837       ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, Registered Share      624,992  
  12,723       Publicis Groupe      911,154  
  3,720       REA Group, Ltd.      136,639  
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Media, continued

  

  47,536       Reed Elsevier NV    $ 1,135,916  
  78,408       Reed Elsevier plc      1,333,823  
  2,665       RTL Group      253,223  
  20,594       SES, Class A      738,641  
  98,768       Singapore Press Holdings, Ltd.^      313,814  
  7,400       Toho Co., Ltd.      167,937  
  21,220       Wolters Kluwer NV      647,890  
  91,077       WPP plc      1,889,268  
     

 

 

 
        13,767,402  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (3.1%):

  

  167,224       Alumina, Ltd.*      242,272  
  95,219       Anglo American plc      1,761,520  
  27,562       Antofagasta plc      319,963  
  70,168       ArcelorMittal^      759,916  
  145,391       BHP Billiton plc      3,109,504  
  221,063       BHP Billiton, Ltd.      5,244,222  
  19,830       Boliden AB      316,161  
  101,346       Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.^      223,280  
  14,577       Fresnillo plc      172,961  
  732,381       Glencore International plc      3,370,550  
  15,000       Hitachi Metals, Ltd.      255,489  
  27,328       Iluka Resources, Ltd.      131,338  
  34,600       JFE Holdings, Inc.      770,272  
  203,000       Kobe Steel, Ltd.      351,216  
  2,600       Maruichi Steel Tube, Ltd.^      55,396  
  83,000       Mitsubishi Materials Corp.      275,957  
  54,054       Newcrest Mining, Ltd.*      481,214  
  520,480       Nippon Steel Corp.      1,291,898  
  90,109       Norsk Hydro ASA      507,156  
  5,847       Randgold Resources, Ltd.      395,566  
  87,589       Rio Tinto plc      4,034,952  
  29,861       Rio Tinto, Ltd.      1,400,354  
  36,000       Sumitomo Metal & Mining Co., Ltd.      537,276  
  31,516       ThyssenKrupp AG*      810,512  
  7,663       Voestalpine AG      302,045  
  2,900       Yamato Kogyo Co., Ltd.      81,547  
     

 

 

 
        27,202,537  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.4%):

  

  4,000       Don Quijote Co., Ltd.      273,262  
  37,408       Harvey Norman Holdings, Ltd.^      101,978  
  22,200       Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, Ltd.      272,201  
  16,100       J. Front Retailing Co., Ltd.      187,521  
  112,307       Marks & Spencer Group plc      829,088  
  14,500       MARUI GROUP Co., Ltd.      131,158  
  10,579       Next plc      1,115,692  
  5,241       Pinault Printemps Redoute      1,007,503  
  18,000       Takashimaya Co., Ltd.      144,382  
     

 

 

 
        4,062,785  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (1.2%):

  

  47,896       AGL Energy, Ltd.      520,551  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Multi-Utilities, continued

  

  343,426       Centrica plc    $ 1,477,910  
  100,263       GDF Suez      2,341,395  
  259,620       National Grid plc      3,700,642  
  33,570       RWE AG      1,050,882  
  19,522       Suez Environnement Co.      338,379  
  28,666       Veolia Environnement      509,006  
     

 

 

 
        9,938,765  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.2%):

  

  235,489       BG Group plc      3,134,145  
  1,267,967       BP plc      8,050,271  
  9,550       Caltex Australia, Ltd.      264,207  
  175,823       Eni SpA      3,070,422  
  4,512       Fuchs Petrolub AG^      181,697  
  26,084       Galp Energia SGPS SA      263,859  
  6,000       Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.      99,436  
  59,300       INPEX Corp.      658,064  
  159,770       JX Holdings, Inc.      622,550  
  13,881       Lundin Petroleum AB*^      198,617  
  8,464       Neste Oil OYJ      205,066  
  10,104       OMV AG      267,337  
  77,079       Origin Energy, Ltd.      727,221  
  68,846       Repsol YPF SA      1,279,569  
  271,363       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares      8,993,626  
  167,972       Royal Dutch Shell plc, B Shares      5,769,789  
  65,620       Santos, Ltd.      443,239  
  11,800       Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K.^      116,316  
  76,852       Statoil ASA      1,347,710  
  19,000       TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K.      162,447  
  147,325       Total SA      7,595,063  
  59,861       Tullow Oil plc      378,710  
  50,694       Woodside Petroleum, Ltd.      1,575,594  
     

 

 

 
        45,404,955  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.2%):

  

  61,000       Oji Paper Co., Ltd.      218,942  
  36,657       Stora Enso OYJ, R Shares^      326,249  
  40,555       Svenska Cellulosa AB, B Shares      876,406  
  37,305       UPM-Kymmene OYJ      612,501  
     

 

 

 
        2,034,098  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.6%):

  

  6,870       Beiersdorf AG^      560,268  
  35,500       Kao Corp.      1,400,694  
  17,303       L’Oreal SA      2,904,606  
  24,700       Shiseido Co., Ltd.      345,942  
     

 

 

 
        5,211,510  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (9.3%):

  

  146,500       Astellas Pharma, Inc.      2,039,270  
  86,902       AstraZeneca plc      6,112,426  
  56,916       Bayer AG      7,780,031  
  14,900       Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.      366,330  
  45,000       Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.      629,227  
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Pharmaceuticals, continued

  

  10,500       Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.    $ 102,074  
  17,600       Eisai Co., Ltd.^      682,076  
  333,782       GlaxoSmithKline plc      7,140,403  
  3,900       Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.      122,454  
  15,000       Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.      141,221  
  8,990       Merck KGaA      852,740  
  15,200       Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.      222,779  
  158,312       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      14,563,950  
  138,136       Novo Nordisk A/S, B Shares      5,845,848  
  5,700       Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.      505,173  
  6,800       Orion OYJ, Class B^      211,077  
  27,400       Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.      821,916  
  48,353       Roche Holding AG      13,109,575  
  81,853       Sanofi-Aventis SA      7,458,864  
  5,200       Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.      278,329  
  21,300       Shionogi & Co., Ltd.      551,877  
  40,585       Shire plc      2,871,168  
  2,100       Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.      128,128  
  54,600       Takeda Pharmacuetical Co., Ltd.      2,266,044  
  58,985       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.      3,394,418  
  8,882       UCB SA      673,977  
     

 

 

 
        78,871,375  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.4%):

  

  11,833       Adecco SA, Registered Shares^      810,852  
  27,668       ALS, Ltd.^      119,693  
  14,704       Bureau Veritas SA      324,651  
  46,010       Capita Group plc      770,995  
  67,852       Experian plc      1,144,368  
  10,611       Intertek Group plc      384,589  
  8,289       Randstad Holding NV^      398,584  
  9,400       Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.*^      266,172  
  371       SGS SA, Registered Shares^      756,676  
     

 

 

 
        4,976,580  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.6%):

  

  133,000       Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust      238,804  
  67,767       British Land Co. plc      813,990  
  135,000       CapitaCommercial Trust      178,746  
  157,000       CapitaMall Trust      241,646  
  4,842       Corio NV      236,274  
  62,079       Dexus Property Group      350,954  
  94,343       Federation Centres      219,517  
  2,139       Fonciere des Regions SA      197,909  
  2,110       Gecina SA      264,053  
  115,163       GPT Group      406,767  
  53,325       Hammerson plc      498,341  
  2,354       ICADE      188,472  
  52       Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.      180,551  
  84       Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.      404,327  
  168       Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.      354,343  
  7,322       Klepierre      315,345  
  55,179       Land Securities Group plc      987,244  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), continued

  

  60,321       Liberty International plc    $ 311,894  
  159,500       Link REIT (The)      995,757  
  122,990       Macquarie Goodman Group      566,841  
  266,668       Mirvac Group      385,029  
  94       Nippon Building Fund, Inc.      471,034  
  109       Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.      236,344  
  159,952       Novion Property Group^      275,305  
  369,204       Scentre Group      1,049,590  
  48,266       SERGO plc      276,638  
  157,515       Stockland Trust Group      526,060  
  163,000       Suntec REIT      241,004  
  6,790       Unibail-Rodamco SE      1,735,233  
  171       United Urban Investment Corp.      268,641  
  137,646       Westfield Corp.      1,006,114  
     

 

 

 
        14,422,767  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (2.1%):

  

  7,260       AEON Mall Co., Ltd.      128,406  
  74,028       BGP Holdings plc*(a)        
  173,000       CapitaLand, Ltd.      429,947  
  96,000       Cheung Kong Holdings, Ltd.      1,602,052  
  26,000       City Developments, Ltd.      200,793  
  4,900       Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.      554,898  
  41,400       Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.      784,070  
  16,630       Deutsche Annington Immobilien SE^      565,610  
  19,447       Deutsche Wohnen AG      462,011  
  211,000       Global Logistic Properties, Ltd.      394,719  
  162,000       Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.      451,525  
  74,130       Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.      514,624  
  18,800       Hulic Co., Ltd.      186,928  
  43,000       Hysan Development Co., Ltd.      191,087  
  7,136       IMMOEAST AG NPV(BR)*        
  60,788       Immofinanz Immobilien Anlagen AG*      153,849  
  56,000       Keppel Land, Ltd.      143,995  
  51,500       Kerry Properties, Ltd.      186,082  
  37,338       Lend Lease Group      497,025  
  87,000       Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.      1,841,606  
  66,000       Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.      1,775,401  
  357,332       New World Development Co., Ltd.^      408,770  
  8,100       Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.      139,213  
  7,200       NTT Urban Development Corp.      72,238  
  217,600       Sino Land Co., Ltd.      349,318  
  26,000       Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.      885,850  
  113,000       Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.      1,708,906  
  45,000       Swire Pacific, Ltd., Class A      583,003  
  82,000       Swire Properties, Ltd.      242,025  
  3,821       Swiss Prime Site AG^      280,056  
  29,000       Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd.      211,232  
  30,800       Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.      212,258  
  31,996       UOL Group, Ltd.      167,954  
  103,300       Wharf Holdings, Ltd. (The)      741,904  
  60,000       Wheelock & Co., Ltd.      278,617  
     

 

 

 
        17,345,972  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

12


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Road & Rail (0.9%):

  

  71,622       Asciano, Ltd.    $ 350,578  
  152,127       Aurizon Holdings, Ltd.      569,830  
  9,900       Central Japan Railway Co.      1,485,464  
  142,000       ComfortDelGro Corp., Ltd.      278,076  
  12,264       DSV A/S      372,631  
  23,213       East Japan Railway Co.      1,739,424  
  31,000       Keihin Electric Express Railway Co., Ltd.      229,636  
  38,000       Keio Corp.      272,763  
  20,000       Keisei Electric Railway Co., Ltd.      243,926  
  126,000       Kintetsu Corp.      415,650  
  102,500       MTR Corp., Ltd.      418,678  
  54,000       Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.*^      201,095  
  63,000       Nippon Express Co., Ltd.      320,460  
  42,000       Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.      372,761  
  69,000       Tobu Railway Co., Ltd.      294,917  
  82,000       Tokyu Corp.      508,793  
  11,100       West Japan Railway Co.      526,072  
     

 

 

 
        8,600,754  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.8%):

  

  10,800       Advantest Corp.^      134,584  
  96,769       ARM Holdings plc      1,489,892  
  17,400       ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd.^      165,441  
  24,680       ASML Holding NV      2,643,820  
  77,822       Infineon Technologies AG      834,234  
  6,900       ROHM Co., Ltd.      418,684  
  42,738       STMicroelectronics NV      318,685  
  12,000       Tokyo Electron, Ltd.      910,796  
     

 

 

 
        6,916,136  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (0.9%):

  

  3,500       Colopl, Inc.*      78,353  
  8,965       Dassault Systemes SA      545,531  
  28,100       Gungho Online Enetertainment, Inc.^      102,450  
  6,900       Konami Corp.      127,246  
  9,400       Nexon Co., Ltd.      87,662  
  4,247       NICE Systems, Ltd.      215,337  
  7,300       Nintendo Co., Ltd.      760,943  
  2,700       Oracle Corp.      110,022  
  72,775       Sage Group plc      524,744  
  63,420       SAP AG      4,483,611  
  7,400       Trend Micro, Inc.^      202,497  
     

 

 

 
        7,238,396  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.0%):

  

  2,000       ABC-Mart, Inc.^      96,930  
  66,038       Dixons Carphone plc      475,587  
  3,700       Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.      1,348,253  
  65,359       Hennes & Mauritz AB, B Shares      2,713,002  
  1,200       Hikari Tsushin, Inc.      73,055  
  74,721       Industria de Diseno Textil SA      2,140,723  
  164,751       Kingfisher plc      868,067  
  4,700       Nitori Co., Ltd.      252,613  
  2,700       Sanrio Co., Ltd.^      67,166  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Specialty Retail, continued

  

  1,600       Shimamura Co., Ltd.^    $ 137,876  
  18,724       Sports Direct International*      205,326  
  16,500       USS Co., Ltd.      253,961  
  59,900       Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.^      199,962  
     

 

 

 
        8,832,521  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.8%):

  

  15,300       Brother Industries, Ltd.      277,631  
  78,100       Canon, Inc.      2,481,016  
  129,000       Fujitsu, Ltd.      687,280  
  5,694       Gemalto NV^      465,063  
  32,000       Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.      345,228  
  175,000       NEC Corp.      510,263  
  47,300       Ricoh Co., Ltd.      480,582  
  22,677       Seek, Ltd.^      316,401  
  8,900       Seiko Epson Corp.      373,893  
  278,000       Toshiba Corp.      1,177,359  
     

 

 

 
        7,114,716  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.5%):

  

  14,193       Adidas AG^      989,109  
  10,500       ASICS Corp.      250,969  
  30,994       Burberry Group plc      785,249  
  3,787       Christian Dior SA      646,959  
  35,933       Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares      3,183,810  
  1,783       Hermes International SA      635,696  
  2,887       Hugo Boss AG      354,406  
  11,734       Luxottica Group SpA      642,333  
  19,223       LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA      3,039,451  
  7,995       Pandora A/S      648,616  
  2,141       Swatch Group AG (The)^      950,971  
  3,471       Swatch Group AG (The), Registered Shares      300,312  
  56,500       Yue Yuen Industrial Holdings, Ltd.      203,441  
     

 

 

 
        12,631,322  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.4%):

  

  128,296       British American Tobacco plc      6,969,960  
  65,885       Imperial Tobacco Group plc      2,884,956  
  76,300       Japan Tobacco, Inc.      2,095,402  
  13,886       Swedish Match AB, Class B      433,405  
     

 

 

 
        12,383,723  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.1%):

  

  34,213       Ashtead Group plc      604,785  
  10,309       Brenntag AG      580,012  
  23,152       Bunzl plc      631,042  
  103,800       ITOCHU Corp.      1,109,980  
  116,200       Marubeni Corp.      696,653  
  94,700       Mitsubishi Corp.      1,737,075  
  117,000       Mitsui & Co., Ltd.      1,564,337  
  294,090       Noble Group, Ltd.      252,539  
  75,600       Sumitomo Corp.      776,617  
  14,500       Toyota Tsushu Corp.      335,188  
 

 

Continued

 

13


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Trading Companies & Distributors, continued

  

  16,389       Travis Perkins plc    $ 471,783  
  18,632       Wolseley plc      1,060,559  
     

 

 

 
        9,820,570  
     

 

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.4%):

  

  27,114       Abertis Infraestructuras SA      535,601  
  2,204       Aeroports de Paris      267,109  
  27,758       Atlantia SpA      644,647  
  61,151       Auckland International Airport, Ltd.      201,189  
  2,627       Fraport AG      152,171  
  30,998       Groupe Eurotunnel SA      400,093  
  380,000       Hutchison Port Holdings Trust      261,862  
  16,000       Kamigumi Co., Ltd.      142,321  
  4,863       Koninklijke Vopak NV      251,893  
  8,000       Mitsubishi Logistics Corp.      115,680  
  81,034       Sydney Airport      309,644  
  125,963       Transurban Group      880,334  
     

 

 

 
        4,162,544  
     

 

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.1%):

  

  16,268       Severn Trent plc      504,324  
  47,472       United Utilities Group plc      672,640  
     

 

 

 
        1,176,964  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.6%):

  

  40,100       KDDI Corp.      2,509,485  
  4,381       Millicom International Cellular SA, SDR      326,034  
  104,300       NTT DoCoMo, Inc.      1,527,014  
  66,100       SoftBank Corp.      3,934,416  
  41,202       StarHub, Ltd.      129,057  
  20,816       Tele2 AB      252,170  
  1,823,970       Vodafone Group plc      6,248,995  
     

 

 

 
        14,927,171  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $750,582,676)

     845,908,920  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Preferred Stocks (0.6%):

  

 

Automobiles (0.4%):

  

  3,648       Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), Preferred Shares    $ 299,361  
  10,676       Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Preferred Shares      867,333  
  11,219       Volkswagen AG, Preferred Shares      2,505,712  
     

 

 

 
        3,672,406  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.2%):

  

  12,436       Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preferred Shares^      1,345,099  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $3,641,486)

     5,017,505  
     

 

 

 

 

Rights (0.0%):

  

 

Commercial Banks (0.0%):

  

  401,556       Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA*      38,382  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  68,846       Repsol SA*      38,067  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Rights (Cost $—)

     76,449  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (3.3%):

  

  $28,840,160       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(b)      28,840,160  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $28,840,160)

     28,840,160  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.3%):

  

  2,428,736       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(c)      2,428,736  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $2,428,736)

     2,428,736  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $785,493,058)(d) — 102.2%

     882,271,770  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (2.2)%

     (18,969,926
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 863,301,844  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

SDR—Swedish Depository Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $27,265,099.

 

+ Affiliated Securities

 

(a) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(c) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(d) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Continued

 

14


AZL International Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    7.2

Austria

    0.2

Belgium

    1.2

Bermuda

    0.1

Cayman Islands

    %NM 

Denmark

    1.5

Finland

    0.9

France

    8.9

Germany

    8.9

Guernsey

    0.1

Hong Kong

    3.0

Ireland (Republic of)

    0.7

Israel

    0.6

Italy

    2.0

Japan

    20.3

Jersey

    0.5

Luxembourg

    0.3

Netherlands

    3.1

New Zealand

    0.2

Norway

    0.6

Portugal

    0.1

Singapore

    1.4

Spain

    3.3

Sweden

    3.0

Switzerland

    9.0

United Kingdom

    19.3

United States

    3.6
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

  NM Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%.

Futures Contracts

 

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

ASX SPI 200 Index March Futures (Australian Dollar)

     Long         3/20/15         11       $ 1,208,241      $ 52,361  

FTSE 100 Index March Futures (British Pounds)

     Long         3/20/15         25         2,541,181        131,633  

SGX NIKKEI 225 Index March Futures (Japanese Yen)

     Long         3/13/15         45         3,265,281        16,778  

DJ EURO STOXX 50 March Futures (Euro)

     Long         3/20/15         94         3,563,199        166,827  
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ 367,599  
              

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

15


AZL International Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investments in non-affiliates, at cost

     $ 781,692,099  

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       3,800,959  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at cost

     $ 785,493,058  
    

 

 

 

Investments in non-affiliates, at value*

     $ 877,165,808  

Investments in affiliates, at value

       5,105,962  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at value

       882,271,770  

Segregated cash for collateral

       1,098,446  

Interest and dividends receivable

       823,081  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $11,746,902)

       11,677,557  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       1,703,120  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       11,548  

Reclaims receivable

       330,220  

Prepaid expenses

       7,309  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       897,923,051  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       5,118,070  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       36,236  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       28,840,160  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       2,505  

Manager fees payable

       257,696  

Administration fees payable

       27,348  

Distribution fees payable

       184,069  

Custodian fees payable

       64,217  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,276  

Trustee fees payable

       46  

Other accrued liabilities

       88,584  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       34,621,207  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 863,301,844  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 849,894,779  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       21,347,325  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (104,941,106 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       97,000,846  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 863,301,844  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       56,492,499  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 15.28  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $27,265,099.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 33,387,143  

Dividends from affiliates

       209,812  

Interest

       27  

Income from securities lending

       690,987  

Foreign withholding

       (3,670,379 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       30,617,590  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,956,173  

Administration fees

       334,283  

Distribution fees

       2,111,557  

Custodian fees

       300,393  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       11,820  

Trustee fees

       45,504  

Professional fees

       52,558  

Shareholder reports

       18,752  

Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the manager

       162,211  

Other expenses

       310,173  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       6,303,424  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       24,314,166  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       (2,070,091 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       326,979  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (76,247,381 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (77,990,493 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ (53,676,327 )
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

16


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL International Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 24,314,166        $ 15,044,369  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       (1,743,112 )        (237,865 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (76,247,381 )        117,539,416  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       (53,676,327 )        132,345,920  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (15,224,243 )        (13,742,662 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (15,224,243 )        (13,742,662 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       145,001,811          148,440,908  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       15,224,243          13,742,662  

Value of shares redeemed

       (36,219,208 )        (39,829,157 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       124,006,846          122,354,413  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       55,106,276          240,957,671  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       808,195,568          567,237,897  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 863,301,844        $ 808,195,568  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 21,347,325        $ 12,698,316  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       8,994,284          9,792,221  

Dividends reinvested

       926,612          892,961  

Shares redeemed

       (2,188,320 )        (2,632,954 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       7,732,576          8,052,228  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

17


AZL International Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 16.57       $ 13.93       $ 12.03       $ 13.99       $ 13.31  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.42         0.29         0.26         0.28         0.15  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (1.43 )       2.65         1.89         (2.07 )       0.77  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (0.99 )       2.94         2.15         (1.79 )       0.92  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.30 )       (0.30 )       (0.25 )       (0.17 )       (0.07 )

Net Realized Gains

                                       (0.17 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.30 )       (0.30 )       (0.25 )       (0.17 )       (0.24 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 15.28       $ 16.57       $ 13.93       $ 12.03       $ 13.99  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       (6.18 )%       21.36 %       18.04 %       (12.78 )%       7.12 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 863,302       $ 808,196       $ 567,238       $ 380,763       $ 340,781  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2.88 %       2.23 %       2.66 %       2.70 %       2.07 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       0.75 %       0.76 %       0.80 %       0.83 %       0.83 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.75 %       0.76 %       0.77 %       0.74 %       0.70 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)

       3 %       2 %       3 %       12 %       3 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

18


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL International Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

19


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $34.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $68,373 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $10.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 367,599      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

 

20


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 326,979         $ (85,629

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL International Index Fund

         0.35 %          0.77 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $10,408 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

 

21


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total

Common Stocks

                           

Airlines

       $ 135,413          $ 2,165,020          $          $ 2,300,433  

Banks

         21,370            111,591,949                       111,613,319  

Capital Markets

         4,322,331            12,235,076                       16,557,407  

Electric Utilities

         148,189            16,415,558                       16,563,747  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

         493,494            10,351,538                       10,845,032  

Insurance

         364,058            47,332,349                       47,696,407  

Real Estate Management & Development

                    17,345,972            ^          17,345,972  

All Other Common Stocks+

                    622,986,603                       622,986,603  

Preferred Stocks+

                    5,017,505                       5,017,505  

Rights

         76,449                                  76,449  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    28,840,160                       28,840,160  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         2,428,736                                  2,428,736  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         7,990,040            874,281,730            ^          882,271,770  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                           

Futures Contracts

         367,599                                  367,599  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 8,357,639          $ 874,281,730          $ ^        $ 882,639,369  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

22


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

 

^ Represents interest in securities that were determined to have a value of zero at December 31, 2014.

A reconciliation of assets in which level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 153,620,902          $ 21,932,699  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $793,441,715. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 145,446,723   

Unrealized depreciation

    (56,616,668
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 88,830,055   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2015
     Expires
12/31/2016
    

Total

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 42,234,498          $ 55,890,176          $ 98,124,674  

 

23


AZL International Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

CLCFs not subject to expiration:

 

        Short Term
Amount
     Long Term
Amount
     Total
Amount

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 681,077          $ 181,815          $ 862,892  

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 15,224,243          $          $ 15,224,243  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 13,742,662          $          $ 13,742,662  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL International Index Fund

       $ 23,639,679          $          $ (98,987,566 )        $ 88,754,952          $ 13,407,065  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

8. Ownership and Principal Holders

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2 (a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had an individual shareholder account which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser representing ownership in excess of 50% of the Fund.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

24


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of

Trustees of Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL International Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

25


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

26


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

27


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

28


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

29


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios;
Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.
  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

30


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

31


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 13

Statement of Operations

Page 13

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 14

Financial Highlights

Page 15

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 16

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 22

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 23

Other Information

Page 24

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 25

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 28

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund and Invesco Advisers, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund returned 8.50% compared to a 13.69% and 5.97% total return for its benchmarks, the S&P 500 Index1 and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2, respectively.

The 12 months through December 31, 2014, were characterized by steady improvement in the U.S. economy and strong returns for U.S. stocks. Equity markets were volatile for the first four months of the year as investors worried that stocks had risen too far, too fast in 2013. Political upheaval in Ukraine and signs of economic sluggishness in the U.S. and China added to investor uncertainty. However, investors began to show confidence in the economic recovery and stocks rallied through the summer. The Federal Reserve reduced its monthly security purchases throughout the year, finally ending all purchases by October. That action had little impact on the market because it was widely expected. However, stocks suffered again in mid-September when the price of oil began to freefall, finishing 2014 at the lowest point in several years. After another sell-off in the equity markets in December, the S&P 500 Index rallied at the end of the month and finished the year on a positive note.

The Fund maintains a cash allocation to use for investment opportunities. While this allocation was within our typical target range throughout the period, holding cash detracted from relative performance in a strong equity market. Stock selection within health care also hurt performance relative to our equity benchmark. Underweight positions and stock selection in consumer staples and financials dampened relative performance as well. In particular, the Fund’s lack of exposure to REITs3 in the financial sector—adopted because we believed REITs were overvalued— hurt performance when investor demand for yield drove up the prices of those investments.*

Stock selection within utilities boosted relative performance versus the equity benchmark, mainly through holdings of electric utility companies. An allocation to and security selection within convertible bonds also contributed to relative performance versus the S&P 500.

The fixed-income portion of the Fund’s portfolio slightly underperformed the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index. The Fund’s mandate is to hold higher-grade, shorter-duration bonds than the index in order to provide potential return and mitigate volatility. This allocation posted positive returns but detracted from relative performance when falling bond yields caused lower-duration bonds to experience less price appreciation than higher-duration bonds.*

We used currency forward contracts during the period solely for the purpose of hedging the currency exposure of non-U.S.-based companies held in the portfolio. The use of currency forward contracts had a positive impact on the Fund’s performance relative to the S&P 500 for the period.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1 The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole.
2 The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year.
3  The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek the highest possible income consistent with safety of principal, with long-term growth of capital as an important secondary objective. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 65% of its total assets in income-producing equity securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate providing the potential for principal gain or loss. Intermediate-term, higher-quality bonds generally offer less risk than longer-term bonds and a lower rate of return.

The Fund is subject to the risk that principal value reacts in opposition to the movement of interest rates and that a rising interest rate environment increases the risk of loss of principal.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund

     8.50     14.82     10.60     6.71

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     15.45     7.67

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

     5.97     2.66     4.45     4.71

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund

     1.07

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on the first $100 million of assets, 0.675% on the next $100 million, and 0.65% on assets above $200 million. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 1.06%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,025.00          $ 4.90            0.96 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.37          $ 4.89            0.96 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Common Stocks

      64.4 %

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      17.0  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

      10.4  

Corporate Bonds

      8.0  

Money Market

      7.4  

Convertible Bonds

      7.2  

Yankee Dollars

      1.8  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

      0.6  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

      0.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      116.9  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (16.9 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (64.4%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.7%):

  

  65,783       General Dynamics Corp.    $ 9,053,056  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.8%):

  
  290,187       General Motors Co.      10,130,428  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (11.2%):

  
  1,137,728       Bank of America Corp.      20,353,954  
  194,449       BB&T Corp.^      7,562,122  
  751,253       Citigroup, Inc.      40,650,299  
  246,495       Citizens Financial Group, Inc.^      6,127,866  
  186,611       Comerica, Inc.      8,740,859  
  387,124       Fifth Third Bancorp      7,887,652  
  132,046       First Horizon National Corp.^      1,793,185  
  618,298       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      38,693,088  
  170,418       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.^      15,547,234  
     

 

 

 
        147,356,259  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.9%):

  
  75,205       Amgen, Inc.      11,979,404  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (4.9%):

  
  374,964       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      11,320,163  
  50,119       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      9,714,566  
  560,324       Morgan Stanley      21,740,570  
  128,159       Northern Trust Corp.      8,637,917  
  172,359       State Street Corp.      13,530,182  
     

 

 

 
        64,943,398  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.3%):

  
  93,757       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      4,276,257  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.7%):

  
  215,081       Tyco International plc      9,433,453  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.9%):

  
  440,960       Cisco Systems, Inc.      12,265,302  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.4%):

  
  156,228       Synchrony Financial*      4,647,783  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.4%):

  
  78,518       CME Group, Inc.      6,960,621  
  266,178       Voya Financial, Inc.      11,280,623  
     

 

 

 
        18,241,244  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.0%):

  

  138,734       France Telecom SA      2,359,069  
  620,612       Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV      1,956,422  
  1,296,092       Telecom Italia SpA      1,374,369  
  90,448       Telefonica SA      1,293,612  
  151,784       Verizon Communications, Inc.      7,100,456  
     

 

 

 
        14,083,928  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.4%):

  
  148,055       FirstEnergy Corp.^      5,772,664  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.9%):

  

  495,936       Corning, Inc.      11,371,812  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.1%):

  
  162,026       Baker Hughes, Inc.      9,084,798  
  179,267       Ensco plc, Class A, ADR^      5,369,047  
     

 

 

 
        14,453,845  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.2%):

  
  31,893       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.    $ 2,738,971  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (2.2%):

  

  200,772       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      10,440,144  
  283,978       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      10,315,501  
  173,366       Unilever NV, NYS      6,768,209  
     

 

 

 
        27,523,854  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.6%):

  
  109,466       Medtronic, Inc.^      7,903,445  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.8%):

  
  73,676       Anthem, Inc.^      9,258,863  
  42,130       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      3,567,147  
  101,187       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      10,228,994  
     

 

 

 
        23,055,004  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.1%):

  
  307,887       Carnival Corp.      13,956,518  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.8%):

  
  122,627       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      11,170,093  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.9%):

  
  1,001,489       General Electric Co.      25,307,627  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (2.2%):

  
  95,721       Aon plc      9,077,222  
  214,982       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.^      12,305,570  
  169,986       Willis Group Holdings plc      7,617,073  
     

 

 

 
        28,999,865  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (1.0%):

  
  242,615       eBay, Inc.*      13,615,554  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.7%):

  
  191,783       Amdocs, Ltd.      8,947,636  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.6%):

  
  114,558       Caterpillar, Inc.      10,485,494  
  166,125       Ingersoll-Rand plc      10,530,663  
     

 

 

 
        21,016,157  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.9%):

  
  253,370       Comcast Corp., Class A^      14,697,994  
  187,816       Thomson Reuters Corp.^      7,578,938  
  64,368       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      9,787,798  
  63,847       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      5,453,811  
  181,728       Viacom, Inc., Class B      13,675,032  
     

 

 

 
        51,193,573  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.4%):

  
  221,728       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      5,179,566  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.2%):

  
  208,358       Target Corp.^      15,816,456  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.5%):

  
  125,950       PG&E Corp.      6,705,578  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.5%):

  
  83,537       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.^      6,891,803  
  147,852       Apache Corp.^      9,265,885  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  261,759       Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd.    $ 8,095,035  
  93,136       Exxon Mobil Corp.      8,610,423  
  96,551       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      7,782,976  
  644,206       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares      21,350,542  
  204,702       Total SA      10,553,026  
     

 

 

 
        72,549,690  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (5.1%):

  
  170,598       Eli Lilly & Co.^      11,769,556  
  72,412       Hospira, Inc.*      4,435,235  
  228,592       Merck & Co., Inc.      12,981,739  
  6,023       Novartis AG, ADR      558,091  
  120,962       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      11,127,929  
  209,330       Pfizer, Inc.      6,520,630  
  88,740       Sanofi-Aventis SA      8,086,443  
  203,977       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., ADR      11,730,717  
     

 

 

 
        67,210,340  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.5%):

  
  192,003       CSX Corp.      6,956,269  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.8%):

  
  633,524       Applied Materials, Inc.^      15,787,418  
  201,626       Broadcom Corp., Class A      8,736,455  
  329,665       Intel Corp.^      11,963,543  
     

 

 

 
        36,487,416  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (2.9%):

  
  129,231       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      9,395,094  
  105,549       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      6,734,026  
  223,394       Microsoft Corp.      10,376,651  
  461,284       Symantec Corp.^      11,834,241  
     

 

 

 
        38,340,012  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.6%):

  
  187,182       NetApp, Inc.^      7,758,694  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.7%):

  
  110,621       Philip Morris International, Inc.      9,010,080  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.6%):

  
  248,712       Vodafone Group plc, ADR      8,498,489  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $659,257,933)

     847,949,720  
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.6%):

  

 

Banks (0.2%):

  
  13,608       KeyCorp, Series A^      1,746,077  
  32,000       Wells Fargo & Co.      820,800  
     

 

 

 
        2,566,877  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.3%):

  
  42,000       AMG Capital Trust II, 1.04%      2,593,500  
  23,135       State Street Corp., Series D, 0.91%      598,271  
     

 

 

 
        3,191,771  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1%):

  
  27,346       El Paso Energy Capital Trust I      1,656,998  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $6,257,722)

     7,415,646  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Convertible Bonds (7.2%):

  

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.2%):

  
$ 2,153,000       UTI Worldwide, Inc., 4.50%, 3/1/19(a)    $ 2,377,719  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.2%):

  

  1,987,000       BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., 1.50%, 10/15/20      2,435,317  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.7%):

  
  1,200,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.00%, 3/15/17, Callable 3/13/15 @ 100(a)      1,662,264  
  4,530,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.00%, 9/28/20(a)      5,100,191  
  2,239,000       Jefferies Group, 3.88%, 11/1/29, Callable 11/1/17 @ 100      2,313,167  
     

 

 

 
        9,075,622  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.3%):

  
  1,340,000       Ciena Corp., 4.00%, 12/15/20      1,660,763  
  2,734,000       JDS Uniphase Corp., 0.63%, 8/15/33, Callable 8/20/18 @ 200^      2,887,787  
     

 

 

 
        4,548,550  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.2%):

  
  2,258,000       Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., 3.25%, 3/15/32, Callable 3/20/18 @ 100      2,507,791  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.2%):

  
  1,899,000       NuVasive, Inc., 2.75%, 7/1/17      2,414,104  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.2%):

  
  2,281,000       Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., 2.75%, 6/15/18^      3,106,437  
  2,875,000       HealthSouth Corp., 2.00%, 12/1/43, Callable 12/1/18 @ 100      3,196,641  
  1,642,000       Omnicare, Inc., Series OCR, 3.25%, 12/15/35, Callable 1/15/18 @ 100      1,899,589  
  1,407,000       Omnicare, Inc., 3.50%, 2/15/44, Callable 2/15/19 @ 93.09^      1,681,365  
  4,397,000       WellPoint, Inc., 2.75%, 10/15/42      7,568,335  
     

 

 

 
        17,452,367  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.4%):

  
  726,000       Old Republic International Corp., 3.75%, 3/15/18^      841,253  
  1,295,000       Radian Group, Inc., 3.00%, 11/15/17      1,978,922  
  1,141,000       Radian Group, Inc., 2.25%, 3/1/19      1,834,870  
     

 

 

 
        4,655,045  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.2%):

  
  1,462,000       Liberty Interactive LLC, 0.75%, 3/30/43, Callable 4/5/23 @ 200      2,077,868  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.5%):

  

  5,810,000       Liberty Media Corp., 1.38%, 10/15/23^(a)      5,730,113  
  836,000       Live National Entertainment, Inc., 2.50%, 5/15/19(a)      883,025  
     

 

 

 
        6,613,138  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Convertible Bonds, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.4%):

  
$ 2,123,000       Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 2.63%, 12/1/19    $ 1,281,761  
  1,989,000       Peabody Energy Corp., 4.75%, 12/15/41^      1,044,225  
  3,337,000       Stone Energy Corp., 1.75%, 3/1/17^      2,901,105  
     

 

 

 
        5,227,091  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.4%):

  
  1,327,000       Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1.88%, 8/15/21^(a)      1,501,169  
  2,366,000       Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., 1.50%, 3/15/19      4,313,514  
     

 

 

 
        5,814,683  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.9%):

  
  2,824,000       Lam Research Corp., 1.25%, 5/15/18^      3,992,430  
  2,730,000       Micron Technology, Inc., Series G, 3.00%, 11/15/43, Callable 11/20/18 @ 83.04^      3,591,655  
  3,464,000       NVIDIA Corp., 1.00%, 12/1/18(a)      3,981,435  
     

 

 

 
        11,565,520  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (0.5%):

  
  4,408,000       Citrix Systems, Inc., 0.50%, 4/15/19^(a)      4,642,175  
  2,055,000       NetSuite, Inc., 0.25%, 6/1/18      2,301,600  
     

 

 

 
        6,943,775  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.4%):

  
  4,379,000       SanDisk Corp., 0.50%, 10/15/20      5,260,274  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.5%):

  
  3,438,000       MGIC Investment Corp., 5.00%, 5/1/17      3,844,113  
  1,557,000       MGIC Investment Corp., 2.00%, 4/1/20      2,278,086  
     

 

 

 
        6,122,199  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $83,386,635)

     95,091,063  
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (8.0%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  
  380,000       L-3 Communications Holdings Corp., 3.95%, 5/28/24, Callable 2/28/24 @ 100      383,144  
  200,000       Precision Castparts Corp., 2.50%, 1/15/23, Callable 10/15/22 @ 100      192,583  
     

 

 

 
        575,727  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.1%):

  
  360,000       FedEx Corp., 4.90%, 1/15/34      402,072  
  745,000       FedEx Corp., 5.10%, 1/15/44      860,226  
  160,000       United Parcel Service, Inc., 2.45%, 10/1/22^      156,849  
     

 

 

 
        1,419,147  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.1%):

  
  410,000       American Airlines 14-1, Series A, 3.70%, 10/1/26      413,608  
  87,127       Continental Airlines 2010-A, Series A, 4.75%, 1/12/21      92,790  
  277,852       Continental Airlines 2012-A, Series A, 4.15%, 4/11/24      285,492  
  59,795       Delta Air Lines, Inc., 6.20%, 7/2/18      65,775  
  490,000       United Airlines 2014-2, Series A, 3.75%, 3/3/28      493,675  
     

 

 

 
        1,351,340  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Automobiles (0.0%):

  
$ 550,000       Ford Motor Co., 4.75%, 1/15/43^    $ 580,316  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.5%):

  
  330,000       Bank of America Corp., 1.25%, 1/11/16, MTN^      330,579  
  295,000       Bank of America Corp., 5.75%, 12/1/17      325,945  
  175,000       Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 5/1/18, MTN      194,420  
  995,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series X, 6.10%, 10/29/49, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100^(b)      992,513  
  570,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series V, 5.00%, 12/29/49, Callable 7/1/19 @ 100^      557,709  
  130,000       PNC Funding Corp., 5.13%, 2/8/20^      146,077  
  1,945,000       Regions Financial Corp., 5.75%, 6/15/15      1,985,395  
  250,000       U.S. Bank NA, 3.78%, 4/29/20, Callable 4/29/15 @ 100(b)      252,244  
  110,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 1.50%, 1/16/18      109,398  
  405,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 4.10%, 6/3/26, MTN^      413,933  
  1,200,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 4.65%, 11/4/44, MTN      1,238,233  
     

 

 

 
        6,546,446  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.1%):

  

  135,000       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Worldwide, Inc., 3.63%, 4/15/15      136,189  
  175,000       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Worldwide, Inc., 0.80%, 7/15/15      175,281  
  175,000       Brown-Forman Corp., 2.25%, 1/15/23, Callable 10/15/22 @ 100      166,316  
  990,000       PepsiCo, Inc., 3.60%, 3/1/24, Callable 12/1/23 @ 100^      1,034,226  
     

 

 

 
        1,512,012  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.2%):

  
  335,000       Celgene Corp., 4.00%, 8/15/23      352,597  
  1,220,000       Celgene Corp., 4.63%, 5/15/44, Callable 11/15/43 @ 100      1,265,464  
  560,000       Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2.05%, 4/1/19^      560,080  
     

 

 

 
        2,178,141  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.4%):

  
  380,000       Apollo Management Holdings LP, 4.00%, 5/30/24(a)      386,737  
  120,000       Bear Stearns Co., Inc., 7.25%, 2/1/18      138,306  
  180,000       Charles Schwab Corp. (The), 4.45%, 7/22/20      197,712  
  1,470,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.75%, 5/15/15      1,479,836  
  240,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.50%, 1/15/16^      242,685  
  75,000       General Electric Capital Corp., Series G, 6.00%, 8/7/19, MTN^      87,238  
  115,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.15%, 4/1/18      129,078  
  520,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.63%, 1/31/19^      523,175  
  175,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 5.25%, 7/27/21      197,516  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  

$ 140,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.75%, 10/1/37    $ 176,033  
  200,000       KKR Group Finance Co. III LLC, 5.13%, 6/1/44, Callable 1/1/44 @ 100(a)      215,660  
  235,000       Morgan Stanley, 4.00%, 7/24/15      239,423  
  295,000       Morgan Stanley, 3.45%, 11/2/15      300,756  
  365,000       Morgan Stanley, 6.38%, 7/24/42      484,732  
  90,000       National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., 3.05%, 2/15/22, Callable 11/15/21 @ 100^      90,838  
     

 

 

 
        4,889,725  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.1%):

  
  749,000       Eastman Chemical Co., 2.70%, 1/15/20, Callable 12/15/19 @ 100      753,250  
  275,000       Monsanto Co., 2.13%, 7/15/19      273,984  
  190,000       Monsanto Co., 3.38%, 7/15/24, Callable 4/15/24 @ 100^      193,053  
  200,000       Monsanto Co., 3.60%, 7/15/42, Callable 1/15/42 @ 100      182,186  
     

 

 

 
        1,402,473  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.0%):

  
  430,000       Pitney Bowes, Inc., 4.63%, 3/15/24, Callable 12/15/23 @ 100^      440,154  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.0%):

  
  290,000       Juniper Networks, Inc., 4.50%, 3/15/24^      292,728  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.2%):

  
  318,000       American Express Co., 3.63%, 12/5/24, Callable 11/4/24 @ 100^      320,651  
  1,600,000       American Express Credit Corp., 2.75%, 9/15/15, MTN      1,624,684  
  1,275,000       Santander Holdings USA, 3.00%, 9/24/15, Callable 8/24/15 @ 100      1,290,282  
     

 

 

 
        3,235,617  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.1%):

  
  905,000       Packaging Corp. of America, 4.50%, 11/1/23, Callable 8/1/23 @ 100^      947,997  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.6%):

  
  551,000       Bayer US Finance LLC, 3.00%, 10/8/21^(a)      555,480  
  710,000       Citigroup, Inc., 6.01%, 1/15/15      711,010  
  550,000       Citigroup, Inc., 2.65%, 3/2/15      551,621  
  665,000       Citigroup, Inc., 3.50%, 5/15/23^      647,371  
  595,000       Citigroup, Inc., 6.68%, 9/13/43      769,367  
  220,000       Citigroup, Inc., 5.30%, 5/6/44^      241,047  
  600,000       General Electric Capital Corp., 5.25%, 12/31/99, Callable 6/15/23 @ 100, Perpetual Bond(b)      600,562  
  925,000       Glencore Funding LLC, 3.13%, 4/29/19^(a)      927,220  
  65,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.30%, 4/23/19      75,502  
  215,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.50%, 1/24/22^      234,727  
  710,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.88%, 9/10/24^      710,604  
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Diversified Financial Services, continued

  

$ 185,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series S, 6.75%, 12/31/49, Callable 2/1/24 @ 100, Perpetual Bond^(b)    $ 195,175  
  785,000       Moody’s Corp., 4.50%, 9/1/22, Callable 6/1/22 @ 100^      841,950  
  500,000       Moody’s Corp., 4.88%, 2/15/24, Callable 11/15/23 @ 100^      550,387  
     

 

 

 
        7,612,023  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.2%):

  
  405,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.15%, 9/15/23      447,214  
  1,375,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.40%, 9/15/33      1,693,703  
  305,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 4.40%, 11/1/34, Callable 5/1/34 @ 100      303,164  
  498,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.01%, 8/21/54^(a)      515,205  
     

 

 

 
        2,959,286  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.0%):

  
  405,000       Eaton Corp., 0.95%, 11/2/15      405,359  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.1%):

  
  960,000       Rowan Cos., Inc., 5.85%, 1/15/44, Callable 7/15/43 @ 100^      885,347  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.2%):

  
  85,000       Corn Products International, Inc., 6.63%, 4/15/37      107,636  
  335,000       CVS Caremark Corp., 3.38%, 8/12/24, Callable 5/12/24 @ 100^      338,251  
  1,085,000       Kroger Co. (The), 3.30%, 1/15/21, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100      1,101,049  
  780,000       Sysco Corp., 3.50%, 10/2/24, Callable 7/2/24 @ 100      802,632  
  315,000       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 3.30%, 4/22/24, Callable 1/22/24 @ 100      325,242  
     

 

 

 
        2,674,810  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.3%):

  

  2,185,000       Bunge, Ltd. Finance Corp., 5.10%, 7/15/15      2,232,450  
  795,000       General Mills, Inc., 2.20%, 10/21/19^      788,321  
  132,000       Mondelez International, Inc., 6.50%, 2/9/40      175,921  
  214,000       Tyson Foods, Inc., 3.95%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100^      221,216  
  193,000       Tyson Foods, Inc., 4.88%, 8/15/34, Callable 2/15/34 @ 100      211,715  
  199,000       Tyson Foods, Inc., 5.15%, 8/15/44, Callable 2/15/43 @ 100^      223,512  
     

 

 

 
        3,853,135  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.3%):

  
  297,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 2.68%, 12/15/19      300,906  
  465,000       CareFusion Corp., 3.88%, 5/15/24, Callable 2/15/24 @ 100^      479,876  
  370,000       CareFusion Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/44, Callable 11/15/43 @ 100      394,109  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

$ 525,000       Edwards Lifesciences Corp., 2.88%, 10/15/18    $ 532,211  
  1,017,000       Medtronic, Inc., 3.15%, 3/15/22(a)      1,029,891  
  361,000       Medtronic, Inc., 4.38%, 3/15/35(a)      382,969  
  290,000       Medtronic, Inc., 4.00%, 4/1/43, Callable 10/1/42 @ 100      276,498  
  465,000       Medtronic, Inc., 4.63%, 3/15/44, Callable 9/15/43 @ 100      500,548  
     

 

 

 
        3,897,008  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.3%):

  
  220,000       Aetna, Inc., 3.95%, 9/1/20      232,303  
  840,000       Express Scripts Holding Co., 2.25%, 6/15/19      831,005  
  950,000       McKesson Corp., 2.28%, 3/15/19^      948,016  
  1,555,000       WellPoint, Inc., 1.25%, 9/10/15      1,561,292  
     

 

 

 
        3,572,616  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.0%):

  
  305,000       Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 2.95%, 3/1/17, Callable 2/1/17 @ 100      311,477  
  225,000       Wyndham Worldwide Corp., 5.63%, 3/1/21      251,594  
     

 

 

 
        563,071  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.0%):

  
  635,000       MDC Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 1/15/43, Callable 10/15/42 @ 100      527,050  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.1%):

  

  695,000       Tupperware Brands Corp., 4.75%, 6/1/21, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100      743,959  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.1%):

  

  175,000       Louisville Gas & Electric Co., 1.63%, 11/15/15      176,324  
  520,000       Oglethorpe Power Corp., 4.55%, 6/1/44      548,231  
  125,000       Ohio Power Co., Series M, 5.38%, 10/1/21      144,598  
     

 

 

 
        869,153  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.6%):

  
  1,000,000       American Financial Group, Inc., 9.88%, 6/15/19      1,284,564  
  345,000       American International Group, Inc., 2.30%, 7/16/19, Callable 6/16/19 @ 100^      345,351  
  205,000       Berkley (WR) Corp., 4.63%, 3/15/22^      219,827  
  115,000       CNA Financial Corp., 5.88%, 8/15/20^      131,277  
  870,000       Farmers Exchange Capital III, 5.45%, 10/15/54, Callable 10/15/34 @ 100(a)(b)      896,100  
  675,000       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 4.00%, 3/30/15      680,336  
  660,000       Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 4.85%, 8/1/44(a)      670,873  
  320,000       Lincoln National Corp., 4.00%, 9/1/23^      331,993  
  210,000       Markel Corp., 5.00%, 3/30/43      222,998  
  295,000       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 4.05%, 10/15/23, Callable 7/15/23 @ 100      311,685  
  860,000       Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., 5.30%, 11/18/44(a)      907,260  
  75,000       Pacific Life Corp., 6.00%, 2/10/20(a)      85,251  
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Insurance, continued

  

$ 80,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., Series D, 4.75%, 9/17/15, MTN    $ 82,090  
  35,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., 6.63%, 12/1/37, MTN      46,192  
  280,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., 5.10%, 8/15/43, MTN^      315,381  
  560,000       Reinsurance Group of America, Inc., 4.70%, 9/15/23      601,752  
  440,000       Travelers Cos., Inc. (The), 4.60%, 8/1/43^      493,947  
     

 

 

 
        7,626,877  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1%):

  

  846,000       Amazon.com, Inc., 4.80%, 12/5/34, Callable 6/5/34 @ 100      888,078  
  795,000       QVC, Inc., 5.45%, 8/15/34, Callable 2/15/34 @ 100      775,739  
     

 

 

 
        1,663,817  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.0%):

  
  315,000       Computer Sciences Corp., 4.45%, 9/15/22      322,218  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.0%):

  
  655,000       Deere & Co., 2.60%, 6/8/22, Callable 3/8/22 @ 100      644,373  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.9%):

  
  135,000       Comcast Corp., 5.70%, 5/15/18      152,017  
  415,000       Comcast Corp., 4.25%, 1/15/33      439,455  
  245,000       Comcast Corp., 6.45%, 3/15/37      325,953  
  1,520,000       Cox Communications, Inc., 8.38%, 3/1/39(a)      2,166,997  
  240,000       Cox Communications, Inc., 4.70%, 12/15/42(a)      239,787  
  2,185,000       DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co., Inc., 5.15%, 3/15/42      2,257,891  
  1,445,000       Discovery Communications, Inc., 3.70%, 6/1/15      1,461,441  
  200,000       Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., 2.25%, 11/15/17      200,379  
  65,000       NBCUniversal Media LLC, 5.15%, 4/30/20      73,762  
  75,000       NBCUniversal Media LLC, 5.95%, 4/1/41      96,444  
  2,000,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5.00%, 2/1/20      2,203,970  
  160,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5.88%, 11/15/40, Callable 5/15/40 @ 100      190,777  
  40,000       Time Warner, Inc., 5.88%, 11/15/16      43,358  
  328,000       Viacom, Inc., 4.85%, 12/15/34, Callable 6/15/34 @ 100      335,664  
     

 

 

 
        10,187,895  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.0%):

  
  350,000       Barrick NA Finance LLC, 5.70%, 5/30/41      343,627  
  215,000       Newmont Mining Corp., 3.50%, 3/15/22, Callable 12/15/21 @ 100^      202,046  
  72,000       Southern Copper Corp., 5.25%, 11/8/42^      64,321  
     

 

 

 
        609,994  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Multiline Retail (0.0%):

  

$ 330,000       Dollar General Corp., 3.25%, 4/15/23, Callable 1/15/23 @ 100    $ 300,381  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.0%):

  
  250,000       Dominion Resources, Inc., 5.75%, 10/1/54, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100^(b)      260,854  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.0%):

  
  335,000       Chevron Corp., 1.72%, 6/24/18, Callable 5/24/18 @ 100^      336,693  
  808,000       ConocoPhillips Co., 2.88%, 11/15/21, Callable 9/15/21 @ 100      816,056  
  867,000       ConocoPhillips Co., 4.15%, 11/15/34, Callable 5/15/34 @ 100      889,614  
  405,000       Devon Energy Corp., 2.25%, 12/15/18, Callable 11/15/18 @ 100^      403,540  
  385,000       Devon Energy Corp., 3.25%, 5/15/22, Callable 2/15/22 @ 100^      378,207  
  385,000       Enable Midstream Partners LP, 2.40%, 5/15/19, Callable 4/15/19 @ 100(a)      374,452  
  55,000       Enterprise Products Operating LP, 5.25%, 1/31/20      60,792  
  75,000       Enterprise Products Partners LP, 6.50%, 1/31/19^      85,962  
  350,000       Enterprise Products Partners LP, 2.55%, 10/15/19, Callable 9/15/19 @ 100      346,476  
  503,000       Kinder Morgan (Delaware), Inc., 5.30%, 12/1/34, Callable 6/1/34 @ 100^      510,573  
  1,670,000       Marathon Oil Corp., 0.90%, 11/1/15      1,665,128  
  640,000       Noble Energy, Inc., 5.25%, 11/15/43, Callable 5/15/43 @ 100      649,950  
  190,000       Phillips 66, 1.95%, 3/5/15      190,481  
  175,000       Plains All American Pipeline LP, 3.65%, 6/1/22, Callable 3/1/22 @ 100      175,946  
  365,000       Southwestern Energy Co., 4.10%, 3/15/22, Callable 12/15/21 @ 100^      358,208  
  45,000       Spectra Energy Capital Corp., 7.50%, 9/15/38      54,313  
  470,000       Sunoco Logistics Partners LP, 5.50%, 2/15/20      514,174  
  710,000       Sunoco Logistics Partners LP, 5.30%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100^      715,645  
  45,000       Texas East Transmission, 7.00%, 7/15/32      60,414  
  215,000       Valmont Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 10/1/44, Callable 4/1/44 @ 100      217,447  
  830,000       Western Gas Partners LP, 5.45%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100      874,066  
  1,200,000       Williams Partners LP, 3.80%, 2/15/15      1,203,428  
  755,000       Williams Partners LP, 5.40%, 3/4/44, Callable 9/4/43 @ 100      739,143  
     

 

 

 
        11,620,708  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.0%):

  
  125,000       International Paper Co., 6.00%, 11/15/41, Callable 5/15/41 @ 100      146,341  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Personal Products (0.0%):

  
$ 18,000       Avon Products, Inc., 2.38%, 3/15/16    $ 17,820  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.2%):

  
  885,000       AbbVie, Inc., 1.20%, 11/6/15      887,601  
  110,000       Express Scripts, Inc., 3.13%, 5/15/16      113,074  
  85,000       GlaxoSmithKline plc, 5.65%, 5/15/18^      95,755  
  75,000       Medco Health Solutions, Inc., 2.75%, 9/15/15      75,984  
  95,000       Merck & Co., Inc., 5.00%, 6/30/19^      107,245  
  567,000       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., 3.30%, 11/18/21, Callable 9/18/21 @ 100      570,945  
  418,000       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., 4.50%, 11/18/34, Callable 5/18/34 @ 100      435,306  
  213,000       Zoetis, Inc., 4.70%, 2/1/43, Callable 8/1/42 @ 100      216,786  
     

 

 

 
        2,502,696  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2%):

  
  55,000       American Tower Corp., 4.63%, 4/1/15      55,491  
  510,000       American Tower Corp., 3.40%, 2/15/19^      519,088  
  115,000       Digital Realty Trust LP, 4.50%, 7/15/15^      116,092  
  410,000       HCP, Inc., 4.20%, 3/1/24, Callable 12/1/23 @ 100      426,885  
  475,000       HCP, Inc., 3.88%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100      482,513  
  125,000       Realty Income Corp., 2.00%, 1/31/18, Callable 12/31/17 @ 100      125,230  
  185,000       Senior Housing Properties Trust, 4.30%, 1/15/16, Callable 10/15/15 @ 100      188,862  
  240,000       Ventas Realty LP / Capital Corp., 2.70%, 4/1/20, Callable 1/1/20 @ 100^      237,491  
  95,000       Ventas Realty LP / Capital Corp., 4.25%, 3/1/22      99,818  
  155,000       Ventas Realty LP / Capital Corp., 5.70%, 9/30/43, Callable 3/30/43 @ 100^      185,945  
     

 

 

 
        2,437,415  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  
  510,000       Piedmont Operating Partnership LP, 4.45%, 3/15/24, Callable 12/15/23 @ 100      524,249  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.3%):

  
  1,370,000       Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 5.15%, 9/1/43, Callable 3/1/43 @ 100^      1,579,773  
  140,000       CSX Corp., 5.50%, 4/15/41, Callable 10/15/40 @ 100^      168,898  
  845,000       ERAC USA Finance LLC, 2.35%, 10/15/19(a)      838,702  
  105,000       Ryder System, Inc., 3.15%, 3/2/15, MTN      105,399  
  18,000       Union Pacific Corp., 3.65%, 2/15/24, Callable 11/15/23 @ 100      19,051  
  140,000       Union Pacific Corp., 3.25%, 1/15/25, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100^      143,740  
  465,000       Union Pacific Corp., 4.85%, 6/15/44, Callable 12/15/43 @ 100^      533,659  
  400,000       Union Pacific Corp., 4.15%, 1/15/45, Callable 7/15/44 @ 100      416,887  
     

 

 

 
        3,806,109  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Software (0.1%):

  
$ 75,000       Adobe Systems, Inc., 4.75%, 2/1/20    $ 82,330  
  545,000       Oracle Corp., 4.30%, 7/8/34, Callable 1/8/34 @ 100^      583,516  
     

 

 

 
        665,846  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.3%):

  
  520,000       Advance Auto Parts, Inc., 4.50%, 12/1/23, Callable 9/1/23 @ 100      551,007  
  638,546       CVS Pass-Through Trust, 6.04%, 12/10/28      744,611  
  1,400,000       O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., 4.88%, 1/14/21, Callable 10/14/20 @ 100      1,537,146  
  365,000       Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP, 2.50%, 3/15/16(a)      370,023  
  337,000       Ross Stores, Inc., 3.38%, 9/15/24, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100^      337,298  
  355,000       Target Corp., 2.90%, 1/15/22^      359,199  
  15,000       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 6.50%, 8/15/37      20,640  
     

 

 

 
        3,919,924  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.0%):

  
  195,000       Cintas Corp., 2.85%, 6/1/16      199,928  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.2%):

  
  410,000       Altria Group, Inc., 4.13%, 9/11/15^      419,320  
  310,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 3.60%, 11/15/23^      323,535  
  500,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 3.25%, 11/10/24^      500,244  
  925,000       Philip Morris International, Inc., 4.88%, 11/15/43^      1,031,217  
     

 

 

 
        2,274,316  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.0%):

  
  395,000       Air Lease Corp., 4.25%, 9/15/24, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100      397,963  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  
  1,000       AT&T, Inc., 8.00%, 11/15/31      1,474  
  28,000       AT&T, Inc., 5.35%, 9/1/40^      30,319  
  730,000       Crown Castle Towers LLC, 6.11%, 1/15/20(a)      838,508  
  25,000       SBC Communications, Inc., 6.15%, 9/15/34      29,691  
  120,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.40%, 2/15/38      148,063  
     

 

 

 
        1,048,055  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $101,977,219)

     105,112,419  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (1.8%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  

  275,000       Heathrow Funding, Ltd., 2.50%, 6/25/15(a)      275,165  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.1%):

  
  827,888       Virgin Australia Holdings, Ltd., 5.00%, 10/23/23(a)      852,726  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.8%):

  
  430,000       Banco Inbursa SA, 4.13%, 6/6/24^(a)      421,400  
  175,000       Barclays Bank plc, 6.75%, 5/22/19      205,923  
  615,000       BBVA Bancomer SA, 4.38%, 4/10/24(a)      618,075  
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

$ 490,000       BNP Paribas, 4.25%, 10/15/24^    $ 495,044  
  564,000       Credit Suisse AG, 6.50%, 8/8/23(a)      619,115  
  320,000       Credit Suisse, NY, 3.63%, 9/9/24      325,516  
  105,000       HBOS plc, Series G, 6.75%, 5/21/18, MTN(a)      117,022  
  200,000       HSBC Holdings plc, 4.25%, 3/14/24      208,116  
  375,000       ING Bank NV, 3.75%, 3/7/17(a)      392,438  
  435,000       Lloyds Bank plc, 2.30%, 11/27/18      439,109  
  2,425,000       Mizuho Finance Group (Cayman) 3, Ltd., 4.60%, 3/27/24(a)      2,512,716  
  125,000       National Australia Bank, 3.75%, 3/2/15(a)      125,622  
  1,200,000       Santander U.S. Debt SA, 3.72%, 1/20/15(a)      1,201,643  
  995,000       Societe Generale SA, 5.00%, 1/17/24(a)      1,000,453  
  100,000       Standard Chartered plc, 3.85%, 4/27/15(a)      100,954  
  545,000       Standard Chartered plc, 5.70%, 3/26/44(a)      566,906  
  35,000       UBS AG Stamford CT, Series BKNT, 5.88%, 12/20/17      39,081  
  120,000       UBS AG Stamford CT, Series BKNT, 5.75%, 4/25/18      134,993  
     

 

 

 
        9,524,126  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.0%):

  
  80,000       FBG Finance, Ltd., 5.13%, 6/15/15(a)      81,584  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.1%):

  
  650,000       Montell Finance Co. BV, 8.10%, 3/15/27(a)      871,042  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.1%):

  
  830,000       BP Capital Markets plc, 2.24%, 5/10/19^      828,993  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0%):

  
  465,000       British Telecommunications plc, 1.25%, 2/14/17      462,685  
  320,000       Telefonica Emisiones SAU, 7.05%, 6/20/36      420,954  
     

 

 

 
        883,639  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.2%):

  
  50,000       Electricite de France SA, 4.60%, 1/27/20(a)      55,049  
  765,000       Electricite de France SA, 4.88%, 1/22/44(a)      849,029  
  785,000       Electricite de France SA, 5.63%, 12/31/49, Callable 1/22/24 @ 100, Perpetual Bond(a)(b)      827,194  
     

 

 

 
        1,731,272  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.1%):

  

  685,000       Grupo Bimbo SAB de C.V., 3.88%, 6/27/24(a)      687,692  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.0%):

  
  350,000       Pentair Finance SA, 5.00%, 5/15/21, Callable 2/15/21 @ 100      389,322  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.0%):

  
  100,000       AEGON NV, 4.63%, 12/1/15      103,467  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (0.1%):

  
  455,000       Baidu, Inc., 3.25%, 8/6/18      465,107  
  490,000       Tencent Holdings, Ltd., 3.38%, 5/2/19(a)      498,055  
     

 

 

 
        963,162  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.0%):

  
  400,000       Grupo Televisa SAB, 5.00%, 5/13/45      406,896  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  
$ 205,000       ArcelorMittal, 4.25%, 8/5/15    $ 208,075  
  145,000       ArcelorMittal, 9.85%, 6/1/19      175,088  
  30,000       ArcelorMittal, 7.25%, 3/1/41^      30,300  
  265,000       Gold Fields Holdings Co., Ltd., 4.88%, 10/7/20(a)      222,600  
  100,000       Rio Tinto Finance (USA), Ltd., 9.00%, 5/1/19      126,516  
  110,000       Rio Tinto Finance (USA), Ltd., 7.13%, 7/15/28      143,290  
  380,000       Vale Overseas, Ltd., 5.63%, 9/15/19      404,328  
  65,000       Vale SA, 5.63%, 9/11/42      60,542  
  230,000       Xstrata Finance Canada, 1.80%, 10/23/15(a)      231,497  
  230,000       Xstrata Finance Canada, 2.70%, 10/25/17^(a)      232,692  
     

 

 

 
        1,834,928  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  
  150,000       Husky Energy, Inc., 3.95%, 4/15/22, Callable 1/15/22 @ 100      150,522  
  70,000       Noble Holding International, Ltd., 2.50%, 3/15/17      66,965  
  390,000       Petrobras Global Finance Co., 5.63%, 5/20/43      317,947  
  40,000       Shell International Finance BV, 3.10%, 6/28/15      40,507  
  315,000       Suncor Energy, Inc., 3.60%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      311,269  
     

 

 

 
        887,210  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.1%):

  
  850,000       Actavis Funding SCS, 4.85%, 6/15/44, Callable 12/15/43 @ 100      862,525  
  310,000       Perrigo Co. plc, 2.30%, 11/8/18      309,756  
     

 

 

 
        1,172,281  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%):

  

  430,000       Dexus Diversified Trust / Dexus Office Trust, 5.60%, 3/15/21(a)      488,204  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.1%):

  
  665,000       Seagate HDD Cayman, 5.75%, 12/1/34, Callable 6/1/34 @ 100(a)      701,332  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.0%):

  
  180,000       Nationwide Building Society, 6.25%, 2/25/20(a)      211,144  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.0%):

  
  200,000       America Movil SAB de C.V., 2.38%, 9/8/16      202,744  
  335,000       America Movil SAB de C.V., 4.38%, 7/16/42      320,930  
  75,000       Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, 6.00%, 7/8/19      87,007  
  355,000       Rogers Communications, Inc., 4.50%, 3/15/43, Callable 9/15/42 @ 100      356,929  
     

 

 

 
        967,610  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $23,275,744)

     23,861,795  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (0.1%):

  
$ 950,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 4.88%, 6/13/18^    $ 1,061,981  
  725,000       Federal National Mortgage Association, 6.63%, 11/15/30      832,187  
     

 

 

 
        1,894,168  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (Cost $1,744,674)

     1,894,168  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (10.4%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds (0.1%)

  
  1,220,000       3.13%, 8/15/44^      1,313,406  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes (10.3%)

  
  11,470,000       2.25%, 1/31/15^      11,489,270  
  21,879,000       0.63%, 12/31/16      21,849,945  
  200,000       0.63%, 5/31/17      198,859  
  8,000,000       0.75%, 6/30/17^      7,970,000  
  43,495,000       1.00%, 12/15/17^      43,393,047  
  13,200,000       0.75%, 2/28/18^      13,018,500  
  6,200,000       1.25%, 1/31/19      6,140,424  
  16,793,200       1.63%, 12/31/19      16,768,279  
  6,000       3.63%, 2/15/20      6,578  
  400,000       2.63%, 11/15/20      417,531  
  14,279,900       2.25%, 11/15/24^      14,375,847  
     

 

 

 
        135,628,280  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $136,969,611)

     136,941,686  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (17.0%):

  

  224,257,658       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(c)      224,257,658  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $224,257,658)

     224,257,658  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (7.4%):

  
  96,897,938       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(d)      96,897,938  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $96,897,938)

     96,897,938  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Investment Securities
(Cost $1,334,025,134)(e) — 116.9%

     1,539,422,093  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (16.9)%

     (222,327,339
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 1,317,094,754  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

MTN—Medium Term Note

NYS—New York Shares

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $217,877,596.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(b) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(c) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(d) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  
   

Australia

    0.1

Brazil

    %NM 

British Virgin Islands

    0.2

Canada

    1.1

Cayman Islands

    0.4

France

    1.5

Guernsey

    0.6

Ireland (Republic of)

    1.3

Israel

    0.8

Italy

    0.1

Jersey

    %NM 

Luxembourg

    0.1

Mexico

    0.2

Netherlands

    0.7

Panama

    0.9

Spain

    0.2

Switzerland

    0.9

United Kingdom

    3.5

United States

    87.4
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

  NM Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%.

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
     Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

  

British Pound

   Bank of New York Mellon      1/9/15         6,720,703      $ 10,564,340      $ 10,472,822      $ 91,518  

British Pound

   State Street      1/9/15         6,724,180        10,572,630        10,478,240        94,390  

Canadian Dollar

   Bank of New York Mellon      1/9/15         6,888,230        6,047,028        5,929,297        117,731  

Canadian Dollar

   State Street      1/9/15         6,907,539        6,063,979        5,945,918        118,061  

European Euro

   Bank of New York Mellon      1/9/15         10,348,477        12,912,415        12,521,828        390,587  

European Euro

   State Street      1/9/15         10,362,760        12,930,393        12,539,111        391,282  

Israeli Shekel

   Bank of New York Mellon      1/9/15         16,898,963        4,309,641        4,339,638        (29,997

Israeli Shekel

   State Street      1/9/15         16,958,438        4,321,722        4,354,911        (33,189

Swiss Franc

   Bank of New York Mellon      1/9/15         4,424,887        4,593,658        4,452,811        140,847  

Swiss Franc

   State Street      1/9/15         4,434,139        4,602,259        4,462,121        140,138  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 76,918,065      $ 75,496,697      $ 1,421,368  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 1,334,025,134  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 1,539,422,093  

Cash

       41,852  

Interest and dividends receivable

       3,395,115  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $414,715)

       406,890  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       1,484,554  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       227,562  

Receivable for investments sold

       3,107,460  

Reclaims receivable

       62,046  

Prepaid expenses

       10,841  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       1,548,158,413  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       63,186  

Payable for investments purchased

       4,963,090  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       689,544  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       224,257,658  

Manager fees payable

       728,721  

Administration fees payable

       31,915  

Distribution fees payable

       277,827  

Custodian fees payable

       10,688  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,729  

Trustee fees payable

       55  

Other accrued liabilities

       38,246  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       231,063,659  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 1,317,094,754  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 1,030,996,528  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       26,606,519  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       52,688,515  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       206,803,192  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 1,317,094,754  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       79,822,140  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 16.50  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $217,877,596.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 22,684,270  

Interest

       7,557,508  

Income from securities lending

       448,732  

Foreign withholding tax

       (378,930 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       30,311,580  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       9,004,823  

Administration fees

       357,559  

Distribution fees

       3,001,608  

Custodian fees

       58,642  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       15,865  

Trustee fees

       60,590  

Professional fees

       68,548  

Shareholder reports

       43,714  

Other expenses

       28,085  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       12,639,434  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (1,125,638 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (1,248 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       11,512,548  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       18,799,032  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       57,472,407  

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       6,039,733  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       15,194,631  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       78,706,771  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 97,505,803  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 18,799,032        $ 9,612,618  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       63,512,140          36,588,914  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       15,194,631          120,836,618  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       97,505,803          167,038,150  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (9,503,399 )        (7,820,810 )

From net realized gains

       (32,152,401 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (41,655,800 )        (7,820,810 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       236,866,351          381,039,836  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       41,655,800          7,820,810  

Value of shares redeemed

       (89,290,983 )        (51,132,119 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       189,231,168          337,728,527  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       245,081,171          496,945,867  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       1,072,013,583          575,067,716  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 1,317,094,754        $ 1,072,013,583  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 26,606,519        $ 8,838,814  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       14,672,295          25,992,523  

Dividends reinvested

       2,554,004          529,865  

Shares redeemed

       (5,547,220 )        (3,554,718 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       11,679,079          22,967,670  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014    2013    2012    2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 15.73        $ 12.73        $ 11.54        $ 11.95       $ 10.83  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                       

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.23          0.11          0.15          0.14         0.12  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.10          3.02          1.22          (0.41 )       1.14  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.33          3.13          1.37          (0.27 )       1.26  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                       

Net Investment Income

       (0.13 )        (0.13 )        (0.18 )        (0.14 )       (0.14 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.43 )                                   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.56 )        (0.13 )        (0.18 )        (0.14 )       (0.14 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 16.50        $ 15.73        $ 12.73        $ 11.54       $ 11.95  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       8.50 %        24.67 %        11.91 %        (2.18 )%(b)       11.74 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                       

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 1,317,095        $ 1,072,014        $ 575,068        $ 442,396       $ 351,159  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.57 %        1.20 %        1.46 %        1.57 %       1.49 %

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.05 %        1.06 %        1.07 %        1.09 %       1.10 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.96 %        0.97 %        0.98 %        1.01 %       1.02 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(d)

       0.96 %        0.97 %        0.99 %        1.01 %       1.02 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)

       119 %        52 %        29 %        28 %       37 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) During the year ended December 31, 2011, Invesco Advisers, Inc. reimbursed $1,491 to the Fund related to violation of certain investment policies and limitations. The corresponding impact to the return was less than 0.005%.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(e) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

15


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

16


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $105.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $44,464 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $76.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $65.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

     
Foreign Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 1,484,554      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 63,186   

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
   Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

     
Foreign Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts/ Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments    $ 6,039,733       $ 1,898,463   

 

17


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco”), Invesco provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

         0.75 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on the first $100 million in assets, 0.675% on the next $100 million in assets, and 0.65% on assets above $200 million. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $14,673 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

 

18


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       $ 7,100,456          $ 6,983,472          $ 14,083,928  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         40,646,122            31,903,568            72,549,690  

Pharmaceuticals

         47,995,968            19,214,372            67,210,340  

All Other Common Stocks+

         694,105,762                       694,105,762  

Convertible Bonds+

                    95,091,063            95,091,063  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

                    

Banks

         820,800            1,746,077            2,566,877  

Capital Markets

         598,271            2,593,500            3,191,771  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                    1,656,998            1,656,998  

Corporate Bonds+

                    105,112,419            105,112,419  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

                    1,894,168            1,894,168  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

                    136,941,686            136,941,686  

Yankee Dollars+

                    23,861,795            23,861,795  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    224,257,658            224,257,658  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         96,897,938                       96,897,938  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         888,165,317            651,256,776            1,539,422,093  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Forward Currency Contracts

                    1,421,368            1,421,368  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $     888,165,317          $ 652,678,144          $ 1,540,843,461  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as forward currency contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

 

19


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 1,468,243,652          $ 1,302,802,837  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 994,874,859          $ 970,100,807  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Risk: The Fund may invest in a variety of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which are subject to certain additional risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds mortgage-related securities may exhibit additional volatility. This is known as extension risk. In addition, adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-related securities are subject to call risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of a Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. If a Fund purchases mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities that are subordinated to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund may receive payments only after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such subordinated securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. An unexpectedly high or low rate of prepayments on a pool’s underlying mortgages may have a similar effect on subordinated securities. A mortgage pool may issue securities subject to various levels of subordination. The risk of non-payment affects securities at each level, although the risk is greater in the case of more highly subordinated securities. A Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $1,336,953,404. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 223,125,403  

Unrealized depreciation

    (20,656,714
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 202,468,689   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 9,503,399          $ 32,152,401          $ 41,655,800  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

20


AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 7,820,810          $          $ 7,820,810  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund

       $ 32,594,724          $ 51,049,948          $          $ 202,453,554          $ 286,098,226  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

21


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the Fund) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

22


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $32,152,401.

 

23


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

24


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

25


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

26


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

27


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

28


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

29


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 16

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 17

Other Information

Page 18

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 19

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 22

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund and Invesco Advisers, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund returned 10.00%. That compared to a 13.45% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index1.

The 12 months through December 31, 2014, were characterized by steady improvement in the U.S. economy and strong returns for U.S. stocks. Equity markets were volatile for the first four months of the year as investors worried that stocks had risen too far, too fast in 2013. Political upheaval in Ukraine and signs of economic sluggishness in the U.S. and China added to investor uncertainty. However, investors began to show confidence in the economic recovery and stocks rallied through the summer. The Federal Reserve reduced its monthly security purchases throughout the year, finally ending all purchases by October. That action had little impact on the market because it was widely expected. However, stocks suffered again in mid-September when the price of oil began to freefall, finishing 2014 at the lowest point in several years. After another sell-off in the equity markets in December, the S&P 500 Index rallied at the end of the month and finished the year on a positive note.

Sectors within the Russell 1000® Value Index were mixed for the reporting period. Some sectors, such as information technology, utilities and health care, returned more than 20%, while others, such as materials and telecommunication services, posted low single-digit returns. Energy was the only sector to post negative returns during the period.

In this environment, stock selection and underweight positions in consumer staples and financials hurt relative performance. In particular, a lack of exposure to REITs2 in the financial sector—adopted because we believed REITs were overvalued—hurt performance when investor demand for yield drove up the prices of those investments.*

Weak stock selection within the consumer discretionary sector also detracted from performance versus the benchmark. The Fund also held a cash position for liquidity purposes. While this allocation was within our typical target range throughout the period, holding cash dampened performance in a strong equity market.*

Stock selection and an underweight position in energy were among the largest contributors to relative performance when energy stocks tumbled on the falling price of oil. Stock selection and an underweight to industrials also helped relative performance, as industrials only posted mid-single digit returns.*

We used currency forward contracts during the period solely for the purpose of hedging the currency exposure of non-U.S.-based companies held in the portfolio. The use of currency forward contracts had a large positive impact on the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark during the period.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
2  The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.
 

 

1


AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek income and long-term growth of capital. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in income-producing equity securities, including common stocks and convertible securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

The Fund is subject to the risk that principal value reacts in opposition to the movement of interest rates and that a rising interest rate environment increases the risk of loss of principal.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund

     10.00     18.91     13.12     7.17

Russell 1000® Value Index

     13.45     20.89     15.42     7.30

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Invesco Growth and Income Fund

     1.05

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.675% on the first $100 million of assets and 0.65% on assets above $100 million. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Value Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,031.50          $ 4.92            0.96 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.37          $ 4.89            0.96 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      29.6 %

Information Technology

      14.8  

Health Care

      12.7  

Consumer Discretionary

      10.5  

Energy

      10.4  

Industrials

      8.0  

Consumer Staples

      5.6  

Telecommunication Services

      2.5  

Utilities

      1.5  

Materials

      1.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      96.7  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      9.0  

Money Market

      3.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      108.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (8.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (96.7%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.0%):

  

  30,488       General Dynamics Corp.    $ 4,195,759  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (1.1%):

  

  136,007       General Motors Co.      4,748,004  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (16.5%):

  

  526,508       Bank of America Corp.      9,419,228  
  92,320       BB&T Corp.^      3,590,325  
  347,658       Citigroup, Inc.      18,811,774  
  116,740       Citizens Financial Group, Inc.^      2,902,156  
  90,439       Comerica, Inc.      4,236,163  
  179,150       Fifth Third Bancorp      3,650,181  
  62,308       First Horizon National Corp.^      846,143  
  305,427       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      19,113,622  
  80,913       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.      7,381,693  
     

 

 

 
        69,951,285  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (1.4%):

  

  35,845       Amgen, Inc.      5,709,750  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (7.4%):

  

  174,717       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      5,274,706  
  23,794       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      4,611,991  
  288,554       Morgan Stanley      11,195,895  
  65,374       Northern Trust Corp.      4,406,208  
  79,610       State Street Corp.      6,249,385  
     

 

 

 
        31,738,185  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.5%):

  

  44,186       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      2,015,323  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.0%):

  

  98,468       Tyco International plc      4,318,806  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.4%):

  

  206,257       Cisco Systems, Inc.      5,737,038  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.5%):

  

  74,482       Synchrony Financial*      2,215,840  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (2.0%):

  

  36,657       CME Group, Inc.      3,249,643  
  123,069       Voya Financial, Inc.      5,215,664  
     

 

 

 
        8,465,307  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.6%):

  

  63,880       France Telecom SA      1,086,232  
  288,818       Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV      910,472  
  596,794       Telecom Italia SpA      632,837  
  46,216       Telefonica SA      660,994  
  72,138       Verizon Communications, Inc.      3,374,616  
     

 

 

 
        6,665,151  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.7%):

  

  70,488       FirstEnergy Corp.^      2,748,327  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.2%):

  

  227,414       Corning, Inc.      5,214,603  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.7%):

  

  86,050       Baker Hughes, Inc.    $ 4,824,824  
  81,430       Ensco plc, Class A, ADR^      2,438,829  
     

 

 

 
        7,263,653  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.3%):

  

  14,772       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.      1,268,619  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (3.1%):

  

  92,565       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      4,813,380  
  135,958       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      4,938,674  
  80,167       Unilever NV, NYS      3,129,720  
     

 

 

 
        12,881,774  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.9%):

  

  51,930       Medtronic, Inc.^      3,749,346  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.7%):

  

  34,682       Anthem, Inc.^      4,358,487  
  19,711       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      1,668,930  
  51,840       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      5,240,506  
     

 

 

 
        11,267,923  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.7%):

  

  158,395       Carnival Corp.      7,180,045  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.2%):

  

  57,666       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      5,252,796  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.9%):

  

  477,037       General Electric Co.      12,054,725  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (3.2%):

  

  44,602       Aon plc      4,229,608  
  100,172       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      5,733,845  
  78,685       Willis Group Holdings plc      3,525,875  
     

 

 

 
        13,489,328  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (1.6%):

  

  116,797       eBay, Inc.*      6,554,648  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.2%):

  

  108,145       Amdocs, Ltd.      5,045,505  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (2.3%):

  

  52,304       Caterpillar, Inc.      4,787,385  
  79,593       Ingersoll-Rand plc      5,045,401  
     

 

 

 
        9,832,786  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (5.9%):

  

  120,295       Comcast Corp., Class A      6,978,313  
  92,628       Thomson Reuters Corp.^      3,737,817  
  31,504       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      4,790,498  
  35,652       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      3,045,394  
  85,857       Viacom, Inc., Class B      6,460,739  
     

 

 

 
        25,012,761  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.6%):

  

  105,367       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      2,461,373  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.8%):

  

  97,481       Target Corp.^      7,399,783  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Multi-Utilities (0.8%):

  

  61,830       PG&E Corp.    $ 3,291,829  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (8.7%):

  

  43,018       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      3,548,985  
  73,685       Apache Corp.^      4,617,839  
  142,826       Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd.      4,416,969  
  45,187       Exxon Mobil Corp.      4,177,538  
  49,787       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      4,013,330  
  321,438       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares      10,653,230  
  102,021       Total SA      5,259,500  
     

 

 

 
        36,687,391  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (7.7%):

  

  82,844       Eli Lilly & Co.      5,715,408  
  33,162       Hospira, Inc.*      2,031,173  
  109,631       Merck & Co., Inc.      6,225,944  
  4,570       Novartis AG, ADR      423,456  
  64,177       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      5,903,979  
  99,769       Pfizer, Inc.      3,107,804  
  41,129       Sanofi-Aventis SA      3,747,885  
  99,051       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., ADR      5,696,423  
     

 

 

 
        32,852,072  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.8%):

  

  88,784       CSX Corp.      3,216,644  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (4.0%):

  

  290,129       Applied Materials, Inc.^      7,230,015  
  97,348       Broadcom Corp., Class A      4,218,089  
  154,200       Intel Corp.      5,595,918  
     

 

 

 
        17,044,022  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software (4.6%):

  

  62,098       Adobe Systems, Inc.*    $ 4,514,525  
  52,057       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      3,321,237  
  116,267       Microsoft Corp.      5,400,602  
  236,185       Symantec Corp.      6,059,326  
     

 

 

 
        19,295,690  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.8%):

  

  85,917       NetApp, Inc.      3,561,260  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.0%):

  

  51,555       Philip Morris International, Inc.      4,199,155  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.9%):

  

  114,522       Vodafone Group plc, ADR      3,913,217  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $290,257,300)

     408,499,723  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (9.0%):

  

$ 38,060,158       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      38,060,158  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $38,060,158)

     38,060,158  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.1%):

  

  12,965,089       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      12,965,089  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $12,965,089)

     12,965,089  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $341,282,547)(c) — 108.8%

     459,524,970  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (8.8)%

     (37,218,292
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 422,306,678  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

NYS—New York Shares

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $36,807,005.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Canada

    1.8

France

    2.2

Guernsey

    1.1

Ireland (Republic of)

    2.0

Israel

    1.2

Italy

    0.1

Netherlands

    0.9

Panama

    1.6

Spain

    0.1

Switzerland

    1.4

United Kingdom

    5.4

United States

    82.2
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

                 

British Pound

   Bank of New York Mellon    1/9/15      3,288,850      $ 5,169,776      $ 5,124,991      $ 44,785  

British Pound

   State Street    1/9/15      3,290,551        5,173,832        5,127,641        46,191  

Canadian Dollar

   Bank of New York Mellon    1/9/15      3,612,004        3,170,900        3,109,165        61,735  

Canadian Dollar

   State Street    1/9/15      3,622,129        3,179,789        3,117,881        61,908  

European Euro

   Bank of New York Mellon    1/9/15      4,961,247        6,190,446        6,003,191        187,255  

European Euro

   State Street    1/9/15      4,968,094        6,199,063        6,011,476        187,587  

Israeli Shekel

   Bank of New York Mellon    1/9/15      8,253,581        2,104,861        2,119,512        (14,651

Israeli Shekel

   State Street    1/9/15      8,282,629        2,110,762        2,126,971        (16,209

Swiss Franc

   Bank of New York Mellon    1/9/15      2,407,790        2,499,626        2,422,985        76,641  

Swiss Franc

   State Street    1/9/15      2,412,825        2,504,307        2,428,051        76,256  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 38,303,362      $ 37,591,864      $ 711,498  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 341,282,547  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 459,524,970  

Cash

       19,898  

Interest and dividends receivable

       656,578  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $210,982)

       205,739  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       742,358  

Receivable for investments sold

       1,447,967  

Reclaims receivable

       38,253  

Prepaid expenses

       3,572  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       462,639,335  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       30,860  

Payable for investments purchased

       1,686,909  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       195,652  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       38,060,158  

Manager fees payable

       236,271  

Administration fees payable

       10,592  

Distribution fees payable

       90,057  

Custodian fees payable

       5,887  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       933  

Trustee fees payable

       19  

Other accrued liabilities

       15,319  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       40,332,657  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 422,306,678  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 252,711,437  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       11,095,072  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       39,555,900  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       118,944,269  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 422,306,678  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       25,815,033  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 16.36  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $36,807,005

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 12,458,020  

Income from securities lending

       78,534  

Foreign withholding tax

       (209,011 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       12,327,543  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,198,821  

Administration fees

       121,704  

Distribution fees

       1,072,867  

Custodian fees

       30,871  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       5,743  

Trustee fees

       22,276  

Professional fees

       23,860  

Shareholder reports

       19,169  

Other expenses

       10,372  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       4,505,683  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (384,361 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (709 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       4,120,613  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       8,206,930  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       39,703,278  

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       3,224,877  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (10,247,694 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       32,680,461  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 40,887,391  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund
     For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

        

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

    $ 8,206,930        $ 4,581,674  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

      42,928,155          24,382,044  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

      (10,247,694 )        81,222,964  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

      40,887,391          110,186,682  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income

      (4,209,495 )        (3,756,211 )

From net realized gains

      (13,527,318 )         
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

      (17,736,813 )        (3,756,211 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares issued

      15,127,035          45,473,781  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

      17,736,813          3,756,211  

Value of shares redeemed

      (73,171,753 )        (44,881,583 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

      (40,307,905 )        4,348,409  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

      (17,157,327 )        110,778,880  

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of period

      439,464,005          328,685,125  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 422,306,678        $ 439,464,005  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

    $ 11,095,072        $ 4,524,356  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

        

Shares issued

      954,104          3,283,999  

Dividends reinvested

      1,096,218          262,856  

Shares redeemed

      (4,575,778 )        (3,280,232 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

      (2,525,456 )        266,623  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014    2013    2012    2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 15.51        $ 11.71        $ 10.39        $ 10.70       $ 9.61  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                       

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.33          0.16          0.14          0.15         0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.21          3.77          1.35          (0.36 )       1.11  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.54          3.93          1.49          (0.21 )       1.18  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                       

Net Investment Income

       (0.16 )        (0.13 )        (0.17 )        (0.10 )       (0.09 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.53 )                                   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.69 )        (0.13 )        (0.17 )        (0.10 )       (0.09 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 16.36        $ 15.51        $ 11.71        $ 10.39       $ 10.70  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       10.00 %        33.69 %        14.33 %        (1.94 )%(b)       12.37 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                       

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 422,307        $ 439,464        $ 328,685        $ 251,302       $ 267,458  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.91 %        1.17 %        1.43 %        1.32 %       1.03 %

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.05 %        1.05 %        1.07 %        1.09 %       1.10 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.96 %        0.96 %        0.97 %        0.98 %       0.99 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(d)

       0.96 %        0.96 %        0.98 %        0.99 %       1.00 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       29 %        31 %        32 %        22 %       34 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) During the year ended December 31, 2011, Invesco Advisers, Inc. reimbursed $1,687 to the Fund related to violation of certain investment policies and limitations. The corresponding impact to the return was less than 0.005%.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33  1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $7,781 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $38.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 
Foreign Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 742,358      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 30,860   

 

11


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 
Foreign Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 3,224,877         $ 998,724   

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco”), Invesco provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

         0.78 %          1.20 %

 

* The fees payable to the Manager are based on a tiered structure for various net assets levels as follows: the first $100 million at 0.775%, the next $150 million at 0.75%, the next $250 million at 0.725% and above $500 million at 0.675%.The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fees as follows: the first $100 million at 0.675% and above $100 million at 0.65%. The Manager reserves the right to stop reducing the manager fee at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $5,347 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each

 

12


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services

       $ 3,374,616          $ 3,290,535          $ 6,665,151  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         20,774,661            15,912,730            36,687,391  

Pharmaceuticals

         23,200,208            9,651,864            32,852,072  

All Other Common Stocks+

         332,295,109                       332,295,109  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    38,060,158            38,060,158  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         12,965,089                       12,965,089  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         392,609,683            66,915,287            459,524,970  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Forward Currency Contracts

                    711,498            711,498  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 392,609,683          $ 67,626,785          $ 460,236,468  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as forward currency contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

 

13


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 121,719,660          $ 160,569,443  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $342,110,625. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 124,954,849  

Unrealized depreciation

    (7,540,504
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 117,414,345   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 4,209,495          $ 13,527,318          $ 17,736,813  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 3,756,211          $          $ 3,756,211  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

       $ 12,540,549          $ 39,649,999          $          $ 117,404,693          $ 169,595,241  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

14


AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

15


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

16


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $13,527,318.

 

17


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

18


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

19


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

20


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

21


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

22


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

23


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 20

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund and Invesco Advisers, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund returned 0.25%, that compared to a -4.48% and -2.29% total return for its benchmarks, the MSCI EAFE Index1 and the MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth Index2, respectively.

While 2014 began on an optimistic note, global equity markets pulled back at various points during the year in reaction to economic and geopolitical concerns. These issues included worries about the potential effect of the U.S. Federal Reserve reducing the scope of its asset purchase program, an Argentine sovereign bond default, and eurozone banking concerns. Global equity markets fell as tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East weakened the outlook for global growth. Advanced economies such as the U.K. and the U.S. saw a modest but stronger rebound than Europe, where a nascent recovery stalled. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan remained committed to extraordinary monetary stimulus. Equity market performance in emerging markets was mixed. China continued to face headwinds and struggled to balance structural reforms with its growth objectives. However, many countries in Asia, including India, Indonesia and the Philippines, experienced strong gains.

In this environment, we continued to construct the portfolio with a bottom-up approach, selecting stocks on an individual basis. This stock selection helped the Fund outperform its benchmark during the period. An overweight position and stock selection in information technology were the leading contributors to relative performance. Stock selection in health care, financials, and materials also boosted relative performance.*

Geographically, exposure to Europe and the Asia/Pacific region were the primary drivers of relative returns, due to strong stock selection. Top country-level contributors were the U.K., Singapore, and Ireland. In each country, stock selection was the primary driver.*

Stock selection in the utilities sector was the leading detractor from the Fund’s relative performance. Investments in the telecommunication services sector, particularly in the wireless services industry, also detracted from performance versus the Fund’s performance indexes. Geographically, portfolio exposure in Hong Kong was the largest detractor from performance versus the indexes. Portfolio exposure in Germany and Switzerland hurt relative performance as well. In each country, stock selection was the primary cause of underperformance.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1 The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.
2  The MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth Index captures large-and mid-cap securities exhibiting overall growth style characteristics across developed and emerging markets countries.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide long-term growth of capital. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of foreign issuers that are considered by the Fund’s subadviser to have strong earnings growth.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

The value of convertible securities may be affected by interest rates, default by the issuer on principal or interest payments, and the value of underlying stock into which the securities may be converted.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund

     0.25     11.23     7.49     6.69

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -4.48     11.56     5.81     4.91

MSCI EAFE Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -4.90     11.06     5.33     4.43

MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -2.29     9.84     5.54     5.77

MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -2.65     9.46     5.19     5.43

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Invesco International Equity Fund

     1.26

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.85%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.45% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1 Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 1.24%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index and the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index Ex-US Growth (“MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth”) Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. The MSCI ACWI Ex-US Growth Index is unmanaged and captures large- and mid-cap securities exhibiting overall growth style characteristics across developed and emerging markets countries. The Indexes noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Indexes noted as “net of withholding taxes” reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Invesco International Equity Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 941.80          $ 5.82            1.19 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.21          $ 6.06            1.19 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

United Kingdom

      15.9 %

Switzerland

      8.8  

Japan

      7.8  

Canada

      7.3  

Germany

      6.5  

Singapore

      4.9  

Hong Kong

      4.8  

Brazil

      4.2  

Australia

      3.7  

France

      2.9  

All other countries

      25.7  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      92.5  

Money Market

      6.9  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      3.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      102.4  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (2.4 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (92.5%):

  

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.8%):

  

  137,537       Deutsche Post AG    $ 4,499,490  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (1.8%):

  

  82,400       DENSO Corp.      3,840,942  
  28,639       Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.      6,096,251  
     

 

 

 
        9,937,193  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (3.7%):

  

  1,664,500       Great Wall Motor Co.      9,394,384  
  171,800       Toyota Motor Corp.      10,715,335  
     

 

 

 
        20,109,719  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (7.2%):

  

  1,782,574       Akbank T.A.S.      6,576,783  
  764,201       Banco Bradesco SA, ADR      10,217,367  
  8,104,000       Industrial & Commercial Bank of China      5,887,694  
  973,900       Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.      6,727,039  
  516,352       United Overseas Bank, Ltd.      9,548,766  
     

 

 

 
        38,957,649  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (3.4%):

  

  76,823       Anheuser-Busch InBev NV      8,644,152  
  86,796       Carlsberg A/S, Class B      6,741,457  
  38,112       Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de C.V., ADR*      3,354,999  
     

 

 

 
        18,740,608  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.8%):

  

  59,405       CSL, Ltd.      4,181,746  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (3.6%):

  

  899,853       Aberdeen Asset Management plc      6,009,495  
  135,519       Julius Baer Group, Ltd.      6,186,282  
  441,326       UBS Group AG*      7,588,552  
     

 

 

 
        19,784,329  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.3%):

  

  22,424       Syngenta AG, Registered Shares      7,202,530  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.1%):

  

  704,180       Brambles, Ltd.      6,062,823  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.1%):

  

  479,409       Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, B Shares      5,809,931  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (1.8%):

  

  921,907       Amcor, Ltd.      10,142,643  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (4.4%):

  

  2,130,166       Bm&f Bovespa SA      7,896,333  
  119,455       Deutsche Boerse AG      8,559,613  
  220,266       Investor AB, B Shares      7,987,562  
     

 

 

 
        24,443,508  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (2.3%):

  

  335,533       ABB, Ltd.      7,099,234  
  77,451       Schneider Electric SA      5,627,066  
     

 

 

 
        12,726,300  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.7%):

  

  9,085       Keyence Corp.      4,024,763  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Food Products (1.9%):

  

  193,848       BRF-Brasil Foods SA    $ 4,628,074  
  150,648       Unilever NV      5,917,168  
     

 

 

 
        10,545,242  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.1%):

  

  331,103       Smith & Nephew plc      6,078,105  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels Restaurants & Leisure (1.6%):

  

  523,347       Compass Group plc      8,919,002  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.5%):

  

  1,456,000       Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.      8,105,952  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.8%):

  

  877,000       Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd.      10,041,527  
  804,841       Keppel Corp., Ltd.      5,371,854  
     

 

 

 
        15,413,381  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (1.1%):

  

  11,625       Fairfax Financial Holdings, Ltd.      6,093,041  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (3.0%):

  

  47,180       Baidu, Inc., ADR*      10,755,625  
  1,483,700       Yahoo! Japan Corp.^      5,354,684  
     

 

 

 
        16,110,309  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.1%):

  

  148,350       Amadeus IT Holding SA      5,894,317  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.0%):

  

  160,422       Art Advanced Research Technologies, Inc.*(a)       
  165,100       Art Advanced Research Technologies, Inc.*(a)       
  50,591       Art Advanced Research Technologies, Inc.*(a)       
     

 

 

 
         
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (2.2%):

  

  33,400       Fanuc, Ltd.      5,513,211  
  292,100       Komatsu, Ltd.      6,476,800  
     

 

 

 
        11,990,011  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (12.1%):

  

  995,755       British Sky Broadcasting Group plc      13,857,434  
  218,079       Grupo Televisa SA, ADR      7,427,771  
  550,301       Informa plc      4,014,995  
  157,642       ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG, Registered Shares      6,640,489  
  143,400       Publicis Groupe      10,269,546  
  700,993       Reed Elsevier plc      11,924,809  
  580,606       WPP plc      12,043,882  
     

 

 

 
        66,178,926  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.9%):

  

  46,138       Next plc      4,865,847  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.7%):

  

  867,819       Centrica plc      3,734,598  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.2%):

  

  154,717       Cenovus Energy, Inc.      3,192,911  
  1,624,000       CNOOC, Ltd.      2,197,083  
  355,612       EnCana Corp.      4,950,707  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  212,861       Royal Dutch Shell plc, B Shares    $ 7,311,713  
  350,790       Suncor Energy, Inc.      11,144,340  
     

 

 

 
        28,796,754  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (7.3%):

  

  70,872       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      6,519,887  
  113,126       Novo Nordisk A/S, B Shares      4,787,437  
  36,638       Roche Holding AG      9,933,377  
  75,313       Shire plc      5,327,985  
  223,805       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., ADR^      12,871,026  
     

 

 

 
        39,439,712  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.0%):

  

  78,298       Canadian National Railway Co.      5,394,237  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (5.7%):

  

  117,745       Avago Technologies, Ltd.      11,843,970  
  7,154       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.      8,600,654  
  457,306       Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR^      10,234,508  
     

 

 

 
        30,679,132  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (3.8%):

  

  245,206       CGI Group, Inc., Class A*      9,350,128  
  161,350       SAP AG      11,406,979  
     

 

 

 
        20,757,107  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Specialty Retail (1.4%):

  

  1,456,156       Kingfisher plc    $ 7,672,432  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.8%):

  

  64,861       Adidas AG^      4,520,159  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (3.3%):

  

  213,929       British American Tobacco plc      11,622,159  
  238,700       Japan Tobacco, Inc.      6,555,339  
     

 

 

 
        18,177,498  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $386,685,949)

     505,988,994  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (3.0%):

  

$ 16,684,360       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(b)      16,684,360  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $16,684,360)

     16,684,360  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (6.9%):

  

  37,691,322       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(c)      37,691,322  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $37,691,322)

     37,691,322  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $441,061,631)(d) — 102.4%

     560,364,676  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (2.4)%

     (12,930,690
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 547,433,986  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $16,287,606.

 

(a) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(c) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(d) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “—” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    3.6

Belgium

    1.5

Brazil

    4.1

Canada

    7.2

Cayman Islands

    1.9

China

    1.7

Denmark

    2.1

France

    2.8

Germany

    6.4

Hong Kong

    4.7

Ireland (Republic of)

    2.1

Israel

    2.3

Japan

    7.6

Mexico

    1.9

Netherlands

    1.1

Republic of Korea (South)

    2.6

Singapore

    4.8

Spain

    1.1

Sweden

    2.5

Switzerland

    8.6

Taiwan

    1.8

Thailand

    1.2

Turkey

    1.2

United Kingdom

    15.5

United States

    9.7
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 441,061,631  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 560,364,676  

Cash

       41,211  

Interest and dividends receivable

       575,326  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $2,486,823)

       2,397,987  

Receivable for investments sold

       1,483,993  

Reclaims receivable

       215,158  

Prepaid expenses

       4,650  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       565,083,001  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       196,338  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       160,406  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       16,684,360  

Manager fees payable

       398,047  

Administration fees payable

       14,255  

Distribution fees payable

       117,073  

Custodian fees payable

       46,715  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,676  

Trustee fees payable

       34  

Other accrued liabilities

       30,111  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       17,649,015  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 547,433,986  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 396,536,801  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       5,345,753  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       26,350,657  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       119,200,775  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 547,433,986  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       29,763,442  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 18.39  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $16,287,606.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 15,558,170  

Income from securities lending

       229,965  

Foreign withholding tax

       (1,368,868 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       14,419,267  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       5,190,941  

Administration fees

       176,073  

Distribution fees

       1,441,927  

Custodian fees

       205,736  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       8,501  

Trustee fees

       33,148  

Professional fees

       37,097  

Shareholder reports

       27,780  

Other expenses

       20,754  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       7,141,957  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (288,394 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (13,800 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       6,839,763  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       7,579,504  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

  

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       45,532,166  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (50,756,874 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (5,224,708 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 2,354,796  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    AZL Invesco International Equity Fund
     For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

        

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

    $ 7,579,504        $ 6,897,535  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

      45,532,166          19,529,354  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

      (50,756,874 )        68,272,980  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

      2,354,796          94,699,869  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income

      (8,563,231 )        (6,852,326 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

      (8,563,231 )        (6,852,326 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares issued

      13,070,434          32,525,953  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

      8,563,231          6,852,326  

Value of shares redeemed

      (60,336,578 )        (44,765,774 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

      (38,702,913 )        (5,387,495 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

      (44,911,348 )        82,460,048  

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of period

      592,345,334          509,885,286  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 547,433,986        $ 592,345,334  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

    $ 5,345,753        $ 5,509,413  
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

        

Shares issued

      700,821          1,914,600  

Dividends reinvested

      448,806          395,631  

Shares redeemed

      (3,201,602 )        (2,630,848 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

      (2,051,975 )        (320,617 )
   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014    2013    2012    2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 18.62        $ 15.87        $ 13.97        $ 15.24       $ 13.61  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                       

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.27          0.22          0.16          0.28         0.12  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.21 )        2.74          2.00          (1.40 )       1.58  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.06          2.96          2.16          (1.12 )       1.70  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                       

Net Investment Income

       (0.29 )        (0.21 )        (0.26 )        (0.15 )       (0.07 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.29 )        (0.21 )        (0.26 )        (0.15 )       (0.07 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 18.39        $ 18.62        $ 15.87        $ 13.97       $ 15.24  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       0.25 %        18.78 %        15.56 %        (7.32 )%(b)       12.52 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                       

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 547,434        $ 592,345        $ 509,885        $ 459,529       $ 556,045  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.31 %        1.26 %        1.12 %        1.72 %       1.04 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)

       1.24 %        1.24 %        1.25 %        1.27 %       1.28 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.19 %        1.19 %        1.20 %        1.19 %       1.15 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(e)

       1.19 %        1.19 %        1.20 %        1.19 %       1.15 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       23 %        28 %        27 %        30 %       39 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) During the year ended December 31, 2011, Invesco Advisers, Inc. reimbursed $13,257 to the Fund related to violation of certain investment policies and limitations. The corresponding impact to the return was less than 0.005%.

 

(c) During the year ended December 31, 2010, Invesco Advisers, Inc. reimbursed $45,566 to the Fund related to violation of certain investment policies and limitations. The corresponding impact to the return was 0.01%.

 

(d) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(e) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Invesco International Equity Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33  1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $22,750 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with Invesco Advisers, Inc. (“Invesco”), Invesco provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

         0.90 %          1.45 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.85% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and

 

11


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $7,191 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Common Stocks

                           

Banks

       $ 10,217,367          $ 28,740,282          $          $ 38,957,649  

Beverages

         3,354,999            15,385,609                       18,740,608  

Capital Markets

         7,588,552            12,195,777                       19,784,329  

Insurance

         6,093,041                                  6,093,041  

 

12


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Internet Software & Services

       $ 10,755,625          $ 5,354,684          $          $ 16,110,309  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

                               ^          ^

Media

         7,427,771            58,751,155                       66,178,926  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         19,287,958            9,508,796                       28,796,754  

Pharmaceuticals

         12,871,026            26,568,686                       39,439,712  

Road & Rail

         5,394,237                                  5,394,237  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

         22,078,478            8,600,654                       30,679,132  

Software

         9,350,128            11,406,979                       20,757,107  

All Other Common Stocks+

                    215,057,190                       215,057,190  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    16,684,360                       16,684,360  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         37,691,322                                  37,691,322  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 152,110,504          $ 408,254,172          $ ^        $ 560,364,676  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

^ Represents the interest in securities that were determined to have value of zero at December 31, 2014.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant Level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

     $123,183,876        $ 171,186,633  

6. Investment Risks

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $447,263,566. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 132,549,797  

Unrealized depreciation

    (19,448,687
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 113,101,110   
 

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $14,146,699 in capital loss carry forwards to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

       $ 8,563,231          $          $ 8,563,231  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

13


AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

       $ 6,852,326          $          $ 6,852,326  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Invesco International Equity Fund

       $ 7,971,201          $ 29,922,941          $          $ 113,003,043          $ 150,897,185  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Invesco International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

16


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

17


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

18


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

19


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills
Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

20


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

21


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® JPMorgan

International Opportunities Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 8

Statement of Operations

Page 8

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 9

Financial Highlights

Page 10

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 11

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 17

Other Information

Page 18

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 19

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 22

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund returned -7.39%. That compared to a -4.48% total return for its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index1.

Volatility continued to vex global equity markets over the period, as investors juggled good and bad news. U.S. markets surged on the heels of continued economic recovery and improved corporate balance sheets. In Japan, the central bank expanded its bond buyback program and President Shinzo Abe again delayed an increase of the national sales tax. The European Central Bank also confirmed intentions to grow its balance sheets and possibly broaden its asset-purchase programs.

However, investors faced a series of uncertainties in 2014, including anxiety about global growth and the end of the U.S. Fed’s bond repurchase program, as well as fears of Ebola and another European debt crisis. In addition, currency movement whittled away at gains for U.S.-based investors as the recovery of the U.S. economy and the prospect of rising rates strengthened the dollar compared to most other currencies. Finally, emerging markets fared only slightly worse than their developed counterparts, with performance varied by country.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the year, largely due to stock selection. At the sector level, the performance of individual stocks in banks, autos, and energy lagged relative to the benchmark. Stock selection in Japan and the Pacific Rim, in addition to an underweight position in the latter, also detracted from relative performance. Specifically, a company that owns and operates casinos in Macau negatively affected the Fund’s relative performance, thanks to a cooling Chinese economy and a government campaign against corruption that has high rollers cutting back on gambling.*

The Fund’s stock selection in health care, industrial cyclical and basic industries contributed to relative performance. The selection of stocks in the U.K. and continental Europe also added value. For example, a Swedish appliance maker was a positive contributor, fuelled by strong demand in the U.S., on-going cost cutting and improved product mix.*

The Fund made use of derivatives to manage cash flow and reduce currency deviations from the benchmark. Those holdings did not materially impact the Fund’s performance over the period.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies from developed countries other than the United States.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

     -7.39     10.36     4.28     5.16

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -4.48     11.56     5.81     4.91

MSCI EAFE Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -4.90     11.06     5.33     4.43

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

     1.29

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.85%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.39% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index, which is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. The Index noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Index noted as “net of withholding taxes” does reflect the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 897.80          $ 5.74            1.20 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.16          $ 6.11            1.20 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

United Kingdom

      23.7 %

Japan

      20.4  

Switzerland

      13.2  

France

      11.6  

Germany

      8.4  

Netherlands

      4.8  

Australia

      2.5  

Hong Kong

      2.1  

Jersey

      1.8  

Denmark

      1.6  

All other countries

      8.7  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Preferred Stock

      98.8  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      4.7  

Money Market

      1.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      104.7  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (4.7 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks (97.3%):  
Aerospace & Defense (1.6%):  
  134,345       European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV    $ 6,671,751  
  54,554       Thales SA      2,943,168  
     

 

 

 
        9,614,919  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.3%):

  

  394,700       Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd.      7,773,105  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (1.2%):

  

  229,400       Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.      6,702,027  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (2.3%):

  

  26,792       Continental AG      5,688,674  
  60,406       Valeo SA      7,523,114  
     

 

 

 
        13,211,788  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (3.2%):

  

  105,211       Daimler AG, Registered Shares      8,776,778  
  247,800       Mazda Motor Corp.      5,949,217  
  54,746       Renault SA      4,000,122  
     

 

 

 
        18,726,117  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (11.7%):

  

  395,602       Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd.      10,288,191  
  164,299       BNP Paribas SA      9,653,769  
  345,012       Danske Bank A/S      9,287,600  
  1,610,967       HSBC Holdings plc      15,222,541  
  1,040,659       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA      3,010,104  
  2,216,900       Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.      12,153,174  
  220,972       Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.      7,985,605  
     

 

 

 
        67,600,984  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.8%):

  

  165,190       SABMiller plc      8,547,910  
  50,200       Suntory Beverage & Food, Ltd.      1,733,585  
     

 

 

 
        10,281,495  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (1.9%):

  

  88,398       Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA      3,721,051  
  119,900       Daikin Industries, Ltd.^      7,734,519  
     

 

 

 
        11,455,570  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.5%):

  

  502,814       UBS Group AG*      8,645,831  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.2%):

  

  75,144       Air Liquide SA      9,270,813  
  27,886       Solvay SA      3,766,717  
     

 

 

 
        13,037,530  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (2.3%):

  

  511,162       ING Groep NV*      6,617,542  
  568,600       ORIX Corp.      7,109,194  
     

 

 

 
        13,726,736  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (2.1%):

  

  1,942,560       Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV      6,123,741  
  111,500       Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.      5,738,527  
     

 

 

 
        11,862,268  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Electric Utilities (0.7%):

  

  231,676       E.ON AG    $ 3,977,862  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.9%):

  

  70,962       Schneider Electric SA      5,155,619  
     

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (2.4%):  
  947,000       Hitachi, Ltd.      6,930,601  
  16,000       Keyence Corp.      7,088,190  
     

 

 

 
        14,018,791  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.4%):

  

  168,800       Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.      6,089,754  
  2,447,500       Sun Art Retail Group, Ltd.^      2,427,325  
     

 

 

 
        8,517,079  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (3.4%):

  

  240,665       Nestle SA, Registered Shares      17,646,440  
  111,000       Nippon Meat Packers, Inc.      2,428,326  
     

 

 

 
        20,074,766  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (1.0%):

  

  966,000       Enn Energy Holdings, Ltd.      5,463,429  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.6%):

  

  497,521       Smith & Nephew plc      9,133,065  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.2%):

  

  182,316       InterContinental Hotels Group plc      7,304,893  
  1,054,800       Sands China, Ltd.      5,130,900  
     

 

 

 
        12,435,793  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.4%):

  

  270,616       Electrolux AB, Series B      7,945,467  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (5.1%):

  

  206,915       Assicurazioni Generali SpA      4,227,901  
  311,217       AXA SA      7,187,182  
  557,105       Prudential plc      12,818,610  
  67,574       Swiss Re AG      5,655,847  
     

 

 

 
        29,889,540  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.9%):

  

  398,600       DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.      4,953,670  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (2.7%):

  

  222,800       Dentsu, Inc.      9,377,765  
  91,151       Publicis Groupe      6,527,750  
     

 

 

 
        15,905,515  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (3.2%):

  

  248,290       First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.      3,529,288  
  906,410       Norsk Hydro ASA      5,101,500  
  210,338       Rio Tinto plc      9,689,617  
     

 

 

 
        18,320,405  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (2.0%):

  

  302,281       GDF Suez      7,059,027  
  239,995       Suez Environnement Co.      4,159,884  
     

 

 

 
        11,218,911  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.6%):

  

  589,903       BG Group plc    $ 7,851,075  
  640,408       Oil Search, Ltd.      4,136,553  
  522,640       Royal Dutch Shell plc, A Shares^      17,478,803  
  207,608       Statoil ASA      3,640,704  
     

 

 

 
        33,107,135  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (1.0%):

  

  418,943       Stora Enso OYJ, R Shares^      3,728,614  
  137,773       UPM-Kymmene OYJ      2,262,058  
     

 

 

 
        5,990,672  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (10.8%):

  

  149,051       AstraZeneca plc      10,483,799  
  88,409       Bayer AG      12,084,910  
  194,004       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      17,847,445  
  66,028       Roche Holding AG      17,901,661  
  74,488       Shire plc      5,269,620  
     

 

 

 
        63,587,435  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (3.8%):

  

  2,438,000       China Overseas Land & Investment, Ltd.      7,195,819  
  406,000       Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.      7,689,187  
  282,000       Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.      7,585,803  
     

 

 

 
        22,470,809  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.3%):

  

  301,304       ARM Holdings plc      4,638,989  
  79,965       ASML Holding NV      8,566,169  
  4,804       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.      5,775,446  
     

 

 

 
        18,980,604  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (1.6%):

  

  133,676       SAP AG      9,450,507  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.0%):

  

  1,062,644       Kingfisher plc      5,599,032  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.6%):

  

  102,369       Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares    $ 9,070,310  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (2.5%):

  

  199,458       British American Tobacco plc      10,835,991  
  118,000       Japan Tobacco, Inc.      3,240,595  
     

 

 

 
        14,076,586  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.8%):

  

  179,540       Wolseley plc      10,219,665  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (2.3%):

  

  3,845,364       Vodafone Group plc      13,174,372  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $527,490,954)

     565,375,409  
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock (1.5%):

  

 

Household Products (1.5%):

  

  78,005       Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preferred Shares^      8,437,156  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $5,646,367)

     8,437,156  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (4.7%):

  

$ 27,438,799       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      27,438,799  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $27,438,799)

     27,438,799  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (1.2%):

  

  7,026,454       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      7,026,454  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $7,026,454)

     7,026,454  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $567,602,574)(c) — 104.7%

     608,277,818  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (4.7)%

     (27,544,445
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 580,733,373  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $26,106,901.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Continued

 

5


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    2.4

Belgium

    0.6

Canada

    0.6

China

    1.3

Denmark

    1.5

Finland

    1.0

France

    11.0

Germany

    8.0

Hong Kong

    2.0

Italy

    1.2

Japan

    19.4

Jersey

    1.7

Netherlands

    4.6

Norway

    1.4

Republic of Korea (South)

    0.9

Sweden

    1.3

Switzerland

    12.6

United Kingdom

    22.8

United States

    5.7
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(LocalCurrency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

                 

Australian Dollar

   Goldman Sachs    3/11/15      5,323,313      $ 4,392,015      $ 4,322,677      $ 69,338  

British Pound

   State Street    3/11/15      5,869,282        9,147,136        9,141,473        5,663  

Canadian Dollar

   State Street    3/11/15      3,755,576        3,275,457        3,228,622        46,835  

European Euro

   State Street    3/11/15      6,702,685        8,217,894        8,114,500        103,394  

European Euro

   UBS Warburg    3/11/15      970,951        1,210,179        1,175,467        34,712  

Hong Kong Dollar

   BNP Paribas    3/11/15      43,931,617        5,666,760        5,665,745        1,015  

Japanese Yen

   BNP Paribas    3/11/15      335,276,466        2,830,828        2,801,346        29,482  

Japanese Yen

   State Street    3/11/15      213,957,815        1,799,533        1,787,689        11,844  

Norwegian Krone

   BNP Paribas    3/11/15      30,475,011        4,234,093        4,083,796        150,297  

Swedish Krona

   Australia and New Zealand Banking Group    3/11/15      9,975,074        1,310,668        1,280,807        29,861  

Swiss Franc

   State Street    3/11/15      21,211,404        21,640,536        21,370,402        270,134  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 63,725,099      $ 62,972,524      $ 752,575  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long Contracts:

                 

Australian Dollar

   Barclays Bank    3/11/15      41,551,247      $ 34,283,103      $ 33,740,760      $ (542,343

Danish Krone

   Barclays Bank    3/11/15      13,268,166        2,187,322        2,157,713        (29,609

European Euro

   BNP Paribas    3/11/15      4,394,323        5,411,107        5,319,918        (91,189

Japanese Yen

   Barclays Bank    3/11/15      391,094,395        3,233,067        3,267,724        34,657  

Japanese Yen

   Credit Suisse First Boston    3/11/15      348,013,469        2,879,481        2,907,768        28,287  

Singapore Dollar

   Goldman Sachs    3/11/15      12,439,280        9,400,552        9,383,533        (17,019

Swedish Krona

   Barclays Bank    3/11/15      89,661,057        11,814,047        11,512,542        (301,505
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 69,208,679      $ 68,289,958      $ (918,721
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward cross currency contracts were as follows:

 

Purchase/Sale    Counterparty    Amount
Purchased
   Amount Sold      Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Hong Kong Dollar/European Euro

   Toronto Dominion Bank    30,631,494 HKD      3,234,654 EUR      $ 3,945,781      $ 3,980,261      $ 34,480  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 3,945,781      $ 3,980,261      $ 34,480  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 567,602,574  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 608,277,818  

Interest and dividends receivable

       445,837  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       849,999  

Reclaims receivable

       566,524  

Prepaid expenses

       5,074  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       610,145,252  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Foreign currency, at value (cost $44,710)

       44,456  

Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts

       981,665  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       275,866  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       27,438,799  

Manager fees payable

       427,484  

Administration fees payable

       23,646  

Distribution fees payable

       125,730  

Custodian fees payable

       52,110  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,136  

Trustee fees payable

       43  

Other accrued liabilities

       39,944  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       29,411,879  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 580,733,373  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 520,524,415  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       12,259,056  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       7,465,786  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       40,484,116  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 580,733,373  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       33,975,166  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 17.09  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $26,106,901.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 25,203,836  

Income from securities lending

       525,853  

Foreign withholding tax

       (2,239,352 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       23,490,337  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       6,020,060  

Administration fees

       196,514  

Distribution fees

       1,584,223  

Custodian fees

       226,442  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       10,451  

Trustee fees

       40,756  

Professional fees

       45,223  

Shareholder reports

       32,122  

Other expenses

       22,275  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       8,178,066  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (633,684 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (2,283 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       7,542,099  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       15,948,238  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       33,882,169  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

      
(726,607
)

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       (144,857 )

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (95,854,784 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (62,844,079 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ (46,895,841 )
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

        

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 15,948,238       $ 9,219,841  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       33,010,705         6,067,184  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (95,854,784 )       101,600,441  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       (46,895,841 )       116,887,466  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income

       (8,522,582 )       (13,943,101 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (8,522,582 )       (13,943,101 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares issued

       17,848,646         42,931,802  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       8,522,582         13,943,101  

Value of shares redeemed

       (61,791,725 )       (67,038,138 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (35,420,497 )       (10,163,235 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (90,838,920 )       92,781,130  

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of period

       671,572,293         578,791,163  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 580,733,373       $ 671,572,293  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 12,259,056       $ 5,161,624  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

        

Shares issued

       1,002,877         2,524,365  

Dividends reinvested

       469,563         798,574  

Shares redeemed

       (3,389,112 )       (3,943,254 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,916,672 )       (620,315 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 18.71       $ 15.85       $ 13.42       $ 15.62       $ 14.90  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.48         0.27         0.26         0.21         0.27  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (1.85 )       2.98         2.44         (2.31 )       0.61  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (1.37 )       3.25         2.70         (2.10 )       0.88  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.25 )       (0.39 )       (0.27 )       (0.10 )       (0.07 )

Net Realized Gains

                                       (0.09 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.25 )       (0.39 )       (0.27 )       (0.10 )       (0.16 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 17.09       $ 18.71       $ 15.85       $ 13.42       $ 15.62  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       (7.39 )%       20.69 %       20.26 %       (13.41 )%       5.95 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 580,733       $ 671,572       $ 578,791       $ 398,683       $ 331,815  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2.52 %       1.49 %       2.08 %       1.88 %       1.68 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.29 %       1.29 %       1.30 %       1.32 %       1.33 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.19 %       1.19 %       1.20 %       1.21 %       1.18 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.19 %       1.19 %       1.20 %       1.21 %       1.18 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       50 %       42 %       37 %       128 %(d)       35 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) Effective May 1, 2011, the Subadviser changed from Morgan Stanley Management, Inc. to J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. Costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities associated with the change in the Subadviser contributed to a higher portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

10


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

11


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $52,045 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $136.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $193.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide market exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

 

12


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure

     
Foreign Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 849,999      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 981,665   

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 
Equity Risk Exposure    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts / Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      ($ 726,607    $   
Foreign Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts / Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments        (144,857      928,294   

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“JPMIM”), JPMIM provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

         0.95 %          1.39 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.85% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services

 

13


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $7,931 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

14


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Capital Markets

       $ 8,645,831          $          $ 8,645,831  

Metals & Mining

         3,529,288            14,791,117            18,320,405  

All Other Common Stocks+

                    538,409,173            538,409,173  

Preferred Stock

                    8,437,156            8,437,156  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    27,438,799            27,438,799  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         7,026,454                       7,026,454  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         19,201,573            589,076,245            608,277,818  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Forward Currency Contracts

                    (131,666 )          (131,666 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 19,201,573          $ 588,944,579          $ 608,146,152  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as forward currency contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 310,243,996          $ 336,441,453  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $570,210,394. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 71,558,842  

Unrealized depreciation

    (33,491,418
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 38,067,424   
 

 

 

 

 

15


AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $24,525,058 in capital loss carry forwards to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Total
Distributions(a)

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 8,522,582          $        $ 8,522,582  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Total
Distributions(a)

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 13,943,101          $        $ 13,943,101  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund

       $ 13,524,171          $ 8,717,756          $          $ 37,967,031          $ 60,208,958  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

16


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

17


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

18


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

19


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

20


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

21


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund
Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

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Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/ Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

23


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund and J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund returned 14.18%. That compared to a 13.69% total return for its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index1.

Volatile markets ended in positive territory in 2014, with the S&P 500 hitting 56 new highs over the period and finishing the year close to its record. Overall, large-cap stocks outperformed small caps and defensive sectors outperformed cyclical ones. The market did have three major pullbacks, but equities rebounded each time on the strength of economic and market fundamentals. The year began with concerns about the Federal Reserve’s (the Fed) ability to fight off inflation, though most of the Fed’s actions over the period were in line with expectations.

In March, the Fed chair implied that rate hikes may occur in the second quarter of 2015, which prompted many investors to move out of equities with high growth expectations and into stocks with more attractive valuations and higher dividend yields. As crude oil prices began to fall in the late summer, so too did energy stocks. The price of oil per barrel finished the year down 50% from its mid-June high. The year’s biggest equity sell-off began in September as the possibility of another recession in Europe rose to the forefront. Markets then surged in November on the strength of U.S. economic data as vehicle sales outpaced the prior year, and nonfarm payrolls exceeded economic forecasts.

The Fund outperformed its benchmark. Over the year, the semiconductor, software and services, and health services and systems sectors contributed to relative performance. An overweight position in a semiconductor company, which benefited from an acquisition and the continued strength of non-mobile businesses, contributed to the Fund’s performance. Shares of a media company also rallied on the news of a takeover bid from a rival corporation. Additionally an overweight position in an airline boosted relative returns.*

Meanwhile, an overweight position with an automaker dragged on relative performance, as the company’s stock suffered after numerous recalls. An overweight position in another semiconductor company detracted from relative performance as declining sale prices of chips and phones burdened the stock’s share price over the period. Moreover, in the industrial cyclical space, holdings in an engineering construction company weighed on returns as investors worried that the declining price of oil would delay some of the company’s larger projects.

The Fund used derivatives to gain or reduce exposure to the stock market, maintain liquidity and minimize transaction costs. These holdings had a minimal impact on the Fund’s performance.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. stock market as a whole. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide high total return from a portfolio of selected equity securities. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, primarily in large- and medium-capitalization U.S. companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

     14.18     22.34     15.13     7.60

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     15.45     7.67

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

     1.11

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager has voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.75% on the first $100 million of assets and 0.70% on assets above $100 million. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”), an unmanaged index that is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,067.60          $ 5.26            1.01 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.11          $ 5.14            1.01 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Information Technology

      21.1 %

Financials

      17.4  

Consumer Discretionary

      15.6  

Health Care

      15.2  

Industrials

      10.2  

Energy

      7.6  

Consumer Staples

      5.6  

Materials

      3.5  

Utilities

      1.5  

Telecommunication Services

      1.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      98.7  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      11.1  

Money Market

      0.3  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      110.1  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (10.1 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (98.7%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (3.5%):

  

  120,070       Honeywell International, Inc.    $ 11,997,395  
  4,807       L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.      606,691  
  46,019       United Technologies Corp.      5,292,185  
     

 

 

 
        17,896,271  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (1.6%):

  

  52,518       Delta Air Lines, Inc.      2,583,360  
  80,407       United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      5,378,425  
     

 

 

 
        7,961,785  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  

  44,434       Johnson Controls, Inc.      2,147,940  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (2.1%):

  

  305,999       General Motors Co.      10,682,425  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (6.8%):

  

  494,925       Bank of America Corp.      8,854,208  
  5,401       BB&T Corp.^      210,045  
  155,594       Citigroup, Inc.      8,419,191  
  9,128       SVB Financial Group*      1,059,487  
  290,552       Wells Fargo & Co.^      15,928,060  
     

 

 

 
        34,470,991  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.4%):

  

  101,886       Coca-Cola Co. (The)      4,301,626  
  28,303       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*      2,778,506  
     

 

 

 
        7,080,132  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (3.5%):

  

  5,653       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      1,045,975  
  19,967       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      6,777,798  
  39,519       Celgene Corp.*      4,420,595  
  30,085       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      2,835,812  
  25,145       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      2,987,226  
     

 

 

 
        18,067,406  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.9%):

  

  63,789       Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.^      2,887,728  
  75,780       Masco Corp.^      1,909,656  
     

 

 

 
        4,797,384  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (5.4%):

  

  6,103       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*      1,295,301  
  18,796       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      2,485,771  
  14,835       BlackRock, Inc., Class A      5,304,403  
  85,682       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      2,586,740  
  17,554       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      3,402,492  
  92,943       Invesco, Ltd.      3,673,107  
  200,189       Morgan Stanley^      7,767,332  
  31,975       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.^      1,144,066  
     

 

 

 
        27,659,212  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.9%):

  

  20,453       Axiall Corp.^      868,639  
  44,290       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      2,020,067  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Chemicals, continued

  
  30,841       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.    $ 2,280,384  
  103,956       Mosaic Co. (The)      4,745,591  
     

 

 

 
        9,914,681  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.9%):

  

  62,907       QUALCOMM, Inc.      4,675,877  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.9%):

  

  74,696       Fluor Corp.^      4,528,818  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.1%):

  

  2,323       Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.^      256,273  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.1%):

  

  29,239       Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.^      573,377  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.2%):

  

  26,304       Sealed Air Corp.^      1,116,079  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.2%):

  

  5,221       IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc.      1,144,913  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.0%):

  

  112,092       Verizon Communications, Inc.      5,243,664  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.7%):

  

  8,570       Edison International      561,164  
  52,842       Exelon Corp.^      1,959,381  
  22,523       PPL Corp.      818,261  
     

 

 

 
        3,338,806  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.6%):

  

  20,003       Eaton Corp. plc^      1,359,404  
  25,962       Emerson Electric Co.^      1,602,634  
     

 

 

 
        2,962,038  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (2.9%):

  

  42,310       Baker Hughes, Inc.      2,372,322  
  23,856       Halliburton Co.      938,256  
  141,382       Schlumberger, Ltd.      12,075,437  
     

 

 

 
        15,386,015  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.0%):

  

  6,103       Costco Wholesale Corp.      865,100  
  43,192       CVS Caremark Corp.      4,159,822  
     

 

 

 
        5,024,922  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.8%):

  

  28,033       General Mills, Inc.^      1,495,000  
  64,439       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      2,340,747  
     

 

 

 
        3,835,747  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.7%):

  

  40,509       Abbott Laboratories      1,823,715  
  223,108       Boston Scientific Corp.*      2,956,181  
  7,868       Covidien plc      804,739  
  33,128       Stryker Corp.      3,124,964  
     

 

 

 
        8,709,599  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.8%):

  

  7,814       CIGNA Corp.      804,139  
  31,075       Humana, Inc.^      4,463,302  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services, continued

  
  19,805       McKesson, Inc.    $ 4,111,122  
  98,105       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.^      9,917,434  
     

 

 

 
        19,295,997  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.7%):

  

  18,490       Carnival Corp.      838,152  
  10,658       Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.^      454,564  
  36,237       Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.^      2,987,016  
  27,186       Starbucks Corp.      2,230,611  
  23,315       Yum! Brands, Inc.      1,698,498  
     

 

 

 
        8,208,841  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.9%):

  

  67,714       D.R. Horton, Inc.      1,712,487  
  48,053       Harman International Industries, Inc.^      5,127,736  
  54,661       PulteGroup, Inc.^      1,173,025  
  51,852       Toll Brothers, Inc.*^      1,776,968  
     

 

 

 
        9,790,216  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.7%):

  

  21,767       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      1,506,059  
  80,587       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      7,340,670  
     

 

 

 
        8,846,729  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.5%):

  

  22,487       NextEra Energy, Inc.      2,390,143  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.2%):

  

  13,323       Danaher Corp.      1,141,914  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (4.5%):

  

  99,293       ACE, Ltd.      11,406,780  
  36,386       American International Group, Inc.      2,037,980  
  114,273       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.^      6,540,986  
  51,384       MetLife, Inc.      2,779,361  
  9,362       Willis Group Holdings plc^      419,511  
     

 

 

 
        23,184,618  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.7%):

  

  3,169       Priceline.com, Inc.*      3,613,325  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (3.9%):

  

  87,464       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      6,823,941  
  11,218       Google, Inc., Class C*      5,905,155  
  13,217       Google, Inc., Class A*      7,013,734  
     

 

 

 
        19,742,830  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (3.7%):

  

  82,675       Accenture plc, Class A^      7,383,704  
  6,986       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*      1,998,345  
  33,218       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*^      1,749,260  
  40,960       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      2,547,712  
  22,631       Visa, Inc., Class A      5,933,848  
     

 

 

 
        19,612,869  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.6%):

  

  22,001       Ingersoll-Rand plc      1,394,643  
  84,638       PACCAR, Inc.^      5,756,230  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Machinery, continued

  
  1,500       Pall Corp.^    $ 151,815  
  7,067       SPX Corp.      607,197  
     

 

 

 
        7,909,885  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (5.2%):

  

  41,410       CBS Corp., Class B      2,291,629  
  18,058       Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*      3,008,824  
  49,007       Comcast Corp., Class A      2,842,896  
  31,201       DISH Network Corp., Class A*      2,274,241  
  111,709       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      9,542,183  
  19,625       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class B      723,966  
  158,540       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      6,088,729  
     

 

 

 
        26,772,468  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.3%):

  

  280,487       Alcoa, Inc.      4,428,890  
  79,200       United States Steel Corp.^      2,117,808  
     

 

 

 
        6,546,698  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.2%):

  

  12,333       Dollar Tree, Inc.*      867,997  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.3%):

  

  19,282       CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      451,777  
  15,646       Dominion Resources, Inc.^      1,203,178  
     

 

 

 
        1,654,955  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (4.7%):

  

  15,196       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      1,253,670  
  64,298       California Resources Corp.*^      354,282  
  11,829       Chevron Corp.      1,326,977  
  2,581       Concho Resources, Inc.*      257,455  
  11,642       EQT Corp.      881,299  
  31,669       Exxon Mobil Corp.      2,927,799  
  15,952       Marathon Oil Corp.      451,282  
  10,929       Marathon Petroleum Corp.      986,452  
  167,210       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      13,478,798  
  22,307       Phillips 66      1,599,412  
  1,100       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      163,735  
  14,475       Southwestern Energy Co.*      395,023  
     

 

 

 
        24,076,184  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (6.2%):

  

  6,247       Actavis, Inc. plc*      1,608,040  
  3,709       Allergan, Inc.      788,496  
  77,418       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      4,569,985  
  164,846       Johnson & Johnson Co.      17,237,945  
  114,471       Merck & Co., Inc.      6,500,808  
  5,293       Perrigo Co. plc      884,778  
     

 

 

 
        31,590,052  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.4%):

  

  3,925       Boston Properties, Inc.      505,108  
  23,982       ProLogis, Inc.      1,031,946  
  4,555       Vornado Realty Trust      536,169  
     

 

 

 
        2,073,223  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Road & Rail (0.9%):

  

  80,767       CSX Corp.    $ 2,926,189  
  14,655       Union Pacific Corp.      1,745,850  
     

 

 

 
        4,672,039  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (4.5%):

  

  6,662       Applied Materials, Inc.^      166,017  
  89,481       Avago Technologies, Ltd.      9,000,894  
  46,793       Broadcom Corp., Class A      2,027,541  
  17,068       Freescale Semiconductor Holdings I, Ltd.*^      430,626  
  82,272       KLA-Tencor Corp.^      5,785,367  
  67,829       Lam Research Corp.^      5,381,553  
     

 

 

 
        22,791,998  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (4.4%):

  

  61,070       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      4,439,789  
  12,045       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      768,471  
  231,660       Microsoft Corp.      10,760,607  
  147,832       Oracle Corp.      6,648,005  
     

 

 

 
        22,616,872  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (2.7%):

  

  16,168       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      1,697,155  
  116,613       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      8,022,974  
  59,774       TJX Cos., Inc. (The)      4,099,301  
     

 

 

 
        13,819,430  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (3.7%):

  

  162,830       Apple, Inc.      17,973,176  
  26,718       Hewlett-Packard Co.      1,072,193  
     

 

 

 
        19,045,369  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.7%):

  

  26,160       Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*^      1,459,466  
  8,624       PVH Corp.      1,105,338  
  5,815       Ralph Lauren Corp.^      1,076,705  
     

 

 

 
        3,641,509  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.7%):

  

  42,688       Philip Morris International, Inc.      3,476,938  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $393,734,002)

     504,857,454  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (11.1%):

  

$ 56,533,568       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 56,533,568  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $56,533,568)

     56,533,568  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.3%):

  

  1,429,661       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      1,429,661  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $1,429,661)

     1,429,661  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $451,697,231)(c) — 110.1%

     562,820,683  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (10.1)%

     (51,500,011
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 511,320,672  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $54,715,781.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.
(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.
(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Futures Contracts

Cash of $110,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         21       $ 2,155,020      $ (35,272

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 451,697,231  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 562,820,683  

Cash

       36,290  

Segregated cash for collateral

       110,000  

Interest and dividends receivable

       628,982  

Receivable for investments sold

       5,454,894  

Prepaid expenses

       4,338  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       569,055,187  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       256,676  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       458,010  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       56,533,568  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       25,515  

Manager fees payable

       309,250  

Administration fees payable

       11,698  

Distribution fees payable

       108,929  

Custodian fees payable

       9,456  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,327  

Trustee fees payable

       27  

Other accrued liabilities

       20,059  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       57,734,515  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 511,320,672  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 415,976,834  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       5,024,825  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (20,769,167 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       111,088,180  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 511,320,672  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       31,029,717  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 16.48  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $54,715,781.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 10,204,380  

Income from securities lending

       27,092  

Foreign withholding tax

       (2,142 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       10,229,330  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       4,029,373  

Administration fees

       134,536  

Distribution fees

       1,259,177  

Custodian fees

       42,367  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       6,303  

Trustee fees

       24,386  

Professional fees

       26,441  

Shareholder reports

       21,489  

Other expenses

       12,162  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       5,556,234  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (453,669 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (20,559 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       5,082,006  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       5,147,324  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       82,409,034  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       229,549  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (20,760,338 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       61,878,245  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 67,025,569  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
     For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

           

Operations:

           

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 5,147,324          $ 3,759,460  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       82,638,583            65,723,424  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (20,760,338 )          71,200,773  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       67,025,569            140,683,657  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

           

From net investment income

       (3,723,395 )          (4,265,547 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (3,723,395 )          (4,265,547 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

           

Proceeds from shares issued

       17,310,639            37,012,375  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       3,723,395            4,265,547  

Value of shares redeemed

       (80,825,498 )          (63,611,318 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (59,791,464 )          (22,333,396 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       3,510,710            114,084,714  

Net Assets:

           

Beginning of period

       507,809,962            393,725,248  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 511,320,672          $ 507,809,962  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 5,024,825          $ 3,756,523  
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

           

Shares issued

       1,131,047            2,983,087  

Dividends reinvested

       236,256            327,615  

Shares redeemed

       (5,270,647 )          (5,089,833 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (3,903,344 )          (1,779,131 )
    

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014    2013   2012    2011    2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 14.54        $ 10.72       $ 9.22        $ 9.50        $ 8.46  
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                       

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.18          0.11         0.11          0.09          0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.88          3.83         1.47          (0.30 )        1.02  
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       2.06          3.94         1.58          (0.21 )        1.09  
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                       

Net Investment Income

       (0.12 )        (0.12 )       (0.08 )        (0.07 )        (0.05 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.12 )        (0.12 )       (0.08 )        (0.07 )        (0.05 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 16.48        $ 14.54       $ 10.72        $ 9.22        $ 9.50  
    

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       14.18 %        36.90 %(d)       17.13 %        (2.20 )%        12.97 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                       

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 511,321        $ 507,810       $ 393,725        $ 312,277        $ 325,037  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.02 %        0.83 %       1.16 %        0.90 %        0.79 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.10 %        1.11 %       1.12 %        1.13 %        1.13 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.01 %        1.01 %       1.03 %        1.08 %        1.08 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.01 %        1.02 %       1.04 %        1.08 %        1.08 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       77 %        81 %       71 %        81 %        86 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund received monies related to certain nonrecurring litigation settlements. The corresponding impact to the total return was 0.09%.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $2,692 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $2.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 35,272   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within theStatement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures Contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation Depreciation on investments      $ 229,549         $ (35,272

 

11


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. (“JPMIM”), JPMIM provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

         0.80 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.75% on the first $100 million of assets and 0.70% on assets above $100 million. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $6,265 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

 

12


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 504,857,454          $          $ 504,857,454  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    56,533,568            56,533,568  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         1,429,661                       1,429,661  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         506,287,115            56,533,568            562,820,683  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         (35,272 )                     (35,272 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $   506,251,843          $ 56,533,568          $ 562,785,411  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 387,909,013          $ 447,993,264  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

 

13


AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $455,424,392. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 116,002,427  

Unrealized depreciation

    (8,606,136
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 107,396,291   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2016
     Expires
12/31/2017
     Total

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 3,091,596          $ 13,967,218          $ 17,058,814  

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $82,147,971 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 3,723,395          $          $ 3,723,395  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 4,265,547          $          $ 4,265,547  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund

       $ 5,006,361          $          $ (17,058,814 )        $ 107,396,291          $ 95,343,838  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age

  

Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust

   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 2

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 3

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 14

Other Information

Page 15

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 16

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 19

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® MetWest Total Return Bond Fund (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MetWest Total Return Bond Fund and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

The AZL® MetWest Total Return Bond Fund commenced operations on November 17, 2014, and as such, does not have at least six months of operations to include a discussion of fund performance.

 

 

1


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
11/17/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
11/17/14 -  12/31/14**
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
11/17/14 -  12/31/14

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,007.00          $ 1.06            0.86 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.87          $ 4.38            0.86 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

 

** Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of the days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of the days in fiscal year (to reflect one half-year period). Information shown reflects values using the expense ratios for the 45 days of operations during the period, and has been annualized to reflect values for the period November 17, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

U.S. Treasury Obligation

      41.5 %

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

      33.6  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

      19.3  

Corporate Bonds

      14.7  

Asset Backed Securities

      6.6  

Yankee Dollars

      1.6  

Municipal Bond

      0.3  

Preferred Stock

      0.2  

Paper

      1.0  

Money Market

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      119.0  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (19.0 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

2


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Asset Backed Securities (6.6%):

  

$ 955,000       Flagship CLO, Class A1, Series 2013-7A, 1.70%, 1/20/26(a)(b)    $ 947,615  
  2,114,454       Goal Capital Funding Trust, Class A3, Series 2005-2, 0.40%, 5/28/30(a)      2,084,304  
  1,000,000       Limerock CLO, Class A1, Series 2014-3A, 1.76%, 10/20/26(a)(b)      994,055  
  1,000,000       Magnetite CLO, Ltd., Class A1, Series 2014-9A, 1.70%, 7/25/26(a)(b)      992,464  
  1,000,000       Magnetite CLO, Ltd., Class A1, Series 2014-11A, 1.68%, 1/18/27(a)(b)(c)      994,303  
  952,003       Navient Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2014-2, 0.80%, 3/25/43(a)      943,465  
  913,067       Navient Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2014-3, 0.78%, 3/25/43(a)      903,962  
  619,092       Navient Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2014-4, 0.78%, 3/25/43(a)      612,730  
  2,080,000       Navient Student Loan Trust, Class A3, Series 2014-8, 0.75%, 5/27/31(a)      2,079,967  
  1,872,000       SLC Student Loan Trust, Class A4A, Series 2008-1, 1.84%, 12/15/32(a)      1,948,754  
  1,101,376       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class B, Series 2003-7, 0.81%, 9/15/39(a)      1,023,602  
  1,928,730       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A5, Series 2003-11,
0.29%, 12/15/22(a)(b)
     1,919,459  
  2,082,950       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A5B, Series 2004-10, 0.63%, 4/25/23(a)(b)      2,083,881  
  1,512,467       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2008-9, 1.73%, 4/25/23(a)      1,553,389  
  2,009,236       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2012-2, 0.87%, 1/25/29(a)      2,016,505  
  1,242,384       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2012-3, 0.82%, 12/26/25(a)      1,244,526  
  2,027,015       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A, Series 2013-4, 0.71%, 6/25/27(a)      2,032,158  
  2,100,000       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A2, Series 2014-2, 0.52%, 10/25/21(a)      2,091,782  
  830,000       SLM Student Loan Trust, Class A5, Series 2006-5, 0.34%, 1/25/27(a)      817,920  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $27,283,079)

     27,284,841  
     

 

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (19.3%):

  

  1,150,000       Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class M2, Series 2005-R5, 0.63%, 7/25/35(a)      1,096,137  
  2,095,000       Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class M2, Series 2005-R5, 0.65%, 4/25/35(a)      2,075,429  
  1,782,428       Bank of America Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class 2A3, Serie 2005-F, 2.64%, 7/25/35(a)      1,713,350  
  989,573       BCAP LLC Trust, Class 5A3, Series 2011-RR10, 0.32%, 1/26/47(a)(b)      987,522  
  1,031,101       CD Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2007-CD4, 5.29%, 12/11/49(a)      1,085,692  
  2,321,517       Centex Home Equity, Class M1, Series 2005-D, 0.60%, 10/25/35(a)      2,315,962  
  201,641       Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2005-C3, 4.86%, 5/15/43      201,424  
  2,200,000       Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Class A4, Series 2006-WFH3, 0.41%, 10/25/36(a)      2,118,358  

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, continued

  

$ 2,295,434       Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Class 1A1A, Series 2007-AR5, 2.67%, 4/25/37(a)    $ 2,075,660  
  1,167,411       Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Class A2E, Series 2007-CB2, 5.68%, 2/25/37(a)      874,079  
  1,718,151       Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Class AAB, Series 2007-C1, 5.34%, 2/15/40      1,772,448  
  1,684,329       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Class A, Series KF01, 0.52%, 4/25/19(a)      1,685,129  
  998,309       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Class A, Series KF04, 0.47%, 6/25/21(a)      996,870  
  2,099,769       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Class A, Series KF05, 0.51%, 9/25/21(a)      2,099,769  
  2,025,000       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Class A2, Series K041, 3.17%, 10/25/24      2,100,986  
  1,590,769       Federal National Mortgage Association, Class FA, Series 2013-M14, 0.52%, 8/25/18(a)      1,592,707  
  1,974,112       First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Class M1, Series 2005-FFH3, 0.68%, 9/25/35(a)      1,964,188  
  2,195,000       First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Class M1, Series 2005-FF8, 0.66%, 9/25/35(a)      2,086,398  
  2,331,037       First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, Class 2A1, Series 05-AA12, 2.25%, 2/25/36(a)      1,856,997  
  1,808,014       First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, Class 2A1, Series 2005-AR3, 2.67%, 8/25/35(a)      1,668,141  
  2,345,298       First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, Class 1A1, Series 2006-AA1, 2.25%, 3/25/36(a)      1,951,621  
  2,092,429       First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, Class 2A1, Series 2006-AA1, 2.23%, 4/25/36(a)      1,747,297  
  1,988,899       GE Commercial Mortgage Corp. Trust, Class A3A, Series 2005-C4, 5.49%, 11/10/45(a)      1,990,858  
  1,383,692       GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Class A5, Series 2005-C1, 4.70%, 5/10/43      1,390,772  
  2,242,745       GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust, Class 1A1, Series 2006-AR1, 2.96%, 4/19/36(a)      1,977,565  
  2,041,621       GMAC Mortgage Corp. Loan Trust, Class 3A1, Series 2005-AR5, 2.88%, 9/19/35(a)      1,958,471  
  1,058,851       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A4A, Series 2005-GG4, 4.75%, 7/10/39      1,059,872  
  675,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2005-CB13, 5.42%, 1/12/43(a)      689,885  
  944,097       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2005-LDP5, 5.40%, 11/15/15(a)      959,905  
  2,175,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2006-LDP7, 6.06%, 4/15/45(a)      2,271,070  
  1,253,208       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A1, Series 2010-C1, 3.85%, 6/15/43(b)      1,259,451  
  2,111,817       LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A2, Series 2006-C7, 5.30%, 11/15/38      2,140,206  
 

 

Continued

 

3


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, continued

  

$ 724,847       LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A5, Series 2005-C2, 5.15%, 4/15/30(a)    $ 725,950  
  1,315,904       Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Class 2A2, Series 2007-4, 0.29%, 7/25/37(a)      823,318  
  2,239,383       Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2007-C1, 6.03%, 6/12/50(a)      2,385,437  
  2,016,682       Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, Class 1A2, Series 2005-6AR, 0.44%, 11/25/35(a)      2,002,644  
  2,061,791       Morgan Stanley Remic Trust, Class 3A, Series 2014-R8, 0.87%, 6/26/47(a)(b)      1,974,369  
  2,068,014       MortgageIT Trust, Class 2A, Series 2005-2, 1.80%, 5/25/35(a)      2,034,946  
  2,130,000       Newcastle Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A4, Series 2006-1, 0.45%, 3/25/36(a)      2,072,654  
  1,837,480       Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp., Class 3A1, Series 2005-AR3, 2.96%, 7/25/35(a)      1,750,596  
  2,600,265       Residential Accredit Loans, Inc., Class A2, Series 2006-QA10, 0.35%, 12/25/36(a)      1,990,204  
  1,216,030       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2005-C22, 5.27%, 12/15/44(a)      1,241,991  
  1,756,987       WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Class 2A1A, Series 2005-AR6, 0.40%, 4/25/45(a)      1,633,612  
  2,011,598       WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Class 2A1A, Series 2005-AR8, 0.46%, 7/25/45(a)      1,853,285  
  2,185,996       WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Class 4A1, Series 2007-HY1, 2.36%, 2/25/37(a)      1,915,181  
  2,069,285       WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Class A2, Series 2005-AR3, 2.40%, 3/25/35(a)      2,060,874  
  2,008,062       Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Class 2A1, Series 2006-AR2, 2.62%, 3/25/36(a)      1,999,748  
  2,067,715       Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, Class 1A1, Series 2006-AR12, 2.51%, 9/25/36(a)      1,920,912  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $80,536,595)

     80,149,940  
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (14.7%):

  

 

Airlines (0.9%):

  

  1,626,768       Continental Airlines 2009-2, Series A, 7.25%, 11/10/19      1,878,917  
  592,304       U.S. Airways 2001-1G PTT, Class G, Series 2001, 7.08%, 9/20/22      650,054  
  1,083,662       U.S. Airways 2010-1A PTT, Series A, 6.25%, 10/22/24      1,216,411  
     

 

 

 
        3,745,382  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.1%):

  

  400,000       General Motors Co., 5.20%, 4/1/45      422,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (1.7%):

  

  2,500,000       Bank of America NA, 5.30%, 3/15/17      2,685,413  
  350,000       Bank of America NA, Series BKNT, 6.10%, 6/15/17      384,654  
  1,000,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 1.10%, 10/15/15      1,001,798  
  1,000,000       U.S. Bank NA, 3.78%, 4/29/20, Callable 4/29/15 @ 100(a)      1,008,976  
  550,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 3.30%, 9/9/24, MTN      553,441  
  1,400,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 4.10%, 6/3/26, MTN      1,430,880  
     

 

 

 
        7,065,162  
     

 

 

 

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Capital Markets (1.6%):

  

$ 2,000,000       Bear Stearns Co., Inc., 7.25%, 2/1/18    $ 2,305,099  
  750,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 1.60%, 11/23/15, MTN      753,928  
  1,500,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 5.95%, 1/18/18      1,666,452  
  1,750,000       Morgan Stanley, 0.97%, 1/5/18(a)      1,750,445  
     

 

 

 
        6,475,924  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.7%):

  

  1,250,000       Capital One Financial Corp., 1.00%, 11/6/15      1,248,810  
  1,660,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8.00%, 12/15/16      1,857,792  
     

 

 

 
        3,106,602  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.2%):

  

  575,000       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 4.50%, 2/11/43      628,826  
  2,000,000       Citigroup, Inc., 0.93%, 11/24/17(a)      2,000,498  
  700,000       Citigroup, Inc., 5.50%, 9/13/25      774,554  
  1,000,000       General Electric Capital Corp., Series G, 6.88%, 1/10/39, MTN      1,414,507  
     

 

 

 
        4,818,385  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.4%):

  

  1,500,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 4.86%, 8/21/46(b)      1,540,841  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (2.3%):

  

  780,000       American Transmission Systems, Inc., 5.00%, 9/1/44, Callable
3/1/44 @ 100(b)
     834,417  
  1,000,000       CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, 4.50%, 4/1/44, Callable 10/1/43 @ 100      1,116,134  
  800,000       Cleco Power LLC, 6.00%, 12/1/40      958,124  
  1,000,000       Duke Energy Progress, Inc., 4.15%, 12/1/44, Callable 6/1/44 @ 100      1,062,999  
  936,000       Duquesne Light Holdings, Inc., 6.40%, 9/15/20(b)      1,093,067  
  750,000       El Paso Electric Co., 5.00%, 12/1/44, Callable 6/1/44 @ 100      780,288  
  400,000       IPALCO Enterprises, Inc., 7.25%, 4/1/16(b)      422,000  
  1,000,000       IPALCO Enterprises, Inc., 5.00%, 5/1/18, Callable 4/1/18 @ 100      1,055,000  
  750,000       Jersey Central Power & Light Co., 6.40%, 5/15/36      893,927  
  1,500,000       Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC, 4.10%, 6/1/22, Callable 3/1/22 @ 100      1,610,952  
     

 

 

 
        9,826,908  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.2%):

  

  625,000       Medtronic, Inc., 2.50%, 3/15/20(b)      626,639  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.6%):

  

  1,000,000       Catholic Health Initiatives, 4.35%, 11/1/42      992,812  
  800,000       CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.13%, 8/15/18, Callable 8/15/15 @ 102.6      828,000  
  750,000       HCA, Inc., 6.50%, 2/15/20      840,375  
     

 

 

 
        2,661,187  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.2%):

  

  800,000       Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/20, Callable 10/15/15 @ 104.31      820,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.7%):

  

  1,900,000       Farmers Exchange Capital III, 5.45%, 10/15/54, Callable 10/15/34 @ 100(a)(b)      1,957,000  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Insurance, continued

  

$ 900,000       Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., 5.30%, 11/18/44(b)    $ 949,459  
     

 

 

 
        2,906,459  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.2%):

  

  775,000       CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 6.50%, 4/30/21, Callable 4/30/15 @ 104.88      813,750  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.2%):

  

  625,000       Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 4.50%, 2/1/45, Callable 8/1/44 @ 100(b)      653,968  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.7%):

  

  350,000       Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 4.50%, 7/15/44, Callable 1/15/44 @ 100      339,666  
  1,100,000       Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP, 4.95%, 12/15/24, Callable 9/15/24 @ 100      1,093,607  
  775,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 6.63%, 8/15/20      823,438  
  1,400,000       Energy Transfer Partners LP, 5.95%, 10/1/43, Callable 4/1/43 @ 100      1,535,517  
  850,000       KeySpan Gas East Corp., 5.82%, 4/1/41(b)      1,092,266  
  400,000       MarkWest Energy Partners LP, 4.88%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      391,000  
  780,000       Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 6.85%, 7/15/18(b)      803,400  
  250,000       Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 6.00%, 1/15/19(b)      250,625  
  775,000       Sabine Pass Liquefcation LLC, 6.25%, 3/15/22      786,625  
     

 

 

 
        7,116,144  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.8%):

  

  875,000       HCP, Inc., 5.38%, 2/1/21, Callable 11/3/20 @ 100      977,118  
  1,600,000       Health Care REIT, Inc., 5.25%, 1/15/22, Callable 10/15/21 @ 100      1,777,891  
  1,150,000       SL Green Realty Corp., 5.00%, 8/15/18, Callable 6/15/18 @ 100      1,233,464  
  2,000,000       Ventas Realty LP / Capital Corp., 3.13%, 11/30/15      2,040,409  
  1,500,000       WEA Finance LLC, 2.70%, 9/17/19, Callable 8/17/19 @ 100(b)      1,499,564  
     

 

 

 
        7,528,446  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.2%):

  

  725,000       Sprint Communications, Inc., 9.00%, 11/15/18(b)      824,615  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $60,444,066)

     60,952,412  
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock(0.2%):

  

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.2%):

  

  800,000       ZFS Finance USA Trust II, 6.45%, 12/15/65, Callable 6/15/16 @ 100(a)(b)      842,936  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $843,199)

     842,936  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (1.6%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.3%):

  

$ 1,300,000       Heathrow Funding, Ltd., 2.50%, 6/25/15(b)      1,300,780  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (1.3%):

  

  2,000,000       Credit Suisse, NY, 0.65%, 12/7/15(a)      2,001,052  
  1,100,000       HBOS plc, Series G, 6.75%, 5/21/18, MTN(b)      1,225,946  
  800,000       Royal Bank of Scotland plc, 4.88%, 3/16/15      806,155  
  1,250,000       Royal Bank Scotland Group plc, 2.55%, 9/18/15      1,262,515  
     

 

 

 
        5,295,668  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $6,607,390)

     6,596,448  
     

 

 

 

Shares or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Municipal Bond (0.3%):

  

 

New York (0.3%):

  

$ 1,125,000       New York NY, Build America Bonds, GO, 5.05%, 10/1/24    $ 1,278,799  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bond (Cost $1,273,528)

     1,278,799  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (33.6%):

  

 

Federal Home Loan Bank (8.8%)

  

  16,400,000       0.09%, 2/6/15(d)      16,399,606  
  10,000,000       0.09%, 2/20/15(d)      9,999,660  
  10,500,000       0.09%, 3/6/15(d)      10,499,444  
     

 

 

 
        36,898,710  
     

 

 

 

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (1.0%)

  

  4,015,252       3.50%, 4/1/44, Pool#G07848      4,195,904  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association (21.2%)

  

  859,597       5.34%, 6/1/18, Pool#AD0149      947,154  
  1,078,110       4.77%, 2/1/20, Pool#AD0791      1,199,342  
  1,142,619       4.12%, 4/1/20, Pool#464959      1,250,498  
  1,458,726       4.60%, 4/1/20, Pool#AD0910      1,612,465  
  1,005,587       3.43%, 10/1/20, Pool#466386      1,068,962  
  1,986,469       3.42%, 10/1/20      2,104,329  
  1,886,165       3.67%, 10/1/20, Pool#AE0918      2,035,977  
  2,681,492       3.76%, 12/1/20, Pool#FN0001      2,894,219  
  1,000,000       3.94%, 1/1/21, Pool #466969      1,087,333  
  1,137,679       4.62%, 4/1/21, Pool #467731      1,278,708  
  990,624       3.93%, 7/1/21, Pool #468518      1,075,196  
  1,245,000       3.06%, 5/1/22, Pool #471258      1,295,267  
  2,000,000       2.50%, 1/25/29      2,036,250  
  1,000,000       3.50%, 1/25/30      1,056,406  
  1,000,000       3.00%, 1/25/30      1,039,414  
  1,030,616       3.00%, 10/1/33, Pool #MA1676      1,064,544  
  6,730,000       4.50%, 1/25/44      7,305,205  
  14,560,000       3.50%, 1/25/45      15,177,664  
  16,865,000       4.00%, 1/25/45      17,999,237  
  24,195,000       3.00%, 1/25/45      24,474,756  
     

 

 

 
        88,002,926  
     

 

 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association (2.6%)

  

  1,000,000       4.50%, 1/20/44      1,092,617  
  5,000,000       4.00%, 1/20/45      5,360,879  
  3,000,000       3.50%, 1/20/45      3,149,063  
  1,000,000       3.00%, 2/20/45      1,022,625  
     

 

 

 
        10,625,184  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (Cost $139,219,349)

     139,722,724  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (41.5%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds (2.8%)

  

  10,105,000       3.13%, 8/15/44      10,878,659  
  900,000       3.00%, 11/15/44      945,844  
     

 

 

 
        11,824,503  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Bonds (1.3%)

  

  4,695,000       1.38%, 2/15/44      5,413,527  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Notes (0.8%)

  

  3,244,821       0.13%, 7/15/24      3,124,759  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Notes (36.6%)

  

  95,500,000       0.50%, 7/31/16      95,544,789  
  18,760,000       1.50%, 10/31/19      18,645,676  
  11,670,000       2.38%, 8/15/24      11,886,082  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations, continued

  

 

U.S. Treasury Notes, continued

  

$ 26,065,000       2.25%, 11/15/24    $ 26,240,130  
     

 

 

 
        152,316,677  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $171,864,261)

     172,679,466  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Paper (1.0%):

  

  3,950,000       Macquarie Bank, Ltd., 0.22%(b)(d)      3,948,896   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Commercial Paper (Cost $3,948,697)

     3,948,896   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.2%):

  

  931,427       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00% (d)      931,427  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $931,427)

     931,427  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $492,951,591)(e) — 119.0%

     494,387,889  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (19.0)%

     (78,801,965
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 415,585,924  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

GO—General Obligation

MTN—Medium Term Note

REMIC—Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit

 

(a) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(b) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(c) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 0.20% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(d) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 492,951,591  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value

     $ 494,387,889  

Interest and dividends receivable

       1,726,585  

Receivable for investments sold

       16,711,058  

Prepaid expenses

       3,201  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       512,828,733  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Cash overdraft

       12,103  

Payable for investments purchased

       96,922,404  

Manager fees payable

       194,319  

Administration fees payable

       402  

Distribution fees payable

       88,327  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,448  

Other accrued liabilities

       22,806  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       97,242,809  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 415,585,924  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 412,585,317  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       401,870  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       1,162,439  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       1,436,298  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 415,585,924  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       41,273,178  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 10.07  
    

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Period Ended December 31, 2014(a)

 

Investment Income:

    

Interest

     $ 726,419  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       726,419  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       307,769  

Administration fees

       652  

Distribution fees

       128,236  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,152  

Trustee fees

       10  

Professional fees

       20,284  

Shareholder reports

       6,974  

Other expenses

       715  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       466,792  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (25,648 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       441,144  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       285,275  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       1,150,798  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       1,436,298  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       2,587,096  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 2,872,371  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) For the period November 17, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014.
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund
      November 17,
2014 to
December 31,
2014(a)

Change In Net Assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 285,275  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       1,150,798  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       1,436,298  
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       2,872,371  
    

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares issued

       415,766,530  

Value of shares redeemed

       (3,052,977 )
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       412,713,553  
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       415,585,924  

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of period

        
    

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 415,585,924  
    

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 401,870  
    

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

    

Shares issued

       41,576,530  

Shares redeemed

       (303,352 )
    

 

 

 

Change in shares

       41,273,178  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period indicated)

      November 17,
2014 to
December 31,
2014(a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 10.00  
    

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.01  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.06  
    

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.07  
    

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 10.07  
    

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       0.70 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 415,586  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d)

       0.56 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)(e)

       0.91 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       0.86 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       27 %(c)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Not annualized.

 

(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(e) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (“MetWest”), MetWest provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

 

10


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

For the period ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

         0.60 %          0.91 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.55% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $326 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type

 

11


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Asset Backed Securities

       $          $ 26,290,538          $ 994,303          $ 27,284,841  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

                    80,149,940                       80,149,940  

Commercial Paper

                    3,948,896                       3,948,896  

Corporate Bonds+

                    60,952,412                       60,952,412  

Municipal Bond

                    1,278,799                       1,278,799  

Preferred Stock

                    842,936                       842,936  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

                    139,722,724                       139,722,724  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

                    172,679,466                       172,679,466  

Yankee Dollars+

                    6,596,448                       6,596,448  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         931,427                                  931,427  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 931,427          $ 492,462,159          $ 994,303          $ 494,387,889  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant Level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

       $ 454,911,466          $ 93,049,893  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

       $ 291,985,046          $ 89,391,586  

6. Investment Risks

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Risk: The Fund may invest in a variety of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which are subject to certain additional risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds mortgage-related securities may exhibit additional volatility. This is known as extension risk. In addition, adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-related securities are subject to call risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of a Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. If a Fund purchases mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities that are subordinated to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund may receive payments only after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund as a holder of such subordinated securities, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. An unexpectedly high or low rate of prepayments on a pool’s underlying mortgages may have a similar effect on subordinated securities. A mortgage pool may issue securities subject to various levels of subordination. The risk of non-payment affects securities at each level, although the risk is greater in the case of more highly subordinated securities. A Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets.

 

12


AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $492,976,760. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 2,236,987  

Unrealized depreciation

    (825,858
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 1,411,129   
 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

       

Undistributed
Ordinary

Income

     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund

       $ 1,589,478          $          $          $ 1,411,129          $ 3,000,607  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the period November 17, 2014 to December 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the period November 17, 2014 to December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

14


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

15


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

16


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

17


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

18


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age

  Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

19


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Indefinite.
(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.
(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

20


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund and Massachusetts Financial Services Company serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund returned 10.75%. That compared to a 13.69% total return for its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index1.

U.S. stocks performed well during the period, despite a temporary setback at the start of the year. Stocks fell early in the first quarter due to concerns about slowing global growth, a soft December 2013 labor market report, and a pause in U.S. economic growth, which was partially caused by extreme weather events. The stock market soon recovered, however, as investors regained their appetite for riskier investments from February into the summer. Any market setbacks during this time were short-lived as improving economic growth in the U.S., coupled with easier monetary policy abroad, helped support increased demand for stocks.

Near the end of the year the U.S. equity market approached all-time highs. At this point, a rapid and severe decline in energy prices created a great deal of stock-market volatility.

The Fund performed well in absolute terms during the period but underperformed its benchmark. Stock selection and an underweight position in the technology sector detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. In particular, a smaller-than-benchmark position in a strong-performing consumer electronics maker weighed on relative results. An overweight position in an Internet services and products company also dragged on performance as the stock underperformed the benchmark.*

Stock selection in the health care, basic materials, and consumer staples sectors also weighed on relative performance, with holdings of an international food producer notably underperforming the benchmark. Currency exposure was another factor in the Fund’s underperformance. The U.S. dollar strengthened throughout the period, causing the Fund to be hurt by its greater-than-benchmark exposure to holdings of securities denominated in foreign currencies.*

The Fund benefited from strong stock selection in both the leisure and autos and housing sectors. Within the leisure sector, an overweight position in a large media company supported relative results as the stock delivered solid performance during the period. In the autos and housing sector, an overweight position in a paint company that posted strong gains for the period help to boost relative performance. Overweight positions in a medical equipment and supplies company as well as a computer and personal electronics maker also aided relative performance, as those stocks outpaced the benchmark.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile than other types of securities.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/29/05)
 

AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund

     10.75     20.18     13.51     10.58

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     15.45     8.40

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® MFS Investors Trust Fund

     1.06

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on assets above $100 million. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s 500 (“S&P 500”) Index, which is an unmanaged index that is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index

 

 

2


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,055.50          $ 5.28            1.02 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.06          $ 5.19            1.02 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Information Technology

      19.1 %

Financials

      17.3  

Consumer Discretionary

      17.1  

Health Care

      14.2  

Industrials

      11.6  

Consumer Staples

      7.1  

Energy

      6.0  

Materials

      4.9  

Utilities

      1.9  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Preferred Stock

      99.2  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      12.7  

Money Market

      0.9  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      112.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (12.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (98.9%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (5.0%):

  

  61,692       Honeywell International, Inc.    $ 6,164,265   
  20,834       Precision Castparts Corp.      5,018,494   
  64,121       United Technologies Corp.      7,373,915   
     

 

 

 
        18,556,674   
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.8%):

  

  28,151       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B^      3,129,547   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.5%):

  

  24,241       Delphi Automotive plc      1,762,806   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (6.4%):

  

  277,862       Bank of America Corp.      4,970,951   
  177,041       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      11,079,225   
  140,787       Wells Fargo & Co.      7,717,943   
     

 

 

 
        23,768,119   
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.7%):

  

  90,541       Diageo plc      2,596,500   
  34,701       Pernod Ricard SA      3,847,085   
     

 

 

 
        6,443,585   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (5.3%):

  

  16,579       BlackRock, Inc., Class A      5,927,987   
  23,530       Franklin Resources, Inc.^      1,302,856   
  35,438       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      6,868,948   
  89,158       Morgan Stanley      3,459,330   
  29,296       State Street Corp.      2,299,736   
     

 

 

 
        19,858,857   
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (3.7%):

  

  7,676       FMC Corp.^      437,762   
  14,409       Linde AG      2,687,245   
  23,049       Praxair, Inc.      2,986,228   
  16,257       Sherwin Williams Co.^      4,276,242   
  37,730       W.R. Grace & Co.*      3,599,065   
     

 

 

 
        13,986,542   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.6%):

  

  37,687       Fluor Corp.^      2,284,963   
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.9%):

  

  74,538       American Express Co.      6,935,016   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (1.2%):

  

  84,376       Crown Holdings, Inc.*^      4,294,738   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.0%):

  

  75,521       NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)      3,621,987   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.7%):

  

  42,432       American Electric Power Co., Inc.      2,576,471   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (2.8%):

  

  58,769       Cameron International Corp.*      2,935,512   
  38,319       National-Oilwell Varco, Inc.^      2,511,044   
  56,694       Schlumberger, Ltd.      4,842,235   
     

 

 

 
        10,288,791   
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (2.5%):

  

  56,809       Danone SA      3,736,822   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stock, continued

  

 

Food Products, continued

  

  27,353       General Mills, Inc.^    $ 1,458,735   
  115,302       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      4,188,346   
     

 

 

 
        9,383,903   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.5%):

  

  75,810       Abbott Laboratories      3,412,966   
  36,768       Covidien plc      3,760,631   
  40,254       St. Jude Medical, Inc.^      2,617,718   
  36,254       Stryker Corp.      3,419,840   
     

 

 

 
        13,211,155   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.9%):

  

  16,748       McKesson, Inc.      3,476,550   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.1%):

  

  43,075       McDonald’s Corp.      4,036,128   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.9%):

  

  85,837       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      3,269,531   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (2.9%):

  

  44,361       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      3,069,338   
  85,329       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      7,772,618   
     

 

 

 
        10,841,956   
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.8%):

  

  122,010       Danaher Corp.      10,457,477   
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.9%):

  

  27,645       ACE, Ltd.      3,175,858   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (2.8%):

  

  8,843       Google, Inc., Class C*      4,654,955   
  11,032       Google, Inc., Class A*      5,854,241   
     

 

 

 
        10,509,196   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (8.6%):

  

  64,074       Accenture plc, Class A^      5,722,448   
  106,929       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*      5,630,881   
  82,595       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      5,137,409   
  65,601       MasterCard, Inc., Class A      5,652,182   
  36,262       Visa, Inc., Class A      9,507,896   
     

 

 

 
        31,650,816   
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.7%):

  

  50,093       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      6,276,152   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (6.9%):

  

  117,332       Comcast Corp., Class A      6,806,429   
  76,226       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      6,511,225   
  122,154       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      4,691,324   
  80,351       Walt Disney Co. (The)      7,568,260   
     

 

 

 
        25,577,238   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (2.1%):

  

  60,549       Kohl’s Corp.^      3,695,911   
  55,288       Target Corp.^      4,196,912   
     

 

 

 
        7,892,823   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.9%):

  

  92,041       CMS Energy Corp.      3,198,425   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (3.2%):

  

  58,104       EOG Resources, Inc.    $ 5,349,635   
  73,792       Noble Energy, Inc.      3,499,955   
  35,635       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      2,872,537   
     

 

 

 
        11,722,127   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (8.1%):

  

  54,848       Abbvie, Inc.      3,589,253   
  8,529       Actavis, Inc. plc*      2,195,450   
  57,784       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      3,410,990   
  25,970       Eli Lilly & Co.      1,791,670   
  49,506       Endo International plc*      3,570,373   
  74,495       Johnson & Johnson Co.      7,789,942   
  65,572       Pfizer, Inc.      2,042,568   
  39,195       Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.*      5,609,196   
     

 

 

 
        29,999,442   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.8%):

  

  66,683       American Tower Corp.      6,591,615   
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.3%):

  

  71,504       Canadian National Railway Co.      4,927,341   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.4%):

  

  109,858       Altera Corp.^      4,058,155   
  108,817       Microchip Technology, Inc.      4,908,734   
     

 

 

 
        8,966,889   
     

 

 

 

 

Software (1.1%):

  

  39,907       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      2,546,067   
  37,069       Oracle Corp.      1,666,993   
     

 

 

 
        4,213,060   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (3.2%):

  

  63,562       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      4,841,518   
  37,684       L Brands, Inc.      3,261,550   
  40,217       Ross Stores, Inc.^      3,790,854   
     

 

 

 
        11,893,922   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (4.2%):

  

  35,629       Apple, Inc.    $ 3,932,729   
  270,811       EMC Corp.^      8,053,919   
  93,101       Hewlett-Packard Co.      3,736,143   
     

 

 

 
        15,722,791   
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.4%):

  

  163       Hermes International SA      57,967   
  18,429       LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA      2,913,907   
  23,914       Nike, Inc., Class B      2,299,331   
  47,735       V.F. Corp.      3,575,352   
     

 

 

 
        8,846,557   
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.1%):

  

  15,473       W.W. Grainger, Inc.^      3,943,913   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $235,431,431)

     367,292,961   
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock (0.3%):

  

 

Electric Utilities (0.3%):

  

  20,030       Exelon Corp., Preferred Shares^      1,051,575   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $1,013,350)

     1,051,575   
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (12.7%):

  

$ 47,071,960       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      47,071,960   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $47,071,960)

     47,071,960   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.9%):

  

  3,440,489       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      3,440,489   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $3,440,489)

     3,440,489   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $286,957,230)(c) — 112.8%

     418,856,985   

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (12.8)%

     (47,531,994
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 371,324,991   
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $45,717,004.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Continued

 

5


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Canada

    2.5

France

    2.5

Germany

    0.6

Ireland (Republic of)

    3.1

Netherlands

    1.2

Switzerland

    0.8

United Kingdom

    1.0

United States

    88.3
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 286,957,230  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 418,856,985  

Cash

       13,213  

Interest and dividends receivable

       403,583  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $365)

       364  

Reclaims receivable

       390  

Prepaid expenses

       3,041  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       419,277,576  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       541,386  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       47,071,960  

Manager fees payable

       225,482  

Administration fees payable

       8,568  

Distribution fees payable

       79,013  

Custodian fees payable

       5,767  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,121  

Trustee fees payable

       22  

Other accrued liabilities

       19,266  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       47,952,585  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 371,324,991  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 193,102,040  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       2,561,773  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       43,761,460  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       131,899,718  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 371,324,991  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       16,181,191  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 22.95  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $45,717,004.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 6,657,557  

Income from securities lending

       74,841  

Foreign withholding tax

       (120,289 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       6,612,109  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,850,388  

Administration fees

       102,515  

Distribution fees

       950,129  

Custodian fees

       24,807  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       5,164  

Trustee fees

       19,920  

Professional fees

       21,143  

Shareholder reports

       18,074  

Other expenses

       9,499  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       4,001,639  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (140,030 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (895 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       3,860,714  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2,751,395  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       44,563,564  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (9,693,290 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       34,870,274  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 37,621,669  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,751,395        $ 2,875,276  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       44,563,564          23,945,686  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (9,693,290 )        74,525,722  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       37,621,669          101,346,684  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (2,658,955 )        (2,913,024 )

From net realized gains

       (7,435,736 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (10,094,691 )        (2,913,024 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       5,266,323          26,030,545  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       10,094,691          2,913,024  

Value of shares redeemed

       (78,415,581 )        (47,016,565 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (63,054,567 )        (18,072,996 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (35,527,589 )        80,360,664  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       406,852,580          326,491,916  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 371,324,991        $ 406,852,580  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,561,773        $ 2,874,774  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       238,552          1,415,289  

Dividends reinvested

       459,895          151,169  

Shares redeemed

       (3,619,091 )        (2,501,123 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (2,920,644 )        (934,665 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 21.30       $ 16.29       $ 13.79       $ 14.20       $ 12.81  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.19         0.16         0.15         0.12         0.10  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       2.07         5.00         2.46         (0.44 )       1.31  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       2.26         5.16         2.61         (0.32 )       1.41  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.16 )       (0.15 )       (0.11 )       (0.09 )       (0.02 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.45 )                                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.61 )       (0.15 )       (0.11 )       (0.09 )       (0.02 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 22.95       $ 21.30       $ 16.29       $ 13.79       $ 14.20  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       10.75 %       31.77 %       18.95 %       (2.22 )%       11.01 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 371,325       $ 406,853       $ 326,492       $ 272,336       $ 314,596  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.72 %       0.77 %       1.01 %       0.79 %       0.62 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.09 %       1.10 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.02 %       1.02 %       1.03 %       1.05 %       1.06 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.02 %       1.02 %       1.03 %       1.05 %       1.06 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       21 %       21 %       31 %       22 %       21 %(d)

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) Effective October 26, 2010, the Subadviser changed from Jennison Associates LLC to Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”). Implementation of MFS’ investment strategy has contributed to a lower portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $7,416 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”), MFS provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

         0.75 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on assets above $100 million. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and

 

11


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,769 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

12


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Beverages

       $          $ 6,443,585          $ 6,443,585  

Chemicals

         11,299,297            2,687,245            13,986,542  

Food Products

         5,647,081            3,736,822            9,383,903  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

         5,874,683            2,971,874            8,846,557  

All Other Common Stocks+

         328,632,374                       328,632,374  

Preferred Stock

         1,051,575                       1,051,575  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    47,071,960            47,071,960  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         3,440,489                       3,440,489  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 355,945,499          $ 62,911,486          $ 418,856,985  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 78,668,371          $ 147,833,289  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $288,572,111. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 133,416,525   

Unrealized depreciation

    (3,131,651
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 130,284,874   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 2,658,955          $ 7,435,736          $ 10,094,691  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 2,913,024          $          $ 2,913,024  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

13


AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund

       $ 4,268,208          $ 43,669,906          $          $ 130,284,837          $ 178,222,951  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $7,435,736.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

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Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

(formerly AZL® Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund)

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund Review (unaudited)

(formerly AZL® Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund and MFS Investment Management serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund returned 10.90%, which compared to a 14.75% total return for its benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Value Index1.

The Fund changed subadvisors from Columbia Management Investment Advisers to MFS Investment Management on February 4, 2014.

U.S. stocks performed well during the period, despite a temporary setback at the start of the year. Stocks fell early in the first quarter due to concerns about slowing global growth, a soft December 2013 labor market report and a pause in U.S. economic growth, which was partially caused by extreme weather events. The stock market soon recovered, however, as investors regained their appetite for riskier investments from February into the summer. Any market setbacks during this time were short-lived as improving economic growth in the U.S., coupled with easier monetary policy abroad, helped support increased demand for stocks.

Near the end of the year the U.S. equity market approached all-time highs. At this point a rapid and severe decline in energy prices created a great deal of stock-market volatility.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the period, due primarily to its overweight position in the energy sector. Stock selection in this sector also detracted from relative performance, with off-benchmark holdings of an independent energy company, a drilling services provider and an offshore drilling company all suffering from the precipitous decline in energy prices. Stock selection in the basic materials and financial services sectors also dragged on results. Holdings of a diversified chemical company and a graphite and steel producer were notable detractors; they were not held by the benchmark and they underperformed for the period.*

The Fund’s cash holdings also detracted from relative performance given the strong absolute return of the fully invested benchmark.*

An overweight position in the retailing sector contributed positively to relative performance as that sector outperformed the benchmark. Stock selection was also a positive contributor, most notably in the case of a strong-performing off-benchmark apparel retailer. A larger-than-benchmark position in the consumer staples sector also boosted relative performance, as did stock selection elsewhere in the portfolio. In particular, holdings of a diversified communications company and a semiconductor company contributed positively to relative performance as shares of both companies performed strongly for the period.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell Midcap® Value Index measures the performance of the mid-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high- grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/06)
 

AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

     10.90     20.18     15.48     3.73

Russell Midcap® Value Index

     14.75     21.98     17.43     8.43

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

     1.06

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.30% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell Midcap® Value Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the mid-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,012.40          $ 5.38            1.06 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.86          $ 5.40            1.06 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Financials

      24.4 %

Consumer Discretionary

      13.7  

Industrials

      12.2  

Materials

      9.1  

Health Care

      8.9  

Information Technology

      8.6  

Utilities

      7.5  

Consumer Staples

      7.0  

Energy

      6.7  

Telecommunication Services

      1.5  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Convertible Preferred Stock

      99.6  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      22.6  

Money Market

      0.5  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      122.7  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (22.7 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (99.3%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.9%):

  

  11,874       Mtu Aero Engines AG    $ 1,036,639   
  18,863       Triumph Group, Inc.      1,267,971   
     

 

 

 
        2,304,610   
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (1.2%):

  

  19,670       Alaska Air Group, Inc.      1,175,479   
  34,830       Delta Air Lines, Inc.      1,713,288   
     

 

 

 
        2,888,767   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (2.3%):

  

  53,842       Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.      1,825,244   
  29,696       BorgWarner, Inc.      1,631,795   
  24,123       Delphi Automotive plc      1,754,225   
     

 

 

 
        5,211,264   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.6%):

  

  21,488       Harley-Davidson, Inc.      1,416,274   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (7.5%):

  

  56,581       BB&T Corp.^      2,200,435   
  29,158       Comerica, Inc.      1,365,761   
  115,549       Fifth Third Bancorp      2,354,312   
  26,694       First Republic Bank      1,391,291   
  191,317       Huntington Bancshares, Inc.      2,012,655   
  127,908       KeyCorp      1,777,921   
  11,100       M&T Bank Corp.^      1,394,382   
  53,659       PrivateBancorp, Inc.      1,792,211   
  32,299       SunTrust Banks, Inc.      1,353,328   
  102,936       TCF Financial Corp.      1,635,653   
     

 

 

 
        17,277,949   
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.6%):

  

  29,394       Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.      1,299,803   
  31,328       Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B      2,334,562   
     

 

 

 
        3,634,365   
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (1.4%):

  

  31,397       Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*      1,605,014   
  33,847       Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.^      1,532,254   
     

 

 

 
        3,137,268   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.7%):

  

  6,822       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*      1,447,901   
  14,134       State Street Corp.      1,109,519   
  35,260       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.      1,261,603   
     

 

 

 
        3,819,023   
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (6.0%):

  

  21,741       Akzo Nobel NV      1,507,444   
  23,676       Albemarle Corp.^      1,423,638   
  73,230       Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.*^      1,905,445   
  26,407       Celanese Corp., Series A      1,583,364   
  21,467       FMC Corp.^      1,224,263   
  32,044       H.B. Fuller Co.^      1,426,919   
  15,314       Rockwood Holdings, Inc.      1,206,743   
  22,418       Sensient Technologies Corp.      1,352,702   
  23,684       Valspar Corp. (The)      2,048,192   
     

 

 

 
        13,678,710   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.9%):

  

  45,195       Tyco International plc    $ 1,982,253   
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.0%):

  

  35,692       Discover Financial Services      2,337,469   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (2.8%):

  

  52,552       Crown Holdings, Inc.*      2,674,897   
  92,966       Graphic Packaging Holding Co.*      1,266,197   
  23,393       Greif, Inc., Class A      1,104,851   
  54,064       Owens-Illinois, Inc.*      1,459,187   
     

 

 

 
        6,505,132   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.3%):

  

  62,520       NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)      2,998,459   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.2%):

  

  269,618       Colt Group SA*      557,663   
  223,208       Frontier Communications Corp.^      1,488,797   
  113,265       Windstream Holdings, Inc.^      933,304   
     

 

 

 
        2,979,764   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (2.1%):

  

  33,729       Northeast Utilities      1,805,176   
  30,564       OGE Energy Corp.      1,084,411   
  29,445       Pinnacle West Capital Corp.      2,011,388   
     

 

 

 
        4,900,975   
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.4%):

  

  26,956       Eaton Corp. plc      1,831,930   
  17,211       Regal-Beloit Corp.      1,294,267   
     

 

 

 
        3,126,197   
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.4%):

  

  62,187       Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A*      1,718,849   
  44,726       Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      1,510,397   
     

 

 

 
        3,229,246   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.3%):

  

  25,381       Cameron International Corp.*      1,267,781   
  24,647       Ensco plc, Class A, ADR^      738,178   
  112,432       Pacific Drilling SA*      521,684   
  16,777       Tidewater, Inc.^      543,743   
     

 

 

 
        3,071,386   
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.5%):

  

  15,233       Empire Co., Ltd., Class A      1,149,131   
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (4.9%):

  

  19,772       Bunge, Ltd.      1,797,473   
  77,790       Flowers Foods, Inc.^      1,492,790   
  23,738       Ingredion, Inc.^      2,013,932   
  19,117       J.M. Smucker Co. (The)^      1,930,435   
  50,069       Pinnacle Foods, Inc.      1,767,436   
  164,596       Rite AID Corp.*      1,237,762   
  33,019       Snyders-Lance, Inc.^      1,008,730   
     

 

 

 
        11,248,558   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.1%):

  

  6,901       Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)^      1,118,583   
  34,661       DENTSPLY International, Inc.^      1,846,391   
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

  27,823       St. Jude Medical, Inc.    $ 1,809,330   
  11,237       STERIS Corp.^      728,719   
  13,880       Teleflex, Inc.^      1,593,702   
     

 

 

 
        7,096,725   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.4%):

  

  20,610       AmerisourceBergen Corp.      1,858,198   
  33,001       Quest Diagnostics, Inc.^      2,213,047   
  12,355       Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B      1,374,617   
     

 

 

 
        5,445,862   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.5%):

  

  7,390       Wynn Resorts, Ltd.      1,099,336   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.4%):

  

  82,119       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      3,127,913   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (2.0%):

  

  136,300       AES Corp. (The)      1,876,851   
  34,317       Dynegy, Inc.*      1,041,521   
  60,464       NRG Energy, Inc.^      1,629,505   
     

 

 

 
        4,547,877   
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (7.5%):

  

  37,436       Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.      1,762,487   
  11,074       Everest Re Group, Ltd.      1,885,902   
  15,261       Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)      1,088,415   
  29,890       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      1,246,114   
  34,141       HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.      1,827,226   
  36,812       Lincoln National Corp.      2,122,949   
  69,593       Symetra Financial Corp.^      1,604,119   
  67,786       Third Point Reinsurance, Ltd.*      982,219   
  57,809       UnumProvident Corp.      2,016,378   
  38,827       Validus Holdings, Ltd.      1,613,650   
  40,149       XL Group plc, Class B      1,379,921   
     

 

 

 
        17,529,380   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.5%):

  

  29,087       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      1,809,211   
  85,755       Sabre Corp.^      1,738,254   
     

 

 

 
        3,547,465   
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.6%):

  

  44,121       Mattel, Inc.      1,365,324   
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.6%):

  

  37,236       Agilent Technologies, Inc.      1,524,442   
  51,762       PerkinElmer, Inc.      2,263,552   
     

 

 

 
        3,787,994   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (4.0%):

  

  9,137       Cummins, Inc.      1,317,281   
  20,909       Joy Global, Inc.^      972,687   
  30,361       Oshkosh Corp.      1,477,063   
  26,228       Pentair, Ltd.      1,742,064   
  13,935       SPX Corp.      1,197,295   
  24,483       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      2,352,326   
     

 

 

 
        9,058,716   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media (2.1%):

  

  17,948       AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*    $ 1,144,544   
  32,637       Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      1,161,224   
  81,038       Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)      1,683,160   
  37,863       Quebecor, Inc., Class B      1,041,192   
     

 

 

 
        5,030,120   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.3%):

  

  27,817       United States Steel Corp.^      743,827   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.1%):

  

  24,823       Burlington Stores, Inc.*      1,173,135   
  24,021       Kohl’s Corp.^      1,466,242   
     

 

 

 
        2,639,377   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (3.4%):

  

  54,662       CMS Energy Corp.      1,899,505   
  18,265       DTE Energy Co.      1,577,548   
  29,132       NiSource, Inc.      1,235,779   
  25,740       NorthWestern Corp.      1,456,369   
  43,573       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.^      1,804,358   
     

 

 

 
        7,973,559   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.4%):

  

  9,171       Cimarex Energy Co.      972,126   
  74,622       Cobalt International Energy, Inc.*      663,390   
  33,960       CONSOL Energy, Inc.^      1,148,188   
  21,884       Energen Corp.^      1,395,324   
  14,252       EQT Corp.      1,078,876   
  28,922       HollyFrontier Corp.      1,083,997   
  24,199       Noble Energy, Inc.      1,147,759   
  20,271       PDC Energy, Inc.*^      836,584   
  49,438       Peabody Energy Corp.^      382,650   
  54,427       Plains GP Holdings, LP*^      1,397,685   
  26,722       SM Energy Co.^      1,030,935   
  38,919       Spectra Energy Corp.^      1,412,759   
     

 

 

 
        12,550,273   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.8%):

  

  28,865       Endo International plc*      2,081,743   
  20,591       Hospira, Inc.*      1,261,199   
  31,952       Impax Laboratories, Inc.*^      1,012,239   
     

 

 

 
        4,355,181   
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.6%):

  

  18,153       Equifax, Inc.      1,468,033   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (4.7%):

  

  70,899       Annaly Capital Management, Inc.      766,418   
  58,825       Corporate Office Properties Trust      1,668,866   
  69,819       DDR Corp.^      1,281,877   
  28,623       EPR Properties^      1,649,543   
  21,416       Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.      1,103,995   
  106,817       Medical Properties Trust, Inc.^      1,471,938   
  20,525       Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.^      1,532,807   
  34,896       Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.^      1,493,200   
     

 

 

 
        10,968,644   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.7%):

  

  36,082       Realogy Holdings Corp.*    $ 1,605,288   
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.6%):

  

  47,086       Swift Transportation Co.*^      1,348,072   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.7%):

  

  40,897       Altera Corp.      1,510,735   
  32,868       Analog Devices, Inc.      1,824,831   
  6,216       Avago Technologies, Ltd.      625,267   
  24,754       Freescale Semiconductor Holdings I, Ltd.*^      624,543   
  33,761       Microchip Technology, Inc.^      1,522,959   
     

 

 

 
        6,108,335   
     

 

 

 

 

Software (1.3%):

  

  32,107       NICE Systems, Ltd., ADR      1,626,220   
  53,115       Symantec Corp.      1,362,665   
     

 

 

 
        2,988,885   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (3.8%):

  

  3,077       AutoZone, Inc.*^      1,905,001   
  26,567       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      2,023,608   
  15,387       Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (The)^      877,059   
  24,507       L Brands, Inc.      2,121,081   
  60,782       Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*      1,868,439   
     

 

 

 
        8,795,188   
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.7%):

  

  46,997       NCR Corp.*^      1,369,493   
  191,602       Xerox Corp.      2,655,603   
     

 

 

 
        4,025,096   
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.3%):

  

  11,697       PVH Corp.      1,499,204   
  8,460       Ralph Lauren Corp.^      1,566,454   
     

 

 

 
        3,065,658   
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.2%):

  

  21,211       Brenntag AG      1,193,388   
  18,615       WESCO International, Inc.*^      1,418,649   
     

 

 

 
        2,612,037   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $208,268,559)

     229,780,965   
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stock (0.3%):

  

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%):

  
  13,362       T-Mobile US, Inc., Series A, 5.50%*      708,052   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stock (Cost $666,721)

     708,052   
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
     

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (22.6%):

  

$ 52,207,604       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 52,207,604   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $52,207,604)

     52,207,604   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.5%):

  

  1,189,661       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      1,189,661   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $1,189,661)

     1,189,661   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $262,332,545)(c) — 122.7%

     283,886,282   

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (22.7)%

     (52,443,584
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 231,442,698   
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $50,553,280.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 262,332,545  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 283,886,282  

Interest and dividends receivable

       264,714  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       326,353  

Reclaims receivable

       4,259  

Prepaid expenses

       1,934  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       284,483,542  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       461,338  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       163,976  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       52,207,604  

Manager fees payable

       146,740  

Administration fees payable

       202  

Distribution fees payable

       48,914  

Custodian fees payable

       5,370  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       499  

Trustee fees payable

       10  

Other accrued liabilities

       6,191  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       53,040,844  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 231,442,698  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 149,339,582  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       1,705,099  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       58,844,821  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       21,553,196  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 231,442,698  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       18,447,494  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 12.55  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $50,553,280.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 4,159,074  

Income from securities lending

       48,112  

Foreign withholding tax

       (25,082 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       4,182,104  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,731,287  

Administration fees

       63,251  

Distribution fees

       577,096  

Custodian fees

       24,202  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,630  

Trustee fees

       10,145  

Professional fees

       10,967  

Shareholder reports

       10,492  

Other expenses

       5,033  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       2,435,103  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (2,776 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       2,432,327  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1,749,777  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       59,237,701  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (37,538,859 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       21,698,842  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 23,448,619  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 1,749,777        $ 769,884  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       59,237,701          24,239,007  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (37,538,859 )        34,739,768  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       23,448,619          59,748,659  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (780,255 )        (1,337,872 )

From net realized gains

       (9,762,977 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (10,543,232 )        (1,337,872 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       18,286,111          28,141,862  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       10,543,232          1,337,872  

Value of shares redeemed

       (41,425,355 )        (25,888,263 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (12,596,012 )        3,591,471  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       309,375          62,002,258  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       231,133,323          169,131,065  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 231,442,698        $ 231,133,323  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 1,705,099        $ 758,631  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       1,482,792          2,749,328  

Dividends reinvested

       858,569          125,152  

Shares redeemed

       (3,400,902 )        (2,494,993 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,059,541 )        379,487  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 11.85       $ 8.84       $ 7.66       $ 8.02       $ 6.58  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.10         0.04         0.07         0.05         0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.18         3.04         1.16         (0.34 )       1.41  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.28         3.08         1.23         (0.29 )       1.48  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.04 )       (0.07 )       (0.05 )       (0.07 )       (0.04 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.54 )                                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.58 )       (0.07 )       (0.05 )       (0.07 )       (0.04 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 12.55       $ 11.85       $ 8.84       $ 7.66       $ 8.02  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       10.90 %       34.91 %       16.03 %       (3.57 )%       22.66 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 231,443       $ 231,133       $ 169,131       $ 132,790       $ 133,340  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.76 %       0.38 %       0.88 %       0.62 %       1.12 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.08 %       1.10 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.05 %       1.05 %       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.04 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.08 %       1.10 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       136 %(d)       59 %       50 %       53 %       71 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) Effective January 24, 2014, the Sub adviser changed from Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC to Massachusetts Financial Services Company. Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities associated with the change in the Subadviser contributed to a higher portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly the AZL Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund) (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $4,771 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement effective January 24, 2014 with Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”), MFS provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. Prior to January 24, 2014, the Fund was Subadvised by Columbia Management Investment Advisers , LLC. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

         0.75 %          1.30 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the

 

11


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,860 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

12


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Aerospace & Defense

       $ 1,267,971          $ 1,036,639          $ 2,304,610  

Chemicals

         12,171,266            1,507,444            13,678,710  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

         2,422,101            557,663            2,979,764  

Trading Companies & Distributors

         1,418,649            1,193,388            2,612,037  

All Other Common Stock+

         208,205,844                       208,205,844  

Convertible Preferred Stock

         708,052                       708,052  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    52,207,604            52,207,604  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         1,189,661                       1,189,661  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 227,383,544          $ 56,502,738          $ 283,886,282  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 309,004,869          $ 319,251,119  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $263,039,618. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 29,499,536   

Unrealized depreciation

    (8,652,872
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 20,846,664   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 780,255          $ 9,762,977          $ 10,543,232  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 1,337,872          $          $ 1,337,872  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

13


AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund

       $ 19,758,264          $ 41,498,730          $          $ 20,846,122          $ 82,103,116  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly AZL Columbia Mid Cap Value Fund) (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $9,762,977.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® MFS Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® MFS Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MFS Value Fund and Massachusetts Financial Services Company serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MFS Value Fund returned 10.26%, which compared to a 13.45% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index1.

U.S. stocks performed well during the period, despite a temporary setback at the start of the year. Stocks fell early in the first quarter due to concerns about slowing global growth, a soft December 2013 labor market report and a pause in U.S. economic growth, which was partially caused by extreme weather events. The stock market soon recovered, however, as investors regained their appetite for riskier investments from February into the summer. Any market setbacks during this time were short-lived as improving economic growth in the U.S., coupled with easier monetary policy abroad, helped support increased demand for stocks.

Near the end of the year the U.S. equity market approached all-time highs. At this point a rapid and severe decline in energy prices created a great deal of stock-market volatility.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the period. In the technology sector, a combination of weak stock selection and an underweight position detracted from relative performance. In particular, holdings of an off-benchmark diversified technology products and services company dragged on results. A smaller-than-benchmark position in a semiconductor firm during the first quarter and the subsequent liquidation of that position also detracted, as the company performed strongly for the period. Stock selection in the utilities and communications sector was another factor in the Fund’s relative underperformance, as shares of another off-benchmark telecommunications company underperformed the benchmark.*

Currency exposure was another factor in the Fund’s underperformance. The U.S. dollar strengthened throughout the period, causing the Fund to be hurt by its greater-than-benchmark exposure to holdings of securities denominated in foreign currencies.*

An underweight position to the energy sector contributed positively to relative performance. A smaller-than-benchmark position in an integrated oil and gas company particularly helped, as that stock underperformed the benchmark. Stock selection in the industrial goods and services sector also benefited relative returns, receiving a boost from holdings of a defense contractor that performed well. An overweight position in a retail pharmacy chain also helped to boost the Fund’s relative performance, as did underweight positions in a telecommunications company and a financial services company.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® MFS Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® MFS Value Fund

     10.26     20.33     12.82     5.67

Russell 1000® Value Index

     13.45     20.89     15.42     7.30

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® MFS Value Fund

     1.05

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.75% on the first $100 million of assets, 0.70% on the next $400 million, and 0.65% on assets above $500 million. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Value Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL MFS Value Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL MFS Value Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,053.40          $ 5.23            1.01 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.11          $ 5.14            1.01 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      25.8 %

Industrials

      16.4  

Health Care

      14.4  

Consumer Staples

      13.1  

Consumer Discretionary

      11.4  

Information Technology

      7.0  

Energy

      5.8  

Telecommunication Services

      2.5  

Materials

      2.2  

Utilities

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Convertible Preferred Stock

      98.8  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      11.1  

Money Market

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      110.1  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (10.1 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL MFS Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks (98.7%):  
Aerospace & Defense (7.0%):  
  113,364       Honeywell International, Inc.    $ 11,327,331  
  55,956       Lockheed Martin Corp.      10,775,447  
  28,671       Northrop Grumman Corp.      4,225,819  
  94,108       United Technologies Corp.      10,822,420  
     

 

 

 
        37,151,017  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.6%):

  

  76,928       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      8,552,086  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (1.7%):

  

  51,927       Delphi Automotive plc      3,776,131  
  104,339       Johnson Controls, Inc.      5,043,748  
     

 

 

 
        8,819,879  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (10.8%):

  

  34,921       Citigroup, Inc.      1,889,575  
  358,819       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      22,454,894  
  46,617       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.      4,252,869  
  228,699       U.S. Bancorp^      10,280,020  
  316,197       Wells Fargo & Co.      17,333,920  
     

 

 

 
        56,211,278  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.5%):

  

  243,677       Diageo plc      6,988,076  
  14,190       Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.      1,017,139  
     

 

 

 
        8,005,215  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (6.4%):

  

  161,271       Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      6,542,764  
  14,461       BlackRock, Inc., Class A      5,170,675  
  118,259       Franklin Resources, Inc.^      6,548,001  
  52,403       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      10,157,273  
  64,487       State Street Corp.      5,062,230  
     

 

 

 
        33,480,943  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.7%):

  

  17,375       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.      1,284,708  
  33,541       PPG Industries, Inc.      7,753,001  
     

 

 

 
        9,037,709  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.2%):

  

  139,094       Tyco International plc      6,100,663  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.5%):

  

  51,823       Crown Holdings, Inc.*^      2,637,791  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.7%):

  

  81,799       NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)      3,923,080  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.9%):

  

  42,770       AT&T, Inc.      1,436,644  
  139,437       Verizon Communications, Inc.      6,522,863  
  46,113       Verizon Communications, Inc.      2,148,338  
     

 

 

 
        10,107,845  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.2%):

  

  15,405       Duke Energy Corp.      1,286,934  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.8%):

  

  64,913       Eaton Corp. plc      4,411,487  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.8%):

  

  16,278       Baker Hughes, Inc.    $ 912,707  
  39,494       Schlumberger, Ltd.      3,373,183  
     

 

 

 
        4,285,890  
     

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing (1.8%):  
  100,432       CVS Caremark Corp.      9,672,606  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (4.1%):

  

  56,105       Danone SA      3,690,513  
  144,163       General Mills, Inc.^      7,688,213  
  22,900       Kellogg Co.      1,498,576  
  115,766       Nestle SA, Registered Shares      8,488,388  
     

 

 

 
        21,365,690  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (4.0%):

  

  142,282       Abbott Laboratories      6,405,536  
  42,101       Covidien plc      4,306,090  
  94,157       Medtronic, Inc.^      6,798,135  
  54,875       St. Jude Medical, Inc.      3,568,521  
     

 

 

 
        21,078,282  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.1%):

  

  65,289       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      5,528,020  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.9%):

  

  53,140       McDonald’s Corp.      4,979,218  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.5%):

  

  31,404       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      2,860,590  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (3.4%):

  

  66,287       3M Co.      10,892,280  
  79,096       Danaher Corp.      6,779,318  
     

 

 

 
        17,671,598  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (7.9%):

  

  51,176       ACE, Ltd.      5,879,099  
  64,462       Aon plc      6,112,931  
  39,206       Chubb Corp. (The)^      4,056,645  
  183,566       MetLife, Inc.      9,929,086  
  59,016       Prudential Financial, Inc.      5,338,587  
  92,552       Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)^      9,796,629  
     

 

 

 
        41,112,977  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (4.8%):

  

  131,445       Accenture plc, Class A      11,739,353  
  42,199       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      2,624,778  
  51,451       Fiserv, Inc.*      3,651,477  
  44,907       International Business Machines Corp.      7,204,879  
     

 

 

 
        25,220,487  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.6%):

  

  43,044       Hasbro, Inc.^      2,366,990  
  23,528       Mattel, Inc.      728,074  
     

 

 

 
        3,095,064  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.1%):

  

  45,064       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      5,646,069  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL MFS Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     
Common Stocks, continued  

 

Machinery (1.5%):

  

  25,399       Illinois Tool Works, Inc.    $ 2,405,285  
  31,421       Pentair, Ltd.      2,086,983  
  32,498       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      3,122,408  
     

 

 

 
        7,614,676  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (5.3%):

  

  106,373       Comcast Corp., Class A^      6,123,361  
  25,657       McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)      2,282,960  
  79,566       Omnicom Group, Inc.^      6,163,977  
  52,766       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      4,507,272  
  5,642       Time, Inc.^      138,850  
  47,821       Viacom, Inc., Class B      3,598,530  
  56,019       Walt Disney Co. (The)      5,276,430  
     

 

 

 
        28,091,380  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.9%):

  

  21,130       Kohl’s Corp.^      1,289,775  
  113,127       Target Corp.^      8,587,471  
     

 

 

 
        9,877,246  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.0%):

  

  68,931       Chevron Corp.      7,732,680  
  32,876       EOG Resources, Inc.      3,026,893  
  108,607       Exxon Mobil Corp.      10,040,717  
  69,189       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      5,577,325  
     

 

 

 
        26,377,615  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (8.2%):

  

  175,898       Johnson & Johnson Co.      18,393,653  
  123,340       Merck & Co., Inc.      7,004,479  
  17,892       Novartis AG, Registered Shares      1,645,979  
  476,004       Pfizer, Inc.      14,827,524  
  5,134       Roche Holding AG      1,391,942  
     

 

 

 
        43,263,577  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.2%):

  

  10,851       Equifax, Inc.      877,520  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.6%):

  

  46,298       Canadian National Railway Co.      3,190,395  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  
Common Stocks, continued  
     

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.2%):

  

  115,215       Texas Instruments, Inc.    $ 6,159,970  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (1.0%):

  

  120,529       Oracle Corp.      5,420,189  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.0%):

  

  22,467       Advance Auto Parts, Inc.      3,578,544  
  18,418       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      1,402,899  
     

 

 

 
        4,981,443  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (5.2%):

  

  59,812       Altria Group, Inc.      2,946,937  
  24,024       Imperial Tobacco Group plc      1,051,957  
  85,766       Lorillard, Inc.      5,398,112  
  214,552       Philip Morris International, Inc.      17,475,261  
     

 

 

 
        26,872,267  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.6%):

  

  853,018       Vodafone Group plc      2,922,474  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $358,289,755)

     517,891,170  
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stock (0.1%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.1%):

  

  7,000       United Technologies Corp., 0.49%      429,310  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stock (Cost $403,403)

     429,310  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (11.1%):

  

$ 58,253,255       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      58,253,255  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $58,253,255)

     58,253,255  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.2%):

  

  871,051       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      871,051  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $871,051)

     871,051  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $417,817,464)(c) — 110.1%

     577,444,786  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (10.1)%

     (53,183,282
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 524,261,504  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $56,552,113.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Continued

 

5


AZL MFS Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Canada

    0.6

France

    0.6

Ireland (Republic of)

    5.1

Netherlands

    0.5

Switzerland

    3.0

United Kingdom

    3.7

United States

    86.5
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL MFS Value Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 417,817,464  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 577,444,786  

Cash

       8,609  

Interest and dividends receivable

       877,261  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       110,303  

Receivable for investments sold

       4,935,593  

Reclaims receivable

       74,592  

Prepaid expenses

       4,443  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       583,455,587  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       53,838  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       411,795  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       58,253,255  

Manager fees payable

       316,876  

Administration fees payable

       13,210  

Distribution fees payable

       112,076  

Custodian fees payable

       6,546  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,475  

Trustee fees payable

       30  

Other accrued liabilities

       24,982  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       59,194,083  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 524,261,504  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 387,465,167  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       10,556,246  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (33,377,578 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       159,617,669  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 524,261,504  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       40,238,789  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 13.03  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $56,552,113.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 16,172,497  

Income from securities lending

       41,009  

Foreign withholding tax

       (138,243 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       16,075,263  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,930,262  

Administration fees

       148,879  

Distribution fees

       1,330,677  

Custodian fees

       30,707  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       7,170  

Trustee fees

       27,750  

Professional fees

       29,759  

Shareholder reports

       25,427  

Other expenses

       13,120  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       5,543,751  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (170,569 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (50 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       5,373,132  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       10,702,131  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       31,438,896  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       9,252,894  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       40,691,790  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 51,393,921  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL MFS Value Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 10,702,131        $ 7,183,079  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       31,438,896          17,240,418  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       9,252,894          122,989,459  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       51,393,921          147,412,956  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (7,189,322 )        (7,468,004 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (7,189,322 )        (7,468,004 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       8,875,243          41,951,702  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       7,189,322          7,468,004  

Value of shares redeemed

       (85,707,375 )        (63,453,634 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (69,642,810 )        (14,033,928 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (25,438,211 )        125,911,024  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       549,699,715          423,788,691  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 524,261,504        $ 549,699,715  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 10,556,246        $ 7,224,526  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       742,171          3,999,588  

Dividends reinvested

       577,456          688,930  

Shares redeemed

       (6,947,248 )        (6,034,797 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (5,627,621 )        (1,346,279 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL MFS Value Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 11.98       $ 8.98       $ 7.79       $ 8.24       $ 7.59  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.28         0.16         0.15         0.13         0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.94         3.00         1.15         (0.50 )       0.67  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.22         3.16         1.30         (0.37 )       0.74  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.17 )       (0.16 )       (0.11 )       (0.08 )       (0.09 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.17 )       (0.16 )       (0.11 )       (0.08 )       (0.09 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 13.03       $ 11.98       $ 8.98       $ 7.79       $ 8.24  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       10.26 %       35.42 %       16.67 %       (4.45 )%       9.83 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 524,262       $ 549,700       $ 423,789       $ 436,251       $ 484,333  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2.01 %       1.46 %       1.59 %       1.40 %       1.02 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.04 %       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.08 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.01 %       1.01 %       1.02 %       1.04 %       1.05 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.01 %       1.02 %       1.02 %       1.04 %       1.05 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       12 %       17 %       95 %(d)       49 %       34 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

(d) Effective September 15, 2012, the Subadviser changed from Eaton Vance Management to Massachusetts Financial Services Company. Costs of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities associates with the change in the Subadviser contributed to a higher portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL MFS Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MFS Value Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL MFS Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33  1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $4,075 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”), MFS provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL MFS Value Fund

         0.78 %          1.20 %

 

* The fees payable to the Manager are based on a tiered structure for various net assets levels as follows: the first $100 million at 0.775%, the next $150 million at 0.75%, the next $250 million at 0.725% and above $500 million at 0.675%. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fees as follows: the first $100 million at 0.75%, the next $400 million at 0.70% and above $500 million at 0.65%. The Manager reserves the right to stop reducing the manager fee at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02%

 

11


AZL MFS Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $6,640 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

12


AZL MFS Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks

                    

Beverages

       $ 1,017,139          $ 6,988,076          $ 8,005,215  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

         7,959,507            2,148,338            10,107,845  

Food Products

         9,186,789            12,178,901            21,365,690  

Pharmaceuticals

         40,225,656            3,037,921            43,263,577  

Tobacco

         25,820,310            1,051,957            26,872,267  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

                    2,922,474            2,922,474  

All Other Common Stocks+

         405,354,102                       405,354,102  

Convertible Preferred Stock

         429,310                       429,310  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    58,253,255            58,253,255  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         871,051                       871,051  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 490,863,864          $ 86,580,922          $ 577,444,786  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 62,647,558          $ 128,078,113  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

Security Quality Risk (also known as “High Yield Risk”): The Fund may invest in high yield, high risk debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose the value of its entire investment.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $420,444,067. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 161,943,868  

Unrealized depreciation

    (4,943,149
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 157,000,719   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2017
     Expires
12/31/2018
     Total

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 25,265,828          $ 5,491,128          $ 30,756,956  

 

13


AZL MFS Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $31,245,433 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 7,189,322          $          $ 7,189,322  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 7,468,004          $          $ 7,468,004  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL MFS Value Fund

       $ 10,562,811          $          $ (30,756,956 )        $ 156,990,482          $ 136,796,337  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MFS Value Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 10

Statement of Operations

Page 10

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 11

Financial Highlights

Page 12

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 13

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 18

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 19

Other Information

Page 20

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 21

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 24

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund returned 9.21%, which compared to a 9.77% total return for its benchmark, the S&P MidCap 400 Index1.

The Fund attempts to replicate the performance of the S&P Mid Cap 400 index of U.S. mid-cap stocks.

U.S. equities moved higher in 2014 as domestic economic growth gained momentum and interest rates remained low. The period started out on a negative note, however: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Equity markets declined sharply in January, but the sell-off was short-lived. Investors soon learned that the recent weakness in the U.S. economic data was weather-related, and therefore temporary. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve shifted its position, announcing a more cautious approach to raising short-term rates.

U.S. equities moved higher throughout the period, but volatility increased through the period. A combination of high valuations and persistent expectations of higher interest rates left stocks vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza—added to concerns.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. U.S. stocks recovered from a September sell-off to post impressive gains through the fourth quarter of 2014 as economic data continued to impress investors and helped to fuel a positive corporate earnings season. A sharp decline in oil prices later in the period contributed to uncertainty about global growth, but helped buoy U.S. stocks as it led to a pickup in consumer spending.

The Fund slightly underperformed its benchmark due in large part to the effect of fees and expenses. These negatives were partially offset by gains from slight differences in weightings between the holdings in the Fund and the index.*

Consumer staples was the top performing sector of the period as many investors turned to more defensive holdings as volatility increased during the period. Sectors with ties to cyclical growth also performed well, including the telecommunications services and health care sectors. The industrials and materials sectors underperformed the index, in large part due to a decline in commodity prices, including oil, and weakness in the energy sector. Oil’s decline had the largest impact on the energy sector, however, which posted a large loss for the period.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”) is the most widely used index for mid-sized companies. The S&P 400 covers 7% of the U.S. equities market, and is part of a series of S&P U.S. indices that can be used as building blocks for portfolio composition. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”) as closely as possible. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in a statistically selected sampling of equity securities of companies included in the S&P 400 and in derivative instruments linked to the S&P 400, primarily futures contracts.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

The Fund does not attempt to manage market volatility or reduce the effects of poor stock performance. In addition, factors such as Fund expenses, selection of a representative portfolio, changes in the composition of the Index, or the timing of purchases or redemptions of Fund shares may affect the correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s performance.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/09)
 

AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund

     9.21     19.32     15.65     19.21

S&P MidCap 400 Index

     9.77     19.99     16.54     20.12

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Mid Cap Index Fund

     0.60

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.71% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1 Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.58%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”), which is the most widely used index for mid-sized companies. The S&P 400 covers 7% of the U.S. equities market, and is part of a series of S&P U.S. indices that can be used as building blocks for portfolio composition. The index is unmanaged and does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Mid Cap Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,018.50          $ 2.90            0.57 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,022.33          $ 2.91            0.57 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      22.1 %

Information Technology

      17.0  

Industrials

      15.0  

Consumer Discretionary

      13.0  

Health Care

      9.8  

Materials

      7.1  

Utilities

      4.7  

Energy

      3.9  

Consumer Staples

      3.2  

Telecommunication Services

      0.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      95.9  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      13.6  

Money Market

      4.3  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      113.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (13.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (95.9%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.6%):

  

  10,389       Alliant Techsystems, Inc.    $ 1,207,721  
  34,252       BE Aerospace, Inc.*      1,987,301  
  10,392       Esterline Technologies Corp.*^      1,139,795  
  60,720       Exelis, Inc.      1,064,422  
  15,701       Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.      1,765,734  
  17,136       KLX, Inc.*      706,860  
  16,513       Triumph Group, Inc.      1,110,004  
     

 

 

 
        8,981,837  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.7%):

  

  742,777       Alaska Air Group, Inc.      2,556,354  
  79,747       JetBlue Airways Corp.*^      1,264,787  
     

 

 

 
        3,821,141  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.3%):

  

  47,618       Gentex Corp.      1,720,438  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.2%):

  

  15,115       Thor Industries, Inc.      844,475  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (4.6%):

  

  49,417       Associated Banc-Corp.^      920,639  
  27,839       BancorpSouth, Inc.^      626,656  
  14,266       Bank of Hawaii Corp.^      846,116  
  24,129       Cathay General Bancorp      617,461  
  15,599       City National Corp.      1,260,555  
  26,941       Commerce Bancshares, Inc.^      1,171,671  
  17,848       Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.      1,260,783  
  46,694       East West Bancorp, Inc.      1,807,525  
  76,490       First Horizon National Corp.^      1,038,734  
  115,166       First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.      970,849  
  53,816       FirstMerit Corp.      1,016,584  
  60,238       Fulton Financial Corp.      744,542  
  26,522       Hancock Holding Co.      814,225  
  18,838       International Bancshares Corp.      499,961  
  30,693       PacWest Bancorp      1,395,304  
  19,522       Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.      1,080,738  
  16,366       Signature Bank*      2,061,460  
  16,540       SVB Financial Group*      1,919,798  
  44,405       Synovus Financial Corp.      1,202,931  
  54,419       TCF Financial Corp.      864,718  
  21,957       Trustmark Corp.^      538,825  
  70,683       Umpqua Holdings Corp.      1,202,318  
  71,576       Valley National Bancorp^      695,003  
  29,365       Webster Financial Corp.      955,243  
     

 

 

 
        25,512,639  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.8%):

  

  24,814       Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      2,497,529  
  15,447       United Therapeutics Corp.*      2,000,232  
     

 

 

 
        4,497,761  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.9%):

  

  24,457       A.O. Smith Corp.      1,379,619  
  51,298       Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.      2,322,261  
  14,370       Lennox International, Inc.^      1,366,156  
     

 

 

 
        5,068,036  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Capital Markets (1.6%):

  

  38,452       Eaton Vance Corp.^    $ 1,573,840  
  30,936       Federated Investors, Inc., Class B^      1,018,722  
  47,775       Janus Capital Group, Inc.^      770,611  
  40,975       Raymond James Financial, Inc.      2,347,459  
  42,412       SEI Investments Co.      1,698,176  
  27,187       Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A      1,354,456  
     

 

 

 
        8,763,264  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.9%):

  

  25,455       Albemarle Corp.^      1,530,609  
  20,750       Ashland, Inc.      2,485,019  
  20,825       Cabot Corp.      913,385  
  23,450       Cytec Industries, Inc.      1,082,687  
  11,230       Minerals Technologies, Inc.      779,924  
  3,464       NewMarket Corp.^      1,397,828  
  25,424       Olin Corp.^      578,904  
  29,559       PolyOne Corp.      1,120,582  
  43,413       RPM International, Inc.      2,201,473  
  14,437       Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The)      899,714  
  15,670       Sensient Technologies Corp.      945,528  
  24,794       Valspar Corp. (The)      2,144,185  
     

 

 

 
        16,079,838  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.8%):

  

  17,737       Clean Harbors, Inc.*^      852,263  
  36,988       Copart, Inc.*      1,349,692  
  37,890       Corrections Corp. of America^      1,376,923  
  16,156       Deluxe Corp.      1,005,711  
  19,364       Herman Miller, Inc.      569,883  
  14,435       HNI Corp.      737,051  
  10,239       MSA Safety, Inc.^      543,589  
  65,008       R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.      1,092,459  
  20,846       Rollins, Inc.      690,003  
  40,373       Waste Connections, Inc.      1,776,007  
     

 

 

 
        9,993,581  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.1%):

  

  42,862       Arris Group, Inc.*      1,294,004  
  34,687       Ciena Corp.*^      673,275  
  12,097       InterDigital, Inc.      639,931  
  75,436       JDS Uniphase Corp.*      1,034,982  
  13,970       Plantronics, Inc.      740,689  
  44,404       Polycom, Inc.*      599,454  
  50,433       Riverbed Technology, Inc.*      1,029,338  
     

 

 

 
        6,011,673  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.5%):

  

  50,038       Aecom Technology Corp.*      1,519,654  
  11,731       Granite Construction, Inc.^      446,013  
  47,215       KBR, Inc.      800,294  
     

 

 

 
        2,765,961  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.2%):

  

  16,352       Eagle Materials, Inc.      1,243,243  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Consumer Finance (0.3%):

  

  137,660       SLM Corp.    $ 1,402,755  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (2.0%):

  

  21,046       AptarGroup, Inc.      1,406,715  
  32,491       Bemis Co., Inc.      1,468,918  
  11,035       Greif, Inc., Class A      521,183  
  31,998       Packaging Corp. of America      2,497,444  
  45,537       Rock-Tenn Co., Class A      2,776,846  
  14,179       Silgan Holdings, Inc.      759,994  
  32,924       Sonoco Products Co.      1,438,779  
     

 

 

 
        10,869,879  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.5%):

  

  98,556       LKQ Corp.*      2,771,395  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (1.0%):

  

  31,405       Apollo Group, Inc., Class A*      1,071,225  
  18,708       DeVry, Inc.      888,069  
  1,433       Graham Holdings Co., Class B      1,237,696  
  67,514       Service Corp. International      1,532,567  
  19,982       Sotheby’s^      862,823  
     

 

 

 
        5,592,380  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.6%):

  

  27,442       CBOE Holdings, Inc.      1,740,372  
  36,426       MSCI, Inc., Class A      1,728,049  
     

 

 

 
        3,468,421  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (1.7%):

  

  19,644       Cleco Corp.      1,071,384  
  50,052       Great Plains Energy, Inc.      1,421,977  
  33,368       Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.^      1,117,161  
  16,355       IDACORP, Inc.      1,082,537  
  64,828       OGE Energy Corp.      2,300,098  
  25,923       PNM Resources, Inc.      768,098  
  42,526       Westar Energy, Inc.      1,753,772  
     

 

 

 
        9,515,027  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.1%):

  

  14,107       Acuity Brands, Inc.      1,975,968  
  13,921       Belden CDT, Inc.      1,097,114  
  17,669       Hubbell, Inc., Class B      1,887,579  
  14,530       Regal-Beloit Corp.      1,092,656  
     

 

 

 
        6,053,317  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (3.2%):

  

  31,509       Arrow Electronics, Inc.*      1,824,056  
  44,561       Avnet, Inc.      1,917,014  
  28,319       Cognex Corp.*      1,170,424  
  13,510       FEI Co.      1,220,629  
  50,727       Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A*      1,402,094  
  11,547       IPG Photonics Corp.*^      865,101  
  12,700       Itron, Inc.*      537,083  
  62,881       Jabil Circuit, Inc.      1,372,692  
  54,483       Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      1,839,891  
  27,686       Knowles Corp.*^      652,005  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components, continued

  

  32,795       National Instruments Corp.    $ 1,019,597  
  12,450       Tech Data Corp.*      787,214  
  84,215       Trimble Navigation, Ltd.*      2,235,066  
  44,160       Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.^      624,864  
     

 

 

 
        17,467,730  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (2.0%):

  

  19,486       Atwood Oceanics, Inc.*      552,818  
  6,375       CARBO Ceramics, Inc.^      255,319  
  24,931       Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.*      2,039,355  
  12,834       Dril-Quip, Inc.*      984,753  
  31,947       Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*      693,250  
  34,144       Oceaneering International, Inc.      2,008,009  
  17,289       Oil States International, Inc.*      845,432  
  47,651       Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.      790,530  
  40,526       Rowan Cos. plc, Class A      945,066  
  49,478       Superior Energy Services, Inc.      996,982  
  16,192       Tidewater, Inc.^      524,783  
  15,012       Unit Corp.*      511,909  
     

 

 

 
        11,148,206  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.3%):

  

  67,148       Supervalu, Inc.*      651,336  
  16,230       United Natural Foods, Inc.*^      1,254,984  
     

 

 

 
        1,906,320  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.8%):

  

  30,544       Dean Foods Co.^      591,943  
  60,103       Flowers Foods, Inc.      1,153,377  
  32,826       Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*^      1,913,428  
  23,366       Ingredion, Inc.      1,982,370  
  6,320       Lancaster Colony Corp.      591,805  
  14,603       Post Holdings, Inc.*^      611,720  
  6,491       Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.^      198,949  
  13,771       TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*      1,177,834  
  56,712       WhiteWave Foods Co., Class A*      1,984,352  
     

 

 

 
        10,205,778  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (1.6%):

  

  32,655       Atmos Energy Corp.      1,820,190  
  27,384       National Fuel Gas Co.^      1,904,010  
  16,942       ONE Gas, Inc.^      698,349  
  56,237       Questar Corp.      1,421,671  
  56,082       UGI Corp.      2,129,994  
  16,163       WGL Holdings, Inc.      882,823  
     

 

 

 
        8,857,037  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.1%):

  

  23,495       Align Technology, Inc.*      1,313,605  
  15,703       Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)      2,545,300  
  15,149       Halyard Health, Inc.*      688,825  
  18,717       Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.      853,870  
  78,854       Hologic, Inc.*      2,108,556  
  15,508       IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*^      2,299,371  
  45,340       ResMed, Inc.      2,541,761  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

  18,012       Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.*    $ 1,573,708  
  19,331       STERIS Corp.^      1,253,615  
  13,472       Teleflex, Inc.^      1,546,855  
  17,883       Thoratec Corp.*      580,482  
     

 

 

 
        17,305,948  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.3%):

  

  19,083       Centene Corp.*      1,981,770  
  37,822       Community Health Systems, Inc.*      2,039,362  
  25,335       Health Net, Inc.*      1,356,183  
  27,382       Henry Schein, Inc.*      3,728,059  
  28,577       HMS Holdings Corp.*^      604,118  
  14,730       LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.*      1,059,234  
  32,660       MEDNAX, Inc.*      2,159,153  
  31,836       Omnicare, Inc.^      2,321,799  
  20,531       Owens & Minor, Inc.^      720,843  
  27,353       VCA Antech, Inc.*      1,334,006  
  14,276       WellCare Health Plans, Inc.*      1,171,489  
     

 

 

 
        18,476,016  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.1%):

  

  55,151       Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*      704,278  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.5%):

  

  20,665       Brinker International, Inc.      1,212,829  
  14,980       Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (The)^      753,644  
  17,892       Domino’s Pizza, Inc.      1,684,890  
  80,481       International Game Technology      1,388,297  
  9,121       International Speedway Corp., Class A      288,680  
  11,716       Life Time Fitness, Inc.*^      663,360  
  8,333       Panera Bread Co., Class A*^      1,456,608  
  89,073       Wendy’s Co. (The)      804,329  
     

 

 

 
        8,252,637  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.7%):

  

  58,187       Jarden Corp.*      2,785,994  
  29,650       KB Home^      490,708  
  12,732       M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.^      337,016  
  1,265       NVR, Inc.*      1,613,292  
  19,818       Tempur-Pedic International, Inc.*      1,088,206  
  52,663       Toll Brothers, Inc.*      1,804,761  
  16,389       Tupperware Brands Corp.^      1,032,507  
     

 

 

 
        9,152,484  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.1%):

  

  43,505       Church & Dwight Co., Inc.      3,428,629  
  20,196       Energizer Holdings, Inc.      2,596,398  
     

 

 

 
        6,025,027  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.3%):

  

  20,871       Carlisle Cos., Inc.      1,883,399  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (4.6%):

  

  5,237       Alleghany Corp.*      2,427,350  
  23,999       American Financial Group, Inc.      1,457,219  
  52,485       Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.      2,470,994  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Insurance, continued

  

  20,235       Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.    $ 885,686  
  38,330       Brown & Brown, Inc.      1,261,440  
  14,712       Everest Re Group, Ltd.      2,505,454  
  34,898       First American Financial Corp.^      1,183,042  
  14,326       Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)      1,021,730  
  31,474       HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.      1,684,488  
  16,288       Kemper Corp.      588,160  
  9,895       Mercury General Corp.      560,750  
  78,937       Old Republic International Corp.      1,154,848  
  17,278       Primerica, Inc.      937,504  
  25,651       Protective Life Corp.      1,786,592  
  22,344       Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.      1,957,781  
  12,528       RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.      1,217,972  
  13,669       StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.      954,916  
  33,011       W.R. Berkley Corp.      1,692,144  
     

 

 

 
        25,748,070  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1%):

  

  10,566       HSN, Inc.      803,016  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (1.3%):

  

  25,324       AOL, Inc.*      1,169,209  
  17,822       Equinix, Inc.      4,040,783  
  38,756       Rackspace Hosting, Inc.*^      1,814,168  
     

 

 

 
        7,024,160  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (2.8%):

  

  25,055       Acxiom Corp.*      507,865  
  39,038       Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      1,802,775  
  32,627       Convergys Corp.^      664,612  
  29,178       CoreLogic, Inc.*      921,733  
  9,528       DST Systems, Inc.      897,061  
  28,622       Gartner, Inc.*      2,410,259  
  21,992       Global Payments, Inc.      1,775,414  
  26,589       Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.      1,652,240  
  20,245       Leidos Holdings, Inc.      881,062  
  17,152       NeuStar, Inc., Class A*^      476,826  
  13,162       Science Applications International Corp.      651,914  
  36,780       VeriFone Systems, Inc.*      1,368,216  
  12,612       Wex, Inc.*      1,247,579  
     

 

 

 
        15,257,556  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.8%):

  

  30,238       Brunswick Corp.      1,550,000  
  19,866       Polaris Industries, Inc.^      3,004,534  
     

 

 

 
        4,554,534  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.4%):

  

  6,691       Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*      806,667  
  12,063       Bio-Techne Corp.      1,114,621  
  15,267       Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*      971,592  
  18,405       Covance, Inc.*      1,911,175  
  9,282       Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*      2,807,434  
     

 

 

 
        7,611,489  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Machinery (4.5%):

  

  27,215       AGCO Corp.^    $ 1,230,118  
  16,298       CLARCOR, Inc.^      1,086,099  
  16,122       Crane Co.      946,361  
  41,520       Donaldson Co., Inc.^      1,603,918  
  19,336       Graco, Inc.      1,550,360  
  26,316       Harsco Corp.      497,109  
  25,816       IDEX Corp.      2,009,518  
  29,801       ITT Corp.      1,205,748  
  25,741       Kennametal, Inc.      921,270  
  25,257       Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.      1,745,006  
  19,089       Nordson Corp.      1,488,178  
  25,963       Oshkosh Corp.      1,263,100  
  13,354       SPX Corp.      1,147,376  
  35,246       Terex Corp.      982,658  
  24,222       Timken Co.      1,033,795  
  50,637       Trinity Industries, Inc.      1,418,342  
  8,006       Valmont Industries, Inc.^      1,016,762  
  31,305       Wabtec Corp.      2,720,092  
  18,994       Woodward, Inc.      935,075  
     

 

 

 
        24,800,885  
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.4%):

  

  14,762       Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.      579,556  
  18,560       Kirby Corp.*      1,498,535  
     

 

 

 
        2,078,091  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.5%):

  

  19,237       AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*      1,226,743  
  33,879       Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      1,205,415  
  23,585       DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Class A*^      526,653  
  15,267       John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A      904,417  
  25,958       Lamar Advertising Co., Class A^      1,392,388  
  47,002       Live Nation, Inc.*      1,227,223  
  11,864       Meredith Corp.^      644,452  
  42,570       New York Times Co. (The), Class A^      562,775  
  35,479       Time, Inc.      873,138  
     

 

 

 
        8,563,204  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.7%):

  

  17,325       Carpenter Technology Corp.^      853,256  
  49,910       Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.^      356,357  
  38,462       Commercial Metals Co.      626,546  
  10,929       Compass Minerals International, Inc.      948,965  
  25,398       Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.      1,556,136  
  21,209       Royal Gold, Inc.      1,329,804  
  78,205       Steel Dynamics, Inc.      1,543,767  
  12,486       TimkenSteel Corp.      462,357  
  47,328       United States Steel Corp.^      1,265,551  
  16,502       Worthington Industries, Inc.      496,545  
     

 

 

 
        9,439,284  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.2%):

  

  17,380       Big Lots, Inc.      695,548  
  99,228       J.C. Penney Co., Inc.*^      642,997  
     

 

 

 
        1,338,545  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Multi-Utilities (1.1%):

  

  36,081       Alliant Energy Corp.    $ 2,396,500  
  14,533       Black Hills Corp.      770,830  
  63,144       MDU Resources Group, Inc.      1,483,884  
  26,852       Vectren Corp.      1,241,368  
     

 

 

 
        5,892,582  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.9%):

  

  99,278       California Resources Corp.*      547,022  
  23,814       Energen Corp.      1,518,381  
  27,828       Gulfport Energy Corp.*      1,161,541  
  63,643       HollyFrontier Corp.      2,385,340  
  88,347       Peabody Energy Corp.^      683,806  
  20,030       Rosetta Resources, Inc.*      446,869  
  21,938       SM Energy Co.^      846,368  
  23,727       Western Refining, Inc.      896,406  
  23,427       World Fuel Services Corp.^      1,099,429  
  66,188       WPX Energy, Inc.*^      769,766  
     

 

 

 
        10,354,928  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.3%):

  

  20,962       Domtar Corp.      843,092  
  46,283       Louisiana-Pacific Corp.*^      766,446  
     

 

 

 
        1,609,538  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.1%):

  

  49,989       Endo International plc*      3,605,207  
  20,725       Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.*^      2,382,132  
     

 

 

 
        5,987,339  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (1.0%):

  

  10,932       Corporate Executive Board Co. (The)      792,898  
  13,358       FTI Consulting, Inc.*      516,020  
  25,732       Manpower, Inc.      1,754,150  
  22,739       Towers Watson & Co., Class A      2,573,373  
     

 

 

 
        5,636,441  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (9.2%):

  

  23,421       Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.      2,078,380  
  34,196       American Campus Communities, Inc.      1,414,347  
  64,230       BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.      1,383,514  
  28,101       Camden Property Trust      2,074,978  
  30,108       Corporate Office Properties Trust      854,164  
  111,142       Duke Realty Corp.      2,245,068  
  24,990       Equity One, Inc.      633,746  
  35,945       Extra Space Storage, Inc.      2,107,815  
  22,158       Federal Realty Investment Trust      2,957,207  
  29,692       Highwoods Properties, Inc.^      1,314,762  
  18,663       Home Properties, Inc.      1,224,293  
  48,739       Hospitality Properties Trust      1,510,909  
  27,308       Kilroy Realty Corp.      1,886,164  
  36,325       LaSalle Hotel Properties      1,470,073  
  48,318       Liberty Property Trust      1,818,206  
  27,249       Mack-Cali Realty Corp.      519,366  
  24,478       Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.      1,828,017  
  42,901       National Retail Properties, Inc.^      1,689,012  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts, continued

  

  41,450       Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.^    $ 1,619,452  
  13,216       Potlatch Corp.      553,354  
  41,231       Rayonier, Inc.      1,151,994  
  72,420       Realty Income Corp.^      3,455,157  
  30,329       Regency Centers Corp.      1,934,384  
  66,292       Senior Housing Properties Trust      1,465,716  
  31,382       SL Green Realty Corp.      3,735,085  
  31,200       Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.      1,153,152  
  20,522       Taubman Centers, Inc.      1,568,291  
  83,005       UDR, Inc.      2,558,214  
  50,492       Washington Prime Group, Inc.^      869,472  
  36,597       Weingarten Realty Investors^      1,277,967  
     

 

 

 
        50,352,259  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.4%):

  

  14,578       Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.      2,185,680  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.5%):

  

  18,847       Con-way, Inc.      926,895  
  16,651       Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A*      1,497,258  
  30,101       J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.^      2,536,010  
  14,555       Landstar System, Inc.      1,055,674  
  22,142       Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*      1,719,105  
  14,509       Werner Enterprises, Inc.^      451,955  
     

 

 

 
        8,186,897  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.4%):

  

  204,470       Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*^      545,935  
  135,756       Atmel Corp.*      1,139,672  
  38,837       Cree, Inc.*^      1,251,328  
  48,280       Cypress Semiconductor Corp.^      689,438  
  38,618       Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc.*      651,872  
  48,368       Integrated Device Technology, Inc.*      948,013  
  23,276       International Rectifier Corp.*      928,712  
  42,161       Intersil Corp., Class A      610,070  
  189,849       RF Micro Devices, Inc.*      3,149,595  
  21,704       Semtech Corp.*      598,379  
  12,815       Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*      610,250  
  62,000       Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      4,508,021  
  81,973       SunEdison, Inc.*^      1,599,293  
  70,428       Teradyne, Inc.      1,393,770  
     

 

 

 
        18,624,348  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (4.2%):

  

  37,406       ACI Worldwide, Inc.*^      754,479  
  14,480       Advent Software, Inc.      443,667  
  29,892       Ansys, Inc.*      2,451,143  
  95,215       Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*^      1,806,229  
  52,246       CDK Global, Inc.      2,129,547  
  14,001       CommVault Systems, Inc.*      723,712  
  12,624       FactSet Research Systems, Inc.^      1,776,828  
  10,449       Fair Isaac Corp.      755,463  
  45,050       Fortinet, Inc.*      1,381,233  
  35,334       Informatica Corp.*      1,347,462  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software, continued

  

  31,844       Mentor Graphics Corp.    $ 698,020  
  37,715       PTC, Inc.*      1,382,255  
  30,834       Rovi Corp.*      696,540  
  21,410       Solarwinds, Inc.*      1,066,860  
  22,184       Solera Holdings, Inc.      1,135,377  
  50,682       Synopsys, Inc.*      2,203,147  
  10,747       Tyler Technologies, Inc.*      1,176,152  
  9,230       Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)*      1,355,102  
     

 

 

 
        23,283,216  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (4.1%):

  

  20,997       Aaron’s, Inc.      641,878  
  23,230       Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A^      665,307  
  23,739       Advance Auto Parts, Inc.      3,781,149  
  56,966       American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.^      790,688  
  14,882       Ann, Inc.*      542,895  
  42,880       Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*      538,573  
  15,500       Cabela’s, Inc., Class A*^      817,005  
  49,769       Chico’s FAS, Inc.      806,755  
  25,268       CST Brands, Inc.      1,101,937  
  31,899       Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.      1,583,785  
  46,199       Foot Locker, Inc.      2,595,461  
  20,818       Guess?, Inc.      438,843  
  13,987       Murphy USA, Inc.*      963,145  
  157,703       Office Depot, Inc.*      1,352,303  
  17,222       Rent-A-Center, Inc.      625,503  
  26,075       Signet Jewelers, Ltd.      3,430,688  
  27,846       Williams-Sonoma, Inc.      2,107,386  
     

 

 

 
        22,783,301  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%):

  

  34,015       3D Systems Corp.*^      1,118,073  
  21,034       Diebold, Inc.^      728,618  
  20,092       Lexmark International, Inc., Class A^      829,197  
  54,780       NCR Corp.*      1,596,289  
  16,566       Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*      1,282,374  
     

 

 

 
        5,554,551  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.3%):

  

  17,202       Carter’s, Inc.      1,501,907  
  11,269       Deckers Outdoor Corp.*^      1,025,930  
  32,486       Hanesbrands, Inc.      3,626,086  
  41,353       Kate Spade & Co.*      1,323,710  
     

 

 

 
        7,477,633  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.6%):

  

  28,607       Astoria Financial Corp.      382,190  
  143,969       New York Community Bancorp, Inc.^      2,303,504  
  31,923       Washington Federal, Inc.^      707,094  
     

 

 

 
        3,392,788  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.7%):

  

  14,371       GATX Corp.^      826,907  
  16,425       MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A^      1,334,532  
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Trading Companies & Distributors, continued

  

  34,840       NOW, Inc.*^    $ 896,433  
  8,881       Watsco, Inc.      950,267  
     

 

 

 
        4,008,139  
     

 

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.3%):

  

  57,423       Aqua America, Inc.      1,533,194  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  31,927       Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.      806,157  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $380,356,474)

     531,249,746  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (13.6%):

  

  $75,634,895       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      75,634,895  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $75,634,895)

     75,634,895  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (4.3%):

  

  $24,089,424       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)    $ 24,089,424  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $24,089,424)

     24,089,424  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $480,080,793)(c) — 113.8%

     630,974,065  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (13.8)%

     (76,534,488
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 554,439,577  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $73,253,598.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Futures Contracts

Cash of $1,240,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

S&P 400 Index E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         164       $ 23,757,040      $ 618,881  

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 480,080,793  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 630,974,065  

Segregated cash for collateral

       1,240,000  

Interest and dividends receivable

       496,324  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       66,340  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       22,302  

Prepaid expenses

       4,588  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       632,803,619  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Cash overdraft

       14,329  

Payable for investments purchased

       1,580,584  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       468,292  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       75,634,895  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       329,120  

Manager fees payable

       116,990  

Administration fees payable

       12,832  

Distribution fees payable

       116,990  

Custodian fees payable

       4,546  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,564  

Trustee fees payable

       31  

Other accrued liabilities

       83,869  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       78,364,042  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 554,439,577  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 375,573,110  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       4,560,046  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       22,794,268  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       151,512,153  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 554,439,577  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       23,602,090  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 23.49  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $73,253,598.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 7,231,419  

Income from securities lending

       317,498  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       7,548,917  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,303,874  

Administration fees

       142,973  

Distribution fees

       1,303,874  

Custodian fees

       20,397  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       6,914  

Trustee fees

       26,388  

Professional fees

       29,358  

Shareholder reports

       16,647  

Other expenses

       113,168  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       2,963,593  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       4,585,324  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       22,711,018  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       1,558,577  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       17,590,975  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       41,860,570  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 46,445,894  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

10


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Mid Cap Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 4,585,324        $ 3,489,829  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       24,269,595          18,046,913  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       17,590,975          89,611,391  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       46,445,894          111,148,133  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (3,512,445 )        (2,749,544 )

From net realized gains

       (18,594,993 )        (6,424,726 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (22,107,438 )        (9,174,270 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       54,240,054          95,250,096  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       22,107,438          9,174,270  

Value of shares redeemed

       (39,240,020 )        (25,383,256 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       37,107,472          79,041,110  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       61,445,928          181,014,973  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       492,993,649          311,978,676  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 554,439,577        $ 492,993,649  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 4,560,046        $ 3,473,538  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       2,379,889          4,734,634  

Dividends reinvested

       964,127          448,839  

Shares redeemed

       (1,718,067 )        (1,276,597 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       1,625,949          3,906,876  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

11


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 22.43       $ 17.27       $ 15.10       $ 16.17       $ 13.09  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.19         0.14         0.14         0.07         0.05  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.85         5.47         2.45         (0.47 )       3.16  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       2.04         5.61         2.59         (0.40 )       3.21  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.16 )       (0.14 )       (0.07 )       (0.06 )       (0.04 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.82 )       (0.31 )       (0.35 )       (0.61 )       (0.09 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.98 )       (0.45 )       (0.42 )       (0.67 )       (0.13 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 23.49       $ 22.43       $ 17.27       $ 15.10       $ 16.17  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       9.21 %       32.71 %       17.22 %       (2.32 )%       24.67 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 554,440       $ 492,994       $ 311,979       $ 209,586       $ 154,995  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.88 %       0.86 %       1.04 %       0.66 %       0.71 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       0.57 %       0.58 %       0.60 %       0.63 %       0.61 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.57 %       0.58 %       0.60 %       0.61 %       0.60 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)

       13 %       12 %       9 %       15 %       34 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Mid Cap Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

13


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $31,427 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $23.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $20.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 
Equity Risk Exposure        
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 618,881      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

 

14


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 1,558,577         $ 162,448   

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

         0.25 %          0.71 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for

each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $6,421 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

 

15


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 531,249,746          $          $ 531,249,746  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    75,634,895            75,634,895  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         24,089,424                       24,089,424  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         555,339,170            75,634,895            630,974,065  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         618,881                       618,881  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 555,958,051          $ 75,634,895          $ 631,592,946  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 81,605,648          $ 67,759,185  

 

16


AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $482,604,745. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 162,198,989  

Unrealized depreciation

    (13,829,669
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 148,369,320   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 6,714,812          $ 15,392,626          $ 22,107,438  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 4,058,929          $ 5,115,341          $ 9,174,270  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Mid Cap Index Fund

       $ 6,630,030          $ 23,867,117          $          $ 148,369,320          $ 178,866,467  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

17


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Mid Cap Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

18


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 62.32% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $15,392,626.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $3,202,367.

 

19


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

20


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

21


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

22


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

23


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

24


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

25


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Money Market Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 12

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 13

Other Information

Page 14

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 15

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 18

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Money Market Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Money Market Fund and BlackRock Advisors, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

Money market securities faced a challenging environment during the period. Interest rates remained low due in part to ongoing accommodative monetary policy by central banks such as the U.S. Federal Reserve. The LIBOR1, which is used as a benchmark rate for short-term loans, was virtually unchanged during the period. What’s more, increased regulation contributed to a decline in supply, as banks and other issuers had to contend with higher liquidity requirements.

In an effort to maintain competitive yields, we pursued a strategy of targeting securities with relatively longer weighted average maturity and weighted average life. This was accomplished primarily through the purchase of fixed- and floating-rate securities issued by highly rated financial institutions and government entities.

Very short-dated securities, such as those held to satisfy the liquidity requirements mandated under the new money market fund regulations, were generally lower-yielding and dragged on the Fund’s performance. The Fund enhanced its liquidity and diversification through holdings of municipal variable-rate demand notes, and, at times, an allocation to U.S. Treasuries.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) is the interest rate that the largest international banks charge each other for loans.
 

 

1


AZL® Money Market Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek current income consistent with stability of principal. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a broad range of short-term, high-quality U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments, including government, U.S. and foreign bank, commercial and other obligations.

Investment Concerns

An investment in the Fund is neither guaranteed nor insured by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the Fund strives to maintain the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in this Fund. Past performance is not predictive of future performance as yields on money market funds fluctuate daily.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Years
 

AZL® Money Market Fund

     0.01     0.00     0.00     1.43

Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

     0.03     0.06     0.08     1.43

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Money Market Fund

     0.65

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 0.87% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

Yield as of December 31, 2014

 

     7 Day
Average
    7 Day
Effective
    30 Day
Average
 

AZL® Money Market Fund

     0.00     0.00     0.00

The Manager has voluntarily undertaken to waive, reimburse, or pay the Fund’s expenses to the extent necessary in order to maintain a minimum daily net investment income for the Fund of 0.00%. The Distributor may waive its Rule 12b-1 fees. The amount waived, reimbursed, or paid by the Manager and/or the Distributor will be repaid to the Manager and/or the Distributor subject to certain limitations as further described in Note 3 to the Financial Statements. The ability of the Manager and/or Distributor to receive such payments could negatively affect the Fund’s future yield.

The 7-day yield quotation is as of December 31, 2014 and more closely reflects the current earnings of the Fund than the total return quotation.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. The Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index and does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Money Market Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Money Market Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,000.10          $ 1.01            0.20 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,024.20          $ 1.02            0.20 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Commercial Paper

      55.6 %

Certificates of Deposit

      34.7  

Municipal Bond

      6.3  

U.S. Treasury Obligation

      1.4  

Corporate Bonds

      1.1  

Yankee Dollar

      0.9  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      100.0  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      ^
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%.

 

3


AZL Money Market Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Certificates of Deposit (34.7%):

  

 

Banks (33.6%)

  

$ 8,000,000      Bank of Montreal Chicago, 0.24%, 5/29/15    $ 8,000,000  
  8,000,000      Bank of Montreal Chicago, 0.24%, 7/16/15(a)      8,000,000  
  7,000,000      Bank of Montreal Chicago, 0.24%, 4/9/15(a)      7,000,000  
  5,000,000      Bank of Nova Scotia, 0.68%, 9/11/15(a)      5,014,203  
  8,000,000      Bank of Nova Scotia, 0.26%, 6/24/15(a)      8,000,000  
  19,000,000      Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, NY, 1.00%, 3/27/15(a)      19,032,119  
  5,000,000      BNP Paribas, NY, 0.30%, 2/4/15      5,000,000  
  6,750,000      Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 0.34%, 6/1/15(a)      6,750,000  
  14,000,000      Citibank NA, 0.25%, 2/6/15      14,000,000  
  10,000,000      Citibank NA, 0.25%, 5/11/15      10,000,000  
  10,000,000      Credit Agricole CIB, NY, 0.26%, 3/2/15      10,000,000  
  12,000,000      National Australia Bank, Ltd., 0.23%, 7/10/15(a)      12,000,000  
  5,000,000      National Bank of Canada, NY, 0.26%, 7/20/15(a)      5,000,000  
  8,000,000      National Bank of Canada, NY, 0.30%, 10/23/15(a)      8,000,000  
  3,000,000      Natixis, NY, 0.25%, 2/2/15      3,000,000  
  11,000,000      Rabobank Nederland NV, NY, 0.28%, 9/16/15(a)      11,000,000  
  7,000,000      Rabobank Nederland NV, NY, 0.35%, 1/12/15      7,000,000  
  8,000,000      Rabobank Nederland NV, NY, 0.28%, 5/6/15(a)      8,000,000  
  8,000,000      Skandinav Enskilda Bank, NY, 0.25%, 3/3/15      8,000,000  
  8,000,000      Skandinav Enskilda Bank, NY, 0.25%, 2/6/15      8,000,000  
  5,000,000      Societe Generale, NY, 0.25%, 2/2/15      5,000,000  
  3,000,000      State Street Bank & Trust Co., 0.28%, 10/23/15(a)      3,000,000  
  10,000,000      State Street Bank & Trust Co., 0.28%, 10/1/15(a)      10,000,000  
  4,500,000      Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, NY, 0.25%, 3/17/15      4,500,000  
  15,000,000      Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, NY, 0.25%, 2/6/15      15,000,000  
  7,000,000      Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co., Ltd., 0.27%, 4/15/15      7,000,000  
  12,000,000      Toronto Dominion Bank, NY, 0.25%, 10/6/15(a)      12,000,000  
  8,000,000      Toronto Dominion Bank, NY, 0.30%, 7/15/15      7,999,994  
     

 

 

 
        235,296,316  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.1%)

  

  5,000,000      Credit Industriel Et Commercial, NY, 0.30%, 4/8/15      5,000,000  
  3,000,000      Credit Industriel Et Commercial, NY, 0.30%, 1/8/15      3,000,000  
     

 

 

 
        8,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Certificates of Deposit (Cost $243,296,316)

     243,296,316  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Paper (55.6%):

  

 

Banks (13.7%)

  

  20,000,000      Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 0.24%, 5/18/15(a)(b)      20,000,525  
  7,000,000      Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 0.25%, 5/15/15(a)(b)      7,000,000  
  10,000,000      DNB Bank ASA,
0.23%, 4/28/15(b)(c)
     9,992,525  
  8,000,000      DNB Bank ASA,
0.22%, 1/20/15(b)(c)
     7,999,071  
  7,000,000      HSBC Bank plc,
0.26%, 10/23/15(a)(b)
     7,000,000  
  9,000,000      Macquarie Bank, Ltd.,
0.32%, 2/19/15(b)(c)
     8,996,080  
  25,000,000      Natixis, NY, 0.10%, 1/2/15(c)      24,999,931  
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Commercial Paper, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

$ 10,000,000      Westpac Banking Corp., NY, 0.24%, 4/17/15(a)(b)    $ 10,000,000  
     

 

 

 
        95,988,132  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (41.9%)

  

  10,000,000      Antalis US Funding Corp., 0.23%, 1/6/15(b)(c)      9,999,681  
  5,000,000      Bedford Row Funding Corp., 0.29%, 11/20/15(a)(b)      5,000,000  
  10,000,000      Bedford Row Funding Corp., 0.28%, 1/28/15(b)(c)      9,997,900  
  12,000,000      CAFCO LLC, 0.25%, 2/2/15(c)      11,997,333  
  30,000,000      Caisse Centrale Desjardins du Quebec, 0.13%, 1/5/15(b)(c)      29,999,568  
  13,000,000      Chariot Funding LLC, 0.26%, 8/13/15(b)(c)      12,978,969  
  12,000,000      Charta LLC, 0.25%, 2/6/15(c)      11,997,000  
  8,466,000      Charta LLC, 0.25%, 5/12/15(c)      8,458,298  
  8,000,000      Collateralized CP Co. LLC, 0.30%, 3/9/15(c)      7,995,533  
  10,000,000      Collateralized CP Co. LLC, 0.30%, 3/16/15(c)      9,993,833  
  7,000,000      Collateralized CP Co. LLC, 0.30%, 2/2/15(c)      6,998,133  
  9,000,000      CRC Funding LLC, 0.25%, 2/4/15(c)      8,997,875  
  9,000,000      General Electric Capital Corp., 0.22%, 6/4/15(c)      8,991,530  
  10,000,000      General Electric Capital Corp., 0.20%, 2/2/15(c)      9,998,222  
  12,000,000      Gotham Funding Corp., 0.11%, 1/2/15(b)(c)      11,999,963  
  9,000,000      ING (US) Funding LLC, 0.24%, 1/16/15(c)      8,999,100  
  10,000,000      Kells Funding LLC,
0.24%, 9/22/15(a)
     9,999,217  
  10,000,000      Kells Funding LLC,
0.24%, 2/13/15(a)
     10,000,066  
  15,000,000      LMA Americas LLC,
0.11%, 1/2/15(b)(c)
     14,999,954  
  15,000,000      Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV, 0.24%, 10/1/15(a)(b)      15,000,000  
  11,960,000      Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corp.,
0.10%, 1/2/15(b)(c)
     11,959,967  
  3,000,000      Old Line Funding LLC,
0.22%, 3/6/15(b)(c)
     2,998,827  
  32,000,000      Victory Receivables Corp.,
0.11%, 1/2/15(b)(c)
     31,999,903  
  21,280,000      Working Capital Management, 0.13%, 1/6/15(b)(c)      21,279,616  
     

 

 

 
        292,640,488  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Commercial Paper (Cost $388,628,620)

     388,628,620  
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bond (1.1%):

  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.1%)

  

  8,000,000      Jets Stadium Development LLC, Series A-4C, 0.09%, 4/1/47, Callable 3/4/15 @ 100.00(a)(d)      8,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bond (Cost $8,000,000)

     8,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bonds (6.3%):

  

 

California (2.6%):

  

  600,000      California Housing Finance Agency Revenue, Series E-1, 0.03%, 2/1/23, LOC: Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, AMT(a)      600,000  
  8,500,000      Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Series A, 0.06%, 4/15/42, LIQ FAC: Fannie Mae, AMT(a)      8,500,000  
  9,300,000      San Francisco City & County Redevelopment Agency Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Series A, 0.05%, 6/15/35, LIQ FAC: Fannie Mae(a)      9,300,000  
     

 

 

 
        18,400,000  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Money Market Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Municipal Bonds, continued

  

 

New York (2.1%):

  

$ 15,000,000      New York City Housing Development Corp. Multi-Family Rent Revenue, Series A, 0.02%, 3/15/36, LIQ FAC: Fannie Mae(a)    $ 15,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Pennsylvania (1.6%):

  

  10,900,000      Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Single Family Mortgage Revenue, Series 83C, 0.04%, 10/1/35, SPA: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, AMT(a)      10,900,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $44,300,000)

     44,300,000  
     

 

 

 
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Treasury Obligation (1.4%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Notes (1.4%)

  

$  10,000,000      0.11%, 4/30/16(a)    $ 10,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligation (Cost $10,000,000)

     10,000,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollar (0.9%):

  

 

Banks (0.9%)

  

  6,100,000      Svenska Handelsbanken AB, 0.31%, 8/15/14(a)      6,100,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollar (Cost $6,100,000)

     6,100,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $700,324,936)(e) — 100.0%

     700,324,936  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — 0.0%

     9,838  
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 700,334,774  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

AMT—Subject to alternative minimum tax

LIQ FAC— Liquidation facility

LOC—Line of credit

SPA—Securities purchase agreement

 

(a) Variable Rate Security. The rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. These securities are deemed to have a maturity remaining until the next adjustment of the interest rate or the longer of the demand period or time to the next readjustment.

 

(b) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(c) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(d) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 1.14% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(e) Aggregate cost for federal income tax and financial reporting purposes is substantially the same.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    8.3

Canada

    15.2

France

    10.1

Japan

    6.7

Netherlands

    4.7

Norway

    2.5

Sweden

    3.1

United States

    49.4
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL Money Market Fund

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 700,324,936  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value

     $ 700,324,936  

Cash

       670  

Interest receivable

       162,545  

Receivable from Manager

       45,908  

Prepaid expenses

       6,075  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       700,540,134  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Administration fees payable

       16,295  

Distribution fees payable

       147,690  

Custodian fees payable

       5,771  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,071  

Trustee fees payable

       41  

Other accrued liabilities

       33,492  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       205,360  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 700,334,774  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 700,287,255  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       47,519  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 700,334,774  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       700,287,897  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 1.00  
    

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Interest

     $ 1,502,727  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       1,502,727  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,608,403  

Administration fees

       201,836  

Distribution fees

       1,863,149  

Custodian fees

       22,257  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       9,086  

Trustee fees

       36,493  

Professional fees

       37,977  

Shareholder reports

       27,944  

Other expenses

       19,349  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       4,826,494  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (3,323,767 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       1,502,727  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

        
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       48,636  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       48,636  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 48,636  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     AZL Money Market Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       48,636          56,931  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       48,636          56,931  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net realized gains

       (57,581 )        (17,239 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (57,581 )        (17,239 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       333,098,108          486,550,509  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       57,581          17,239  

Value of shares redeemed

       (439,453,694 )        (552,027,334 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (106,298,005 )        (65,459,586 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (106,306,950 )        (65,419,894 )

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       806,641,724          872,061,618  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 700,334,774        $ 806,641,724  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       333,098,108          486,550,510  

Dividends reinvested

       57,581          17,239  

Shares redeemed

       (439,453,694 )        (552,027,334 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (106,298,005 )        (65,459,585 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL Money Market Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

 

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

                                       (a)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

                                       (a)

Net Realized Gains

       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)       (a)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00       $ 1.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       0.01 %                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 700,335       $ 806,642       $ 872,062       $ 865,626       $ 861,070  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

                                        

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       0.65 %       0.65 %       0.66 %       0.66 %       0.70 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       0.20 %       0.22 %       0.29 %       0.28 %       0.33 %

 

(a) Represents less than $0.005.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) The expense ratio for the period reflects the reduction of certain expenses to maintain a certain minimum yield.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Money Market Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Money Market Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below. Investments of the Fund are valued, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act, at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Under the amortized cost method, discounts or premiums are amortized on a constant basis to the maturity of the security.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly from the Fund. The net realized gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by the Fund. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Money Market Reform

On July 23, 2014, the SEC approved significant reforms to the regulations governing money market funds under the 1940 Act. The rulemaking is designed to address money market funds’ susceptibility to heavy redemptions during periods of market stress, improve their ability to manage and mitigate potential contagion from such redemptions and increase the transparency of their risks, while preserving their benefits as much as possible. The new rules, with compliance dates ranging from nine months to two years from the effective date, will replace much of the current Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and add new Rule 30b1-8 (“Form N-CR”). Additionally, Forms N-MFP and PF, along with the instructions to Form N-1A, have been revised as part of this reform.

At this time, there are no changes being made to the way the AZL Money Market Fund is managed or the way it operates, as the rules have a lengthy implementation period. Management of the Fund is reviewing and assessing the effect of the new rules. Additional information regarding the money market mutual fund regulatory changes may be found at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock Advisors”), BlackRock Advisors provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to

 

9


AZL Money Market Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Money Market Fund

         0.35 %          0.87 %

The Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive, reimburse, or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary in order to maintain a minimum daily net investment income for the Fund of 0.00%. The Distributor may waive its Rule 12b-1 fees. The amount waived, reimbursed, or paid by the Manager and/or the Distributor will be repaid to the Manager and/or the Distributor subject to the following limitations:

1. The repayments will not cause the Fund’s net investment income to fall below 0.00%.

2. The repayments must be made no later than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the waiver, reimbursement, or payment took place.

3. Any expense recovery paid by the Fund will not cause its expense ratio to exceed 0.87%.

The ability of the Manager and/or Distributor to receive such payments could negatively affect the Fund’s future yield. Amounts waived under this agreement during the year ended December 31, 2014 are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager.”

Any amounts waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.”

At December 31, 2014, the reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years were as follows:

 

        Expires
12/31/2015
     Expires
12/31/2016
     Expires
12/31/2017
     Total

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 3,224,807          $ 3,776,228          $ 3,323,767          $ 10,324,802  

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers in addition to the amounts disclosed above.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $9,557 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

 

10


AZL Money Market Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Certificates of Deposit+

       $          $ 243,296,316          $ 243,296,316  

Commercial Paper+

                    388,628,620            388,628,620  

Corporate Bond

                    8,000,000            8,000,000  

Municipal Bonds

                    44,300,000            44,300,000  

U.S. Treasury Obligation

                    10,000,000            10,000,000  

Yankee Dollar

                    6,100,000            6,100,000  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $         —          $ 700,324,936          $ 700,324,936  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 54,425          $ 3,156          $ 57,581  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 17,239          $          $ 17,239  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Money Market Fund

       $ 47,519          $          $          $          $ 47,519  

6. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

11


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Money Market Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

12


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $3,156.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $54,425.

 

13


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

14


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

15


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

16


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

17


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/ General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003;

Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.

  43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

18


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.
(2) Indefinite.
(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.
(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

19


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund returned 13.77%. That compared to a 15.89% return for its benchmark, the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index1.

The global real estate securities market experienced strong gains during the period under review. Each of the major regions gained and outperformed their respective broader equity markets for the period. Real estate share prices continued to be influenced by strong investor demand for core assets, as well as investors’ continuing search for yield. Share prices also fluctuated alongside renewed downward pressure on yields for high-quality assets, due in part to lower sovereign debt yields. The U.S. real estate market posted the best returns of any region, due to significant transaction activity demonstrating improved private market values, strong operating fundamentals, lower interest rates and the strength of the U.S. dollar.

The Fund is composed of three regional portfolios (United States, Europe and Asia) with a top-down global allocation that weights each of the three major regions relative to the benchmark index based on our view of the relative attractiveness of each region in terms of underlying real estate fundamentals and public market valuations. This top-down global allocation detracted from the Fund’s relative performance due to its overweight to Asia and underweight to the U.S. during the period.*

The Asian regional portfolio detracted from relative performance primarily because of stock selection in Japan. However, this negative impact was partially offset by an overweight position in Hong Kong.*

The U.S. and European regional portfolios outperformed the benchmark. In Europe, the Fund benefited from stock selection within and an overweight to the U.K., as well as stock selection in the Netherlands. These positive contributions were partially offset by the negative impact of stock selection in Sweden. In the U.S., the Fund benefited from an underweight to and stock selection within the net lease sector, an overweight to the apartment sector, and stock selection in the mall sector. These positive contributions were partially offset by the negative impact of stock selection in the hotel and health care sectors.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Financial Times London Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”)/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index Series, which is designed to represent general trends in eligible real estate stocks worldwide. Relevant real estate activities are defined as the ownership, disposure and development of income-producing real estate. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide income and capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of the Fund’s assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in equity securities of companies in the real estate industry, including REOCs, REITs, and foreign real estate companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

The performance of investments in real estate depends on the overall strength of the real estate market, the management of real estate investments trusts (REITs), REOCs, and foreign real estate companies, and property management, all of which can be affected by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/06)
 

AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

     13.77     15.03     10.62     3.94

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     15.89     15.89     12.03     4.75

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index (net of withholding taxes)

     15.02     15.06     11.25     4.04

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

     1.29

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.35% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Financial Times London Stock Exchange (“FTSE”) European Public Real Estate Association (“EPRA”)/NAREIT Developed Real Estate Index series, which is designed to represent general trends in eligible real estate stocks worldwide. Relevant real estate activities are defined as the ownership, disposure and development of income-producing real estate. The Index noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Index noted as “net of withholding taxes” reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

  2   


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,024.40          $ 6.58            1.29 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,018.70          $ 6.56            1.29 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

United States

      50.1 %

Japan

      12.7  

Hong Kong

      9.7  

United Kingdom

      6.8  

Australia

      5.5  

France

      2.9  

Singapore

      2.6  

Canada

      2.1  

Bermuda

      1.7  

Germany

      1.3  

All other countries

      4.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      99.4  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      13.2  

Money Market

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      112.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (12.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (99.4%):

  

 

Diversified Real Estate Activities (16.0%):

  

  638,000       CapitaLand, Ltd.    $ 1,585,589  
  56,000       City Developments, Ltd.      432,477  
  171,000       Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.      476,610  
  106,185       Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.      737,156  
  118,303       Kerry Properties, Ltd.      427,456  
  277,000       Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.      5,863,505  
  210,000       Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.      5,649,002  
  244       Mobimo Holding AG, Registered Shares^      48,901  
  868,981       New World Development Co., Ltd.^      994,072  
  99,000       Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.      3,373,043  
  475,544       Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.      7,191,682  
  75,000       Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd.      546,290  
  111,340       UOL Group, Ltd.      584,447  
  292,035       Wharf Holdings, Ltd. (The)      2,097,404  
     

 

 

 
        30,007,634  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified REITs (12.1%):

  

  95       Activia Properties, Inc.      826,394  
  201,356       British Land Co. plc      2,418,609  
  77,099       Cousins Properties, Inc.      880,471  
  21,302       Crombie REIT      236,954  
  72,547       Dexus Property Group      410,133  
  31,121       Duke Realty Corp.      628,644  
  3,615       Fonciere des Regions SA      334,474  
  5,023       Gecina SA      628,596  
  281,843       GPT Group      995,498  
  43,700       Green REIT plc*      67,820  
  124,584       Hibernia REIT plc*      163,124  
  134       Hulic REIT, Inc.      202,648  
  6,623       ICADE      530,268  
  15       Kenedix Office Investment Corp.      84,221  
  132,801       Land Securities Group plc      2,376,031  
  773       Lexington Realty Trust^      8,488  
  27,090       Liberty Property Trust      1,019,397  
  511,154       Mirvac Group      738,030  
  1,166       PS Business Parks, Inc.      92,744  
  13,463       Shaftesbury plc      163,216  
  295,670       Stockland Trust Group      987,463  
  16,512       STORE Capital Corp.^      356,824  
  486       United Urban Investment Corp.      763,505  
  58,051       Vornado Realty Trust      6,833,182  
  7,780       Wereldhave NV      533,918  
  5,740       WP Carey, Inc.^      402,374  
     

 

 

 
        22,683,026  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Facilities (0.1%):

  

  24,050       Extendicare, Inc.^      115,746  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care REITs (3.9%):

  

  36,566       American Realty Capital Healthcare Trust      435,135  
  29,757       HCP, Inc.      1,310,201  
  9,680       Health Care REIT, Inc.      732,486  
  13,936       Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.      380,732  
  5       Nippon Healthcare Investment Corp.*      11,640  
  97,185       Senior Housing Properties Trust      2,148,760  
    
    
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care REITs, continued

  

  32,061       Ventas, Inc.^    $ 2,298,774  
     

 

 

 
        7,317,728  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotel & Resort REITs (4.0%):

  

  25,505       Chesapeake Lodging Trust      949,041  
  277,140       Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.^      6,587,617  
     

 

 

 
        7,536,658  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (2.4%):

  

  12,480       Extended Stay America, Inc.      240,989  
  42,954       Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*      1,120,670  
  11,261       La Quinta Holdings, Inc.*      248,418  
  35,779       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.      2,900,603  
     

 

 

 
        4,510,680  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial REITs (3.2%):

  

  178,000       Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust      319,602  
  5,435       DCT Industrial Trust, Inc.      193,812  
  346       GLP J-REIT      383,478  
  280,852       Macquarie Goodman Group      1,294,402  
  464       Nippon Prologis REIT, Inc.      1,006,087  
  51,804       ProLogis, Inc.      2,229,126  
  20,044       Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.      314,891  
  51,192       SERGO plc      293,408  
     

 

 

 
        6,034,806  
     

 

 

 

 

Office REITs (7.9%):

  

  6,620       Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.      587,459  
  5,279       Alstria Office AG^      65,663  
  361,039       Beni Stabili SpA^      253,516  
  26,850       BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.      578,349  
  29,497       Boston Properties, Inc.      3,795,969  
  16,799       Brookfield Canada Office Properties      389,928  
  68,000       CapitaCommercial Trust      90,035  
  223,000       Champion REIT      103,488  
  9,560       Corporate Office Properties Trust      271,217  
  18,403       Derwent Valley Holdings plc      859,447  
  31,704       Douglas Emmett, Inc.      900,394  
  67,452       Great Portland Estates plc      770,796  
  34,518       Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.      1,037,611  
  252       Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.      1,212,983  
  55,368       Mack-Cali Realty Corp.      1,055,314  
  382       Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp., C Shares      546,683  
  4,498       New York REIT, Inc.^      47,634  
  268       Nippon Building Fund, Inc.      1,342,949  
  305       ORIX JREIT, Inc.^      427,026  
  24,688       Paramount Group, Inc.*      458,950  
  4,246       Workspace Group plc      50,196  
     

 

 

 
        14,845,607  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Development (0.9%):

  

  2,485,087       BGP Holdings plc*(a)(b)       
  53,000       China Resources Land, Ltd.      139,126  
  37,300       Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co., Ltd., H Shares*      238,122  
  235,600       Guangzhou R&F Properties Co., Ltd., H Shares      286,625  
  163       Helical Bar plc      973  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Development, continued

  

  114,500       Keppel DC REIT*    $ 84,299  
  213,418       Sino Land Co., Ltd.      342,604  
  49,543       ST Modwen Properties plc      295,861  
  100,795       Urban & Civic plc*      389,521  
     

 

 

 
        1,777,131  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Operating Companies (10.5%):

  

  3,600       AEON Mall Co., Ltd.      63,672  
  49,438       Atrium European Real Estate, Ltd.      244,591  
  15,512       Atrium Ljungberg AB, B Shares^      228,374  
  65,308       BR Malls Participacoes SA      403,812  
  67,600       BR Properties SA      260,763  
  8,830       BUWOG-Bauen Und Wohnen Gesellschaft mbH      174,976  
  63,256       Capital & Counties Properties plc      356,768  
  562,392       Capital & Regional plc      459,929  
  11,889       Castellum AB      185,580  
  104,929       Citycon Oyj      327,124  
  6,200       Daibiru Corp.^      58,283  
  21,909       Deutsche Annington Immobilien SE^      745,157  
  7,295       Deutsche Euroshop AG      319,414  
  20,582       Deutsche Wohnen AG      488,975  
  23,233       Entra ASA*      237,403  
  14,697       Fabege AB      188,716  
  35,684       First Capital Realty, Inc.^      573,279  
  21,416       Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A*^      456,161  
  14,978       GAGFAH SA*      335,086  
  569,000       Global Logistic Properties, Ltd.      1,064,431  
  177,509       Grainger Trust plc      519,470  
  9,830       Hispania Activos Inmobiliarios SA*      128,169  
  13,000       Hongkong Land Holdings, Ltd.      87,499  
  456,500       Hongkong Land Holdings, Ltd.      3,072,562  
  55,032       Hufvudstaden AB^      714,823  
  50,200       Hulic Co., Ltd.      499,138  
  374,346       Hysan Development Co., Ltd.      1,663,546  
  49,538       Iguatemi Empresa de Shopping Centers SA      458,617  
  104,398       Investa Office Fund      308,281  
  9,309       LEG Immobilien AG      698,290  
  329,899       LXB Retail Properties plc*      705,412  
  72,388       Norwegian Property ASA*      98,166  
  11,500       NTT Urban Development Corp.      115,381  
  44,166       Prime Office AG*      155,594  
  11,510       PSP Swiss Property AG^      991,352  
  355,788       Quintain Estates & Development plc*      527,741  
  68,264       Sponda Oyj      298,944  
  355,850       Swire Properties, Ltd.      1,050,302  
  1,710       Swiss Prime Site AG^      125,332  
  57,129       Unite Group plc      413,888  
     

 

 

 
        19,805,001  
     

 

 

 

 

Residential REITs (10.7%):

  

  114       Advance Residence Investment^      304,450  
  35,566       AvalonBay Communities, Inc.^      5,811,129  
  12,927       Boardwalk REIT^      684,914  
  26,635       Camden Property Trust      1,966,728  
  3,611       Canadian Apartment Properties REIT      78,127  
  22,924       Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.      1,181,732  
Shares or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Residential REITs, continued

  

  106,406       Equity Residential Property Trust    $ 7,644,206  
  5,798       Essex Property Trust, Inc.      1,197,867  
  16,872       Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.      1,260,001  
     

 

 

 
        20,129,154  
     

 

 

 

 

Retail REITs (24.6%):

  

  13,564       Acadia Realty Trust      434,455  
  283       Altarea SCA^      45,159  
  7,299       Calloway REIT      171,556  
  329,000       CapitaMall Trust      506,379  
  10,151       Corio NV      495,336  
  6,960       DDR Corp.^      127,786  
  8,562       Equity One, Inc.      217,132  
  8,006       Eurocommercial Properties NV^      339,573  
  5,977       Federal Realty Investment Trust^      797,690  
  181,052       Federation Centres      421,271  
  13       Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.      59,509  
  148,217       General Growth Properties, Inc.      4,169,344  
  143,811       Hammerson plc      1,343,964  
  275       Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp.      580,026  
  36,530       Kimco Realty Corp.      918,364  
  13,994       Klepierre^      602,695  
  109,561       Liberty International plc      566,493  
  438,215       Link REIT (The)      2,735,773  
  35,405       Macerich Co. (The)^      2,953,131  
  3,761       Mercialys SA      83,883  
  33,113       National Retail Properties, Inc.^      1,303,659  
  13,529       Realty Income Corp.^      645,469  
  44,073       Regency Centers Corp.      2,810,976  
  73,730       RioCan REIT      1,677,731  
  914,071       Scentre Group      2,598,561  
  62,187       Simon Property Group, Inc.      11,324,875  
  242,000       SPH REIT      190,038  
  57,482       Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.      2,124,535  
  12,922       Unibail-Rodamco SE      3,302,310  
  3,220       Vastned Retail NV^      145,448  
  347,852       Westfield Corp.      2,542,601  
     

 

 

 
        46,235,722  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialized REITs (3.1%):

  

  12,450       CubeSmart^      274,772  
  24,347       Public Storage, Inc.      4,500,543  
  78,775       Safestore Holdings, Ltd.      284,710  
  3,206       Sovran Self Storage, Inc.      279,627  
  33,474       Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.^      552,656  
     

 

 

 
        5,892,308  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $127,713,964)

     186,891,201  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (13.2%):

  

$ 24,717,686       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(c)      24,717,686  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $24,717,686)

     24,717,686  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.2%):

  

  416,788       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(d)    $ 416,788  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $416,788)

     416,788  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $152,848,438)(e) — 112.8%

     212,025,675  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (12.8%)

     (24,134,045
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 187,891,630  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $23,698,629.

 

(a) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(c) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(d) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “-” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Australia

    4.9

Austria

    0.1

Belize

    0.1

Bermuda

    1.5

Brazil

    0.4

Canada

    1.9

China

    0.1

Finland

    0.3

France

    2.6

Germany

    1.2

Hong Kong

    8.6

Ireland

    0.1

Italy

    0.1

Japan

    11.3

Jersey

    0.1

Luxembourg

    0.2

Netherlands

    0.7

Norway

    0.2

Singapore

    2.3

Spain

    0.1

Sweden

    0.6

Switzerland

    0.5

United Kingdom

    6.0

United States

    56.1
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 152,848,438  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 212,025,675  

Interest and dividends receivable

       688,798  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $121,622)

       121,358  

Receivable for investments sold

       276,775  

Reclaims receivable

       15,887  

Prepaid expenses

       1,599  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       213,130,092  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       198,911  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       82,221  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       24,717,686  

Manager fees payable

       144,957  

Administration fees payable

       6,702  

Distribution fees payable

       40,266  

Custodian fees payable

       34,611  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       621  

Trustee fees payable

       12  

Other accrued liabilities

       12,475  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       25,238,462  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 187,891,630  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 160,292,215  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       4,542,935  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (36,117,988 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       59,174,468  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 187,891,630  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       16,910,087  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 11.11  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $23,698,629.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 5,800,628  

Income from securities lending

       25,225  

Foreign withholding tax

       (251,704 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       5,574,149  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,696,092  

Administration fees

       77,827  

Distribution fees

       471,136  

Custodian fees

       138,032  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,634  

Trustee fees

       10,166  

Professional fees

       11,125  

Shareholder reports

       11,284  

Other expenses

       5,578  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       2,423,874  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (2,499 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       2,421,375  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       3,152,774  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       9,054,212  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       12,055,284  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       21,109,496  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 24,262,270  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,152,774        $ 2,644,977  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       9,054,212          10,780,862  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       12,055,284          (7,756,047 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       24,262,270          5,669,792  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (1,799,384 )        (7,518,721 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (1,799,384 )        (7,518,721 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       9,900,160          16,327,346  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       1,799,384          7,518,721  

Value of shares redeemed

       (28,066,128 )        (24,042,571 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (16,366,584 )        (196,504 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       6,096,302          (2,045,433 )

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       181,795,328          183,840,761  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 187,891,630        $ 181,795,328  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $
4,542,935
 
     $ (651,973 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       937,179          1,604,545  

Dividends reinvested

       168,324          772,736  

Shares redeemed

       (2,641,321 )        (2,328,893 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,535,818 )        48,388  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 9.86       $ 9.99       $ 7.82       $ 8.99       $ 7.57  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.18         0.16         0.16         0.13         0.23  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.17         0.14         2.16         (1.02 )       1.34  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.35         0.30         2.32         (0.89 )       1.57  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.10 )       (0.43 )       (0.15 )       (0.28 )       (0.15 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.10 )       (0.43 )       (0.15 )       (0.28 )       (0.15 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 11.11       $ 9.86       $ 9.99       $ 7.82       $ 8.99  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       13.77 %       3.02 %       29.86 %       (9.94 )%       20.86 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 187,892       $ 181,795       $ 183,841       $ 168,465       $ 185,485  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.67 %       1.43 %       1.69 %       1.44 %       2.91 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.29 %       1.29 %       1.34 %       1.35 %       1.35 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.28 %       1.29 %       1.34 %       1.35 %       1.34 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.29 %       1.28 %       1.34 %       1.35 %       1.35 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       32 %       29 %       34 %       23 %       27 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $2,524 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (“MSIM”), MSIM provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

         0.90 %          1.35 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntarily waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in

 

11


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,338 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund paid approximately $706 to affiliated broker/dealers of the Subadvisor on the execution of purchases and sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The valuation of these international equity securities may represent a transfer between input levels.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Common Stocks

                           

Diversified Real Estate Activities

       $          $ 30,007,634          $          $ 30,007,634  

Diversified REITs

         10,459,078            12,223,948                       22,683,026  

Industrial REITs

         2,737,829            3,296,977                       6,034,806  

 

12


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total
                             

Office REITs

       $ 9,122,825          $ 5,722,782          $          $ 14,845,607  

Real Estate Development

         322,421            1,454,710            ^          1,777,131  

Real Estate Operating Companies

         4,102,002            15,702,999                       19,805,001  

Residential REITs

         19,824,704            304,450                       20,129,154  

Retail REITs

         29,676,703            16,559,019                       46,235,722  

Specialized REITs

         5,607,598            284,710                       5,892,308  

All Other Common Stocks+

         19,480,812                                  19,480,812  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    24,717,686                       24,717,686  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         416,788                                  416,788  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 101,750,760          $ 110,274,915          $ ^        $ 212,025,675  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.
^ Represents the interest in securities that were determined to have a value of zero at December 31, 2014.

A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures are presented when there are significant

Level 3 investments at the end of the period.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 60,224,626          $ 69,474,655  

6. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.

 

Security      Acquisition
Date(a)
     Acquisition
Cost
     Shares      Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Net Assets
                                    

BGP Holdings plc

         8/21/09          $            2,487,087          $            0.00 %

 

(a) Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security.

7. Investment Risks

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

8. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $165,776,849. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 59,907,711  

Unrealized depreciation

    (13,658,885
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 46,248,826   
 

 

 

 

 

13


AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2017

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 25,142,640  

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $5,673,295 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 1,799,384          $          $ 1,799,384  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 7,518,721          $         —          $ 7,518,721  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund

       $ 6,496,150          $          $ (25,142,640 )        $ 46,245,905          $ 27,599,415  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 7.16% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund returned 0.82%. That compared to a 11.90% total return for its benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Growth Index1.

U.S. stocks delivered a strong performance in the year ended December 31, 2014, driven primarily by investor optimism about the economy. However, the market experienced periodic spikes in volatility during the period in response to a variety of factors. Economic concerns included the weather-related contraction in U.S. growth in the first quarter of 2014, moderation in China, stagnation in Europe, and recession in Japan. Geopolitical uncertainties, including the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the rise of terrorist group the Islamic State, and the Ebola outbreak, also disrupted the market. Nevertheless, the broad market rebounded to new highs following those downturns.

A widespread sell-off in high growth and high valuation multiple stocks began in March and continued through April. We believe the sell-off generally was driven by a broad rotation out of such names, rather than company-specific fundamentals. Although the share prices of several of our portfolio’s holdings took a hit during this downturn, these companies’ fundamentals remained largely robust. Overall, we used the sell-off as an opportunity to increase the portfolio’s quality, and we remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for the companies owned.*

Stock selection was the key driver of the Fund’s underperformance relative to its benchmark. The main detractor was stock selection in the information technology sector, particularly holdings in internet software and services and in software. These stocks were negatively affected by the high growth and high multiple sell-off during the spring.

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors also dampened relative results. Within these sectors, holdings in Internet, and catalog retail, specialty retail, commercial services and machinery lagged.*

Other sectors provided positive contributions. Most notably, the Fund benefited from a significant underweight position in energy, the worst-performing sector during the period. The health care sector performed well during the period. An overweight position and stock selection in the sector added to returns, and the Fund’s top two contributors to overall performance were health care stocks.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell Midcap® Growth Index measures the performance of the mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in common stocks and other equity securities of mid-capitalization growth companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile that other types of securities.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

     0.82     14.93     13.45     9.11

Russell Midcap® Growth Index

     11.90     20.71     16.94     9.43

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

     1.11

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.30% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell Midcap® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,004.90          $ 5.56            1.10 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.66          $ 5.60            1.10 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      32.3 %

Consumer Discretionary

      20.9  

Health Care

      20.2  

Industrials

      10.6  

Consumer Staples

      7.6  

Private Placements

      3.8  

Financials

      2.5  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Private Placements

      97.9  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      27.7  

Money Market

      2.3  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      127.9  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (27.9 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (94.1%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.6%):

  

  61,547       TransDigm Group, Inc.    $ 12,084,753  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (3.6%):

  

  76,571       Tesla Motors, Inc.*^      17,030,156  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.0%):

  

  43,836       Monster Beverage Corp.*      4,749,631  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (1.6%):

  

  27,086       Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      2,627,342  
  3,171       Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      494,676  
  226,756       Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      3,473,902  
  34,041       Seattle Genetics, Inc.*^      1,093,737  
     

 

 

 
        7,689,657  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.1%):

  

  38,410       Stericycle, Inc.*^      5,034,783  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.0%):

  

  39,148       Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*^      4,798,370  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (2.5%):

  

  249,747       MSCI, Inc., Class A^      11,847,998  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.5%):

  

  46,273       Solarcity Corp.*^      2,474,680  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (6.6%):

  

  101,843       Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.^      13,483,504  
  176,788       Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.      17,774,266  
     

 

 

 
        31,257,770  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (5.1%):

  

  45,020       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*^      23,812,879  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (3.6%):

  

  116,496       athenahealth, Inc.*^      16,973,467  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (5.9%):

  

  3,522       Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      2,410,844  
  85,545       Ctrip.com International, ADR*      3,892,298  
  250,289       Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.^      10,674,826  
  62,501       Panera Bread Co., Class A*^      10,925,175  
     

 

 

 
        27,903,143  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (3.3%):

  

  398,397       Groupon, Inc.*^      3,290,759  
  65,818       TripAdvisor, Inc.*^      4,913,972  
  101,642       Zalando SE*^      3,122,667  
  169,844       zulily, Inc., Class A*^      3,974,350  
     

 

 

 
        15,301,748  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (14.1%):

  

  113,381       Autohome, Inc., ADR*      4,122,533  
  72,387       LendingClub Corp.*      1,831,391  
  105,199       LinkedIn Corp., Class A*^      24,165,262  
  27,560       MercadoLibre, Inc.^      3,518,585  
  440,628       Twitter, Inc.*      15,805,326  
  43,349       Yelp, Inc.*^      2,372,491  
  226,179       Youku.com, Inc., ADR*^      4,028,247  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Internet Software & Services, continued

  

  105,142       Zillow, Inc., Class A*^    $ 11,133,486  
     

 

 

 
        66,977,321  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (5.0%):

  

  79,099       FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*^      11,762,812  
  138,791       Gartner, Inc.*^      11,687,590  
     

 

 

 
        23,450,402  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (5.6%):

  

  143,002       Illumina, Inc.*^      26,395,309  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.7%):

  

  159,474       Colfax Corp.*^      8,224,074  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.7%):

  

  146,408       McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)      13,027,384  
  240,431       Pandora Media, Inc.*^      4,286,885  
     

 

 

 
        17,314,269  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (4.3%):

  

  182,399       Endo International plc*^      13,154,616  
  12,198       Pharmacyclics, Inc.*^      1,491,327  
  125,905       Zoetis, Inc.      5,417,693  
     

 

 

 
        20,063,636  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (4.7%):

  

  90,348       IHS, Inc., Class A*      10,288,830  
  182,399       Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A*^      11,682,656  
     

 

 

 
        21,971,486  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (11.3%):

  

  261,620       FireEye, Inc.*^      8,261,960  
  43,535       NetSuite, Inc.*^      4,752,716  
  97,964       ServiceNow, Inc.*^      6,646,857  
  243,858       Splunk, Inc.*^      14,375,428  
  36,284       Tableau Software, Inc., Class A*^      3,075,432  
  175,050       Workday, Inc., Class A*^      14,285,831  
  618,353       Zynga, Inc.*^      1,644,819  
     

 

 

 
        53,043,043  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.9%):

  

  68,926       3D Systems Corp.*      2,265,598  
  23,744       Stratasys, Ltd.*^      1,973,364  
     

 

 

 
        4,238,962  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (4.4%):

  

  106,033       Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*^      5,915,581  
  162,136       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*^      12,176,414  
  36,544       Under Armour, Inc., Class A*^      2,481,338  
     

 

 

 
        20,573,333  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $352,527,720)

     443,210,870  
     

 

 

 

 

Private Placements (3.8%):

  

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (1.0%):

  

  37,815       Flipkart, Preferred(a)(b)      4,528,724  
  33,446       Peixe Urbano, Inc.*(a)(b)      14,382  
     

 

 

 
        4,543,106  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Private Placements, continued

  

 

Internet Software & Services (2.8%):

  

  76,914       Airbnb, Inc., Series D Preferred(a)(b)    $ 3,877,235  
  245,606       Dropbox, Inc.*(a)(b)      4,691,370  
  229,712       Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series G Preferred*(a)(b)      1,842,290  
  67,672       Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H Preferred(a)(b)      542,729  
  67,672       Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H-1 Preferred(a)(b)      542,729  
  116,948       Survey Monkey*(a)(b)      1,923,795  
     

 

 

 
        13,420,148  
     

 

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.0%):

  

  818,433       Better Place LLC, Preferred (a)(b)       
     

 

 

 

 

Total Private Placements (Cost $12,470,580)

     17,963,254  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (27.7%):

  

$ 130,546,629       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(c)    $ 130,546,629  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $130,546,629)

     130,546,629  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (2.3%):

  

  10,619,439       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(d)      10,619,439  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $10,619,439)

     10,619,439  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $506,164,368)(e) — 127.9%

     602,340,192  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (27.9)%

     (131,243,184
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 471,097,008  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $127,060,868.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 3.81% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(b) Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 3.81% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(c) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(d) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “—” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 506,164,368  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 602,340,192  

Interest and dividends receivable

       122,929  

Prepaid expenses

       3,995  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       602,467,116  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       360,920  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       130,546,629  

Manager fees payable

       320,515  

Administration fees payable

       10,752  

Distribution fees payable

       100,310  

Custodian fees payable

       7,299  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,115  

Trustee fees payable

       22  

Other accrued liabilities

       22,546  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       131,370,108  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 471,097,008  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 311,535,200  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

        

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       63,385,984  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       96,175,824  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 471,097,008  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       27,816,034  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 16.94  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $127,060,868.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 2,805,210  

Income from securities lending

       699,887  

Foreign withholding tax

       (91,482 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       3,413,615  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,970,942  

Administration fees

       132,925  

Distribution fees

       1,245,485  

Custodian fees

       32,214  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       6,412  

Trustee fees

       24,903  

Professional fees

       26,018  

Shareholder reports

       28,059  

Other expenses

       12,067  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       5,479,025  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (343 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       5,478,682  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (2,065,067 )
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       65,527,998  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (59,837,454 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       5,690,544  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 3,625,477  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ (2,065,067 )      $ (1,529,697 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       65,527,998          47,723,542  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (59,837,454 )        108,417,382  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       3,625,477          154,611,227  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

                (2,302,379 )

From net realized gains

       (45,641,605 )        (12,984,446 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (45,641,605 )        (15,286,825 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       19,882,292          36,881,920  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       45,641,605          15,286,825  

Value of shares redeemed

       (86,164,729 )        (71,515,789 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (20,640,832 )        (19,347,044 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (62,656,960 )        119,977,358  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       533,753,968          413,776,610  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 471,097,008        $ 533,753,968  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $        $ (311 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       1,108,483          2,267,067  

Dividends reinvested

       2,636,719          912,102  

Shares redeemed

       (4,815,902 )        (4,434,151 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,070,700 )        (1,254,982 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

 

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 18.48       $ 13.73       $ 13.32       $ 14.31       $ 10.80  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.07 )       (0.05 )       0.08         (0.04 )       0.01  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.26         5.34         1.02         (0.90 )       3.50  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.19         5.29         1.10         (0.94 )       3.51  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

               (0.08 )               (0.05 )        

Net Realized Gains

       (1.73 )       (0.46 )       (0.69 )                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (1.73 )       (0.54 )       (0.69 )       (0.05 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 16.94       $ 18.48       $ 13.73       $ 13.32       $ 14.31  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       0.82 %       38.94 %       8.36 %       (6.57 )%       32.50 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 471,097       $ 533,754       $ 413,777       $ 375,663       $ 456,423  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.41 )%       (0.32 )%       0.62 %       (0.20 )%       0.07 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.13 %       1.14 %       1.15 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.10 %       1.10 %       1.12 %       1.12 %       1.09 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.10 %       1.11 %       1.13 %       1.13 %       1.10 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       46 %       49 %       32 %       32 %       42 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when

 

9


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $66.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $69,210 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (“MSIM”), MSIM provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

         0.85 %          1.30 %

 

* The fees payable to the Manager are based on a tiered structure for various net assets levels as follows: the first $100 million at 0.85%, the next $150 million at 0.80%, the next $250 million at 0.775% and above $500 million at 0.75%.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

 

10


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $6,313 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total
                     

Common Stocks

                   

Internet & Catalog Retail

     $ 12,179,081        $ 3,122,667        $        $ 15,301,748  

All Other Common Stocks+

       427,909,122                            427,909,122  

Private Placements+

                         17,963,254          17,963,254  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                130,546,629                   130,546,629  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

       10,619,439                            10,619,439  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

     $ 450,707,642        $ 133,669,296        $ 17,963,254        $ 602,340,192  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

11


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 
Type of Assets   Fair Value at
December 31, 2014
    Valuation Basis at
December 31, 2014
  Valuation Technique(s)  

Unobservable

input(s)

  Range     Weighted
Average/
Selected Value
 

Investment Securities:

           
Private Placements:            

Internet & Catalog Retail Flipkart, Preferred

  $   4,528,724      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction of Preferred Stock   $ 119.76      $ 119.76   

Peixe Urbano, Inc.

    14,382      Market Approach   Asset Approach   Net Tangible Assets   $ 0.43      $ 0.43   

Internet Software & Services
Airbnb, Inc., Series D Preferred

    3,877,235      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction   $ 50.41      $ 50.41   

Dropbox, Inc.

    4,691,370      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction of Preferred Stock   $ 19.10      $ 19.10   

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H-1 Preferred

    542,729      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction of Preferred Stock   $ 8.89      $ 8.89   
      Discounted Cash Flow   Weighted Average Cost of Capital     16%-18%        17
        Perpetual Growth Rate     2.5%-3.5%        3
      Market Comparable Companies   Enterprise Value/Revenue     10.2x-13.1x        11.2x   
        Discount for Lack of Marketability     15%        15

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H Preferred

    542,729      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction of Preferred Stock   $ 8.89      $ 8.89   
      Discounted Cash Flow   Weighted Average Cost of Capital     16%-18%        17
        Perpetual Growth Rate     2.5%-3.5%        3
      Market Comparable Companies   Enterprise Value/Revenue     10.2x-13.1x        11.2x   
        Discount for Lack of Marketability     15%        15

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series G

    1,842,290      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction of Preferred Stock   $ 8.89      $ 8.89   
      Discounted Cash Flow   Weighted Average Cost of Capital     16%-18%        17
        Perpetual Growth Rate     2.5%-3.5%        3
      Market Comparable Companies   Enterprise Value/Revenue     10.2x-13.1x        11.2x   
        Discount for Lack of Marketability     15%        15

Survey Monkey

    1,923,795      Market Approach   Market Transaction
Method
  Precedent Transaction   $ 16.45      $ 16.45   
 

 

 

           
Total Investment Securities     $17,963,254             
 

 

 

           

 

12


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

        Private Placements

Balance as of December 31, 2013

       $ 5,592,280  

Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation*

         7,315,777  

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

          

Gross Purchases

         5,055,197  

Gross Sales

          
      

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2014

       $ 17,963,254  
      

 

 

 

 

* The noted amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation relate to the fair value of Level 3 assets held on December 31, 2014.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 225,371,158          $ 288,351,791  

6. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.

 

Security      Acquisition
Date(a)
     Acquisition
Cost
     Shares      Fair
Value
     Percentage of
Net Assets
                                    

Airbnb, Inc., Series D Preferred

         4/16/14          $ 3,131,402            76,914          $ 3,877,235            0.82 %

Better Place LLC, Preferred

         1/25/10            2,046,081            818,433                       %

Dropbox, Inc.

         5/1/12            2,222,513            245,606            4,691,370            1.00 %

Flipkart, Preferred

         10/4/13            867,741            37,815            4,528,724            0.95 %

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series G Preferred

         7/19/12            702,919            229,712            1,842,290            0.39 %

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H Preferred

         10/25/13            237,529            67,672            542,729            0.12 %

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series H-1 Preferred

         10/25/13            237,529            67,672            542,729            0.12 %

Peixe Urbano, Inc.

         12/2/11            1,101,072            33,446            14,382            0.00 %

Survey Monkey

         11/25/14            1,923,795            116,948            1,923,795            0.41 %

 

(a) Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security.

7. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

8. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $511,634,434. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 126,070,346  

Unrealized depreciation

    (35,364,588
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 90,705,758   
 

 

 

 

 

13


AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
    

Total

Distributions(a)

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 7,571,845          $ 38,069,760          $ 45,641,605  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
    

Total

Distributions(a)

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 2,302,379          $ 12,984,446          $ 15,286,825  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
    

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)(a)

     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund

       $ 882,844          $ 67,973,206          $          $ 90,705,758          $ 159,561,808  

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 24.99% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $38,069,760.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $7,571,845.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


 

Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® NFJ International Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 14

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 15

Other Information

Page 16

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 17

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 20

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® NFJ International Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® NFJ International Value Fund and NFJ Investment Group LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014 the AZL® NFJ International Value Fund returned -5.26%. That compared to a -4.48% and -3.44% total return for its benchmarks the MSCI EAFE Index1 and the MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index2.

International equity markets performed relatively well during the first half of the period, but those gains disappeared in the period’s second half. Investors responded negatively to several factors, including persistent weakness in global economies outside the U.S., and geopolitical issues such as Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. Several central banks—including in Europe, Japan and China—adopted aggressive easing policies to spur economic growth. International stocks lagged their U.S. counterparts during the period. Developed international markets underperformed emerging markets, though negative currency impacts during the period eroded stock returns in many emerging markets.

Toward the end of the period, a sizable drop in oil prices led to poor performance among many of the benchmark’s economic sectors. Just three out of 10 sectors recorded a positive return during the 12-month period. Energy was the worst performing sector, falling nearly 19%. By contrast, health care stocks gained nearly 8%.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark due to negative sector allocation and, to a lesser degree, negative regional allocations. The portfolio’s bottom-up stock selection somewhat offset that negative performance. By region, individual stock selection in the U.K. helped performance, but those results were countered by an overweight position in the U.K., which hurt results. Stock selection in Asia/Pacific and emerging markets detracted from relative performance. Overweight positions in North America and emerging markets benefited results while an underweight in Japan dragged on relative results.*

An overweight position in the energy sector hurt the Fund’s relative returns as many stocks in the sector performed poorly in the wake of declining oil prices. We believed valuations remained compelling despite falling commodity prices, and remained committed to our investment process of targeting deep value names.*

Individual stock selection in the consumer staples and utilities sectors dampened results. Holdings in the health care sector contributed to relative results, as did stock selection and an underweight position in the consumer discretionary sector. The Fund also benefited from an overweight in the utilities sector.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.
2  The MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index captures large- and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed markets countries (excluding the US) and 23 emerging markets countries.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® NFJ International Value Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital and income. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 65% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of non-U.S. companies with market capitalizations greater than $1 billion.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/09)
 

AZL® NFJ International Value Fund

     -5.26     8.44     4.49     9.89

MSCI EAFE Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -4.48     11.56     5.81     10.97

MSCI EAFE Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -4.90     11.06     5.33     10.48

MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index (gross of withholding taxes)

     -3.44     9.49     4.89     10.62

MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index (net of withholding taxes)

     -3.87     8.99     4.43     10.14

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® NFJ International Value Fund

     1.23

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.45% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index and the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index Ex-US (“MSCI ACWI Ex-US”) Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. The MSCI ACWI Ex-US Index is unmanaged and captures large- and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed markets countries (excluding the US) and 23 emerging markets countries. The Indexes noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Indexes noted as “net of withholding taxes” reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL NFJ International Value Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 905.90          $ 5.96            1.24 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,018.95          $ 6.31            1.24 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Financials

      31.7 %

Consumer Discretionary

      12.5  

Energy

      11.1  

Industrials

      8.3  

Materials

      7.5  

Information Technology

      7.0  

Consumer Staples

      6.2  

Health Care

      5.1  

Telecommunication Services

      3.9  

Utilities

      3.4  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Preferred Stock

      96.7  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      9.8  

Money Market

      3.5  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      110.0  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (10.0 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (94.6%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.3%):

  

  113,950       BAE Systems plc, ADR^    $ 3,322,212  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (1.2%):

  

  16,600       Magna International, Inc., ADR      1,804,254  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (3.3%):

  

  243,450       Isuzu Motors, Ltd.      2,970,740  
  45,000       Tata Motors, Ltd., ADR      1,902,600  
     

 

 

 
        4,873,340  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (20.0%):

  

  101,400       Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd., ADR^      2,636,400  
  213,170       Banco Bradesco SA, ADR      2,850,083  
  1,810,700       Bank Rakyat Indonesia      1,686,734  
  494,500       Barclays plc      1,858,846  
  951,100       BOC Hong Kong Holdings, Ltd.      3,166,945  
  4,022,000       China Construction Bank      3,273,779  
  69,298       DnB NOR ASA      1,022,455  
  438,839       HSBC Holdings plc      4,146,730  
  1,526,000       Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.      2,564,564  
  61,100       Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)^      2,919,358  
  84,800       United Overseas Bank, Ltd., ADR      3,135,056  
     

 

 

 
        29,260,950  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.6%):

  

  30,400       Carlsberg A/S, Class B      2,361,172  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.5%):

  

  141,400       Israel Chemicals, Ltd.      1,021,563  
  26,900       Methanex Corp.      1,232,827  
     

 

 

 
        2,254,390  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (2.2%):

  

  870,000       Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd.^      3,244,893  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (1.1%):

  

  69,797       Smurfit Kappa Group plc      1,567,140  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.0%):

  

  20,800       Deutsche Boerse AG      1,490,435  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.9%):

  

  66,200       Telenor ASA      1,335,729  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (1.6%):

  

  174,700       Companhia Paranaense de Energia, ADR^      2,300,799  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (2.2%):

  

  439,800       Hitachi, Ltd.      3,218,667  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.8%):

  

  18,736       Technip-Coflexip SA      1,118,663  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.5%):

  

  6,447,500       Golden Agri-Resources, Ltd.      2,236,582  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (2.2%):

  

  133,115       Persimmon plc      3,255,850  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.9%):

  

  61,300       Svenska Cellulosa AB, ADR      1,317,337  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Industrial Conglomerates (3.2%):

  

  62,460       Koc Holding AS, ADR    $ 1,648,319  
  27,300       Siemens AG, Registered Shares      3,095,732  
     

 

 

 
        4,744,051  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (8.8%):

  

  62,900       Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd.      3,213,561  
  173,800       Manulife Financial Corp.^      3,317,842  
  17,700       RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.      1,720,794  
  147,100       Zurich Insurance Group AG, ADR^      4,589,520  
     

 

 

 
        12,841,717  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.3%):

  

  27,100       Cap Gemini SA      1,930,050  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.0%):

  

  67,600       Komatsu, Ltd.      1,498,911  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.1%):

  

  113,121       Sky plc      1,574,250  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (2.7%):

  

  54,400       Rio Tinto plc, Registered Shares, ADR^      2,505,664  
  171,900       Vale SA, ADR      1,406,142  
     

 

 

 
        3,911,806  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (2.2%):

  

  216,250       Marks & Spencer Group plc, ADR      3,183,200  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (1.6%):

  

  555,900       Centrica plc      2,392,277  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (10.3%):

  

  1,067,418       Beach Energy, Ltd.      913,062  
  3,668,695       China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), H Shares      2,970,544  
  49,700       LUKOIL, ADR      1,905,995  
  61,000       Royal Dutch Shell plc, ADR      4,083,950  
  86,400       Sasol, Ltd., ADR      3,280,608  
  114,900       Statoil ASA, ADR^      2,023,389  
     

 

 

 
        15,177,548  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (5.1%):

  

  31,000       Sanofi-Aventis SA      2,824,878  
  80,700       Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., ADR      4,641,057  
     

 

 

 
        7,465,935  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (1.9%):

  

  170,000       Cheung Kong Holdings, Ltd.      2,836,967  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.2%):

  

  80,900       Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR      1,810,542  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (2.3%):

  

  28,700       Open Text Corp.      1,672,062  
  62,469       Sage Group plc (The), ADR      1,799,357  
     

 

 

 
        3,471,419  
     

 

 

 

 

Textile, Apparel, & Luxury Goods (0.4%):

  

  565,000       Belle International Holdings, Ltd.      632,581  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Tobacco (2.2%):

  

  74,700       Imperial Tobacco Group plc    $ 3,270,945  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.8%):

  

  9,600       Mitsui & Co., Ltd., ADR^      2,575,152  
     

 

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.2%):

  

  49,300       Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR      310,097  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (3.0%):

  

  59,600       America Movil SAB de C.V., Series L, ADR      1,321,928  
  267,800       China Mobile, Ltd.      3,146,360  
     

 

 

 
        4,468,288  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $130,093,709)

     139,058,149  
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock (2.1%):

  

 

Automobiles (2.1%):

  

  13,700       Volkswagen AG, Preferred Shares      3,059,832  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stock (Cost $2,807,254)

     3,059,832  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (9.8%):

  
$ 14,460,071       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 14,460,071  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $14,460,071)

     14,460,071  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.5%):

  

  5,200,597       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      5,200,597  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $5,200,597)

     5,200,597  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $152,561,631)(c) — 110.0%

     161,778,649  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (10.0)%

     (14,725,126
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 147,053,523  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $13,955,945.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country    Percentage  

Australia

     2.2

Bermuda

     3.1

Brazil

     4.2

Canada

     6.8

Cayman Islands

     0.4

China

     5.9

Denmark

     1.5

France

     3.6

Germany

     4.7

Hong Kong

     5.7

India

     1.2

Indonesia

     1.0

Ireland

     1.0
Country    Percentage  

Israel

     3.5

Japan

     7.9

Mexico

     0.8

Norway

     2.7

Russian Federation

     1.2

Singapore

     3.3

South Africa

     2.0

Sweden

     0.8

Switzerland

     2.8

Taiwan

     1.1

Turkey

     1.0

United Kingdom

     19.5

United States

     12.1
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 152,561,631  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 161,778,649  

Cash

       10,849  

Interest and dividends receivable

       181,281  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $44,525)

       44,565  

Receivable for investments sold

       247,554  

Reclaims receivable

       20,793  

Prepaid expenses

       1,260  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       162,284,951  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       611,903  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       33  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       14,460,071  

Manager fees payable

       112,419  

Administration fees payable

       4,508  

Distribution fees payable

       31,227  

Custodian fees payable

       7,694  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       331  

Trustee fees payable

       7  

Other accrued liabilities

       3,235  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       15,231,428  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 147,053,523  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 133,757,745  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       3,594,495  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       484,438  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       9,216,845  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 147,053,523  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       12,780,800  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 11.51  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $13,955,945.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 5,552,184  

Income from securities lending

       274,791  

Foreign withholding tax

       (294,787 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       5,532,188  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,388,712  

Administration fees

       62,923  

Distribution fees

       385,753  

Custodian fees

       44,686  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,384  

Trustee fees

       9,392  

Professional fees

       10,524  

Shareholder reports

       2,227  

Other expenses

       4,042  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       1,910,643  

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (2,842 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       1,907,801  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       3,624,387  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       804,278  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (12,424,092 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (11,619,814 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ (7,995,427 )
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL NFJ International Value Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,624,387        $ 2,981,508  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       804,278          6,282,759  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (12,424,092 )        6,577,956  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       (7,995,427 )        15,842,223  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (2,966,257 )        (2,500,966 )

From net realized gains

       (6,108,872 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (9,075,129 )        (2,500,966 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       10,293,690          3,928,804  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       9,075,129          2,500,966  

Value of shares redeemed

       (6,341,230 )        (3,831,032 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       13,027,589          2,598,738  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (4,042,967 )        15,939,995  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       151,096,490          135,156,495  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 147,053,523        $ 151,096,490  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,594,495        $ 2,963,987  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       809,014          326,579  

Dividends reinvested

       720,248          204,997  

Shares redeemed

       (481,517 )        (314,593 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       1,047,745          216,983  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 12.88       $ 11.74       $ 12.14       $ 14.65       $ 13.70  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.28         0.25         0.19         0.53         0.15  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.89 )       1.11         2.14         (2.13 )       1.15  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (0.61 )       1.36         2.33         (1.60 )       1.30  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.25 )       (0.22 )       (0.35 )       (0.36 )       (0.09 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.51 )               (2.38 )       (0.55 )       (0.26 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.76 )       (0.22 )       (2.73 )       (0.91 )       (0.35 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 11.51       $ 12.88       $ 11.74       $ 12.14       $ 14.65  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       (5.26 )%       11.66 %       20.55 %       (10.92 )%       9.67 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 147,054       $ 151,096       $ 135,156       $ 92,191       $ 167,175  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2.35 %       2.10 %       2.25 %       2.45 %       2.01 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.24 %       1.23 %       1.25 %       1.24 %       1.21 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.24 %       1.22 %       1.24 %       1.17 %       1.10 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(c)

       1.24 %       1.23 %       1.25 %       1.19 %       1.11 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       20 %       24 %       21 %       43 %       29 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL NFJ International Value Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

9


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $27,187 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an affiliated money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with NFJ Investment Group LLC (“NFJ”), NFJ provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

         0.90 %          1.45 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the

 

10


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $1,918 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

11


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    

Common Stocks

                    

Aerospace & Defense

       $   3,322,212          $          $ 3,322,212  

Auto Components

         1,804,254                       1,804,254  

Automobiles

         1,902,600            2,970,740            4,873,340  

Banks

         11,540,897            17,720,053            29,260,950  

Chemicals

         1,232,827            1,021,563            2,254,390  

Electric Utilities

         2,300,799                       2,300,799  

Household Products

         1,317,337                       1,317,337  

Industrial Conglomerates

         1,648,319            3,095,732            4,744,051  

Insurance

         12,841,717                       12,841,717  

Metals & Mining

         3,911,806                       3,911,806  

Multiline Retail

         3,183,200                       3,183,200  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

         11,293,942            3,883,606            15,177,548  

Pharmaceuticals

         4,641,057            2,824,878            7,465,935  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

         1,810,542                       1,810,542  

Software

         3,471,419                       3,471,419  

Trading Companies & Distributors

         2,575,152                       2,575,152  

Water Utilities

         310,097                       310,097  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

         1,321,928            3,146,360            4,468,288  

All Other Common Stocks+

                    33,965,112            33,965,112  

Preferred Stock

                    3,059,832            3,059,832  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    14,460,071            14,460,071  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         5,200,597                       5,200,597  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 75,630,702          $ 86,147,947          $ 161,778,649  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 40,006,108          $ 30,476,774  

6. Investment Risks

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

 

12


AZL NFJ International Value Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $152,748,399. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 19,993,507   

Unrealized depreciation

    (10,963,257
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 9,030,250   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 2,966,257          $ 6,108,872          $ 9,075,129  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 2,500,966          $          $ 2,500,966  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL NFJ International Value Fund

       $ 3,594,496          $ 671,205          $          $ 9,030,077          $ 13,295,778  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Ownership and Principal Holders

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2 (a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had an individual shareholder account which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser representing ownership in excess of 50% of the Fund.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL NFJ International Value Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

14


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $6,108,872.

 

15


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

16


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

17


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

18


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

19


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

20


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

 

21


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 14

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 15

Other Information

Page 16

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 17

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 20

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund and Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund returned -2.30%. That compared to a 5.60% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index1.

Global equity markets were volatile for the one-year reporting period. U.S. equities were among the top performing asset classes, outperforming foreign equities, including those domiciled in Europe, Japan and emerging markets. In the United States, the Federal Reserve began tapering its most recent quantitative easing (QE) program in January 2014 and completed the process in October.

The U.S. equity market faced volatility early in 2014 due to weak first quarter economic data. However, the market generally produced positive results and ended the reporting period at record levels. Economic data in the U.S., such as gross domestic product2 growth, proved positive in the second and third quarters. Meanwhile, the positive data points that had emerged in Europe in 2013 largely reversed themselves later in the reporting period. The European Central Bank came under even greater pressure to provide a credible plan to avoid deflation, and adopted many policies designed to stimulate growth. In Japan, a massive QE program yielded less than impressive results. Emerging markets’ economic growth was mixed, as regions including Eastern Europe and the Middle East remained burdened by geopolitical turmoil.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark, primarily due to weaker relative stock selection in the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. The investment environment changed significantly during the reporting period. Though high-quality growth companies continued to outperform the broader market in early 2014, by March the tone of the market changed abruptly as companies with larger market capitalizations and lower valuations began to outperform smaller companies with higher valuations. The Fund’s investment style favors

high-quality, high-growth companies that often have above average valuations, and it underperformed meaningfully from mid-March to mid-May despite little or no change to the underlying fundamentals of the companies it owns. The Fund’s top detractors included a learning and talent management software solution vendor, which reported less revenue and earnings per share than expected, and a 3D printer maker, which issued earnings per share guidance that was below estimates due to higher-than-expected operating expenses and share count.*

The Fund’s relative performance benefited from its holdings in an independent energy exploration and production company, which rallied following an announcement that it would be acquired. The successful initial public offering of a company that makes wearable cameras, and the Fund’s subsequent exit, also helped boost relative returns.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
2  Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory.
 

 

1


AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, investments in common stocks and other equity securities of U.S. small-capitalization companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile that other types of securities.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/29/05)
 

AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

     -2.30     18.36     15.11     7.40

Russell 2000® Growth Index

     5.60     20.14     16.80     10.39

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

     1.16

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.35% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 2000® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,027.20          $ 5.93            1.16 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,019.36          $ 5.90            1.16 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      24.8 %

Health Care

      23.3  

Industrials

      18.2  

Consumer Discretionary

      18.0  

Financials

      8.1  

Consumer Staples

      3.1  

Materials

      1.5  

Energy

      1.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      98.2  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      28.2  

Money Market

      1.4  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      127.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (27.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (98.2%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.0%):

  

  43,690       Curtiss-Wright Corp.^    $ 3,084,077  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (2.1%):

  

  29,267       Allegiant Travel Co.^      4,399,708  
  46,990       Virgin America, Inc.*^      2,032,318  
     

 

 

 
        6,432,026  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.5%):

  

  40,510       Gentherm, Inc.*^      1,483,476  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (4.6%):

  

  120,360       Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.^      4,564,051  
  81,440       PrivateBancorp, Inc.      2,720,096  
  26,100       Signature Bank*      3,287,556  
  128,540       Western Alliance BanCorp*^      3,573,412  
     

 

 

 
        14,145,115  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.8%):

  

  8,650       Boston Beer Co., Inc. (The), Class A*^      2,504,521  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (3.2%):

  

  24,310       Bluebird Bio, Inc.*^      2,229,713  
  36,100       Cepheid, Inc.*^      1,954,454  
  47,800       Exact Sciences Corp.*^      1,311,632  
  5,560       Juno Therapeutics, Inc.*      290,343  
  21,080       NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      754,032  
  35,340       PTC Therapeutics, Inc.*^      1,829,552  
  34,380       Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.*^      1,508,594  
     

 

 

 
        9,878,320  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (2.5%):

  

  80,330       A.O. Smith Corp.      4,531,415  
  33,200       Lennox International, Inc.^      3,156,324  
     

 

 

 
        7,687,739  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.6%):

  

  24,560       Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A^      1,286,207  
  59,814       HFF, Inc., Class A      2,148,519  
  26,360       Piper Jaffray Cos., Inc.*      1,531,252  
     

 

 

 
        4,965,978  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.3%):

  

  99,650       Mobile Mini, Inc.^      4,036,822  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (1.0%):

  

  51,910       CaesarStone Sdot-Yam, Ltd.      3,105,256  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.5%):

  

  49,520       Berry Plastics Group, Inc.*^      1,562,356  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (2.7%):

  

  83,544       Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.*^      3,927,403  
  39,500       Grand Canyon Education, Inc.*^      1,843,070  
  141,400       Lifelock, Inc.*^      2,617,314  
     

 

 

 
        8,387,787  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.2%):

  

  104,250       Methode Electronics, Inc.      3,806,168  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.4%):

  

  64,253       Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.*^      1,331,965  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Food Products (2.3%):

  

  60,500       Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*^    $ 3,526,544  
  26,858       J & J Snack Foods Corp.      2,921,345  
  39,122       SunOpta, Inc.*      463,596  
     

 

 

 
        6,911,485  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (6.8%):

  

  48,170       Cantel Medical Corp.^      2,083,834  
  67,430       Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.*      2,028,294  
  88,868       Dexcom, Inc.*^      4,892,184  
  38,130       Insulet Corp.*^      1,756,268  
  140,950       Spectranetics Corp. (The)*^      4,874,051  
  42,100       STERIS Corp.^      2,730,185  
  49,660       West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.      2,643,898  
     

 

 

 
        21,008,714  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (9.5%):

  

  85,540       Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*^      5,235,903  
  43,610       Centene Corp.*^      4,528,899  
  79,460       ExamWorks Group, Inc.*^      3,304,741  
  40,330       HealthEquity, Inc.*^      1,026,399  
  53,656       LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.*      3,858,403  
  9,090       MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.*^      1,544,482  
  107,910       Team Health Holdings, Inc.*      6,208,063  
  64,900       VCA Antech, Inc.*^      3,165,173  
     

 

 

 
        28,872,063  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.7%):

  

  66,140       Omnicell, Inc.*      2,190,557  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (7.1%):

  

  27,990       Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.*^      5,048,836  
  68,770       Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.*^      4,181,216  
  12,270       Habit Restaurants, Inc. (The), Class A*^      396,935  
  51,530       Jack in the Box, Inc.      4,120,339  
  141,670       La Quinta Holdings, Inc.*^      3,125,240  
  49,210       Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.*^      2,769,047  
  65,790       Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.*^      1,967,779  
     

 

 

 
        21,609,392  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.8%):

  

  32,280       HSN, Inc.^      2,453,280  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (2.4%):

  

  38,600       Demandware, Inc.*^      2,221,044  
  66,470       GrubHub, Inc.*^      2,414,190  
  3,640       New Relic, Inc.*      126,818  
  36,830       Shutterstock, Inc.*^      2,544,953  
     

 

 

 
        7,307,005  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.7%):

  

  42,860       ICON plc*      2,185,431  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (4.8%):

  

  25,670       Greenbrier Companies, Inc.^      1,379,249  
  64,350       Middleby Corp. (The)*      6,377,085  
  16,680       Proto Labs, Inc.*^      1,120,229  
  63,410       Wabtec Corp.^      5,509,695  
     

 

 

 
        14,386,258  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media (0.4%):

  

  18,810       Rentrak Corp.*^    $ 1,369,744  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.5%):

  

  82,260       Burlington Stores, Inc.*^      3,887,608  
  36,700       Tuesday Morning Corp.*^      796,390  
     

 

 

 
        4,683,998  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.8%):

  

  27,940       Diamondback Energy, Inc.*^      1,670,253  
  41,280       Matador Resources Co.*^      835,094  
     

 

 

 
        2,505,347  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (2.4%):

  

  122,930       Akorn, Inc.*^      4,450,066  
  48,160       Biodelivery Sciences International, Inc.*^      578,883  
  26,980       Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      2,392,047  
     

 

 

 
        7,420,996  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (3.0%):

  

  33,080       CoStar Group, Inc.*^      6,074,480  
  47,000       Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*^      3,214,330  
     

 

 

 
        9,288,810  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.0%):

  

  66,349       Pebblebrook Hotel Trust^      3,027,505  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (2.8%):

  

  92,500       Knight Transportation, Inc.^      3,113,550  
  43,010       Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*^      3,339,296  
  40,980       Saia, Inc.*^      2,268,653  
     

 

 

 
        8,721,499  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (6.0%):

  

  22,610       Ambarella, Inc.*^      1,146,779  
  91,130       Cavium, Inc.*^      5,633,657  
  24,480       MA-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.*^      765,734  
  52,200       MKS Instruments, Inc.^      1,910,520  
  131,120       Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.^      6,521,909  
  75,490       Spansion, Inc.*^      2,583,268  
     

 

 

 
        18,561,867  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (14.8%):

  

  54,250       Envestnet, Inc.*^      2,665,845  
  114,070       Guidewire Software, Inc.*^      5,775,364  
  28,420       Manhattan Associates, Inc.*^      1,157,262  
  89,930       Paylocity Holding Corp.*^      2,348,072  
  117,340       Proofpoint, Inc.*^      5,659,308  

Contracts,

Shares,

Notional

Amount or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software, continued

  

  62,980       ServiceNow, Inc.*^    $ 4,273,193  
  64,830       Tableau Software, Inc., Class A*^      5,494,991  
  56,770       Tyler Technologies, Inc.*^      6,212,909  
  40,960       Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)*^      6,013,542  
  68,230       Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*^      1,801,954  
  43,590       Verint Systems, Inc.*^      2,540,425  
  64,450       Zendesk, Inc.*^      1,570,647  
     

 

 

 
        45,513,512  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.8%):

  

  16,900       Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*^      307,580  
  82,610       Michaels Cos., Inc. (The)*^      2,042,945  
     

 

 

 
        2,350,525  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.4%):

  

  15,350       Stratasys, Ltd.*^      1,275,739  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (4.2%):

  

  18,890       Carter’s, Inc.^      1,649,286  
  42,790       Deckers Outdoor Corp.*^      3,895,602  
  43,430       G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.*^      4,386,864  
  55,620       Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*^      3,073,005  
     

 

 

 
        13,004,757  
     

 

 

 

 

Thirfts & Mortgage Finance (0.9%):

  

  107,080       Essent Group, Ltd.*^      2,753,027  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.7%):

  

  81,040       H&E Equipment Services, Inc.^      2,276,414  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $246,159,215)

     302,089,531  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.2%):

  

$ 86,675,634       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      86,675,634  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $86,675,634)

     86,675,634  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (1.4%):

  

  4,232,229       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      4,232,229  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $4,232,229)

     4,232,229  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $337,067,078)(c) — 127.8%

     392,997,394  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (27.8)%

     (85,575,005
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 307,422,389  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $83,715,698.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 337,067,078  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 392,997,394  

Interest and dividends receivable

       154,856  

Receivable for investments sold

       1,436,459  

Prepaid expenses

       2,537  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       394,591,246  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       176,253  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       86,675,634  

Manager fees payable

       221,765  

Administration fees payable

       7,047  

Distribution fees payable

       65,225  

Custodian fees payable

       8,836  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       709  

Trustee fees payable

       14  

Other accrued liabilities

       13,374  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       87,168,857  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 307,422,389  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 216,791,571  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

        

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       34,700,502  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       55,930,316  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 307,422,389  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       21,336,559  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 14.41  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $83,715,698.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 1,004,174  

Income from securities lending

       377,637  

Foreign withholding tax

       (15,183 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       1,366,628  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,701,666  

Administration fees

       85,669  

Distribution fees

       794,605  

Custodian fees

       33,825  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       3,961  

Trustee fees

       15,215  

Professional fees

       16,037  

Shareholder reports

       15,986  

Other expenses

       7,822  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       3,674,786  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (2,308,158 )
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       34,969,440  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (41,271,956 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (6,302,516 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ (8,610,674 )
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund
     

For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2014

  

For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ (2,308,158 )      $ (2,265,394 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       34,969,440          33,072,781  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (41,271,956 )        72,878,181  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       (8,610,674 )        103,685,568  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

                 

From net realized gains

       (20,524,056 )        (2,889,357 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (20,524,056 )        (2,889,357 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       23,232,764          22,741,540  

Proceeds from shares issued in merger

                153,408,602  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       20,524,056          2,889,357  

Value of shares redeemed

       (57,754,813 )        (53,030,368 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (13,997,993 )        126,009,131  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (43,132,723 )        226,805,342  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       350,555,112          123,749,770  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 307,422,389        $ 350,555,112  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $        $ 667  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       1,627,249          1,760,070  

Shares issued in merger

                12,864,661  

Dividends reinvested

       1,477,614          200,929  

Shares redeemed

       (3,978,076 )        (3,930,532 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (873,213 )        10,895,128  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 15.78       $ 10.94       $ 9.38       $ 9.92       $ 7.70  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.11 )       (0.10 )       (0.01 )       (0.04 )       0.01  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.29 )       5.07         1.57         (0.50 )       2.21  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (0.40 )       4.97         1.56         (0.54 )       2.22  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Realized Gains

       (0.97 )       (0.13 )               (a)        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.97 )       (0.13 )               (a)        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 14.41       $ 15.78       $ 10.94       $ 9.38       $ 9.92  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       (2.30 )%       45.52 %       16.63 %       (5.39 )%       28.83 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 307,422       $ 350,555       $ 123,750       $ 79,768       $ 91,473  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (0.73 )%       (0.86 )%       (0.07 )%       (0.40 )%       0.11 %

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.16 %       1.16 %       1.18 %       1.19 %       1.22 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.16 %       1.16 %       1.18 %       1.19 %       1.22 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(d)

       99 %       79 %(e)       161 %       145 %(f)       97 %

 

(a) Represents less than $0.005.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

(e) Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities incurred to realign the Fund’s portfolio after the fund merger are excluded from the portfolio turnover rate. If such amounts had not been excluded, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 128%.

 

(f) The portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 was higher than the prior year primarily due to the amount and timing of sales and purchases of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

9


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $31.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $37,407 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. (“Oppenheimer”), Oppenheimer provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

         0.85 %          1.35 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the

 

10


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,021 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund paid approximately $12,439 to affiliated broker/dealers of the Subadvisor on the execution of purchases and sales of the Fund’s portfolio investments.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

11


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 302,089,531          $          $ 302,089,531  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    86,675,634            86,675,634  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         4,232,229                       4,232,229  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 306,321,760          $ 86,675,634          $ 392,997,394  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $ 309,658,035          $ 346,651,972  

6. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $338,272,763. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 58,859,000  

Unrealized depreciation

    (4,134,369
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 54,724,631   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
    

Total

Distributions(a)

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $ 1,775,809          $ 18,748,247          $ 20,524,056  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
    

Total

Distributions(a)

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $         —          $ 2,889,357          $ 2,889,357  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
    

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)(a)

     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

       $          $ 35,906,187          $          $ 54,724,631          $ 90,630,818  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

12


AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

7. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

13


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

14


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 37.32% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $18,748,247.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $1,775,809.

 

15


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

16


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

17


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

18


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

19


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice

President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.

  43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

20


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal
Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer
   Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

21


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 13

Statement of Operations

Page 13

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 14

Financial Highlights

Page 15

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 16

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 22

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 23

Other Information

Page 24

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

Page 25

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 28

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund and Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the period ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund returned 5.37%. That compared to a 5.97% total return for its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index1.

The fixed-income market performed relatively well during the 12-month period. The U.S. economy continued to gain strength, but many global economies—including those in Europe, Japan, China, and Latin America—suffered from continued economic weakness. Meanwhile, investors remained watchful of geopolitical issues in areas such as Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. Federal Reserve wrapped up its long-running quantitative easing program in October, and signaled that it may raise short-term interest rates during the second half of 2015. The yield curve flattened amid expectations of a rate increase and broader concerns about the health of the global economy.

Late in the period, plunging energy prices led many investors to seek safety in the financial markets. That led to relatively poor performance of more risk-oriented areas of the fixed-income markets, such as corporate bonds and sovereign debt. This underperformance accelerated during the final two months of the year.

The Fund performed well during the first 10 months of the period, benefiting from strong security and sector selection. An overweight position in corporate bonds—particularly in the financial and telecommunications industries sectors—helped relative results. The Fund’s exposure to commercial mortgage backed securities also helped, as such securities performed relatively well.*

The Fund’s strategy changed during the final two months of the period. Beginning October 31, 2014, the Fund was able to add exposure to sectors such as high-yield bonds and emerging market debt. Over a full market cycle, we believe such holdings will lead to improved performance

and better risk-adjusted returns. However, the transition to this new strategy led to substantial transaction costs that hurt relative returns. What’s more, high-yield and emerging market debt faced very challenging headwinds during the final two months of the period, leading to additional weakness for the Fund during that period. The Fund’s exposure to Treasury inflation protected securities, or TIPS, also dragged on results, as such bonds performed poorly amid continued low inflation.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek a high level of current income. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in investment-grade debt securities (those of medium and high quality) of all types and repurchase agreements for those securities.

Investment Concerns

Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss. Intermediate-term, higher-quality bonds generally offer less risk than longer-term bonds and a lower rate of return.

Mortgage-backed investments involve risk of loss due to prepayments and, like any bond, due to default. Because of the sensitivity of mortgage-related securities to changes in interest rates, the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than if it did not hold these securities.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

High-yield bonds have a higher risk of default or other adverse credit events, but have the potential to pay higher earnings over investment grade bonds. The higher risk of default, or the inability of the creditor to repay its debt, is the primary reason for the higher interest rates on high-yield bonds.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    Since
Inception
(9/5/12)
 

AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund

     5.37     1.57

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

     5.97     1.81

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Pyramis Core Bond Fund

     0.83

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.95% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.81%.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which is an unmanaged market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,008.40          $ 4.10            0.81 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,021.12          $ 4.13            0.81 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Corporate Bonds

      42.1 %

Yankee Dollars

      14.1  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

      12.7  

U.S. Treasury Obligation

      11.7  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

      10.2  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      6.7  

Municipal Bonds

      5.0  

Asset Backed Securities

      4.1  

Money Market

      1.6  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      108.2  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (8.2 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Asset Backed Securities (4.1%):

  

$ 1,155,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class D, Series 2012-5, 2.35%, 12/10/18    $ 1,163,189  
  900,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class D, Series 2013-3, 3.00%, 7/8/19      915,193  
  1,750,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2013-4, 2.72%, 9/9/19      1,780,160  
  1,750,000       AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust, Class D, Series 2013-4, 3.31%, 10/8/19      1,778,536  
  17,842       CFC LLC, Class A, Series 2013-1A, 1.65%, 7/17/17(a)      17,857  
  4,220,000       CFC LLC, Class B, Series 2013-1A, 2.75%, 11/15/18(a)      4,270,719  
  118,911       Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates Trust, Class AF5, Series 2004-7, 5.87%, 1/25/35(b)      124,061  
  1,130,000       Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Class C, Series 2013-3, 1.29%, 6/15/17      1,131,146  
  1,130,000       Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, Class D, Series 2013-3, 1.74%, 6/15/17      1,133,623  
  387,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2014-2, 2.33%, 11/15/19      387,925  
  959,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class B, Series 2014-3, 1.45%, 5/15/19      957,298  
  963,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2014-3, 2.13%, 8/17/20      958,687  
  4,220,000       Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust, Class C, Series 2014-4, 2.60%, 11/16/20      4,227,081  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Asset Backed Securities (Cost $18,789,934)

     18,845,475  
     

 

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (10.2%):

  

  103,884       Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-1, 5.45%, 1/15/49      111,335  
  2,091,558       Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2006-3, 5.89%, 7/10/44(b)      2,201,346  
  638,000       Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Class A4, Series 2007-2, 5.78%, 4/10/49(b)      682,643  
  189,000       CDGJ Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class DPA, Series 2014-BXCH, 3.15%, 12/15/27(a)(b)      189,060  
  199,717       Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Class A, Series 2012-A, 2.50%, 6/25/51(a)      194,000  
  320,000       Extended Stay America Trust, Class BFL, Series 2013-ESFL, 1.26%, 12/5/31(a)(b)      319,196  
  230,000       Extended Stay America Trust, Class CFL, Series 2013-ESFL, 1.66%, 12/5/31(a)(b)      229,689  
  5,070,000       GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp., Class A4, Series 2007-C1, 5.54%, 12/10/49      5,387,777  
  3,700,000       Granite Master Issuer plc, Class M2, Series 2006-1A, 0.75%, 12/20/54(a)(b)      3,612,248  
  3,750,000       Granite Master Issuer plc, Class M2, Series 2006-3, 0.73%, 12/20/54(b)      3,658,446  
  631,753       Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-GG9, 6.01%, 7/10/38(b)      660,367  
  900,000       Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp. Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-GG9, 5.44%, 3/10/39      960,010  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations, continued

  

$ 297,000       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A4, Series 2006-GG6, 5.55%, 4/10/38(b)    $ 304,770  
  279,283       GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Class A4, Series 2006-GG8, 5.56%, 11/10/39      295,667  
  4,112,000       Hilton USA Trust, Class DFX, Series 2013-HLT, 4.41%, 11/5/30(a)      4,205,704  
  345,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2006-LDP7, 6.06%, 4/15/45(b)      360,239  
  328,514       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A1A, Series 2006-LDP8, 5.40%, 5/15/45      345,541  
  678,107       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2007-CB18, 5.44%, 6/12/47      721,013  
  5,157,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class A4, Series 2007-LD11, 5.97%, 6/15/49(b)      5,536,360  
  127,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class C, Series 2014-BXH, 1.81%, 4/15/27(a)(b)      126,472  
  271,000       JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Class D, Series 2014-BXH, 2.41%, 4/15/27(a)(b)      269,346  
  3,909,608       LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A3, Series 2007-C7, 5.87%, 9/15/45(b)      4,295,302  
  1,390,000       Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-6, 5.48%, 3/12/51(b)      1,492,303  
  462,993       Merrill Lynch/Countrywide Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-5, 5.38%, 8/12/48      491,836  
  2,628,210       Morgan Stanely Capital I, Class A4, Series 2007-IQ15, 6.10%, 7/11/17(b)      2,857,661  
  1,970,000       Morgan Stanley Capital I, Class A4, Series 2007-IQ14, 5.69%, 4/15/49(b)      2,121,134  
  321,288       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A1A, Series 2006-C26, 6.01%, 6/15/45(b)      340,193  
  1,020,058       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-C33, 6.14%, 7/15/17(b)      1,089,901  
  1,843,000       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A4, Series 2007-C31, 5.51%, 4/15/47      1,941,131  
  322,000       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A5, Series 2007-C31, 5.50%, 4/15/47      346,980  
  1,058,000       Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A3, Series 2007-C32, 5.90%, 6/15/49(b)      1,135,650  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $47,444,171)

     46,483,320  
     

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (42.1%):

  

 

Airlines (0.5%):

  
  1,000,000       American Airlines Group, Inc., 5.50%, 10/1/19(a)      1,017,500  
  218,167       Continental Airlines 1998-1, Class A, Series 981, 6.65%, 9/15/17      226,064  
  1,000,000       United Continental Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 7/15/26, Callable 2/9/15 @ 100^      962,500  
     

 

 

 
        2,206,064  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Automobiles (0.8%):

  

$ 330,000       General Motors Co., 3.50%, 10/2/18    $ 336,600  
  453,000       General Motors Co., 6.25%, 10/2/43      541,154  
  1,500,000       Volkswagen AG, 1.60%, 11/20/17(a)      1,494,513  
  1,194,000       Volkswagen AG, 2.45%, 11/20/19^(a)      1,201,778  
     

 

 

 
        3,574,045  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (5.2%):

  

  320,000       Bank of America Corp., Series L, 1.35%, 11/21/16      319,090  
  113,000       Bank of America Corp., 3.88%, 3/22/17      118,231  
  1,200,000       Bank of America Corp., 2.00%, 1/11/18, MTN      1,199,088  
  3,677,000       Bank of America Corp., 2.60%, 1/15/19      3,705,591  
  872,000       Bank of America Corp., Series L, 2.65%, 4/1/19^      878,396  
  550,000       Bank of America Corp., 5.70%, 1/24/22      637,140  
  466,000       Bank of America Corp., 4.20%, 8/26/24      474,726  
  397,000       Bank of America Corp., 4.25%, 10/22/26, MTN^      396,109  
  534,000       Capital One NA, Series BNKT, 2.95%, 7/23/21      531,316  
  250,000       Discover Bank, 7.00%, 4/15/20      294,636  
  590,000       Discover Bank, Series BKNT, 3.20%, 8/9/21, Callable 7/9/21 @ 100      592,538  
  4,000,000       First Tennessee Bank, 2.95%, 12/1/19, Callable 11/1/19 @ 100      3,989,723  
  250,000       Huntington National Bank (The), Series BKNT, 1.30%, 11/20/16, Callable 10/20/16 @ 100      249,238  
  400,000       Huntington National Bank (The), 2.20%, 4/1/19, Callable 3/1/19 @ 100      399,698  
  1,587,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.88%, 9/10/24^      1,588,350  
  3,682,000       JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.13%, 12/15/26      3,685,718  
  28,000       M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Series BKNT, 5.00%, 1/17/17      29,716  
  1,278,000       Regions Bank, Series BKNT, 7.50%, 5/15/18, MTN      1,483,624  
  500,000       Regions Bank, 6.45%, 6/26/37      625,008  
  500,000       Regions Financial Corp., 5.75%, 6/15/15      510,385  
  88,000       Regions Financial Corp., 2.00%, 5/15/18, Callable 4/15/18 @ 100      87,137  
  32,000       SunTrust Banks, Inc., Series BKNT, 3.50%, 1/20/17, Callable 12/20/16 @ 100      33,359  
  181,000       SunTrust Banks, Inc., 2.35%, 11/1/18, Callable 10/1/18 @ 100      182,112  
  1,200,000       Wachovia Bank NA, Series BKNT, 6.00%, 11/15/17^      1,345,096  
  800,000       Wells Fargo & Co., 4.10%, 6/3/26, MTN      817,646  
     

 

 

 
        24,173,671  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.6%):

  

  781,000       Amgen, Inc., 1.25%, 5/22/17      774,839  
  1,937,000       Amgen, Inc., 2.20%, 5/22/19, Callable 4/22/19 @ 100^      1,928,858  
     

 

 

 
        2,703,697  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (3.1%):

  

  147,000       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., 4.25%, 2/15/24      153,154  
  1,355,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.25%, 9/1/17      1,507,641  
  400,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 1.75%, 9/15/17      397,670  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  

$ 1,000,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 6.15%, 4/1/18    $ 1,122,419  
  1,842,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.90%, 7/19/18      1,889,671  
  1,142,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.63%, 1/31/19^      1,148,973  
  399,000       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.55%, 10/23/19^      397,543  
  490,000       Morgan Stanley, Series G, 5.45%, 1/9/17, MTN      526,120  
  458,000       Morgan Stanley, 1.88%, 1/5/18      456,324  
  1,300,000       Morgan Stanley, Series F, 6.63%, 4/1/18, MTN      1,480,746  
  1,380,000       Morgan Stanley, 2.13%, 4/25/18      1,380,799  
  2,060,000       Morgan Stanley, 2.50%, 1/24/19^      2,061,867  
  784,000       Morgan Stanley, Series G, 2.38%, 7/23/19^      781,109  
  523,000       Morgan Stanley, 4.88%, 11/1/22      555,467  
  68,000       Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., 5.00%, 12/15/23, Callable 9/15/23 @ 100      73,711  
  104,000       Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., 4.00%, 12/15/24, Callable 9/15/24 @ 100      104,216  
     

 

 

 
        14,037,430  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.2%):

  

  800,000       Building Materials Corp., 5.38%, 11/15/24, Callable 11/15/19 @ 102.39(a)      798,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (3.4%):

  

  2,750,000       Ally Financial, Inc., 3.75%, 11/18/19      2,708,749  
  900,000       APX Group, Inc., 6.38%, 12/1/19, Callable 12/1/15 @ 104.78^      861,750  
  320,000       Capital One Financial Corp., 2.45%, 4/24/19, Callable 3/24/19 @ 100      319,267  
  1,000,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.50%, 1/15/16^      1,011,186  
  1,140,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.50%, 1/17/17      1,133,865  
  324,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 3.00%, 6/12/17      332,426  
  600,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.00%, 5/15/18      651,929  
  600,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.88%, 10/1/18^      610,527  
  1,100,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.38%, 3/12/19^      1,092,342  
  1,000,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.60%, 11/4/19      994,621  
  751,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.88%, 8/2/21      869,499  
  902,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 4.38%, 8/6/23      964,279  
  68,000       Lazard Group LLC, 6.85%, 6/15/17      75,698  
  186,000       Lazard Group LLC, 4.25%, 11/14/20      196,035  
  48,000       NiSource Finance Corp., 6.40%, 3/15/18      54,669  
  1,600,000       NiSource Finance Corp., 4.45%, 12/1/21, Callable 9/1/21 @ 100      1,728,801  
  900,000       SLM Corp., 5.50%, 1/15/19      920,250  
  94,000       Synchrony Financial, 1.88%, 8/15/17, Callable 7/15/17 @ 100      94,183  
  138,000       Synchrony Financial, 3.00%, 8/15/19, Callable 7/15/19 @ 100      139,510  
  510,000       Synchrony Financial, 3.75%, 8/15/21, Callable 6/15/21 @ 100      520,959  
  210,000       Synchrony Financial, 4.25%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100^      215,487  
     

 

 

 
        15,496,032  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Diversified Financial Services (4.5%):

  

$ 270,000       Bank of America NA, Series BKNT, 5.30%, 3/15/17    $ 290,025  
  500,000       Citigroup, Inc., 1.70%, 7/25/16      503,425  
  570,000       Citigroup, Inc., 1.30%, 11/15/16      569,297  
  900,000       Citigroup, Inc., 6.00%, 8/15/17      995,732  
  1,043,000       Citigroup, Inc., 6.13%, 11/21/17      1,163,033  
  910,000       Citigroup, Inc., 1.85%, 11/24/17      908,954  
  1,200,000       Citigroup, Inc., 2.50%, 9/26/18      1,214,021  
  1,271,000       Citigroup, Inc., 2.55%, 4/8/19^      1,279,359  
  1,573,000       Citigroup, Inc., 2.50%, 7/29/19      1,574,262  
  730,000       Citigroup, Inc., 4.05%, 7/30/22      755,302  
  769,000       Citigroup, Inc., 5.30%, 5/6/44^      842,569  
  1,000,000       Discover Financial Services, 5.20%, 4/27/22      1,104,405  
  110,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 2.63%, 7/10/17^      110,477  
  180,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 4.75%, 8/15/17^      189,828  
  242,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.00%, 9/25/17^      244,730  
  175,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.25%, 5/15/18      175,219  
  383,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.50%, 7/10/19^      391,090  
  5,763,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 4.38%, 9/25/21^      6,015,130  
  200,000       General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 4.25%, 5/15/23^      203,978  
  112,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 1.63%, 10/2/15(a)      112,459  
  378,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 1.45%, 2/6/17^(a)      376,579  
  124,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 2.13%, 10/2/17(a)      124,605  
  161,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 2.88%, 8/9/18(a)      164,252  
  378,000       Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 2.55%, 2/6/19(a)      378,052  
  444,000       JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, Series BKNT, 6.00%, 10/1/17      492,789  
  161,000       Tanger Properties LP, 3.88%, 12/1/23, Callable 9/1/23 @ 100      164,823  
  275,000       Tanger Properties LP, 3.75%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      277,132  
     

 

 

 
        20,621,527  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.9%):

  

  820,000       CenturyLink, Inc., Series N, 6.00%, 4/1/17^      871,250  
  28,000       CenturyLink, Inc., Series R, 5.15%, 6/15/17^      29,330  
  62,000       CenturyLink, Inc., Series Q, 6.15%, 9/15/19      66,960  
  582,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.63%, 2/21/20(a)      575,346  
  3,751,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 4.50%, 9/15/20      4,072,674  
  346,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.40%, 9/15/33      426,197  
  500,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.25%, 4/1/37      613,623  
  760,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 6.55%, 9/15/43      973,673  
  930,000       Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.01%, 8/21/54(a)      962,131  
     

 

 

 
        8,591,184  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (2.1%):

  

  146,000       American Transmission Systems, Inc., 5.00%, 9/1/44, Callable 3/1/44 @ 100(a)      156,186  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Electric Utilities, continued

  

$ 1,000,000       Dynegy Finance I, Inc. / Dynegy Finance II, Inc., 7.38%, 11/1/22, Callable 11/1/18 @ 103.69(a)    $ 1,017,500  
  482,000       FirstEnergy Corp., Series A, 2.75%, 3/15/18, Callable 2/15/18 @ 100      485,725  
  1,544,000       FirstEnergy Corp., Series B, 4.25%, 3/15/23, Callable 12/15/22 @ 100^      1,593,121  
  3,583,000       FirstEnergy Corp., Series C, 7.38%, 11/15/31      4,336,742  
  34,000       Ingersoll-Rand Global Holding Co., Ltd., 2.88%, 1/15/19      34,536  
  91,000       Northeast Utilities, 1.45%, 5/1/18, Callable 4/1/18 @ 100      89,618  
  117,000       NV Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 11/15/20^      137,460  
  600,000       Progress Energy, Inc., 4.40%, 1/15/21, Callable 10/15/20 @ 100      653,963  
  49,000       Puget Energy, Inc., 6.00%, 9/1/21      57,323  
  1,000,000       West Penn Power Co., 5.95%, 12/15/17(a)      1,113,168  
     

 

 

 
        9,675,342  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.2%):

  

  985,000       Pemex Proj FDG Master TR, 5.75%, 3/1/18      1,063,800  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.4%):

  

  370,000       Kroger Co. (The), 3.30%, 1/15/21, Callable 12/15/20 @ 100      375,473  
  1,000,000       Post Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, 12/1/21, Callable 12/1/17 @ 103.38^(a)      970,001  
  229,000       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., 2.70%, 11/18/19, Callable 10/18/19 @ 100      230,165  
  271,000       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., 3.30%, 11/18/21, Callable 9/18/21 @ 100      272,885  
     

 

 

 
        1,848,524  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.2%):

  

  130,000       ConAgra Foods, Inc., 1.90%, 1/25/18      129,134  
  110,000       ConAgra Foods, Inc., 3.20%, 1/25/23, Callable 10/25/22 @ 100      107,747  
  216,000       Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 1.40%, 10/21/16(a)      216,175  
  309,000       Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., 2.00%, 10/20/17(a)      311,229  
     

 

 

 
        764,285  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.1%):

  

  138,000       Becton Dickinson & Co., 2.68%, 12/15/19      139,815  
  128,000       Becton Dickinson & Co., 4.69%, 12/15/44, Callable 6/15/44 @ 100      137,851  
     

 

 

 
        277,666  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.2%):

  

  1,000,000       Community Health System, Inc., 6.88%, 2/1/22, Callable 2/1/18 @ 103.44^      1,059,375  
  500,000       Express Scripts Holding Co., 4.75%, 11/15/21      551,777  
  1,600,000       Express Scripts Holding Co., 3.90%, 2/15/22      1,666,130  
  300,000       McKesson Corp., 2.28%, 3/15/19      299,374  
  1,900,000       Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.13%, 4/1/22      2,123,249  
     

 

 

 
        5,699,905  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Services (0.2%):

  

  900,000       HCA, Inc., 6.50%, 2/15/20      1,008,450  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Household Durables (0.2%):

  

$ 900,000       William Lyon Homes, Inc., 8.50%, 11/15/20, Callable 11/15/16 @ 104.25    $ 969,750  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (1.1%):

  

  900,000       AES Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/23, Callable 3/15/18 @ 102.44      893,250  
  1,313,000       Dominion Resources, Inc., Series 06-B, 2.56%, 9/30/66, Callable 1/29/15 @ 100(b)      1,234,549  
  1,000,000       Murray Energy Corp., 8.63%, 6/15/21, Callable 6/15/16 @ 106.47(a)      955,000  
  900,000       NRG Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 5/1/24, Callable 5/1/19 @ 103.13(a)      915,750  
  863,754       NSG Holdings, LLC / NSG Holdings, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/25(a)      919,898  
     

 

 

 
        4,918,447  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (2.1%):

  

  307,000       American International Group, Inc., Series G, 5.60%, 10/18/16, MTN^      329,895  
  103,000       American International Group, Inc., 4.88%, 6/1/22      115,704  
  600,000       Aon plc, 5.00%, 9/30/20      669,973  
  1,100,000       Five Corners Funding Trust, 4.42%, 11/15/23(a)      1,159,052  
  59,000       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 5.13%, 4/15/22      66,321  
  700,000       Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 5.00%, 6/1/21(a)      762,511  
  180,000       Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., 4.25%, 6/15/23(a)      185,486  
  978,000       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 4.80%, 7/15/21, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100      1,086,968  
  291,000       MetLife Global Funding, Inc., 1.88%, 6/22/18(a)      290,806  
  300,000       Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. (The), 6.06%, 3/30/40(a)      387,786  
  1,077,000       Pacific Life Corp., 6.00%, 2/10/20(a)      1,224,207  
  500,000       Pacific Life Corp., 9.25%, 6/15/39(a)      786,502  
  436,000       Pacific Life Corp., 5.13%, 1/30/43(a)      479,504  
  50,000       Prudential Financial, Inc., 2.30%, 8/15/18      50,579  
  65,000       Symetra Financial Corp., 6.13%, 4/1/16(a)      68,194  
  497,000       Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America, 4.90%, 9/15/44(a)      553,831  
  114,000       Tiaa Asset Management Finance LLC, 2.95%, 11/1/19(a)      114,221  
  165,000       Tiaa Asset Management Finance LLC, 4.13%, 11/1/24(a)      169,029  
  854,000       Unum Group, 5.75%, 8/15/42      988,100  
     

 

 

 
        9,488,669  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.0%):

  

  104,000       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 1.30%, 2/1/17      103,418  
  66,000       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 2.40%, 2/1/19^      66,098  
     

 

 

 
        169,516  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.3%):

  

  750,000       Comcast Corp., 4.75%, 3/1/44      835,794  
  134,000       COX Communications, Inc., 3.25%, 12/15/22(a)      131,566  
  800,000       McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings, LLC, 9.75%, 4/1/21, Callable 4/16/21 @ 107.31      884,000  
  395,000       News America, Inc., 7.75%, 12/1/45      594,199  
  101,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 5.85%, 5/1/17      110,246  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

$ 716,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 8.25%, 4/1/19    $ 876,486  
  1,000,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 4.13%, 2/15/21, Callable 11/15/20 @ 100      1,070,191  
  623,000       Time Warner Cable, Inc., 4.00%, 9/1/21, Callable 6/1/21 @ 100      663,054  
  775,000       Time Warner, Inc., 2.10%, 6/1/19^      763,534  
  46,000       Viacom, Inc., 2.50%, 9/1/18      46,407  
     

 

 

 
        5,975,477  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  

  274,000       Alcoa, Inc., 5.13%, 10/1/24, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100^      290,377  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.1%):

  

  305,000       FirstEnergy Solutions Co., 6.05%, 8/15/21^      337,736  
  56,000       PG&E Corp., 2.40%, 3/1/19, Callable 2/1/19 @ 100^      56,085  
     

 

 

 
        393,821  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (3.6%):

  

  800,000       Access Midstream Partner, 4.88%, 3/15/24, Callable 3/15/19 @ 102.43      812,000  
  3,900,000       Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.38%, 9/15/17      4,336,028  
  404,000       Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 2.00%, 11/15/18, Callable 10/15/18 @ 100      403,158  
  166,000       DCP Midstream Operating LLC, 2.50%, 12/1/17, Callable 11/1/17 @ 100      165,809  
  37,000       DCP Midstream Operating LLC, 2.70%, 4/1/19, Callable 3/1/19 @ 100      36,219  
  500,000       DCP Midstream Operating LLC, 5.35%, 3/15/20(a)      523,319  
  1,300,000       DCP Midstream Operating LLC, 4.75%, 9/30/21(a)      1,290,760  
  163,000       DCP Midstream Operating LLC, 3.88%, 3/15/23, Callable 12/15/22 @ 100      155,981  
  1,000,000       El Paso Pipeline Partners LP, 5.00%, 10/1/21, Callable 7/1/21 @ 100      1,051,730  
  117,000       Enable Midstream Partners LP, 2.40%, 5/15/19, Callable 4/15/19 @ 100(a)      113,794  
  124,000       Enable Midstream Partners LP, 3.90%, 5/15/24, Callable 2/15/24 @ 100^(a)      119,522  
  1,995,000       Ep Energy LLC, 9.38%, 5/1/20, Callable 5/1/16 @ 104.69^      2,014,950  
  5,000       Ep Energy LLC, 7.75%, 9/1/22, Callable 9/1/17 @ 103.88^      4,675  
  168,000       Kinder Morgan (Delaware), Inc., 2.00%, 12/1/17      166,961  
  157,000       Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 2.65%, 2/1/19^      154,694  
  600,000       Marathon Petroleum Corp., 5.13%, 3/1/21      655,822  
  1,300,000       Phillips 66, 4.30%, 4/1/22      1,372,398  
  346,000       Southeast Supply Header LLC, 4.25%, 6/15/24, Callable 3/15/24 @ 100(a)      350,639  
  647,000       Western Gas Partners LP, 5.38%, 6/1/21, Callable 3/1/21 @ 100      709,848  
  299,000       Williams Cos., Inc., 3.70%, 1/15/23, Callable 10/15/22 @ 100      268,528  
  1,466,000       Williams Cos., Inc., 4.55%, 6/24/24, Callable 3/24/24 @ 100      1,363,352  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

$ 285,000       Williams Partners LP, 4.30%, 3/4/24, Callable 12/4/23 @ 100^    $ 284,476  
     

 

 

 
        16,354,663  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.2%):

  

  355,000       AbbVie, Inc., 1.75%, 11/6/17      355,771  
  205,000       Bayer US Finance LLC, 3.00%, 10/8/21(a)      206,667  
  121,000       Mylan, Inc., 1.35%, 11/29/16^      120,404  
  117,000       Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1.88%, 10/1/17      116,547  
  57,000       Zoetis, Inc., 1.88%, 2/1/18      56,487  
     

 

 

 
        855,876  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (4.2%):

  

  82,000       Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 2.75%, 1/15/20, Callable 12/15/19 @ 100      81,216  
  102,000       American Campus Communities, Inc., 3.75%, 4/15/23, Callable 1/15/23 @ 100      101,824  
  161,000       AvalonBay Communities, Inc., 3.63%, 10/1/20, Callable 7/1/20 @ 100      167,455  
  1,159,000       BioMed Realty LP, 3.85%, 4/15/16, Callable 3/15/16 @ 100      1,196,853  
  215,000       BioMed Realty LP, 2.63%, 5/1/19, Callable 4/1/19 @ 100      214,811  
  500,000       BioMed Realty LP, 4.25%, 7/15/22, Callable 4/15/22 @ 100      518,259  
  151,000       Brandywine Operating Partners LP, 6.00%, 4/1/16      159,285  
  279,000       Brandywine Operating Partners LP, 4.95%, 4/15/18, Callable 3/15/18 @ 100      299,912  
  357,000       Brandywine Operating Partners LP, 3.95%, 2/15/23, Callable 11/15/22 @ 100      360,033  
  394,000       Brandywine Operating Partners LP, 4.10%, 10/1/24, Callable 7/1/24 @ 100      394,792  
  394,000       Brandywine Operating Partners LP, 4.55%, 10/1/29, Callable 7/1/29 @ 100      398,414  
  134,000       Camden Property Trust, 2.95%, 12/15/22      130,710  
  1,625,000       CBRE Services, Inc., 5.00%, 3/15/23, Callable 3/15/18 @ 102.5      1,660,587  
  255,000       Corporate Office Properties LP, 3.70%, 6/15/21, Callable 4/15/21 @ 100      253,896  
  1,000,000       DDR Corp., 7.50%, 4/1/17      1,120,382  
  1,114,000       DDR Corp., 4.63%, 7/15/22, Callable 4/15/22 @ 100      1,189,204  
  700,000       Duke Realty Corp., 4.38%, 6/15/22, Callable 3/15/22 @ 100      740,993  
  256,000       Duke Realty Corp., 3.88%, 10/15/22, Callable 7/15/22 @ 100      263,627  
  183,000       Duke Realty Corp., 3.63%, 4/15/23, Callable 1/15/23 @ 100      183,710  
  146,000       Duke Realty LP, 3.75%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      147,724  
  70,000       Equity Commonwealth, 5.88%, 9/15/20, Callable 3/15/20 @ 100      77,009  
  500,000       Equity One, Inc., 3.75%, 11/15/22, Callable 8/15/22 @ 100      501,847  
  62,000       Essex Portfolio LP, 5.50%, 3/15/17      67,142  
  500,000       HCP, Inc., 3.15%, 8/1/22, Callable 5/1/22 @ 100      491,914  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), continued

  

$ 255,000       HCP, Inc., 4.25%, 11/15/23, Callable 8/15/23 @ 100    $ 268,065  
  800,000       HCP, Inc., 3.88%, 8/15/24, Callable 5/15/24 @ 100      812,654  
  48,000       Health Care REIT, Inc., 4.70%, 9/15/17      51,574  
  143,000       Health Care REIT, Inc., 2.25%, 3/15/18      143,895  
  500,000       Health Care REIT, Inc., 4.13%, 4/1/19, Callable 1/1/19 @ 100      531,698  
  135,000       Lexington Realty Trust, 4.40%, 6/15/24, Callable 3/15/24 @ 100      136,490  
  1,000,000       Liberty Property LP, 4.13%, 6/15/22, Callable 3/15/22 @ 100      1,036,626  
  184,000       Liberty Property LP, 3.38%, 6/15/23, Callable 3/15/23 @ 100      179,384  
  303,000       Mack-Cali Realty LP, 5.80%, 1/15/16      315,970  
  250,000       Mack-Cali Realty LP, 2.50%, 12/15/17      250,999  
  500,000       Mack-Cali Realty LP, 4.50%, 4/18/22, Callable 1/18/22 @ 100      503,475  
  401,000       Mack-Cali Realty LP, 3.15%, 5/15/23, Callable 2/15/23 @ 100      367,201  
  1,573,000       Mid-America Apartments LP, 4.30%, 10/15/23, Callable 7/15/23 @ 100      1,655,105  
  126,000       Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., 4.95%, 4/1/24, Callable 1/1/24 @ 100      131,121  
  128,000       Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., 4.50%, 1/15/25, Callable 10/15/24 @ 100(a)      126,694  
  70,000       Post Apartment Homes LP, 3.38%, 12/1/22, Callable 9/1/22 @ 100      68,976  
  80,000       PPF Funding, Inc., 5.70%, 4/15/17(a)      85,207  
  116,000       Reckson Operating Partnership LP, 6.00%, 3/31/16      122,279  
  900,000       Sabra Healthcare REIT, Inc., 5.50%, 2/1/21, Callable 2/1/17 @ 104.13      936,000  
  63,000       Ventas Realty LP/Capital Corp., 1.55%, 9/26/16      63,253  
  190,000       Ventas Realty LP/Capital Corp., 1.25%, 4/17/17      188,231  
  225,000       Ventas Realty LP/Capital Corp., 2.00%, 2/15/18, Callable 1/15/18 @ 100^      225,199  
  111,000       Ventas Realty LP/Capital Corp., 4.00%, 4/30/19, Callable 1/30/19 @ 100      117,469  
  67,000       Weingarten Realty Investors, 3.38%, 10/15/22, Callable 7/15/22 @ 100      66,236  
     

 

 

 
        19,105,400  
     

 

 

 

 

Retail (0.3%):

  

  1,500,000       J.C. Penney Corp., Inc., 8.13%, 10/1/19      1,320,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.2%):

  

  1,000,000       Hertz Corp., 6.75%, 4/15/19, Callable 4/15/15 @ 103.38      1,030,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialized Finance (0.2%):

  

  1,100,000       ILFC E-Captial Trust I, 4.37%, 12/21/65, Callable 2/9/15 @ 100(a)(b)      1,023,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Steel (0.2%):

  

  1,000,000       JMC Steel Group, 8.25%, 3/15/18, Callable 2/9/15 @ 106.19(a)      950,000  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.1%):

  

$ 300,000       Xerox Corp., 4.25%, 2/15/15    $ 301,185  
  354,000       Xerox Corp., 2.95%, 3/15/17      363,738  
     

 

 

 
        664,923  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.8%):

  

  1,000,000       Altria Group, Inc., 2.63%, 1/14/20, Callable 12/14/19 @ 100      1,002,903  
  1,100,000       Altria Group, Inc., 2.85%, 8/9/22      1,068,866  
  212,000       Altria Group, Inc., 4.00%, 1/31/24      221,027  
  186,000       Reynolds American, Inc., 3.25%, 11/1/22      181,172  
  600,000       Reynolds American, Inc., 7.25%, 6/15/37      770,690  
  400,000       Reynolds American, Inc., 4.75%, 11/1/42^      388,220  
     

 

 

 
        3,632,878  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.5%):

  

  200,000       Air Lease Corp., 2.13%, 1/15/18      196,500  
  334,000       Air Lease Corp., 4.75%, 3/1/20      354,875  
  379,000       Air Lease Corp., 3.88%, 4/1/21, Callable 3/1/21 @ 100      380,895  
  1,331,000       Air Lease Corp., 4.25%, 9/15/24, Callable 6/15/24 @ 100      1,340,983  
     

 

 

 
        2,273,253  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (2.3%):

  

  2,100,000       Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., 6.75%, 11/15/20, Callable 11/15/16 @ 103.34^(a)      2,216,550  
  233,000       Embarq Corp., 7.08%, 6/1/16      251,085  
  2,990,000       Embarq Corp., 8.00%, 6/1/36      3,341,325  
  1,000,000       Level 3 Financing, Inc., 7.00%, 6/1/20, Callable 6/1/16 @ 103.5      1,053,750  
  900,000       Sprint Capital Corp., 6.90%, 5/1/19      918,000  
  2,500,000       T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.38%, 3/1/25, Callable 9/1/19 @ 103.19      2,540,000  
     

 

 

 
        10,320,710  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $191,404,428)

     192,276,382  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (14.1%):

  

 

Airlines (0.5%):

  

  1,000,000       Air Canada, 6.75%, 10/1/19, Callable 10/1/16 @ 103.38(a)      1,040,000  
  1,100,000       Air Canada, 7.75%, 4/15/21^(a)      1,145,375  
     

 

 

 
        2,185,375  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (3.8%):

  

  365,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 3.38%, 9/26/16(a)      366,241  
  754,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 6.37%, 6/16/18(a)      803,764  
  1,820,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 4.00%, 4/14/19(a)      1,792,700  
  126,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 6.50%, 6/10/19(a)      133,560  
  966,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 5.50%, 7/12/20(a)      996,091  
  334,000       Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico, 5.75%, 9/26/23(a)      344,020  
  200,000       Barclays Bank plc, 2.50%, 2/20/19      202,657  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

$ 42,000       Credit Suisse, NY, 6.00%, 2/15/18    $ 46,720  
  205,000       HSBC Holdings plc, 4.25%, 3/14/24      213,319  
  1,161,000       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.13%, 1/15/16      1,179,350  
  2,700,000       Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 2.38%, 1/13/17      2,723,632  
  2,550,000       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 6.13%, 12/15/22^      2,775,436  
  452,000       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 6.10%, 6/10/23      490,237  
  1,659,000       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 6.00%, 12/19/23      1,795,698  
  2,212,000       Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, 5.13%, 5/28/24      2,250,027  
  1,000,000       Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., 1.30%, 1/10/17^      998,105  
  700,000       UBS AG Stamford CT, 2.38%, 8/14/19      699,959  
     

 

 

 
        17,811,516  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.2%):

  

  1,000,000       GardaWorld Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21, Callable 11/15/16 @ 105.44(a)      990,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.0%):

  

  75,000       Tyco Electronics Group SA, 2.38%, 12/17/18, Callable 11/17/18 @ 100      75,646  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.4%):

  

  900,000       AerCap Ireland Capital, Ltd./ and AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 5.00%, 10/1/21^(a)      931,500  
  900,000       BP Capital Markets plc, 4.74%, 3/11/21      979,658  
     

 

 

 
        1,911,158  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.5%):

  

  2,150,000       JBS Investments GMBH, 7.75%, 10/28/20, Callable 10/28/17 @ 103.88(a)      2,226,325  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines (0.2%):

  

  800,000       Royal Caribbean Cruises, 7.50%, 10/15/27      900,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.0%):

  

  200,000       AIA Group, Ltd., 2.25%, 3/11/19(a)      199,106  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.3%):

  

  1,000,000       Columbus International, Inc., 7.38%, 3/30/21, Callable 3/30/18 @ 103.69(a)      1,040,000  
  123,000       Thomson Reuters Corp., 1.30%, 2/23/17      122,355  
  314,000       Thomson Reuters Corp., 3.85%, 9/29/24, Callable 6/29/24 @ 100      317,449  
     

 

 

 
        1,479,804  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.3%):

  

  200,000       Codelco, Inc., 5.63%, 10/18/43(a)      225,689  
  200,000       Codelco, Inc., 4.88%, 11/4/44(a)      203,133  
  1,000,000       Vale Overseas, Ltd., 6.25%, 1/11/16      1,039,600  
     

 

 

 
        1,468,422  
     

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Manufacturing (0.5%):

  

  107,000       Ingersoll-Rand Lux Financial Holding, 2.63%, 5/1/20, Callable 4/1/20 @ 100      106,307  
  2,100,000       Trinseo Materials Operating SCA, 8.75%, 2/1/19, Callable 8/1/15 @ 104.38      2,128,875  
     

 

 

 
        2,235,182  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (4.5%):

  

$ 164,000       Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd., 1.75%, 1/15/18    $ 163,035  
  676,000       Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd., 3.90%, 2/1/25, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100^      666,378  
  330,000       Empresa Nacional del Petroleo, 4.38%, 10/30/24(a)      322,795  
  762,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 3.25%, 3/17/17      718,185  
  1,080,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 3.00%, 1/15/19^      954,796  
  2,613,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 4.88%, 3/17/20      2,444,487  
  234,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 4.38%, 5/20/23      201,259  
  823,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 5.63%, 5/20/43      670,951  
  1,793,000       Petrobras Global Finance BV, 7.25%, 3/17/44      1,770,587  
  1,000,000       Petrobras International Finance Co., 3.50%, 2/6/17^      954,910  
  1,087,000       Petrobras International Finance Co., 5.75%, 1/20/20^      1,049,727  
  3,241,000       Petrobras International Finance Co., 5.38%, 1/27/21      3,003,013  
  2,000,000       Petroleos de Venezuela SA, 8.50%, 11/2/17^(a)      1,144,000  
  450,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 3.50%, 7/18/18      455,625  
  237,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 8.00%, 5/3/19      280,253  
  151,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.00%, 3/5/20^      169,498  
  285,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 3.50%, 1/30/23      272,603  
  1,169,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.88%, 1/18/24      1,214,591  
  696,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.50%, 6/2/41      798,660  
  1,761,000       Petroleos Mexicanos, 5.50%, 6/27/44      1,796,219  
  1,000,000       Transocean, Inc., 5.05%, 12/15/16      1,004,788  
     

 

 

 
        20,056,360  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.2%):

  

  900,000       Sappi, Ltd., 6.63%, 4/15/21(a)      922,500  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.3%):

  

  774,000       Actavis Funding SCS, 1.30%, 6/15/17      759,901  
  230,000       Actavis Funding SCS, 2.45%, 6/15/19      226,078  
  200,000       Perrigo Co. PLC, 2.30%, 11/8/18      199,842  
  200,000       Perrigo Finance PLC, 3.50%, 12/15/21, Callable 10/15/21 @ 100      202,333  
  200,000       Perrigo Finance PLC, 3.90%, 12/15/24, Callable 9/15/24 @ 100      203,659  
     

 

 

 
        1,591,813  
     

 

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds (1.1%):

  

  255,000       Italy Government International Bond, 5.38%, 6/12/17      276,864  
  1,170,000       Republic of Argentina, 1.74%, 10/3/15      1,154,790  
  1,500,000       Republic of Belarus, 8.95%, 1/26/18      1,375,350  
  1,500,000       Republic of Indonesia, 5.38%, 10/17/23      1,635,000  
     

 

 

 
        4,442,004  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.0%):

  

  200,000       RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., 4.15%, 9/28/22(a)      204,707  
     

 

 

 

 

Transportation & Shipping (0.2%):

  

  900,000       Navios Maritime Holdings/Finance, 7.38%, 1/15/22, Callable 1/15/17 @ 106(a)      823,500  
     

 

 

 

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.1%):

  

$ 1,000,000       Altice SA, 9.88%, 12/15/20(a)    $ 1,068,932  
  2,000,000       Altice SA, 7.75%, 5/15/22, Callable 5/15/17 @ 106(a)      2,003,750  
  2,100,000       Digicel Group, Ltd., 8.25%, 9/30/20, Callable 9/30/16 @ 104.13(a)      2,037,000  
     

 

 

 
        5,109,682  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $66,537,738)

     64,633,100  
     

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bonds (5.0%):

  

 

California (1.6%):

  

  10,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.35%, 11/1/39      14,812  
  15,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.63%, 3/1/40      23,025  
  2,825,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.60%, 11/1/40      4,407,932  
  400,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.50%, 4/1/34      594,632  
  1,125,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.55%, 4/1/39      1,736,089  
  460,000       California State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.30%, 10/1/39      677,575  
     

 

 

 
        7,454,065  
     

 

 

 

 

Illinois (3.4%):

  

  35,000       Illinois State, GO, 4.96%, 3/1/16      36,461  
  15,000       Illinois State, GO, 5.37%, 3/1/17      16,058  
  35,000       Illinois State, GO, 4.35%, 6/1/18      36,524  
  5,665,000       Illinois State, GO, 5.10%, 6/1/33      5,623,588  
  455,000       Illinois State, GO, 1.28%, 12/1/15      455,491  
  420,000       Illinois State, GO, 4.00%, 12/1/20      423,641  
  565,000       Illinois State, GO, 5.67%, 3/1/18      618,692  
  880,000       Illinois State, GO, 5.88%, 3/1/19      971,626  
  1,935,000       Illinois State, Build America Bonds, GO, 7.35%, 7/1/35      2,276,044  
  105,000       Chicago Illinois, Taxable Project, GO, Series B, 5.43%, 1/1/42      98,905  
  770,000       Chicago Illinois, Taxable Project, GO, Series B, 6.31%, 1/1/44      815,692  
  80,000       Chicago Illinois, GO, Series B, 5.63%, 1/1/22      85,629  
  395,000       Chicago Illinois, Taxable Project, GO, Series C1, 7.78%, 1/1/35      468,794  
  315,000       Illinois State, Build America Bonds, GO, Series 3, 6.73%, 4/1/35      352,397  
  10,000       Illinois State, Build America Bonds, GO, Series 3, 5.55%, 4/1/19      10,783  
  2,500,000       Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Series A, 4.55%, 10/1/18      2,568,375  
  315,000       Illinois State, Build America Bonds, GO, 6.63%, 2/1/35      350,699  
     

 

 

 
        15,209,399  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $21,650,366)

     22,663,464  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (12.7%):

  

 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (2.7%)

  

$ 1,457,652       4.00%, 2/1/41, Pool #A96807    $ 1,555,666  
  185,086       4.50%, 3/1/41, Pool #A97673      200,863  
  297,290       4.50%, 4/1/41, Pool #A97942      322,608  
  122,222       3.50%, 8/1/42, Pool #Q10164      127,223  
  130,656       3.50%, 8/1/42, Pool #Q10047      136,054  
  127,707       3.50%, 8/1/42, Pool #Q10434      133,006  
  133,386       3.50%, 9/1/42, Pool #Q11244      138,886  
  96,619       4.00%, 11/1/42, Pool #Q13121      103,513  
  85,921       3.50%, 11/1/42, Pool #G07231      89,463  
  876,362       3.50%, 4/1/43, Pool #Q17209      912,191  
  195,192       4.00%, 5/1/43, Pool #Q18481      209,171  
  98,410       4.00%, 7/1/43, Pool #Q19597      105,476  
  997,941       3.00%, 10/1/43, Pool #G08553      1,009,400  
  99,714       4.00%, 10/1/43, Pool #Q22499      106,875  
  591,620       4.00%, 11/1/43, Pool #Q23023      635,314  
  199,407       4.00%, 1/1/44, Pool #V80950      213,736  
  6,341,193       3.50%, 2/1/44, Pool #U99114      6,619,537  
     

 

 

 
        12,618,982  
     

 

 

 

 

Federal National Mortgage Association (8.0%)

  

  99,999       2.50%, 10/1/28, Pool #AU2669      102,021  
  1,000,001       2.50%, 8/1/29, Pool #AW0052      1,019,347  
  700,000       3.00%, 12/25/29      728,431  
  311,067       3.50%, 1/1/34, Pool #AS1611      327,618  
  106,738       3.50%, 1/1/34, Pool #AS1406      112,429  
  233,884       3.50%, 1/1/34, Pool #AS1612      246,395  
  46,123       3.50%, 1/1/34, Pool #AS1614      48,654  
  77,776       6.00%, 10/1/34, Pool #AL2130      89,547  
  282,502       5.50%, 1/1/35, Pool #735141      317,519  
  143,330       5.50%, 9/1/36, Pool #AD0500      161,352  
  1,020,816       6.00%, 1/1/37, Pool #932030      1,160,917  
  213,420       6.00%, 3/1/37, Pool #889506      242,811  
  259,835       6.00%, 1/1/38, Pool #889371      298,715  
  90,741       6.00%, 3/1/38, Pool #889219      104,552  
  52,141       6.00%, 7/1/38, Pool #889733      60,018  
  347,701       6.00%, 5/1/40, Pool #AL2129      400,165  
  595,084       4.50%, 8/1/40, Pool #AE0217      647,268  
  28,073       4.00%, 9/1/40, Pool #AD5173      30,004  
  31,039       4.00%, 10/1/40, Pool #AE4428      33,169  
  32,976       4.00%, 10/1/40, Pool #AE4047      35,247  
  88,501       4.00%, 10/1/40, Pool #AE4044      94,565  
  187,451       4.00%, 12/1/40, Pool #AA4757      200,338  
  88,618       4.00%, 12/1/40, Pool #AE7856      94,726  
  250,000       4.50%, 8/1/41, Pool #AI8715      273,912  
  876,328       4.00%, 10/1/41, Pool #AL2512      936,370  
  34,104       6.00%, 1/1/42, Pool #AL2128      39,394  
  250,000       4.50%, 4/1/42, Pool #AK8453      271,684  
  250,000       4.50%, 4/1/42, Pool #AO0186      271,630  
  200,550       4.50%, 6/1/42, Pool #AO6381      217,939  
  200,000       4.50%, 7/1/42, Pool #AO5544      217,369  
  250,000       4.50%, 10/1/42, Pool #AP9743      271,370  
  492,424       2.50%, 2/1/43, Pool #AB8465      481,486  
  394,455       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AT5691      399,635  
  149,377       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AU5339      151,330  
  382,636       3.00%, 6/1/43, Pool #AR7110      387,572  
  365,032       3.00%, 7/1/43, Pool #AU2555      369,751  

Principal
Amount

           Fair Value  

 

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages, continued

  

 

Federal National Mortgage Association, continued

  

$ 315,042       3.00%, 9/1/43, Pool #AU4674    $ 319,013  
  4,984,960       3.00%, 10/1/43, Pool #AU4405      5,048,653  
  14,469,695       3.50%, 1/1/44, Pool #AL6167      15,107,094  
  500,000       5.50%, 1/25/44      559,297  
  500,000       4.00%, 2/25/44      532,260  
  197,120       4.00%, 9/1/44, Pool #AS3236      210,626  
  91,572       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX9367      97,849  
  57,759       4.00%, 11/1/44, Pool #AX8968      61,719  
  61,011       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #MA2127      65,193  
  191,395       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AS4169      204,516  
  76,221       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX9135      81,446  
  78,883       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AW9502      84,328  
  107,118       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AW8816      114,462  
  58,250       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX9370      62,243  
  43,765       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AY0510      46,765  
  62,396       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AY0045      66,673  
  397,290       4.00%, 12/1/44, Pool #AX9961      424,526  
  79,483       4.00%, 1/1/45, Pool #AS4183      84,932  
  600,000       5.00%, 1/25/45      662,895  
  1,200,000       3.50%, 1/25/45      1,250,906  
  200,000       4.00%, 1/25/45      213,451  
     

 

 

 
        36,144,097  
     

 

 

 

 

Government National Mortgage Association (2.0%)

  

  25,938       5.00%, 6/15/34, Pool #629493      28,735  
  498,306       5.50%, 6/15/35, Pool #783800      558,582  
  24,917       5.00%, 3/15/38, Pool #676766      27,452  
  17,535       5.00%, 4/15/38, Pool #672672      19,319  
  55,642       5.00%, 8/15/38, Pool #687818      61,265  
  578,054       5.00%, 1/15/39, Pool #705997      639,345  
  4,768       5.00%, 3/15/39, Pool #697946      5,272  
  569,672       5.00%, 3/15/39, Pool #646746      629,951  
  743,225       4.00%, 10/15/40, Pool #783143      798,952  
  1,684,584       4.50%, 3/20/41, Pool #4978      1,848,264  
  1,176,357       4.00%, 5/20/41, Pool #5054      1,264,890  
  386,757       4.00%, 12/20/41, Pool #5259      415,160  
  223,051       3.50%, 7/20/42, Pool #MA0220      234,510  
  824,738       3.50%, 4/20/43, Pool #MA0934      866,940  
  97,506       3.50%, 7/20/43, Pool #MA1157      102,486  
  1,000,000       4.50%, 1/20/44      1,092,617  
  700,000       4.00%, 1/20/45      750,523  
     

 

 

 
        9,344,263  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgages (Cost $57,662,721)

     58,107,342  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (11.7%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Bond (2.3%)

  

  9,946,000       3.00%, 11/15/44      10,452,629  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Inflation Index Bonds (1.2%)

  

  4,930,000       1.38%, 2/15/44      5,684,491  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Note (8.2%)

  

  29,183,000       0.88%, 11/15/17      29,043,915  
  8,295,000       1.00%, 12/15/17      8,275,557  
     

 

 

 
        37,319,472  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $52,887,995)

     53,456,592  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Principal
Amount or
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (6.7%):

  

$ 30,857,494       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (c)    $ 30,857,494  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $30,857,494)

     30,857,494  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (1.6%):

  

  7,483,253       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00% (d)      7,483,253  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $7,483,253)

     7,483,253  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $494,718,100)(e) — 108.2%

     494,806,422  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (8.2)%

     (37,519,754
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 457,286,668  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

GO—General Obligation

MTN—Medium Term Note

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $29,801,439.

 

(a) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(b) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(c) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(d) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(e) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Argentina

    0.2

Austria

    0.6

Barbados

    0.2

Belarus

    0.3

Bermuda

    0.4

Brazil

    0.9

Canada

    0.9

Cayman Islands

    1.4

Chile

    0.2

Hong Kong

    %NM 

Indonesia

    0.3

Ireland

    0.3

Italy

    0.8

Japan

    0.2

Liberia

    0.2

Luxembourg

    1.3

Marshall Islands

    0.2

Mexico

    1.0

Netherlands

    1.4

Switzerland

    0.2

United Kingdom

    1.9

United States

    86.9

Venezuela

    0.2
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

 

NM Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 494,718,100  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 494,806,422  

Interest and dividends receivable

       3,689,569  

Receivable for investments sold

       8,858,032  

Prepaid expenses

       3,511  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       507,357,534  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       16,814,596  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       2,078,930  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       30,857,494  

Manager fees payable

       194,249  

Administration fees payable

       14,357  

Distribution fees payable

       97,124  

Custodian fees payable

       2,940  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,019  

Trustee fees payable

       20  

Other accrued liabilities

       10,137  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       50,070,866  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 457,286,668  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 449,402,583  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       8,816,214  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (1,020,451 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       88,322  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 457,286,668  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       45,091,421  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 10.14  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $29,801,439.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Interest

     $ 11,574,361  

Dividends

       8  

Income from securities lending

       15,675  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       11,590,044  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       1,981,661  

Administration fees

       165,755  

Distribution fees

       990,830  

Custodian fees

       16,062  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       5,310  

Trustee fees

       19,857  

Professional fees

       23,002  

Shareholder reports

       6,094  

Other expenses

       9,441  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       3,218,012  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       8,372,032  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       6,015,608  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       65,660  

Net realized gains/(losses) on swap agreements

       138,087  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       5,528,827  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       11,748,182  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 20,120,214  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 8,372,032        $ 4,395,875  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       6,219,355          (4,746,346 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       5,528,827          (6,959,487 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       20,120,214          (7,309,958 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (6,291,393 )        (1,418,029 )

From net realized gains

                (669,238 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (6,291,393 )        (2,087,267 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       116,507,125          60,581,406  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       6,291,393          2,087,267  

Value of shares redeemed

       (49,963,875 )        (40,347,726 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       72,834,643          22,320,947  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       86,663,464          12,923,722  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       370,623,204          357,699,482  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 457,286,668        $ 370,623,204  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 8,816,214        $ 6,270,698  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       11,531,535          6,134,245  

Dividends reinvested

       627,884          216,746  

Shares redeemed

       (4,953,034 )        (4,006,423 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       7,206,385          2,344,568  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

      Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  September 5, 2012
to
December 31,
2012(a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 9.78       $ 10.06       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

            

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.18         0.12         0.02  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.34         (0.34 )       0.04  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.52         (0.22 )       0.06  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

            

Net Investment Income

       (0.16 )       (0.04 )        

Net Realized Gains

               (0.02 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.16 )       (0.06 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 10.14       $ 9.78       $ 10.06  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       5.37 %       (2.20 )%       0.60 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

            

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 457,287       $ 370,623       $ 357,699  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d)

       2.11 %       1.24 %       0.78 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)(e)

       0.81 %       0.81 %       0.80 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       0.81 %       0.81 %       0.80 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(f)

       421 %       488 %       303 %(c)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Not annualized.

 

(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(e) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(f) The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

15


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased for delivery beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield and thereby involve risk that the yield obtained in the transaction will be less than that available in the market when the delivery takes place. A Fund will not pay for such securities or start earning interest on them until they are received. When a Fund agrees to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, the Fund will segregate or designate cash or liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are recorded as an asset and are subject to changes in the value based upon changes in the general level of interest rates. A Fund may sell when-issued securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss.

Short Sales

The Fund may engage in short sales against the box (i.e., where the Fund owns or has an unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost a security substantially similar to the security sold short) for hedging purposes to limit exposure to a possible market decline in the value of its portfolio securities. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The Fund may also incur an interest expense if a security that has been sold short has an interest payment. When a Fund engages in a short sale, the Fund records a liability for securities sold short and records an asset equal to the proceeds received. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the market value of the securities sold short. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold.

 

16


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $1,563 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide market exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The Fund had no open futures contracts as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Swap Agreements

The Fund may invest in swap agreements. A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to market, interest rate and credit risk. The value of swap agreements are equal to the Fund’s obligations (or rights) under swap agreements, which will generally be equal to the net amounts to be paid or received under the agreements based upon the relative values of the positions

held by each party to the agreements. In connection with these arrangements, securities may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty.

 

17


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Swaps are marked to market daily using pricing sources approved by the Trustees and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. For OTC swaps, payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss upon termination or maturity of the OTC swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the OTC swap is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains (losses). Upon entering a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or assets determined to be liquid (the amount is subject to the clearing organization that clears the trade). Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable, as applicable, for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps.

Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and exposure to loss. The primary risks associated with the use of swap agreements are imperfect correlation between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying instruments and the inability of counterparties or clearing house to perform. The counterparty risk for centrally cleared swap agreements is generally lower than for OTC swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a centrally cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to a clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.

The notional amounts reflect the extent of the total investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement (i.e., any unrealized appreciation) in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the swap agreement counterparty. The notional amount and related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of each swap agreement at period end is disclosed in the swap tables in the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund is party to International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with select counterparties that govern transactions, such as OTC swap contracts, entered into by the Fund, through the Subsidiary, and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding OTC swap transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement.

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional amount and are subject to interest rate risk exposure. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. During the year, the Fund entered into interest rate swap agreements to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate risk by economically hedging the value of the fixed rate bonds which may decrease when interest rates rise (interest rate risk). The Fund had no open interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for interest rate swaps was $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

     Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Recognized as a Result from  Operations
   Net Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
on Derivatives Recognized
as a Result from Operations
      Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Futures Contracts
   Net Realized
Gains (Losses) on
Swap Agreements
   Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
on Investments

Interest Rate Risk Exposure

     $ 65,660        $ 138,087        $  

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Pyramis Global Advisors, LLC (“Pyramis”), Pyramis provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

         0.50 %          0.95 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

 

18


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,873 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Non-exchange traded derivatives, such as swaps and certain options, are generally valued by approved independent pricing services utilizing techniques which take into account factors such as yields, quality, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

19


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Asset Backed Securities

       $          $ 18,845,475          $ 18,845,475  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

                    46,483,320            46,483,320  

Corporate Bonds+

                    192,276,382            192,276,382  

Municipal Bonds

                    22,663,464            22,663,464  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    30,857,494            30,857,494  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgages

                    58,107,342            58,107,342  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

                    53,456,592            53,456,592  

Yankee Dollars+

                    64,633,100            64,633,100  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         7,483,253                       7,483,253  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

       $ 7,483,253          $ 487,323,169          $ 494,806,422  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 1,676,658,756          $ 1,599,252,670  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 1,439,122,891          $ 1,506,069,151  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $494,726,798. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 5,549,254  

Unrealized depreciation

    (5,469,630
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 79,624   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

 

20


AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

CLCFs not subject to expiration:

 

       

Short Term

Amount

    

Long Term

Amount

    

Total

Amount

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 983,986          $ 31,085          $ 1,015,071  

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $5,550,252 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 6,291,393          $          $ 6,291,393  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 2,087,267          $          $ 2,087,267  

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund

       $ 8,819,574          $          $ (1,015,071 )        $ 79,624          $ 7,884,127  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

21


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

22


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

23


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

24


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

25


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

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Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

27


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

28


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

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Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 13

Statement of Operations

Page 13

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 14

Financial Highlights

Page 15

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 16

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 21

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 22

Other Information

Page 23

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 24

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 27

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund returned 12.21%. That compared to a 13.05% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index1.

U.S. equities moved higher in 2014 as domestic economic growth gained momentum and interest rates remained low. The period started out on a negative note, however: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Equity markets declined sharply in January, but the sell-off was short-lived. Investors soon learned that the recent weakness in the U.S. economic data was weather-related, and therefore temporary. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve shifted its position, announcing a more cautious approach to raising short-term rates.*

U.S. equities moved higher throughout the period, but volatility increased through the period. A combination of high valuations and persistent expectations of higher interest rates left stocks vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza—added to concerns.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. U.S. stocks recovered from a September sell-off to post impressive gains through the fourth quarter of 2014 as economic data continued to impress investors and helped to fuel a positive corporate earnings season. A sharp decline in oil prices later in the period contributed to uncertainty about global growth, but helped buoy U.S. stocks as it led to a pickup in consumer spending.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark due in large part to the effect of fees and expenses, as well as negative impacts from slight differences in weightings between the holdings in the Fund and the index. These negatives were partially offset by payments to the Fund resulting from class action lawsuits against companies held in the Fund.*

The low-interest rate environment helped the utilities sector to post strong returns as that sector offered attractive yields to income-seeking investors. Sectors tied to cyclical growth, such as health care and information technology, also fared well. The health care sector benefited from gains in the biotechnology industry, which were driven by new drug developments. Consumer staples also posted strong gains as many investors turned to more defensive holdings as volatility increased during the period. While most sectors posted gains for the period, the energy sector was an outlier. It posted a loss, weighed down by the dramatic slide in oil prices.

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1 The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to match the total return of the Russell 1000® Growth Index. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in all stocks in the Index in proportion to their weighting in the Index.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Returns on growth stocks may not move in tandem with returns on other categories of stocks or the market as a whole. Growth stocks may be susceptible to rapid price savings or to adverse developments in certain sectors of the market.

The Fund does not attempt to manage market volatility or reduce the effects of poor stock performance. In addition, factors such as Fund expenses, selection of a representative portfolio, changes in the composition of the Index, or the timing of purchases or redemptions of Fund shares may affect the correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s performance.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

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The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/30/10)
 

AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

     12.21     19.36     14.69

Russell 1000® Growth Index

     13.05     20.26     15.63

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

     0.78

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 0.84% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,059.30          $ 4.10            0.79 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,021.22          $ 4.02            0.79 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      28.1 %

Consumer Discretionary

      18.9  

Health Care

      14.1  

Industrials

      12.0  

Consumer Staples

      10.3  

Financials

      5.1  

Energy

      4.4  

Materials

      4.0  

Telecommunication Services

      2.1  

Utilities

      0.1  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      99.1  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      10.4  

Money Market

      0.9  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      110.4  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (10.4 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (99.1%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.9%):

  

  1,273       BE Aerospace, Inc.*^    $ 73,859   
  8,826       Boeing Co. (The)      1,147,202   
  1,200       Hexcel Corp.*^      49,788   
  9,478       Honeywell International, Inc.      947,042   
  513       Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.      57,692   
  637       KLX, Inc.*^      26,256   
  3,280       Lockheed Martin Corp.      631,630   
  1,753       Precision Castparts Corp.      422,263   
  1,445       Rockwell Collins, Inc.      122,074   
  1,388       Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A*      59,740   
  640       TransDigm Group, Inc.      125,664   
  155       Triumph Group, Inc.      10,419   
  1,243       United Technologies Corp.      142,945   
     

 

 

 
        3,816,574   
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.1%):

  

  1,790       C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.^      134,053   
  2,380       Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.      106,172   
  1,538       FedEx Corp.      267,089   
  8,567       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      952,393   
     

 

 

 
        1,459,707   
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (1.0%):

  

  1,528       Alaska Air Group, Inc.      91,313   
  8,717       American Airlines Group, Inc.      467,492   
  323       Copa Holdings SA, Class A      33,476   
  543       Delta Air Lines, Inc.      26,710   
  7,452       Southwest Airlines Co.      315,369   
  865       Spirit Airlines, Inc.*      65,377   
  4,520       United Continental Holdings, Inc.*      302,343   
     

 

 

 
        1,302,080   
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  

  1,671       Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.      56,647   
  2,767       BorgWarner, Inc.      152,047   
  1,032       Gentex Corp.      37,286   
  3,186       Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.      91,024   
  2,140       Johnson Controls, Inc.      103,448   
  780       Lear Corp.      76,502   
     

 

 

 
        516,954   
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.4%):

  

  2,643       Harley-Davidson, Inc.      174,200   
  1,151       Tesla Motors, Inc.*^      255,994   
  550       Thor Industries, Inc.      30,729   
     

 

 

 
        460,923   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.1%):

  

  546       Signature Bank*      68,774   
  54       SVB Financial Group*      6,268   
     

 

 

 
        75,042   
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (3.5%):

  

  1,862       Brown-Forman Corp., Class B      163,558   
  48,058       Coca-Cola Co. (The)      2,029,009   
  3,043       Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.      134,561   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Beverages, continued

  

  1,810       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*    $ 177,688   
  2,377       Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.      170,383   
  1,733       Monster Beverage Corp.*      187,771   
  18,350       PepsiCo, Inc.      1,735,176   
     

 

 

 
        4,598,146   
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (5.5%):

  

  2,394       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      442,962   
  1,475       Alkermes plc*      86,376   
  697       Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      67,609   
  8,686       Amgen, Inc.      1,383,593   
  2,871       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      974,561   
  1,766       BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*      159,646   
  9,693       Celgene Corp.*      1,084,259   
  845       Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      85,049   
  18,587       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      1,752,011   
  1,738       Incyte Corp.*^      127,065   
  154       Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      24,024   
  915       Medivation, Inc.*      91,143   
  810       Myriad Genetics, Inc.*^      27,589   
  955       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      391,789   
  1,203       Seattle Genetics, Inc.*^      38,652   
  586       United Therapeutics Corp.*^      75,881   
  2,859       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      339,649   
     

 

 

 
        7,151,858   
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.2%):

  

  415       A.O. Smith Corp.      23,410   
  1,143       Allegion plc      63,391   
  560       Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*      28,627   
  857       Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.^      38,796   
  606       Lennox International, Inc.^      57,613   
  4,272       Masco Corp.      107,655   
  1,153       USG Corp.*^      32,272   
     

 

 

 
        351,764   
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.2%):

  

  669       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*      141,989   
  802       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      106,065   
  340       Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc.      17,180   
  590       BlackRock, Inc., Class A+      210,960   
  2,212       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      66,780   
  1,447       Eaton Vance Corp.^      59,226   
  859       Federated Investors, Inc., Class B^      28,287   
  3,923       Franklin Resources, Inc.^      217,217   
  819       Invesco, Ltd.      32,367   
  1,515       Lazard, Ltd., Class A      75,796   
  504       Legg Mason, Inc.^      26,898   
  486       NorthStar Asset Management Group, Inc.      10,969   
  1,537       SEI Investments Co.      61,541   
  3,180       T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.      273,035   
  2,836       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.^      101,472   
  1,040       Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A      51,813   
     

 

 

 
        1,481,595   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Chemicals (3.4%):

  

  896       Airgas, Inc.    $ 103,201   
  378       Albemarle Corp.^      22,729   
  242       Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.*      6,297   
  52       Cabot Corp.      2,281   
  165       Celanese Corp., Series A      9,893   
  106       Cytec Industries, Inc.      4,894   
  2,331       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      106,317   
  10,493       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.      775,851   
  1,655       Eastman Chemical Co.      125,548   
  3,226       Ecolab, Inc.      337,182   
  1,630       FMC Corp.^      92,959   
  1,752       Huntsman Corp.^      39,911   
  975       International Flavor & Fragrances, Inc.^      98,826   
  5,068       LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A      402,349   
  5,861       Monsanto Co.      700,213   
  111       NewMarket Corp.^      44,792   
  1,053       Platform Speciality Products Corp.*      24,451   
  1,673       PPG Industries, Inc.      386,714   
  3,545       Praxair, Inc.      459,290   
  61       Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.^      1,360   
  56       Rockwood Holdings, Inc.      4,413   
  1,504       RPM International, Inc.      76,268   
  538       Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The)      33,528   
  1,043       Sherwin Williams Co.^      274,351   
  651       Sigma Aldrich Corp.      89,363   
  1,031       Valspar Corp. (The)      89,161   
  805       W.R. Grace & Co.*      76,789   
  418       Westlake Chemical Corp.      25,536   
     

 

 

 
        4,414,467   
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.6%):

  

  958       Cintas Corp.^      75,146   
  552       Clean Harbors, Inc.*^      26,524   
  1,332       Copart, Inc.*      48,605   
  545       Covanta Holding Corp.      11,995   
  1,984       Iron Mountain, Inc.^      76,701   
  696       KAR Auction Services, Inc.      24,116   
  1,123       Pitney Bowes, Inc.      27,368   
  240       R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.      4,033   
  752       Rollins, Inc.      24,891   
  1,019       Stericycle, Inc.*^      133,570   
  4,542       Tyco International plc      199,212   
  929       Waste Connections, Inc.      40,867   
  593       Waste Management, Inc.      30,433   
     

 

 

 
        723,461   
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.5%):

  

  56       Arista Networks, Inc.*^      3,403   
  1,557       Arris Group, Inc.*^      47,006   
  771       CommScope Holding Co., Inc.*      17,602   
  131       EchoStar Corp., Class A*      6,878   
  916       F5 Networks, Inc.*      119,505   
  270       Harris Corp.      19,391   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Communications Equipment, continued

  

  1,155       Juniper Networks, Inc.    $ 25,780   
  560       Motorola Solutions, Inc.^      37,565   
  617       Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*^      75,625   
  20,429       QUALCOMM, Inc.      1,518,487   
  1,911       Riverbed Technology, Inc.*      39,004   
     

 

 

 
        1,910,246   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.1%):

  

  1,192       Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV      50,040   
  1,194       Fluor Corp.      72,392   
  639       Quanta Services, Inc.*      18,141   
     

 

 

 
        140,573   
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.1%):

  

  600       Eagle Materials, Inc.      45,618   
  744       Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.^      82,078   
     

 

 

 
        127,696   
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.9%):

  

  2,888       Ally Financial, Inc.*      68,215   
  10,980       American Express Co.      1,021,579   
  70       Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.^      1,373   
  1,780       SLM Corp.      18,138   
  1,124       Synchrony Financial*      33,439   
     

 

 

 
        1,142,744   
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.4%):

  

  183       AptarGroup, Inc.^      12,232   
  397       Avery Dennison Corp.      20,596   
  1,687       Ball Corp.      115,002   
  1,661       Crown Holdings, Inc.*      84,545   
  1,219       Owens-Illinois, Inc.*      32,901   
  1,199       Packaging Corp. of America      93,582   
  2,603       Sealed Air Corp.      110,445   
  511       Silgan Holdings, Inc.^      27,390   
     

 

 

 
        496,693   
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.2%):

  

  1,738       Genuine Parts Co.      185,219   
  3,653       LKQ Corp.*      102,722   
     

 

 

 
        287,941   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.1%):

  

  3,318       H&R Block, Inc.      111,750   
  2,056       Service Corp. International^      46,671   
  335       ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.*      8,968   
     

 

 

 
        167,389   
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.4%):

  

  1,047       CBOE Holdings, Inc.^      66,401   
  591       IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc.      129,600   
  748       Leucadia National Corp.      16,770   
  1,082       LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.      48,203   
  2,288       Moody’s Corp.      219,214   
  646       MSCI, Inc., Class A      30,646   
     

 

 

 
        510,834   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (2.0%):

  

  433       CenturyLink, Inc.    $ 17,138   
  3,259       Level 3 Communications, Inc.*      160,929   
  50,123       Verizon Communications, Inc.      2,344,754   
  6,820       Windstream Holdings, Inc.^      56,197   
  105       Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.*^      3,210   
     

 

 

 
        2,582,228   
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.1%):

  

  1,770       ITC Holdings Corp.^      71,561   
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.7%):

  

  514       Acuity Brands, Inc.      71,996   
  2,969       AMETEK, Inc.      156,258   
  6,344       Emerson Electric Co.      391,616   
  117       Hubbell, Inc., Class B      12,499   
  1,676       Rockwell Automation, Inc.      186,371   
  542       Roper Industries, Inc.      84,742   
  525       Solarcity Corp.*^      28,077   
     

 

 

 
        931,559   
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.4%):

  

  3,804       Amphenol Corp., Class A      204,692   
  348       Avnet, Inc.      14,971   
  1,075       CDW Corp.      37,808   
  3,633       Corning, Inc.      83,305   
  1,165       FLIR Systems, Inc.      37,641   
  403       IPG Photonics Corp.*^      30,193   
  297       Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      10,030   
  1,184       National Instruments Corp.      36,811   
  3,147       Trimble Navigation, Ltd.*      83,521   
     

 

 

 
        538,972   
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.8%):

  

  174       Atwood Oceanics, Inc.*      4,936   
  448       Baker Hughes, Inc.      25,119   
  1,575       Cameron International Corp.*      78,671   
  926       Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.*      75,747   
  483       Dril-Quip, Inc.*      37,061   
  2,846       FMC Technologies, Inc.*      133,307   
  51       Frank’s International NV      848   
  10,222       Halliburton Co.      402,032   
  784       Helmerich & Payne, Inc.      52,857   
  365       Nabors Industries, Ltd.      4,738   
  451       National-Oilwell Varco, Inc.^      29,554   
  1,288       Oceaneering International, Inc.      75,747   
  914       Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.      15,163   
  782       RPC, Inc.^      10,197   
  15,741       Schlumberger, Ltd.      1,344,439   
  1,296       Seadrill, Ltd.^      15,474   
  107       Seventy Seven Energy, Inc.*^      579   
  132       Superior Energy Services, Inc.      2,660   
  39       Unit Corp.*      1,330   
     

 

 

 
        2,310,459   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.8%):

  

  5,015       Costco Wholesale Corp.    $ 710,876   
  2,009       CVS Caremark Corp.      193,487   
  6,167       Kroger Co. (The)      395,983   
  1,209       Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.*^      41,082   
  2,646       Sysco Corp.^      105,020   
  8,686       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      661,873   
  1,967       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.      168,926   
  1,912       Whole Foods Market, Inc.^      96,403   
     

 

 

 
        2,373,650   
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.7%):

  

  794       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      41,288   
  1,396       Campbell Soup Co.^      61,424   
  2,141       Flowers Foods, Inc.      41,086   
  7,437       General Mills, Inc.^      396,615   
  1,086       Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*^      63,303   
  1,809       Hershey Co.^      188,009   
  1,638       Hormel Foods Corp.      85,340   
  140       Ingredion, Inc.      11,878   
  2,835       Kellogg Co.      185,522   
  1,712       Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.      226,660   
  7,205       Kraft Foods Group, Inc.      451,466   
  1,579       McCormick & Co.      117,320   
  2,446       Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.      245,921   
  104       Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*      3,410   
  8,075       Rite AID Corp.*^      60,724   
  203       Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A      8,138   
  2,082       WhiteWave Foods Co., Class A*      72,849   
     

 

 

 
        2,260,953   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.8%):

  

  1,010       Align Technology, Inc.*^      56,469   
  6,567       Baxter International, Inc.      481,294   
  2,338       Becton, Dickinson & Co.      325,356   
  1,555       Boston Scientific Corp.*      20,604   
  923       C.R. Bard, Inc.      153,790   
  431       Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)^      69,861   
  550       DENTSPLY International, Inc.      29,299   
  1,277       Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*      162,664   
  472       Halyard Health, Inc.*^      21,462   
  63       Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.      2,874   
  957       Hologic, Inc.*      25,590   
  584       IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*^      86,590   
  403       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      213,163   
  1,694       ResMed, Inc.^      94,966   
  438       Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.*      38,268   
  2,215       St. Jude Medical, Inc.      144,041   
  2,425       Stryker Corp.      228,750   
  1,254       Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*      108,484   
  156       Zimmer Holdings, Inc.      17,694   
     

 

 

 
        2,281,219   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.0%):

  

  1,288       Aetna, Inc.    $ 114,413   
  2,733       AmerisourceBergen Corp.      246,407   
  1,916       Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.*^      70,260   
  341       Cardinal Health, Inc.      27,529   
  2,479       Catamaran Corp.*      128,288   
  683       Centene Corp.*      70,930   
  3,606       Cerner Corp.*^      233,164   
  259       CIGNA Corp.      26,654   
  762       DaVita, Inc.*      57,714   
  1,004       Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.*      34,829   
  7,705       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      652,381   
  384       HCA Holdings, Inc.*      28,182   
  1,033       Henry Schein, Inc.*^      140,643   
  415       Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*      44,779   
  2,791       McKesson, Inc.      579,355   
  814       MEDNAX, Inc.*      53,814   
  93       Patterson Cos., Inc.      4,473   
  401       Premier, Inc., Class A*      13,446   
  330       Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.*      19,427   
  1,181       Tenet Healthcare Corp.*^      59,841   
  242       Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B      26,925   
     

 

 

 
        2,633,454   
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.1%):

  

  829       Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*^      10,586   
  449       athenahealth, Inc.*^      65,420   
  925       IMS Health Holdings, Inc.*      23,717   
     

 

 

 
        99,723   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels Restaurants & Leisure (0.1%):

  

  13       Restaurant Brands International LP*      494   
  2,457       Restaurant Brands International, Inc.*      95,918   
     

 

 

 
        96,412   
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.8%):

  

  440       Aramark Holdings Corp.      13,706   
  777       Brinker International, Inc.^      45,602   
  377       Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      258,060   
  37       Choice Hotels International, Inc.^      2,073   
  674       Domino’s Pizza, Inc.^      63,471   
  1,288       Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.^      54,933   
  1,674       Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*      43,675   
  42       Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A*^      2,529   
  4,551       Las Vegas Sands Corp.^      264,686   
  2,343       Marriott International, Inc., Class A      182,824   
  11,963       McDonald’s Corp.      1,120,932   
  393       MGM Resorts International*^      8,402   
  1,040       Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd.*      48,630   
  302       Panera Bread Co., Class A*^      52,790   
  842       SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.      15,072   
  902       Six Flags Entertainment Corp.^      38,921   
  9,111       Starbucks Corp.      747,558   
  984       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.      79,773   
  1,534       Wyndham Worldwide Corp.      131,556   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, continued

  

  981       Wynn Resorts, Ltd.    $ 145,934   
  5,342       Yum! Brands, Inc.      389,165   
     

 

 

 
        3,710,292   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.3%):

  

  328       D.R. Horton, Inc.      8,295   
  161       GoPro, Inc., Class A*^      10,178   
  819       Harman International Industries, Inc.      87,396   
  730       Jarden Corp.*      34,952   
  848       Leggett & Platt, Inc.^      36,133   
  135       Lennar Corp.^      6,049   
  2,017       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      76,829   
  51       NVR, Inc.*      65,042   
  753       Tempur-Pedic International, Inc.*^      41,347   
  623       Tupperware Brands Corp.^      39,249   
  89       Whirlpool Corp.      17,243   
     

 

 

 
        422,713   
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.2%):

  

  1,629       Church & Dwight Co., Inc.      128,381   
  1,287       Clorox Co. (The)^      134,118   
  9,905       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      685,327   
  3,781       Kimberly-Clark Corp.      436,857   
  1,867       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      170,065   
  263       Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.      25,164   
     

 

 

 
        1,579,912   
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.0%):

  

  744       Calpine Corp.*      16,465   
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.1%):

  

  7,920       3M Co.      1,301,414   
  1,728       Danaher Corp.      148,107   
     

 

 

 
        1,449,521   
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (0.5%):

  

  135       American Financial Group, Inc.      8,197   
  2,758       Aon plc      261,541   
  1,796       Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.      84,556   
  84       Brown & Brown, Inc.      2,764   
  304       Erie Indemnity Co., Class A      27,594   
  4,483       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      256,607   
  238       Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.      20,854   
     

 

 

 
        662,113   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (2.2%):

  

  4,548       Amazon.com, Inc.*      1,411,471   
  1,221       Expedia, Inc.^      104,225   
  5,954       Groupon, Inc.*^      49,180   
  1,070       HomeAway, Inc.*^      31,865   
  2,949       Liberty Media Corp.—Interactive, Class A*      86,760   
  925       Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class A*      24,883   
  1,736       Liberty Ventures, Inc., Series A*      65,482   
  726       Netflix, Inc.*      248,009   
  625       Priceline.com, Inc.*      712,630   
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Internet & Catalog Retail, continued

  

  1,347       TripAdvisor, Inc.*^    $ 100,567   
  188       zulily, Inc., Class A*^      4,399   
     

 

 

 
        2,839,471   
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (5.8%):

  

  2,147       Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      135,175   
  15,339       eBay, Inc.*      860,825   
  635       Equinix, Inc.      143,974   
  23,899       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      1,864,599   
  3,438       Google, Inc., Class C*      1,809,762   
  3,398       Google, Inc., Class A*      1,803,183   
  378       IAC/InterActiveCorp      22,979   
  1,263       LinkedIn Corp., Class A*      290,124   
  1,406       Rackspace Hosting, Inc.*^      65,815   
  6,116       Twitter, Inc.*^      219,381   
  1,363       VeriSign, Inc.*^      77,691   
  629       Yelp, Inc.*^      34,425   
  385       Zillow, Inc., Class A*      40,768   
     

 

 

 
        7,368,701   
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (5.7%):

  

  7,656       Accenture plc, Class A      683,757   
  712       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*      203,668   
  5,835       Automatic Data Processing, Inc.      486,464   
  860       Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.      22,816   
  1,466       Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.      67,700   
  7,364       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*      387,788   
  110       Computer Sciences Corp.      6,936   
  288       DST Systems, Inc.      27,115   
  442       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      27,492   
  3,016       Fiserv, Inc.*      214,046   
  1,004       FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*      149,305   
  1,108       Gartner, Inc.*      93,305   
  213       Genpact, Ltd.*      4,032   
  825       Global Payments, Inc.      66,602   
  11,450       International Business Machines Corp.      1,837,037   
  1,041       Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.      64,688   
  12,168       MasterCard, Inc., Class A      1,048,394   
  3,510       Paychex, Inc.      162,057   
  560       Sabre Corp.^      11,351   
  1,479       Teradata Corp.*^      64,603   
  1,578       Total System Services, Inc.      53,589   
  1,541       Vantive, Inc., Class A*^      52,271   
  1,379       VeriFone Systems, Inc.*^      51,299   
  6,069       Visa, Inc., Class A      1,591,291   
  6,513       Western Union Co.^      116,648   
     

 

 

 
        7,494,254   
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.2%):

  

  1,180       Hasbro, Inc.^      64,888   
  1,517       Mattel, Inc.      46,944   
  797       Polaris Industries, Inc.^      120,538   
     

 

 

 
        232,370   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.7%):

  

  594       Agilent Technologies, Inc.    $ 24,318   
  213       Bio-Techne Corp.      19,681   
  1,279       Bruker Corp.*      25,094   
  290       Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*      18,456   
  642       Covance, Inc.*      66,665   
  1,687       Illumina, Inc.*^      311,387   
  358       Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*      108,281   
  265       PerkinElmer, Inc.      11,588   
  1,946       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      243,814   
  190       VWR Corp.*^      4,915   
  1,026       Waters Corp.*      115,651   
     

 

 

 
        949,850   
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.9%):

  

  1,602       Caterpillar, Inc.      146,631   
  1,137       Colfax Corp.*^      58,635   
  219       Crane Co.      12,855   
  2,226       Cummins, Inc.      320,922   
  959       Deere & Co.      84,843   
  1,580       Donaldson Co., Inc.^      61,035   
  1,487       Dover Corp.^      106,648   
  1,662       Flowserve Corp.      99,437   
  737       Graco, Inc.      59,093   
  898       IDEX Corp.      69,900   
  3,928       Illinois Tool Works, Inc.      371,983   
  283       Ingersoll-Rand plc      17,940   
  254       ITT Corp.      10,277   
  338       Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.      23,352   
  1,662       Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The)^      36,730   
  680       Middleby Corp. (The)*      67,388   
  111       Navistar International Corp.*^      3,716   
  778       Nordson Corp.      60,653   
  3,932       PACCAR, Inc.      267,415   
  1,328       Pall Corp.^      134,407   
  960       Parker Hannifin Corp.^      123,792   
  165       Pentair, Ltd.      10,959   
  101       Snap-On, Inc.      13,811   
  216       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      20,753   
  66       Timken Co.      2,817   
  681       Toro Co.      43,455   
  1,418       Trinity Industries, Inc.      39,718   
  21       Valmont Industries, Inc.^      2,667   
  684       WABCO Holdings, Inc.*      71,670   
  1,179       Wabtec Corp.      102,443   
  1,582       Xylem, Inc.      60,227   
     

 

 

 
        2,506,172   
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.0%):

  

  684       Kirby Corp.*      55,226   
     

 

 

 

 

Media (5.7%):

  

  717       AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*^      45,723   
  2,324       Cablevision Systems Corp., Class A^      47,967   
  5,741       CBS Corp., Class B      317,707   
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

  960       Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*    $ 159,955   
  1,381       Cinemark Holdings, Inc.      49,136   
  232       Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Class A      2,457   
  28,688       Comcast Corp., Class A      1,664,190   
  5,661       DIRECTV, Inc., Class A*      490,809   
  2,776       Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A*^      95,633   
  2,774       Discovery Communications, Inc., Class C*^      93,539   
  1,892       DISH Network Corp., Class A*      137,908   
  5,109       Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)      106,114   
  943       Lamar Advertising Co., Class A      50,583   
  953       Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.^      30,515   
  909       Live Nation, Inc.*      23,734   
  3,294       McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)      293,100   
  224       Morningstar, Inc.      14,495   
  3,128       Omnicom Group, Inc.^      242,326   
  2,448       Pandora Media, Inc.*^      43,648   
  273       Regal Entertainment Group, Class A^      5,831   
  1,274       Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A^      95,894   
  31,373       Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.*^      109,806   
  1,013       Starz—Liberty Capital*^      30,086   
  3,372       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      512,746   
  16,987       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      652,386   
  5,202       Viacom, Inc., Class B      391,451   
  17,566       Walt Disney Co. (The)      1,654,542   
     

 

 

 
        7,362,281   
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%):

  

  40       Carpenter Technology Corp.^      1,970   
  416       Compass Minerals International, Inc.      36,121   
  1,801       Southern Copper Corp.^      50,788   
  128       Tahoe Resources, Inc.      1,775   
  33       TimkenSteel Corp.      1,222   
     

 

 

 
        91,876   
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.7%):

  

  193       Big Lots, Inc.^      7,724   
  204       Dillard’s, Inc., Class A^      25,537   
  2,855       Dollar General Corp.*      201,849   
  2,503       Dollar Tree, Inc.*      176,161   
  1,083       Family Dollar Stores, Inc.      85,784   
  142       Kohl’s Corp.^      8,668   
  3,380       Macy’s, Inc.^      222,234   
  1,677       Nordstrom, Inc.^      133,137   
  258       Sears Holdings Corp.*      8,509   
  790       Target Corp.^      59,969   
     

 

 

 
        929,572   
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.0%):

  

  439       Dominion Resources, Inc.      33,759   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (2.6%):

  

  456       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      37,620   
  656       Antero Resources Corp.*^      26,620   
  5,050       Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.      149,531   
  2,879       Cheniere Energy, Inc.*^      202,682   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  1,499       Chesapeake Energy Corp.^    $ 29,335   
  130       Cimarex Energy Co.      13,780   
  3,774       Cobalt International Energy, Inc.*      33,551   
  1,364       Concho Resources, Inc.*      136,059   
  1,037       Continental Resources, Inc.*^      39,779   
  78       CVR Energy, Inc.      3,019   
  6,615       EOG Resources, Inc.      609,044   
  1,664       EQT Corp.      125,965   
  829       Gulfport Energy Corp.*      34,602   
  450       HollyFrontier Corp.      16,866   
  4,425       Kinder Morgan, Inc.      187,222   
  1,290       Kosmos Energy LLC*      10,823   
  845       Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.*^      8,746   
  2,267       Marathon Petroleum Corp.      204,619   
  331       Memorial Resource Development Corp.*      5,968   
  3,113       Noble Energy, Inc.      147,650   
  1,207       Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*^      19,964   
  1,325       ONEOK, Inc.      65,972   
  269       PBF Energy, Inc.      7,166   
  2,808       Phillips 66      201,334   
  1,731       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      257,659   
  237       QEP Resources, Inc.      4,792   
  1,983       Range Resources Corp.^      105,991   
  804       SM Energy Co.^      31,018   
  4,273       Southwestern Energy Co.*      116,610   
  449       Targa Resources Corp.^      47,616   
  259       Teekay Shipping Corp.      13,181   
  688       Tesoro Corp.      51,153   
  567       Ultra Petroleum Corp.*^      7,462   
  1,526       Valero Energy Corp.      75,537   
  720       Whiting Petroleum Corp.*      23,760   
  9,041       Williams Cos., Inc. (The)      406,303   
  174       World Fuel Services Corp.^      8,166   
     

 

 

 
        3,467,165   
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.0%):

  

  829       International Paper Co.      44,418   
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.2%):

  

  2,188       Avon Products, Inc.      20,545   
  686       Coty, Inc., Class A^      14,173   
  2,776       Estee Lauder Co., Inc. (The), Class A      211,531   
  921       Herbalife, Ltd.^      34,722   
  736       Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A^      32,163   
     

 

 

 
        313,134   
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (4.0%):

  

  19,245       Abbvie, Inc.      1,259,393   
  3,074       Actavis, Inc. plc*      791,278   
  3,601       Allergan, Inc.      765,537   
  7,160       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      422,655   
  1,843       Endo International plc*      132,917   
  719       Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc*^      117,722   
  5,376       Johnson & Johnson Co.      562,168   
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals, continued

  

  983       Mallinckrodt plc*    $ 97,346   
  4,952       Merck & Co., Inc.      281,224   
  4,523       Mylan, Inc.*      254,962   
  374       Perrigo Co. plc      62,518   
  732       Pharmacyclics, Inc.*^      89,494   
  767       Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.*^      88,159   
  6,064       Zoetis, Inc.      260,934   
     

 

 

 
        5,186,307   
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.5%):

  

  371       CoStar Group, Inc.*      68,127   
  163       Dun & Bradstreet Corp.      19,716   
  774       Equifax, Inc.      62,593   
  822       IHS, Inc., Class A*      93,609   
  2,548       Nielsen Holdings NV      113,972   
  1,651       Robert Half International, Inc.      96,385   
  2,014       Verisk Analytics, Inc., Class A*      128,998   
     

 

 

 
        583,400   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.8%):

  

  4,790       American Tower Corp.      473,491   
  1,029       Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A      38,227   
  227       Boston Properties, Inc.      29,213   
  232       Columbia Property Trust, Inc.      5,881   
  4,040       Crown Castle International Corp.      317,947   
  724       Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.      37,322   
  1,386       Extra Space Storage, Inc.      81,275   
  532       Federal Realty Investment Trust      71,001   
  175       Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc.      5,135   
  2,039       Health Care REIT, Inc.      154,291   
  177       Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A^      4,755   
  486       NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.      8,544   
  509       Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.^      19,887   
  103       Outfront Media, Inc.      2,765   
  93       Paramount Group, Inc.*      1,729   
  1,054       Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.^      45,101   
  1,604       Public Storage, Inc.      296,499   
  185       Rayonier, Inc.      5,169   
  2,805       Simon Property Group, Inc.      510,818   
  701       Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.      25,909   
  731       Taubman Centers, Inc.      55,863   
  1,626       Ventas, Inc.^      116,584   
  522       Vornado Realty Trust      61,445   
  668       Weyerhaeuser Co.^      23,975   
     

 

 

 
        2,392,826   
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.2%):

  

  3,430       CBRE Group, Inc.*      117,477   
  233       Howard Hughes Corp. (The)*      30,388   
  147       Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.      22,040   
  781       Realogy Holdings Corp.*^      34,747   
     

 

 

 
        204,652   
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Road & Rail (1.5%):

  

  49       AMERCO, Inc.    $ 13,929   
  1,273       Avis Budget Group, Inc.*      84,438   
  297       Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A*      26,706   
  5,418       Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*      135,125   
  1,113       J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.^      93,770   
  1,031       Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.      125,813   
  542       Landstar System, Inc.^      39,311   
  789       Norfolk Southern Corp.      86,482   
  777       Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*      60,326   
  10,964       Union Pacific Corp.      1,306,142   
     

 

 

 
        1,972,042   
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.2%):

  

  7,178       Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.*^      19,165   
  1,450       Altera Corp.      53,563   
  1,721       Analog Devices, Inc.      95,550   
  9,842       Applied Materials, Inc.      245,262   
  5,127       Atmel Corp.*      43,041   
  3,024       Avago Technologies, Ltd.      304,184   
  825       Cree, Inc.*^      26,582   
  1,201       Freescale Semiconductor Holdings I, Ltd.*^      30,301   
  5,121       Intel Corp.      185,841   
  1,830       KLA-Tencor Corp.^      128,686   
  534       Lam Research Corp.^      42,368   
  2,863       Linear Technology Corp.^      130,553   
  3,127       Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.      99,657   
  2,424       Microchip Technology, Inc.^      109,347   
  11,361       Micron Technology, Inc.*      397,748   
  1,133       NVIDIA Corp.      22,717   
  2,790       ON Semiconductor Corp.*      28,263   
  2,294       Skyworks Solutions, Inc.      166,797   
  1,061       SunEdison, Inc.*^      20,700   
  64       Sunpower Corp. Common*^      1,653   
  265       Teradyne, Inc.^      5,244   
  13,064       Texas Instruments, Inc.      698,466   
  3,247       Xilinx, Inc.      140,563   
     

 

 

 
        2,996,251   
     

 

 

 

 

Software (5.9%):

  

  3,931       Activision Blizzard, Inc.      79,210   
  6,024       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      437,945   
  264       Ansys, Inc.*      21,648   
  2,172       Autodesk, Inc.*      130,450   
  3,439       Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*^      65,238   
  1,945       CDK Global, Inc.      79,278   
  1,795       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      114,521   
  2,912       Electronic Arts, Inc.*      136,908   
  509       FactSet Research Systems, Inc.^      71,642   
  860       FireEye, Inc.*^      27,159   
  1,681       Fortinet, Inc.*      51,539   
  1,220       Informatica Corp.*      46,525   
  3,436       Intuit, Inc.      316,765   
  64,688       Microsoft Corp.      3,004,757   
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software, continued

  

  514       NetSuite, Inc.*^    $ 56,113   
  39,754       Oracle Corp.      1,787,736   
  1,402       PTC, Inc.*      51,383   
  2,290       Red Hat, Inc.*      158,331   
  7,431       Salesforce.com, Inc.*^      440,733   
  1,741       ServiceNow, Inc.*      118,127   
  818       Solarwinds, Inc.*      40,761   
  825       Solera Holdings, Inc.      42,224   
  1,423       Splunk, Inc.*^      83,886   
  471       Tableau Software, Inc., Class A*      39,922   
  469       Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*^      12,386   
  1,057       VMware, Inc., Class A*^      87,224   
  1,130       Workday, Inc., Class A*^      92,219   
     

 

 

 
        7,594,630   
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (4.2%):

  

  138       Aaron’s, Inc.      4,219   
  106       Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A^      3,036   
  880       Advance Auto Parts, Inc.      140,166   
  853       AutoNation, Inc.*      51,530   
  395       AutoZone, Inc.*^      244,548   
  963       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      73,352   
  1,063       Best Buy Co., Inc.      41,436   
  70       Cabela’s, Inc., Class A*^      3,690   
  1,830       CarMax, Inc.*      121,841   
  829       Chico’s FAS, Inc.      13,438   
  798       CST Brands, Inc.      34,801   
  205       Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.^      10,178   
  262       Foot Locker, Inc.^      14,719   
  74       GameStop Corp., Class A^      2,501   
  3,061       Gap, Inc. (The)^      128,899   
  1,089       GNC Holdings, Inc., Class A      51,139   
  16,553       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      1,737,569   
  1,034       L Brands, Inc.      89,493   
  12,331       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      848,373   
  214       Michaels Cos., Inc. (The)*^      5,292   
  269       Murphy USA, Inc.*      18,523   
  1,284       O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*      247,324   
  234       Penske Automotive Group, Inc.      11,482   
  1,214       PetSmart, Inc.      98,692   
  2,571       Ross Stores, Inc.      242,342   
  1,481       Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*      45,526   
  660       Signet Jewelers, Ltd.      86,836   
  1,365       Tiffany & Co.^      145,864   
  8,476       TJX Cos., Inc. (The)      581,284   
  1,676       Tractor Supply Co.^      132,102   
  778       Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.*      99,460   
  953       Urban Outfitters, Inc.*^      33,479   
  1,157       Williams-Sonoma, Inc.^      87,562   
     

 

 

 
        5,450,696   
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (6.6%):

  

  1,309       3D Systems Corp.*      43,027   
  72,981       Apple, Inc.      8,055,645   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals, continued

  

  799       Diebold, Inc.^    $ 27,677   
  2,419       EMC Corp.^      71,941   
  197       NCR Corp.*^      5,741   
  1,418       NetApp, Inc.      58,776   
  1,300       SanDisk Corp.^      127,374   
  347       Stratasys, Ltd.*^      28,839   
  625       Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*      48,381   
     

 

 

 
        8,467,401   
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.6%):

  

  650       Carter’s, Inc.      56,752   
  3,305       Coach, Inc.      124,136   
  428       Deckers Outdoor Corp.*^      38,965   
  559       Fossil Group, Inc.*      61,904   
  1,205       Hanesbrands, Inc.      134,502   
  1,566       Kate Spade & Co.*      50,128   
  2,472       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*      185,647   
  8,454       Nike, Inc., Class B      812,851   
  872       PVH Corp.      111,764   
  534       Ralph Lauren Corp.^      98,875   
  2,094       Under Armour, Inc., Class A*^      142,183   
  4,175       V.F. Corp.      312,708   
     

 

 

 
        2,130,415   
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.0%):

  

  248       Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.*^      6,991   
  1,306       Ocwen Financial Corp.*^      19,721   
     

 

 

 
        26,712   
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.9%):

  

  22,745       Altria Group, Inc.      1,120,645   
  4,388       Lorillard, Inc.      276,181   
  11,175       Philip Morris International, Inc.      910,204   
  2,821       Reynolds American, Inc.      181,306   
     

 

 

 
        2,488,336   
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.4%):

  

  81       Air Lease Corp.      2,779   
  3,592       Fastenal Co.^      170,836   
  1,313       HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*      38,720   
  572       MRC Global, Inc.*      8,666   
  567       MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A^      46,069   
  113       NOW, Inc.*^      2,907   
  1,177       United Rentals, Inc.*^      120,066   
  15       Veritiv Corp.*^      778   
  706       W.W. Grainger, Inc.^      179,952   
     

 

 

 
        570,773   
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  1,559       SBA Communications Corp., Class A*      172,675   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $74,708,429)

     129,083,258   
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (10.4%):

  

$ 13,537,224       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 13,537,224   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $13,537,224)

     13,537,224   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.9%):

  
  1,142,163       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      1,142,163   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $1,142,163)

     1,142,163   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $89,387,816)(c) — 110.4%

     143,762,645   

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (10.4)%

     (13,503,569
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 130,259,076   
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $13,116,384.

 

+ Affiliated Securities

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Futures Contracts

Cash of $71,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         4       $ 338,620       $ (4,271

S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         9         923,580         933   
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ (3,338
              

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investments in non-affiliates, at cost

     $ 89,281,564  

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       106,252  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at cost

     $ 89,387,816  
    

 

 

 

Investments in non-affiliates, at value*

     $ 143,551,685  

Investments in affiliates, at value

       210,960  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at value

       143,762,645  

Cash

       931  

Segregated cash for collateral

       71,000  

Interest and dividends receivable

       132,407  

Receivable for investments sold

       488  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       2,215  

Prepaid expenses

       1,106  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       143,970,792  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       43,657  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       13,537,224  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       17,150  

Manager fees payable

       48,730  

Administration fees payable

       3,787  

Distribution fees payable

       27,687  

Custodian fees payable

       5,868  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       488  

Trustee fees payable

       10  

Other accrued liabilities

       27,115  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       13,711,716  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 130,259,076  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 61,453,696  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       1,105,671  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       13,328,218  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       54,371,491  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 130,259,076  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       7,613,786  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 17.11  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $13,116,384.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 2,081,811  

Dividends from affiliates

       4,665  

Income from securities lending

       28,688  

Foreign withholding tax

       (316 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       2,114,848  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       579,788  

Administration fees

       42,467  

Distribution fees

       329,424  

Custodian fees

       20,714  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       1,740  

Trustee fees

       6,711  

Professional fees

       7,102  

Shareholder reports

       1,716  

Other expenses

       35,361  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       1,025,023  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1,089,825  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       13,130,273  

Net gains distribution from affiliated underlying funds

       14,631  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       453,791  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       39,430  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       13,638,125  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 14,727,950  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 1,089,825        $ 1,250,991  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       13,598,695          10,769,478  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       39,430          26,959,930  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       14,727,950          38,980,399  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (1,219,475 )        (1,445,971 )

From net realized gains

       (8,853,703 )         
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (10,073,178 )        (1,445,971 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       6,103,472          4,620,558  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       10,073,178          1,445,971  

Value of shares redeemed

       (34,906,975 )        (45,131,629 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (18,730,325 )        (39,065,100 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (14,075,553 )        (1,530,672 )

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       144,334,629          145,865,301  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 130,259,076        $ 144,334,629  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 1,105,671        $ 1,254,496  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       359,122          333,477  

Dividends reinvested

       611,237          96,980  

Shares redeemed

       (2,079,653 )        (3,256,480 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (1,109,294 )        (2,826,023 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

 

      Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  Year Ended
December 31,
2012
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  April 30, 2010
to
December 31,
2010(a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 16.55       $ 12.63       $ 11.10       $ 10.95       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.17         0.18         0.12         0.08         0.05  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.80         3.90         1.48         0.13         0.90  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.97         4.08         1.60         0.21         0.95  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.17 )       (0.16 )       (0.07 )       (0.06 )        

Net Realized Gains

       (1.24 )                                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (1.41 )       (0.16 )       (0.07 )       (0.06 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 17.11       $ 16.55       $ 12.63       $ 11.10       $ 10.95  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       12.21 %       32.48 %       14.40 %       1.92 %       9.50 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 130,259       $ 144,335       $ 145,865       $ 111,887       $ 105,577  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d)

       0.83 %       0.89 %       1.09 %       0.72 %       0.87 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)(e)

       0.78 %       0.78 %       0.80 %       0.84 %       0.87 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       0.78 %       0.78 %       0.80 %       0.84 %       0.84 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       13 %       13 %       16 %       24 %       29 %(c)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Not annualized.

 

(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(e) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

15


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign

 

16


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $2,821 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $1.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 933      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 4,271   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 453,791         $ (99,402

 

17


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

         0.44 %          0.84 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $1,665 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

 

18


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 129,083,258          $          $ 129,083,258  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    13,537,224            13,537,224  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         1,142,163                       1,142,163  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         130,225,421            13,537,224            143,762,645  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         (3,338 )                     (3,338 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 130,222,083          $ 13,537,224          $ 143,759,307  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 17,046,991          $ 42,702,598  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

 

19


AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $89,610,768. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 55,192,389   

Unrealized depreciation

    (1,040,512
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 54,151,877   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 1,219,475          $ 8,853,703          $ 10,073,178  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 1,445,971          $          $ 1,445,971  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund

       $ 1,628,187          $ 13,025,316          $          $ 54,151,877          $ 68,805,380  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Ownership and Principal Holders

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2 (a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had an individual shareholder account which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser representing ownership in excess of 50% of the Fund.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

20


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

21


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $8,853,703.

 

22


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

23


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

24


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

25


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

26


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

27


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14   

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present;

Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

28


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 13

Statement of Operations

Page 13

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 14

Financial Highlights

Page 15

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 16

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 21

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 22

Other Information

Page 23

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 24

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 27

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund returned 12.59%. That compared to a 13.45% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index1.

The Fund attempts to replicate the performance of the Russell 1000® index of U.S. large-cap value stocks. U.S. equities moved higher in 2014 as domestic economic growth gained momentum and interest rates remained low. The period started out on a negative note, however: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Equity markets declined sharply in January, but the sell-off was short-lived. Investors soon learned that the recent weakness in the U.S. economic data was weather-related, and therefore temporary. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve shifted its position, announcing a more cautious approach to raising short-term rates.

U.S. equities moved higher throughout the period, but volatility increased through the period. A combination of high valuations and persistent expectations of higher interest rates left stocks vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza—added to concerns.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. U.S. stocks recovered from a September sell-off to post impressive gains through the fourth quarter of 2014 as economic data continued to impress investors and helped to fuel a positive corporate earnings season. A sharp decline in oil prices later in the period contributed to uncertainty about global growth, but helped buoy U.S. stocks as it led to a pickup in consumer spending.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark due in large part to the effect of fees and expenses, as well as negative impacts from slight differences in weightings between the holdings in the Fund and the index.*

From a sector perspective, information technology was the best performing sector, followed by utilities and health care. Utilities shares benefited from the low-interest rate environment as companies in that sector offered attractive yields to income-seeking investors. Sectors tied to cyclical growth, such as health care and information technology, also posted strong results for the period. Energy was a notable underperformer. It posted a loss, weighed down by falling oil prices.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

*  The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to match the total return of the Russell 1000® Value Index. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in all stocks in the Index in proportion to their weighting in the Index.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

The Fund does not attempt to manage market volatility or reduce the effects of poor stock performance. In addition, factors such as Fund expenses, selection of a representative portfolio, changes in the composition of the Index, or the timing of purchases or redemptions of Fund shares may affect the correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s performance.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    Since
Inception
(4/30/10)
 

AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

     12.59     19.98     13.50

Russell 1000® Value Index

     13.45     20.89     14.36

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

     0.78

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.84% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.77%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Value Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,043.50          $ 3.91            0.76 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,021.37          $ 3.87            0.76 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      29.6 %

Health Care

      13.7  

Energy

      11.3  

Industrials

      10.0  

Information Technology

      9.4  

Consumer Staples

      7.2  

Utilities

      6.4  

Consumer Discretionary

      6.4  

Materials

      3.0  

Telecommunication Services

      2.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      99.0  

Right

      ^

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      13.1  

Money Market

      0.6  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      112.7  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (12.7 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%

 

3


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (99.0%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.2%):

  

  659       Alliant Techsystems, Inc.    $ 76,609  
  3,923       Exelis, Inc.      68,770  
  6,386       General Dynamics Corp.      878,841  
  168       Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.      18,893  
  1,806       L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.      227,935  
  4,215       Northrop Grumman Corp.      621,249  
  6,529       Raytheon Co.^      706,242  
  327       Rockwell Collins, Inc.      27,625  
  180       Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A*      7,747  
  5,845       Textron, Inc.^      246,133  
  837       Triumph Group, Inc.      56,263  
  17,001       United Technologies Corp.      1,955,115  
  224       Vectrus, Inc.*      6,138  
     

 

 

 
        4,897,560  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.3%):

  

  3,514       FedEx Corp.      610,241  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.4%):

  

  236       Alaska Air Group, Inc.      14,103  
  158       Copa Holdings SA, Class A      16,375  
  16,779       Delta Air Lines, Inc.      825,359  
  1,597       Southwest Airlines Co.      67,585  
     

 

 

 
        923,422  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  

  1,255       Gentex Corp.      45,343  
  10,145       Johnson Controls, Inc.      490,410  
  331       Lear Corp.      32,464  
  2,320       TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.*      238,612  
  913       Visteon Corp.*      97,563  
     

 

 

 
        904,392  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (1.1%):

  

  81,102       Ford Motor Co.      1,257,081  
  33,492       General Motors Co.      1,169,206  
     

 

 

 
        2,426,287  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (11.3%):

  

  3,361       Associated Banc-Corp.^      62,615  
  219,607       Bank of America Corp.      3,928,769  
  933       Bank of Hawaii Corp.^      55,336  
  14,984       BB&T Corp.^      582,728  
  561       BOK Financial Corp.^      33,682  
  3,822       CIT Group, Inc.      182,806  
  63,440       Citigroup, Inc.      3,432,738  
  3,214       Citizens Financial Group, Inc.^      79,900  
  998       City National Corp.^      80,648  
  3,805       Comerica, Inc.      178,226  
  1,776       Commerce Bancshares, Inc.^      77,219  
  1,091       Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.      77,068  
  2,989       East West Bancorp, Inc.      115,704  
  17,806       Fifth Third Bancorp      362,797  
  4,990       First Horizon National Corp.^      67,764  
  7,325       First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.      61,750  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

  2,883       First Republic Bank    $ 150,262  
  3,949       Fulton Financial Corp.      48,810  
  17,339       Huntington Bancshares, Inc.      182,406  
  79,039       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      4,946,262  
  18,496       KeyCorp      257,094  
  2,753       M&T Bank Corp.^      345,832  
  2,130       PacWest Bancorp      96,830  
  11,155       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.      1,017,671  
  2,149       Popular, Inc.*      73,173  
  28,873       Regions Financial Corp.      304,899  
  75       Signature Bank*      9,447  
  11,103       SunTrust Banks, Inc.      465,216  
  965       SVB Financial Group*      112,008  
  2,932       Synovus Financial Corp.      79,428  
  3,416       TCF Financial Corp.      54,280  
  35,875       U.S. Bancorp      1,612,581  
  99,733       Wells Fargo & Co.      5,467,364  
  4,129       Zions Bancorp      117,718  
     

 

 

 
        24,721,031  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.1%):

  

  217       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*      21,303  
  2,847       Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B      212,158  
     

 

 

 
        233,461  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.1%):

  

  420       Alkermes plc*      24,595  
  201       Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      19,497  
  825       Amgen, Inc.      131,415  
  88       Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      8,857  
  206       Myriad Genetics, Inc.*^      7,016  
     

 

 

 
        191,380  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.1%):

  

  863       A.O. Smith Corp.      48,682  
  2,018       Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.^      91,355  
  2,447       Owens Corning, Inc.^      87,627  
     

 

 

 
        227,664  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (3.5%):

  

  2,584       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      341,734  
  23,816       Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      966,215  
  1,644       BlackRock, Inc., Class A +      587,829  
  19,576       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      590,999  
  6,045       E*TRADE Financial Corp.*      146,621  
  530       Federated Investors, Inc., Class B^      17,453  
  1,513       Franklin Resources, Inc.^      83,775  
  9,339       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      1,810,178  
  7,673       Invesco, Ltd.      303,237  
  1,334       Legg Mason, Inc.^      71,196  
  32,032       Morgan Stanley      1,242,842  
  4,951       Northern Trust Corp.      333,697  
  3,042       NorthStar Asset Management Group, Inc.      68,658  
  2,613       Raymond James Financial, Inc.      149,699  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  

  170       SEI Investments Co.    $ 6,807  
  8,982       State Street Corp.      705,087  
  731       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.^      26,155  
     

 

 

 
        7,452,182  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.5%):

  

  4,429       Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.      638,796  
  996       Albemarle Corp.^      59,889  
  1,445       Ashland, Inc.      173,053  
  369       Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.*      9,601  
  1,276       Cabot Corp.      55,965  
  2,985       Celanese Corp., Series A      178,981  
  1,091       CF Industries Holdings, Inc.      297,341  
  1,324       Cytec Industries, Inc.      61,129  
  21,120       Dow Chemical Co. (The)      963,284  
  1,066       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.      78,820  
  273       Eastman Chemical Co.      20,710  
  1,232       Huntsman Corp.^      28,065  
  7,006       Mosaic Co. (The)      319,824  
  810       Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.^      18,063  
  1,423       Rockwood Holdings, Inc.      112,132  
  185       RPM International, Inc.      9,381  
  1,345       Sigma Aldrich Corp.      184,628  
  213       W.R. Grace & Co.*      20,318  
  122       Westlake Chemical Corp.      7,453  
     

 

 

 
        3,237,433  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.6%):

  

  3,651       ADT Corp. (The)^      132,276  
  410       Cintas Corp.^      32,160  
  353       Clean Harbors, Inc.*^      16,962  
  2,429       Corrections Corp. of America^      88,270  
  1,306       Covanta Holding Corp.      28,745  
  409       Iron Mountain, Inc.^      15,812  
  1,761       KAR Auction Services, Inc.      61,019  
  2,317       Pitney Bowes, Inc.      56,465  
  3,814       R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.      64,094  
  5,562       Republic Services, Inc., Class A      223,871  
  944       Tyco International plc      41,404  
  1,024       Waste Connections, Inc.      45,046  
  8,697       Waste Management, Inc.      446,329  
     

 

 

 
        1,252,453  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.7%):

  

  30       Arista Networks, Inc.*^      1,823  
  9,108       Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.      107,839  
  106,981       Cisco Systems, Inc.      2,975,676  
  669       EchoStar Corp., Class A*      35,123  
  1,774       Harris Corp.      127,409  
  4,758       JDS Uniphase Corp.*^      65,280  
  7,074       Juniper Networks, Inc.      157,892  
  3,229       Motorola Solutions, Inc.^      216,600  
     

 

 

 
        3,687,642  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Construction & Engineering (0.2%):

  

  3,141       Aecom Technology Corp.*    $ 95,392  
  1,289       Fluor Corp.      78,152  
  2,771       Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.*      123,837  
  3,071       KBR, Inc.      52,053  
  3,391       Quanta Services, Inc.*      96,270  
     

 

 

 
        445,704  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.1%):

  

  2,740       Vulcan Materials Co.      180,100  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.9%):

  

  626       Ally Financial, Inc.*      14,786  
  11,937       Capital One Financial Corp.      985,399  
  9,726       Discover Financial Services      636,956  
  8,854       Navient Corp.      191,335  
  1,678       Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.^      32,906  
  5,857       SLM Corp.      59,683  
  759       Synchrony Financial*      22,580  
     

 

 

 
        1,943,645  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.3%):

  

  1,072       AptarGroup, Inc.^      71,652  
  1,311       Avery Dennison Corp.      68,015  
  2,099       Bemis Co., Inc.      94,896  
  648       Greif, Inc., Class A      30,605  
  3,517       MeadWestvaco Corp.      156,120  
  1,355       Owens-Illinois, Inc.*      36,571  
  3,007       Rock-Tenn Co., Class A      183,367  
  2,130       Sonoco Products Co.      93,081  
     

 

 

 
        734,307  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.0%):

  

  196       Genuine Parts Co.      20,888  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.1%):

  

  2,019       Apollo Group, Inc., Class A*      68,868  
  1,342       DeVry, Inc.      63,705  
  73       Graham Holdings Co., Class B      63,051  
  1,002       Service Corp. International^      22,745  
  291       ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.*      7,790  
     

 

 

 
        226,159  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.6%):

  

  6,650       CME Group, Inc.      589,523  
  1,869       FNFV Group*      29,418  
  1,108       Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A      32,309  
  1,389       IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc.      304,594  
  6,455       Leucadia National Corp.^      144,721  
  1,371       MSCI, Inc., Class A^      65,040  
  2,449       NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)      117,454  
  2,853       Voya Financial, Inc.      120,910  
     

 

 

 
        1,403,969  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.9%):

  

  108,397       AT&T, Inc.^      3,641,054  
  11,258       CenturyLink, Inc.^      445,592  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services, continued

  

  20,998       Frontier Communications Corp.^    $ 140,057  
  900       Windstream Holdings, Inc.^      7,416  
  194       Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.*^      5,931  
     

 

 

 
        4,240,050  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (2.8%):

  

  10,181       American Electric Power Co., Inc.      618,190  
  14,770       Duke Energy Corp.^      1,233,885  
  6,820       Edison International      446,574  
  3,756       Entergy Corp.^      328,575  
  17,917       Exelon Corp.^      664,362  
  8,791       FirstEnergy Corp.^      342,761  
  3,230       Great Plains Energy, Inc.      91,764  
  2,138       Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.^      71,580  
  198       ITC Holdings Corp.      8,005  
  6,616       Northeast Utilities      354,088  
  4,172       OGE Energy Corp.      148,023  
  5,259       Pepco Holdings, Inc.      141,625  
  2,312       Pinnacle West Capital Corp.      157,933  
  13,848       PPL Corp.      503,098  
  18,616       Southern Co. (The)^      914,232  
  2,690       Westar Energy, Inc.^      110,936  
     

 

 

 
        6,135,631  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.7%):

  

  2,337       Babcock & Wilcox Co. (The)      70,811  
  9,947       Eaton Corp. plc      675,998  
  3,718       Emerson Electric Co.      229,512  
  1,041       Hubbell, Inc., Class B      111,210  
  934       Regal-Beloit Corp.      70,237  
  1,144       Roper Industries, Inc.      178,864  
     

 

 

 
        1,336,632  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.5%):

  

  2,088       Arrow Electronics, Inc.*      120,875  
  2,310       Avnet, Inc.      99,376  
  1,040       AVX Corp.^      14,560  
  20,939       Corning, Inc.      480,132  
  999       Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A      43,077  
  869       FLIR Systems, Inc.      28,077  
  3,205       Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A*      88,586  
  4,262       Jabil Circuit, Inc.      93,039  
  2,982       Keysight Technologies, Inc.*      100,702  
  1,793       Knowles Corp.*^      42,225  
  790       Tech Data Corp.*      49,952  
  2,880       Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.^      40,752  
     

 

 

 
        1,201,353  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (0.8%):

  

  1,045       Atwood Oceanics, Inc.*      29,647  
  8,331       Baker Hughes, Inc.      467,118  
  1,542       Cameron International Corp.*      77,023  
  1,403       Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.^      51,504  
  658       Frank’s International NV      10,943  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Energy Equipment & Services, continued

  

  659       Helmerich & Payne, Inc.    $ 44,430  
  5,602       Nabors Industries, Ltd.      72,714  
  8,184       National-Oilwell Varco, Inc.^      536,297  
  990       Oil States International, Inc.*      48,411  
  1,444       Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.      23,956  
  2,587       Rowan Cos. plc, Class A      60,329  
  5,196       Seadrill, Ltd.^      62,040  
  630       Seventy Seven Energy, Inc.*^      3,408  
  3,038       Superior Energy Services, Inc.      61,216  
  1,065       Tidewater, Inc.^      34,517  
  978       Unit Corp.*      33,350  
     

 

 

 
        1,616,903  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.6%):

  

  526       Costco Wholesale Corp.      74,561  
  20,951       CVS Caremark Corp.      2,017,790  
  4,824       Safeway, Inc.      169,419  
  7,650       Sysco Corp.      303,629  
  4,955       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      377,571  
  29,879       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.      2,566,008  
  4,349       Whole Foods Market, Inc.^      219,277  
     

 

 

 
        5,728,255  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.5%):

  

  12,315       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      640,379  
  3,082       Bunge, Ltd.      280,185  
  1,222       Campbell Soup Co.^      53,768  
  8,818       ConAgra Foods, Inc.^      319,917  
  188       Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*^      10,959  
  1,328       Ingredion, Inc.      112,668  
  2,171       J.M. Smucker Co. (The)^      219,228  
  464       Kellogg Co.      30,364  
  35,325       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      1,283,180  
  1,140       Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*      37,381  
  1,130       Pinnacle Foods, Inc.      39,889  
  6,698       Rite AID Corp.*^      50,369  
  5,581       Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A      223,742  
     

 

 

 
        3,302,029  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.3%):

  

  2,499       AGL Resources, Inc.      136,220  
  2,099       Atmos Energy Corp.      116,998  
  1,760       National Fuel Gas Co.^      122,373  
  3,658       Questar Corp.      92,474  
  3,617       UGI Corp.      137,374  
     

 

 

 
        605,439  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (2.6%):

  

  31,366       Abbott Laboratories      1,412,097  
  1,752       Alere, Inc.*      66,576  
  25,061       Boston Scientific Corp.*      332,058  
  4,341       CareFusion Corp.*      257,595  
  259       Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)^      41,981  
  9,415       Covidien plc      962,966  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

  2,046       DENTSPLY International, Inc.    $ 108,990  
  170       Halyard Health, Inc.*      7,730  
  1,118       Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.      51,003  
  3,378       Hologic, Inc.*      90,328  
  54       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      28,563  
  20,863       Medtronic, Inc.^      1,506,308  
  461       Sirona Dental Systems, Inc.*      40,278  
  2,120       St. Jude Medical, Inc.      137,864  
  2,844       Stryker Corp.      268,275  
  867       Teleflex, Inc.^      99,549  
  3,250       Zimmer Holdings, Inc.      368,615  
     

 

 

 
        5,780,776  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.1%):

  

  5,228       Aetna, Inc.      464,403  
  5,837       Anthem, Inc.^      733,536  
  6,518       Cardinal Health, Inc.      526,198  
  5,164       CIGNA Corp.      531,427  
  2,416       Community Health Systems, Inc.*      130,271  
  2,431       DaVita, Inc.*      184,124  
  2,054       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      173,912  
  6,156       HCA Holdings, Inc.*      451,789  
  1,681       Health Net, Inc.*      89,984  
  3,226       Humana, Inc.^      463,350  
  1,074       Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*      115,885  
  918       LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.*      66,013  
  720       MEDNAX, Inc.*      47,599  
  2,075       Omnicare, Inc.^      151,330  
  1,617       Patterson Cos., Inc.      77,778  
  3,026       Quest Diagnostics, Inc.^      202,924  
  585       Quintiles Transnational Holdings, Inc.*      34,439  
  20,463       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      2,068,605  
  1,451       Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B      161,438  
  1,852       VCA Antech, Inc.*      90,322  
     

 

 

 
        6,765,327  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.0%):

  

  2,283       Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.*^      29,154  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.6%):

  

  101       Aramark Holdings Corp.      3,146  
  8,895       Carnival Corp.      403,210  
  673       Choice Hotels International, Inc.^      37,701  
  2,771       Darden Restaurants, Inc.^      162,464  
  818       Hyatt Hotels Corp., Class A*^      49,252  
  5,156       International Game Technology      88,941  
  594       Marriott International, Inc., Class A      46,350  
  7,148       MGM Resorts International*^      152,824  
  148       Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd.*      6,920  
  3,478       Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.^      286,692  
  2,055       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.      166,600  
  5,709       Wendy’s Co. (The)^      51,552  
     

 

 

 
        1,455,652  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Household Durables (0.7%):

  

  5,955       D.R. Horton, Inc.    $ 150,602  
  2,558       Garmin, Ltd.^      135,139  
  153       GoPro, Inc., Class A*^      9,673  
  2,814       Jarden Corp.*      134,734  
  1,472       Leggett & Platt, Inc.^      62,722  
  3,499       Lennar Corp.^      156,790  
  1,287       Mohawk Industries, Inc.*      199,948  
  2,336       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      88,978  
  7,932       PulteGroup, Inc.      170,221  
  717       Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A*      13,544  
  3,723       Toll Brothers, Inc.*^      127,587  
  1,479       Whirlpool Corp.      286,542  
     

 

 

 
        1,536,480  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (2.4%):

  

  468       Clorox Co. (The)^      48,770  
  2,033       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      140,663  
  1,292       Energizer Holdings, Inc.      166,100  
  1,349       Kimberly-Clark Corp.      155,863  
  53,289       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      4,854,096  
     

 

 

 
        5,365,492  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.7%):

  

  15,190       AES Corp. (The)      209,166  
  6,981       Calpine Corp.*      154,490  
  9,108       NextEra Energy, Inc.      968,089  
  7,062       NRG Energy, Inc.^      190,321  
     

 

 

 
        1,522,066  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.8%):

  

  1,343       Carlisle Cos., Inc.      121,192  
  9,703       Danaher Corp.      831,644  
  209,417       General Electric Co.      5,291,968  
     

 

 

 
        6,244,804  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (8.3%):

  

  7,049       ACE, Ltd.      809,789  
  9,471       AFLAC, Inc.      578,583  
  345       Alleghany Corp.*      159,908  
  2,044       Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG      77,508  
  9,054       Allstate Corp. (The)      636,044  
  1,249       American Financial Group, Inc.      75,839  
  30,212       American International Group, Inc.      1,692,174  
  159       American National Insurance Co.      18,167  
  1,442       Aon plc      136,745  
  2,809       Arch Capital Group, Ltd.*      166,013  
  193       Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.      9,086  
  1,373       Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.      60,096  
  1,499       Assurant, Inc.      102,577  
  3,500       Assured Guaranty, Ltd.      90,965  
  2,135       Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd.      109,077  
  38,222       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*      5,739,032  
  2,358       Brown & Brown, Inc.      77,602  
  5,098       Chubb Corp. (The)      527,490  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Insurance, continued

  

  3,425       Cincinnati Financial Corp.    $ 177,518  
  576       CNA Financial Corp.      22,297  
  941       Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd.      56,309  
  966       Everest Re Group, Ltd.      164,510  
  5,801       FNF Group      199,844  
  10,337       Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*      87,865  
  930       Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The)      66,328  
  9,414       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      392,470  
  2,089       HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.      111,803  
  5,522       Lincoln National Corp.      318,454  
  6,819       Loews Corp.      286,534  
  293       Markel Corp.*      200,072  
  3,752       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      214,764  
  2,851       MBIA, Inc.*      27,199  
  579       Mercury General Corp.^      32,812  
  19,540       MetLife, Inc.      1,056,919  
  5,449       Old Republic International Corp.^      79,719  
  1,059       PartnerRe, Ltd.      120,864  
  6,160       Principal Financial Group, Inc.      319,950  
  1,246       ProAssurance Corp.      56,257  
  12,394       Progressive Corp. (The)      334,514  
  1,652       Protective Life Corp.      115,062  
  9,604       Prudential Financial, Inc.      868,778  
  1,038       Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.      90,950  
  843       RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.      81,956  
  920       StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.      64,271  
  2,759       Torchmark Corp.      149,455  
  7,253       Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)      767,730  
  5,392       UnumProvident Corp.      188,073  
  1,882       Validus Holdings, Ltd.      78,216  
  2,103       W.R. Berkley Corp.      107,800  
  128       White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.      80,654  
  5,686       XL Group plc, Class B      195,428  
     

 

 

 
        18,182,070  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.1%):

  

  159       HomeAway, Inc.*^      4,735  
  5,142       Liberty Media Corp. – Interactive, Class A*      151,278  
     

 

 

 
        156,013  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (0.5%):

  

  1,668       AOL, Inc.*^      77,012  
  927       IAC/InterActiveCorp      56,352  
  19,785       Yahoo!, Inc.*      999,340  
     

 

 

 
        1,132,704  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (0.4%):

  

  3,351       Amdocs, Ltd.      156,341  
  130       Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.      3,449  
  2,849       Computer Sciences Corp.      179,629  
  1,927       CoreLogic, Inc.*      60,874  
  111       DST Systems, Inc.      10,451  
  5,278       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      328,292  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

IT Services, continued

  

  2,994       Genpact, Ltd.*    $ 56,676  
  1,347       Leidos Holdings, Inc.      58,621  
  735       Paychex, Inc.      33,935  
  684       Teradata Corp.*^      29,877  
  796       Total System Services, Inc.      27,032  
     

 

 

 
        945,177  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.1%):

  

  373       Hasbro, Inc.^      20,511  
  4,535       Mattel, Inc.      140,336  
     

 

 

 
        160,847  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.6%):

  

  5,976       Agilent Technologies, Inc.      244,657  
  426       Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*      51,359  
  406       Bio-Techne Corp.      37,514  
  547       Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*      34,811  
  121       Covance, Inc.*      12,565  
  1,907       PerkinElmer, Inc.      83,393  
  4,893       QIAGEN NV*^      114,789  
  4,969       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      622,566  
  141       VWR Corp.*^      3,648  
     

 

 

 
        1,205,302  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.7%):

  

  1,955       AGCO Corp.^      88,366  
  10,272       Caterpillar, Inc.      940,197  
  643       Crane Co.      37,744  
  5,917       Deere & Co.      523,477  
  249       Donaldson Co., Inc.^      9,619  
  896       Dover Corp.^      64,261  
  119       IDEX Corp.      9,263  
  5,179       Ingersoll-Rand plc      328,297  
  1,509       ITT Corp.      61,054  
  2,098       Joy Global, Inc.^      97,599  
  1,642       Kennametal, Inc.      58,767  
  1,101       Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.      76,068  
  942       Navistar International Corp.*^      31,538  
  1,633       Oshkosh Corp.^      79,445  
  617       PACCAR, Inc.^      41,962  
  1,457       Parker Hannifin Corp.^      187,880  
  3,774       Pentair, Ltd.      250,669  
  1,050       Snap-On, Inc.      143,577  
  858       SPX Corp.      73,719  
  2,902       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      278,824  
  2,337       Terex Corp.^      65,156  
  1,614       Timken Co.      68,886  
  790       Trinity Industries, Inc.      22,128  
  481       Valmont Industries, Inc.^      61,087  
  1,046       Xylem, Inc.      39,821  
     

 

 

 
        3,639,404  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.9%):

  

  1,030       CBS Corp., Class B      57,000  
  518       Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Class A      5,486  
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

  4,611       Comcast Corp., Class A    $ 267,484  
  1,186       DISH Network Corp., Class A*      86,448  
  1,600       DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Class A*^      35,728  
  4,751       Gannett Co., Inc.^      151,699  
  925       John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A      54,797  
  970       Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C*^      48,325  
  506       Liberty Broadband Corp., Class A*      25,346  
  1,969       Liberty Media Corp.*      69,447  
  3,976       Liberty Media Corp., Class C*      139,279  
  1,481       Live Nation, Inc.*      38,669  
  1,290       Madison Square Garden, Inc., Class A*      97,085  
  10,419       News Corp., Class A*^      163,474  
  1,295       Regal Entertainment Group, Class A^      27,661  
  217       Starz – Liberty Capital*^      6,445  
  7,440       Thomson Reuters Corp.      300,130  
  18,422       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      1,573,607  
  10,485       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      402,676  
  5,850       Walt Disney Co. (The)      551,012  
     

 

 

 
        4,101,798  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.9%):

  

  24,540       Alcoa, Inc.      387,486  
  2,269       Allegheny Technologies, Inc.      78,893  
  1,050       Carpenter Technology Corp.^      51,713  
  3,249       Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.^      23,198  
  21,646       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      505,650  
  10,441       Newmont Mining Corp.      197,335  
  6,667       Nucor Corp.^      327,016  
  1,628       Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.      99,748  
  1,348       Royal Gold, Inc.      84,520  
  4,853       Steel Dynamics, Inc.      95,798  
  1,536       Tahoe Resources, Inc.      21,304  
  764       TimkenSteel Corp.      28,291  
  3,022       United States Steel Corp.^      80,808  
     

 

 

 
        1,981,760  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.7%):

  

  785       Big Lots, Inc.^      31,416  
  155       Dillard’s, Inc., Class A^      19,403  
  1,552       Dollar General Corp.*      109,726  
  122       Family Dollar Stores, Inc.      9,664  
  5,797       J.C. Penney Co., Inc.*^      37,565  
  4,127       Kohl’s Corp.^      251,912  
  1,729       Macy’s, Inc.^      113,682  
  127       Sears Holdings Corp.*      4,188  
  11,895       Target Corp.^      902,949  
     

 

 

 
        1,480,505  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (2.5%):

  

  2,324       Alliant Energy Corp.^      154,360  
  5,081       Ameren Corp.      234,387  
  9,000       CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      210,870  
  5,645       CMS Energy Corp.      196,164  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Multi-Utilities, continued

  

  6,132       Consolidated Edison, Inc.^    $ 404,773  
  11,402       Dominion Resources, Inc.      876,813  
  3,706       DTE Energy Co.      320,087  
  1,676       Integrys Energy Group, Inc.      130,477  
  4,006       MDU Resources Group, Inc.      94,141  
  6,593       NiSource, Inc.      279,675  
  9,690       PG&E Corp.      515,896  
  10,541       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      436,503  
  2,966       SCANA Corp.      179,146  
  5,118       Sempra Energy      569,940  
  4,791       TECO Energy, Inc.^      98,168  
  1,730       Vectren Corp.      79,978  
  4,723       Wisconsin Energy Corp.^      249,091  
  10,509       Xcel Energy, Inc.      377,483  
     

 

 

 
        5,407,952  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (10.5%):

  

  9,771       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      806,108  
  8,037       Apache Corp.^      503,679  
  6,576       California Resources Corp.*      36,234  
  8,493       Chesapeake Energy Corp.^      166,208  
  39,756       Chevron Corp.      4,459,828  
  1,603       Cimarex Energy Co.      169,918  
  714       Cobalt International Energy, Inc.*      6,347  
  25,639       ConocoPhillips      1,770,629  
  4,815       CONSOL Energy, Inc.^      162,795  
  204       CVR Energy, Inc.      7,897  
  7,291       Denbury Resources, Inc.^      59,276  
  8,501       Devon Energy Corp.      520,346  
  1,526       Energen Corp.^      97,298  
  729       EP Energy Corp., Class A*^      7,611  
  292       EQT Corp.      22,104  
  89,682       Exxon Mobil Corp.      8,291,102  
  949       Golar LNG, Ltd.      34,610  
  338       Gulfport Energy Corp.*      14,108  
  5,817       Hess Corp.      429,411  
  3,401       HollyFrontier Corp.      127,469  
  20,439       Kinder Morgan, Inc.      864,774  
  211       Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc.*^      2,184  
  14,152       Marathon Oil Corp.      400,360  
  1,344       Marathon Petroleum Corp.      121,309  
  489       Memorial Resource Development Corp.*      8,817  
  3,758       Murphy Oil Corp.^      189,854  
  2,858       Newfield Exploration Co.*      77,509  
  2,170       Noble Energy, Inc.      102,923  
  16,407       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      1,322,568  
  2,037       ONEOK, Inc.      101,422  
  969       PBF Energy, Inc.^      25,814  
  5,613       Peabody Energy Corp.^      43,445  
  6,958       Phillips 66      498,889  
  3,279       QEP Resources, Inc.      66,301  
  10,226       SandRidge Energy, Inc.*^      18,611  
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  13,979       Spectra Energy Corp.^    $ 507,438  
  536       Teekay Shipping Corp.      27,277  
  1,545       Tesoro Corp.      114,871  
  2,252       Ultra Petroleum Corp.*^      29,636  
  8,501       Valero Energy Corp.      420,800  
  2,236       Whiting Petroleum Corp.*      73,788  
  1,175       World Fuel Services Corp.^      55,143  
  4,200       WPX Energy, Inc.*^      48,846  
     

 

 

 
        22,815,557  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.2%):

  

  1,346       Domtar Corp.      54,136  
  7,663       International Paper Co.      410,584  
     

 

 

 
        464,720  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.0%):

  

  5,464       Avon Products, Inc.^      51,307  
  298       Coty, Inc., Class A^      6,157  
     

 

 

 
        57,464  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (7.3%):

  

  22,253       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.      1,313,595  
  20,546       Eli Lilly & Co.      1,417,469  
  3,501       Hospira, Inc.*      214,436  
  49,806       Johnson & Johnson Co.      5,208,212  
  657       Mallinckrodt plc*      65,063  
  52,486       Merck & Co., Inc.      2,980,680  
  2,252       Perrigo Co. plc      376,444  
  133,212       Pfizer, Inc.      4,149,554  
     

 

 

 
        15,725,453  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.2%):

  

  502       Dun & Bradstreet Corp.^      60,722  
  1,187       Equifax, Inc.      95,993  
  1,669       Manpower, Inc.      113,776  
  1,507       Nielsen Holdings NV      67,408  
  1,361       Towers Watson & Co., Class A      154,024  
     

 

 

 
        491,923  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (4.7%):

  

  1,494       Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.      132,578  
  2,200       American Campus Communities, Inc.      90,992  
  7,390       American Capital Agency Corp.      161,324  
  3,054       American Homes 4 Rent, Class A      52,010  
  19,020       American Realty Capital Properties, Inc.^      172,131  
  19,842       Annaly Capital Management, Inc.      214,492  
  1,325       Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A      49,224  
  2,701       AvalonBay Communities, Inc.^      441,315  
  4,011       BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.      86,397  
  2,820       Boston Properties, Inc.      362,906  
  3,533       Brandywine Realty Trust      56,457  
  971       Brixmor Property Group, Inc.      24,120  
  1,793       Camden Property Trust^      132,395  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), continued

  

  3,531       CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.    $ 68,572  
  21,450       Chimera Investment Corp.      68,211  
  2,239       Columbia Property Trust, Inc.      56,759  
  1,851       Corporate Office Properties Trust      52,513  
  6,292       DDR Corp.^      115,521  
  2,835       Digital Realty Trust, Inc.^      187,961  
  2,990       Douglas Emmett, Inc.      84,916  
  6,904       Duke Realty Corp.      139,461  
  2,542       Equity Commonwealth      65,253  
  461       Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.      23,765  
  7,532       Equity Residential Property Trust      541,098  
  1,310       Essex Property Trust, Inc.      270,646  
  470       Federal Realty Investment Trust      62,726  
  1,466       Gaming & Leisure Properties, Inc.      43,012  
  11,871       General Growth Properties, Inc.      333,931  
  9,547       HCP, Inc.      420,354  
  3,146       Health Care REIT, Inc.      238,058  
  2,200       Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A^      59,255  
  1,193       Home Properties, Inc.      78,261  
  3,139       Hospitality Properties Trust      97,309  
  15,847       Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.      376,683  
  1,723       Kilroy Realty Corp.      119,008  
  8,597       Kimco Realty Corp.      216,129  
  3,095       Liberty Property Trust      116,465  
  3,254       Macerich Co. (The)      271,416  
  7,597       MFA Financial, Inc.      60,700  
  1,572       Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.^      117,397  
  2,660       National Retail Properties, Inc.^      104,724  
  3,344       NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.      58,788  
  1,793       Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.^      70,053  
  2,350       Outfront Media, Inc.      63,074  
  2,789       Paramount Group, Inc.*      51,848  
  3,251       Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A^      61,249  
  1,903       Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.^      81,429  
  1,144       Post Properties, Inc.      67,233  
  10,411       ProLogis, Inc.      447,984  
  232       Public Storage, Inc.      42,885  
  2,291       Rayonier, Inc.      64,011  
  4,638       Realty Income Corp.^      221,279  
  1,935       Regency Centers Corp.      123,414  
  4,906       Retail Properties of America, Inc., Class A      81,881  
  4,252       Senior Housing Properties Trust      94,012  
  1,653       Simon Property Group, Inc.      301,028  
  1,963       SL Green Realty Corp.      233,636  
  8,349       Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.      99,270  
  4,630       Starwood Property Trust, Inc.^      107,601  
  692       Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.      25,576  
  90       Taubman Centers, Inc.      6,878  
  7,663       Two Harbors Investment Corp.      76,783  
  5,267       UDR, Inc.      162,329  
  3,248       Ventas, Inc.^      232,882  
  3,041       Vornado Realty Trust      357,956  
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), continued

  

  3,261       Washington Prime Group, Inc.^    $ 56,154  
  2,561       Weingarten Realty Investors      89,430  
  9,860       Weyerhaeuser Co.^      353,875  
  2,082       WP Carey, Inc.^      145,948  
     

 

 

 
        10,144,931  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.1%):

  

  3,439       Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A*^      73,251  
  439       Howard Hughes Corp. (The)*      57,254  
  681       Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.      102,102  
  1,712       Realogy Holdings Corp.*      76,167  
     

 

 

 
        308,774  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.7%):

  

  66       AMERCO, Inc.      18,761  
  1,207       Con-way, Inc.      59,360  
  20,963       CSX Corp.      759,489  
  592       Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Class A*      53,233  
  533       Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.      65,042  
  5,088       Norfolk Southern Corp.      557,696  
  1,115       Ryder System, Inc.      103,528  
     

 

 

 
        1,617,109  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.5%):

  

  4,108       Altera Corp.      151,750  
  3,579       Analog Devices, Inc.      198,706  
  8,465       Applied Materials, Inc.      210,948  
  11,148       Broadcom Corp., Class A      483,043  
  1,157       Cree, Inc.*^      37,279  
  1,525       First Solar, Inc.*^      68,007  
  84       Freescale Semiconductor Holdings I, Ltd.*^      2,119  
  93       Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd.*      2,346  
  95,123       Intel Corp.      3,452,013  
  317       KLA-Tencor Corp.^      22,291  
  2,492       Lam Research Corp.^      197,715  
  8,506       Marvell Technology Group, Ltd.      123,338  
  511       Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.      16,286  
  2,742       Micron Technology, Inc.*      95,997  
  9,769       NVIDIA Corp.^      195,868  
  4,463       ON Semiconductor Corp.*      45,210  
  3,788       SunEdison, Inc.*^      73,904  
  842       Sunpower Corp. Common*^      21,749  
  3,764       Teradyne, Inc.^      74,490  
     

 

 

 
        5,473,059  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (1.9%):

  

  3,469       Activision Blizzard, Inc.      69,900  
  1,493       Ansys, Inc.*      122,426  
  1,009       Autodesk, Inc.*      60,601  
  6,700       CA, Inc.      204,015  
  342       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      21,820  
  1,544       Electronic Arts, Inc.*      72,591  
  358       FireEye, Inc.*^      11,306  
  245       Informatica Corp.*      9,343  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Software, continued

  

  60,896       Microsoft Corp.    $ 2,828,618  
  5,502       Nuance Communications, Inc.*      78,514  
  1,981       Rovi Corp.*^      44,751  
  14,481       Symantec Corp.      371,510  
  3,236       Synopsys, Inc.*^      140,669  
  15,167       Zynga, Inc.*      40,344  
     

 

 

 
        4,076,408  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.7%):

  

  1,081       Aaron’s, Inc.      33,046  
  1,288       Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A^      36,888  
  2,729       Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*      34,276  
  2,239       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      170,545  
  4,217       Best Buy Co., Inc.      164,379  
  934       Cabela’s, Inc., Class A*^      49,231  
  1,422       CarMax, Inc.*      94,677  
  1,753       Chico’s FAS, Inc.      28,416  
  241       CST Brands, Inc.      10,510  
  1,658       Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.^      82,320  
  1,577       DSW, Inc., Class A      58,822  
  2,612       Foot Locker, Inc.^      146,742  
  2,149       GameStop Corp., Class A^      72,636  
  3,273       L Brands, Inc.      283,279  
  214       Michaels Cos., Inc. (The)*^      5,292  
  512       Murphy USA, Inc.*      35,256  
  477       Penske Automotive Group, Inc.      23,406  
  856       Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*      26,313  
  531       Signet Jewelers, Ltd.      69,864  
  13,543       Staples, Inc.^      245,400  
  592       Urban Outfitters, Inc.*^      20,797  
     

 

 

 
        1,692,095  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.9%):

  

  38,523       EMC Corp.^      1,145,674  
  39,578       Hewlett-Packard Co.      1,588,265  
  1,305       Lexmark International, Inc., Class A^      53,857  
  3,175       NCR Corp.*^      92,520  
  4,160       NetApp, Inc.      172,432  
  2,487       SanDisk Corp.^      243,676  
  451       Stratasys, Ltd.*^      37,483  
  4,640       Western Digital Corp.      513,648  
  24,439       Xerox Corp.      338,725  
     

 

 

 
        4,186,280  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.0%):

  

  207       PVH Corp.      26,531  
  309       Ralph Lauren Corp.^      57,215  
     

 

 

 
        83,746  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.2%):

  

  2,158       BankUnited, Inc.      62,517  
  11,025       Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.      111,573  
  55       Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.*^      1,550  
  9,274       New York Community Bancorp, Inc.^      148,385  
 

 

Continued

 

11


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance, continued

  

  6,502       People’s United Financial, Inc.^    $ 98,700  
  1,604       TFS Financial Corp.      23,876  
     

 

 

 
        446,601  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.6%):

  

  2,248       Altria Group, Inc.      110,759  
  13,566       Philip Morris International, Inc.      1,104,950  
  1,580       Reynolds American, Inc.      101,547  
     

 

 

 
        1,317,256  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.1%):

  

  1,962       Air Lease Corp.      67,316  
  970       GATX Corp.^      55,814  
  1,132       MRC Global, Inc.*      17,150  
  2,073       NOW, Inc.*^      53,338  
  152       Veritiv Corp.*^      7,884  
  922       WESCO International, Inc.*^      70,266  
     

 

 

 
        271,768  
     

 

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.1%):

  

  3,749       American Water Works Co., Inc.      199,822  
  3,704       Aqua America, Inc.      98,897  
     

 

 

 
        298,719  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  15,154       Sprint Corp.*^      62,889  
  1,793       Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.      45,273  
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services, continued

  

  5,562       T-Mobile US, Inc.*    $ 149,841  
  299       United States Cellular Corp.*^      11,909  
     

 

 

 
        269,912  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $150,022,091)

     216,721,270  
     

 

 

 

 

Right (0.0%):

  

 

Media (0.0%):

  

  303       Liberty Broadband Corp.*^      2,879  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Right (Cost $—)

     2,879  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (13.1%):

  

$ 28,794,956       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)      28,794,956  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $28,794,956)

     28,794,956  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.6%):

  
  1,422,445       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      1,422,445  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $1,422,445)

     1,422,445  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $180,239,492)(c) — 112.7%

     246,941,550  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (12.7)%

     (27,783,175
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 219,158,375  
     

 

 

 
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $27,817,214.

 

+ Affiliated Securities

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “—” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

Futures Contracts

Cash of $107,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         18       $ 1,847,160      $  24,140  

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investments in non-affiliates, at cost

     $ 179,900,284  

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       339,208  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at cost

     $ 180,239,492  
    

 

 

 

Investments in non-affiliates, at value*

     $ 246,353,721  

Investments in affiliates, at value

       587,829  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at value

       246,941,550  

Cash

       7,448  

Segregated cash for collateral

       107,000  

Interest and dividends receivable

       370,953  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       1,002,762  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       3,645  

Prepaid expenses

       1,864  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       248,435,222  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       293,706  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       28,794,956  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       25,515  

Manager fees payable

       82,108  

Administration fees payable

       5,498  

Distribution fees payable

       46,652  

Custodian fees payable

       5,344  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       551  

Trustee fees payable

       11  

Other accrued liabilities

       22,506  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       29,276,847  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 219,158,375  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 135,853,936  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       3,388,168  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       13,190,073  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       66,726,198  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 219,158,375  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       14,783,642  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 14.82  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $27,817,214.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 4,996,373  

Dividends from affiliates

       13,616  

Income from securities lending

       36,827  

Foreign withholding tax

       (1,999 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       5,044,817  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       939,140  

Administration fees

       63,432  

Distribution fees

       533,601  

Custodian fees

       18,994  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       2,637  

Trustee fees

       10,230  

Professional fees

       11,224  

Shareholder reports

       2,582  

Other expenses

       46,030  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       1,627,870  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       3,416,947  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       13,156,376  

Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds

       29,368  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       604,325  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       8,536,244  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       22,326,313  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 25,743,260  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,416,947        $ 3,208,901  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       13,790,069          19,434,893  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       8,536,244          34,687,233  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       25,743,260          57,331,027  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (3,178,169 )        (3,878,001 )

From net realized gains

       (19,713,140 )        (6,783,630 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (22,891,309 )        (10,661,631 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       15,525,801          6,359,982  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       22,891,309          10,661,631  

Value of shares redeemed

       (27,917,422 )        (82,266,180 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       10,499,688          (65,244,567 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       13,351,639          (18,575,171 )

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       205,806,736          224,381,907  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 219,158,375        $ 205,806,736  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,388,168        $ 3,206,969  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       1,037,755          479,565  

Dividends reinvested

       1,597,440          792,686  

Shares redeemed

       (1,850,048 )        (6,227,133 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       785,147          (4,954,882 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

 

      Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  Year Ended
December 31,
2013
  Year Ended
December 31,
2012
  Year Ended
December 31,
2011
  April 30, 2010
to
December 31,
2010 (a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 14.70       $ 11.84       $ 10.36       $ 10.49       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.24         0.31         0.20         0.16         0.10  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.55         3.35         1.52         (0.19 )       0.39  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.79         3.66         1.72         (0.03 )       0.49  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.23 )       (0.29 )       (0.15 )       (0.10 )        

Net Realized Gains

       (1.44 )       (0.51 )       (0.09 )                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (1.67 )       (0.80 )       (0.24 )       (0.10 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 14.82       $ 14.70       $ 11.84       $ 10.36       $ 10.49  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       12.59 %       31.52 %       16.63 %       (0.25 )%       4.90 %(c)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 219,158       $ 205,807       $ 224,382       $ 182,515       $ 169,075  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d)

       1.60 %       1.54 %       1.85 %       1.59 %       1.68 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)(e)

       0.76 %       0.77 %       0.78 %       0.79 %       0.84 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(d)

       0.76 %       0.77 %       0.78 %       0.79 %       0.84 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       16 %       11 %       18 %       20 %       25 %(c)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Not annualized.

 

(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(e) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

15


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

16


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $3,635 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $1.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 24,140      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

 

17


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 604,325         $ (83,593

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

         0.44 %          0.84 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,640 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

 

18


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 216,721,270          $          $ 216,721,270  

Right

         2,879                       2,879  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    28,794,956            28,794,956  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         1,422,445                       1,422,445  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         218,146,594            28,794,956            246,941,550  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         24,140                       24,140  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 218,170,734          $ 28,794,956          $ 246,965,690  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 33,370,685          $ 39,843,438  

 

 

19


AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $180,676,234. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 69,132,620  

Unrealized depreciation

    (2,867,304
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 66,265,316   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 4,571,941          $ 18,319,368          $ 22,891,309  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 5,586,078          $ 5,075,553          $ 10,661,631  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

       $ 5,611,100          $ 11,428,023          $          $ 66,265,316          $ 83,304,439  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

20


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

21


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 94.49% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $18,319,368.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $1,393,772.

 

22


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

23


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

24


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

25


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

26


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

27


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

28


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.     
These Funds are not FDIC Insured.    ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 11

Statement of Operations

Page 11

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 12

Financial Highlights

Page 13

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 14

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 20

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 21

Other Information

Page 22

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 23

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 26

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund (Class 2 Shares) returned 13.12%. That compared to a 13.69% total return for its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index1.

The Fund attempts to replicate the performance of the S&P 500® Index of U.S. large-cap stocks. U.S. equities moved higher in 2014 as domestic economic growth gained momentum and interest rates remained low. The period started out on a negative note, however: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Equity markets declined sharply in January, but the sell-off was short-lived. Investors soon learned that the recent weakness in the U.S. economic data was weather-related, and therefore temporary. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve shifted its position, announcing a more cautious approach to raising short-term rates.*

U.S. equities moved higher throughout the period, but volatility increased through the period. A combination of high valuations and persistent expectations of higher interest rates left stocks vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza—added to concerns.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. U.S. stocks recovered from a September sell-off to post impressive gains through the fourth quarter of 2014 as economic data continued to impress investors and helped to fuel a positive corporate earnings season. A sharp decline in oil prices later in the period contributed to uncertainty about global growth, but helped buoy U.S. stocks as it led to a pickup in consumer spending.

From a sector perspective, utilities generated the strongest returns for the index. The low-interest rate environment helped make the dividends offered by companies in that sector more attractive to income-seeking investors. Health care stocks and information technology were also top performers. They benefited from their ties to cyclical growth. Other sectors that performed well in the index included consumer staples and financials. Meanwhile, the industrials, consumer discretionary, and materials sectors posted softer gains for the period, slightly underperforming the index. The energy sector posted a loss for the period. It was weighed down by the steep decline in oil prices.*

The Fund slightly underperformed its benchmark due to the effect of fees and expenses.

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in all 500 stocks in the Index in proportion to their weighting in the Index.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

The Fund does not attempt to manage market volatility or reduce the effects of poor stock performance. In addition, factors such as Fund expenses, selection of a representative portfolio, changes in the composition of the Index, or the timing of purchases or redemptions of Fund shares may affect the correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s performance.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     Inception
Date
     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
 

AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund (Class 1 Shares)

     5/14/07         13.41     20.08     15.15     6.07

AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund (Class 2 Shares)

     5/1/07         13.12     19.79     14.87     5.97

S&P 500® Index

     5/1/07         13.69     20.41     15.45     6.63

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund (Class 1 Shares)

     0.24

AZL® S&P 500 Index Fund (Class 2 Shares)

     0.49

Expense Ratios are based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 0.46% for Class 1 Shares and 0.71% for Class 2 Shares through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”), which is an unmanaged index that is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL S&P 500 Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 1

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,059.70          $ 1.25            0.24 %

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,058.10          $ 2.54            0.49 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 1

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,024.00          $ 1.22            0.24 %

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,022.74          $ 2.50            0.49 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      19.3 %

Financials

      16.1  

Health Care

      13.9  

Consumer Discretionary

      12.0  

Industrials

      10.2  

Consumer Staples

      9.6  

Energy

      8.3  

Utilities

      3.2  

Materials

      3.1  

Telecommunication Services

      2.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      97.9  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      12.4  

Money Market

      2.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      112.5  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (12.5 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (97.9%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.6%):

  

  62,793       Boeing Co. (The)    $ 8,161,834  
  29,816       General Dynamics Corp.      4,103,278  
  74,138       Honeywell International, Inc.      7,407,869  
  8,048       L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.      1,015,738  
  25,426       Lockheed Martin Corp.      4,896,285  
  19,132       Northrop Grumman Corp.      2,819,865  
  13,518       Precision Castparts Corp.^      3,256,216  
  29,176       Raytheon Co.^      3,155,968  
  12,557       Rockwell Collins, Inc.      1,060,815  
  26,236       Textron, Inc.      1,104,798  
  80,296       United Technologies Corp.      9,234,040  
     

 

 

 
        46,216,706  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.8%):

  

  13,920       C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.^      1,042,469  
  18,346       Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.      818,415  
  24,948       FedEx Corp.      4,332,470  
  66,013       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B^      7,338,665  
     

 

 

 
        13,532,019  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.4%):

  

  79,200       Delta Air Lines, Inc.^      3,895,848  
  64,285       Southwest Airlines Co.      2,720,541  
     

 

 

 
        6,616,389  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  

  21,533       BorgWarner, Inc.      1,183,238  
  28,043       Delphi Automotive plc      2,039,287  
  25,996       Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.^      742,706  
  63,096       Johnson Controls, Inc.      3,050,061  
     

 

 

 
        7,015,292  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.6%):

  

  364,503       Ford Motor Co.      5,649,797  
  127,823       General Motors Co.      4,462,301  
  20,295       Harley-Davidson, Inc.      1,337,643  
     

 

 

 
        11,449,741  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (5.8%):

  

  995,969       Bank of America Corp.      17,817,885  
  68,222       BB&T Corp.^      2,653,154  
  286,911       Citigroup, Inc.      15,524,754  
  17,085       Comerica, Inc.      800,261  
  78,048       Fifth Third Bancorp      1,590,228  
  76,951       Huntington Bancshares, Inc.^      809,525  
  354,027       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      22,155,009  
  81,832       KeyCorp      1,137,465  
  12,549       M&T Bank Corp.^      1,576,405  
  49,837       PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.      4,546,630  
  130,872       Regions Financial Corp.      1,382,008  
  49,389       SunTrust Banks, Inc.^      2,069,399  
  169,468       U.S. Bancorp^      7,617,587  
  447,079       Wells Fargo & Co.      24,508,870  
  19,149       Zions Bancorp^      545,938  
     

 

 

 
        104,735,118  
     

 

 

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Beverages (2.1%):

  

  14,766       Brown-Forman Corp., Class B^    $ 1,297,045  
  373,341       Coca-Cola Co. (The)      15,762,457  
  21,039       Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.      930,345  
  15,894       Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*      1,560,314  
  18,484       Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.      1,324,933  
  15,136       Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B      1,127,935  
  13,656       Monster Beverage Corp.*      1,479,628  
  141,738       PepsiCo, Inc.      13,402,745  
     

 

 

 
        36,885,402  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (2.8%):

  

  18,780       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      3,474,863  
  72,040       Amgen, Inc.      11,475,252  
  22,366       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      7,592,139  
  75,643       Celgene Corp.*      8,461,426  
  142,880       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      13,467,869  
  7,029       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      2,883,647  
  22,781       Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      2,706,383  
     

 

 

 
        50,061,579  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (0.1%):

  

  9,077       Allegion plc      503,410  
  33,813       Masco Corp.      852,088  
     

 

 

 
        1,355,498  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.3%):

  

  5,255       Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*      1,115,321  
  17,478       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.^      2,311,466  
  106,613       Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      4,325,289  
  12,064       BlackRock, Inc., Class A+      4,313,604  
  108,831       Charles Schwab Corp. (The)      3,285,608  
  27,461       E*TRADE Financial Corp.*      666,067  
  37,112       Franklin Resources, Inc.^      2,054,891  
  38,362       Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)      7,435,707  
  40,898       Invesco, Ltd.      1,616,289  
  9,611       Legg Mason, Inc.^      512,939  
  144,608       Morgan Stanley      5,610,790  
  20,902       Northern Trust Corp.^      1,408,795  
  39,541       State Street Corp.      3,103,969  
  24,568       T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.^      2,109,408  
     

 

 

 
        39,870,143  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.3%):

  

  18,217       Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.^      2,627,438  
  6,341       Airgas, Inc.      730,356  
  4,720       CF Industries Holdings, Inc.      1,286,389  
  104,923       Dow Chemical Co. (The)^      4,785,538  
  85,800       E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.^      6,344,051  
  14,029       Eastman Chemical Co.      1,064,240  
  25,582       Ecolab, Inc.      2,673,831  
  12,580       FMC Corp.^      717,437  
  7,716       International Flavor & Fragrances, Inc.^      782,094  
  39,358       LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A      3,124,632  
  45,846       Monsanto Co.      5,477,222  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Chemicals, continued

  

  29,999       Mosaic Co. (The)    $ 1,369,454  
  12,986       PPG Industries, Inc.      3,001,714  
  27,596       Praxair, Inc.^      3,575,338  
  7,729       Sherwin Williams Co.^      2,033,036  
  11,281       Sigma Aldrich Corp.      1,548,543  
     

 

 

 
        41,141,313  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.5%):

  

  16,403       ADT Corp. (The)^      594,281  
  9,240       Cintas Corp.^      724,786  
  17,666       Iron Mountain, Inc.^      682,968  
  19,064       Pitney Bowes, Inc.^      464,590  
  23,788       Republic Services, Inc., Class A^      957,467  
  8,084       Stericycle, Inc.*      1,059,651  
  39,636       Tyco International plc      1,738,434  
  40,336       Waste Management, Inc.^      2,070,043  
     

 

 

 
        8,292,220  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.6%):

  

  484,289       Cisco Systems, Inc.      13,470,500  
  6,979       F5 Networks, Inc.*      910,515  
  9,839       Harris Corp.      706,637  
  36,469       Juniper Networks, Inc.^      813,988  
  20,065       Motorola Solutions, Inc.^      1,345,960  
  157,459       QUALCOMM, Inc.      11,703,927  
     

 

 

 
        28,951,527  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.1%):

  

  14,837       Fluor Corp.^      899,568  
  12,321       Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.*^      550,625  
  20,810       Quanta Services, Inc.*      590,796  
     

 

 

 
        2,040,989  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.1%):

  

  5,905       Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.^      651,440  
  12,402       Vulcan Materials Co.      815,183  
     

 

 

 
        1,466,623  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.9%):

  

  84,273       American Express Co.      7,840,759  
  52,656       Capital One Financial Corp.      4,346,753  
  42,950       Discover Financial Services      2,812,796  
  38,859       Navient Corp.^      839,743  
     

 

 

 
        15,840,051  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.2%):

  

  8,617       Avery Dennison Corp.      447,050  
  13,025       Ball Corp.      887,913  
  15,804       MeadWestvaco Corp.      701,540  
  15,831       Owens-Illinois, Inc.*      427,279  
  20,011       Sealed Air Corp.^      849,067  
     

 

 

 
        3,312,849  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.1%):

  

  14,515       Genuine Parts Co.      1,546,864  
     

 

 

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.0%):

  

  26,022       H&R Block, Inc.^    $ 876,421  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.4%):

  

  29,989       CME Group, Inc.^      2,658,525  
  10,688       IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc.^      2,343,772  
  29,852       Leucadia National Corp.^      669,282  
  17,387       Moody’s Corp.      1,665,848  
  11,190       NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (The)^      536,672  
     

 

 

 
        7,874,099  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (2.2%):

  

  491,240       AT&T, Inc.^      16,500,752  
  54,054       CenturyLink, Inc.^      2,139,457  
  95,129       Frontier Communications Corp.^      634,510  
  26,413       Level 3 Communications, Inc.*^      1,304,274  
  393,003       Verizon Communications, Inc.      18,384,681  
  56,756       Windstream Holdings, Inc.^      467,669  
     

 

 

 
        39,431,343  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (1.6%):

  

  46,337       American Electric Power Co., Inc.      2,813,583  
  66,986       Duke Energy Corp.^      5,596,010  
  30,889       Edison International      2,022,612  
  17,095       Entergy Corp.^      1,495,471  
  81,402       Exelon Corp.^      3,018,386  
  39,857       FirstEnergy Corp.^      1,554,024  
  30,007       Northeast Utilities      1,605,975  
  23,952       Pepco Holdings, Inc.      645,027  
  10,525       Pinnacle West Capital Corp.      718,963  
  62,992       PPL Corp.      2,288,499  
  85,221       Southern Co. (The)^      4,185,203  
     

 

 

 
        25,943,753  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.6%):

  

  23,373       AMETEK, Inc.^      1,230,121  
  44,901       Eaton Corp. plc^      3,051,472  
  65,754       Emerson Electric Co.      4,058,995  
  12,860       Rockwell Automation, Inc.      1,430,032  
  9,487       Roper Industries, Inc.      1,483,292  
     

 

 

 
        11,253,912  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.4%):

  

  29,288       Amphenol Corp., Class A      1,575,987  
  121,628       Corning, Inc.      2,788,930  
  13,217       FLIR Systems, Inc.      427,041  
  38,463       TE Connectivity, Ltd.      2,432,785  
     

 

 

 
        7,224,743  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.3%):

  

  40,986       Baker Hughes, Inc.      2,298,085  
  18,703       Cameron International Corp.*      934,215  
  6,239       Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.^      229,034  
  22,106       Ensco plc, Class A, ADR^      662,075  
  22,097       FMC Technologies, Inc.*      1,035,023  
  80,156       Halliburton Co.      3,152,535  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Energy Equipment & Services, continued

  

  10,186       Helmerich & Payne, Inc.    $ 686,740  
  27,315       Nabors Industries, Ltd.      354,549  
  40,781       National-Oilwell Varco, Inc.^      2,672,379  
  23,838       Noble Corp. plc      394,996  
  121,868       Schlumberger, Ltd.      10,408,746  
  32,049       Transocean, Ltd.^      587,458  
     

 

 

 
        23,415,835  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.5%):

  

  41,460       Costco Wholesale Corp.      5,876,955  
  108,570       CVS Caremark Corp.      10,456,377  
  46,512       Kroger Co. (The)      2,986,536  
  21,885       Safeway, Inc.      768,601  
  55,681       Sysco Corp.^      2,209,979  
  82,382       Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      6,277,508  
  149,576       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.^      12,845,588  
  34,029       Whole Foods Market, Inc.^      1,715,742  
     

 

 

 
        43,137,286  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.6%):

  

  61,019       Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.      3,172,988  
  17,002       Campbell Soup Co.^      748,088  
  40,239       ConAgra Foods, Inc.^      1,459,871  
  57,182       General Mills, Inc.^      3,049,516  
  14,060       Hershey Co.^      1,461,256  
  12,783       Hormel Foods Corp.      665,994  
  9,693       J.M. Smucker Co. (The)^      978,799  
  23,876       Kellogg Co.^      1,562,445  
  11,476       Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.^      1,519,365  
  55,741       Kraft Foods Group, Inc.      3,492,731  
  12,188       McCormick & Co.      905,568  
  19,144       Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.      1,924,738  
  159,115       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      5,779,853  
  27,629       Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A      1,107,647  
     

 

 

 
        27,828,859  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.0%):

  

  11,396       AGL Resources, Inc.      621,196  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (2.2%):

  

  142,610       Abbott Laboratories      6,420,303  
  51,331       Baxter International, Inc.      3,762,049  
  18,183       Becton, Dickinson & Co.      2,530,346  
  125,731       Boston Scientific Corp.*      1,665,936  
  7,095       C.R. Bard, Inc.      1,182,169  
  19,316       CareFusion Corp.*      1,146,211  
  42,883       Covidien plc      4,386,073  
  13,325       DENTSPLY International, Inc.      709,823  
  10,133       Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*      1,290,742  
  3,434       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*      1,816,380  
  93,222       Medtronic, Inc.^      6,730,629  
  27,081       St. Jude Medical, Inc.^      1,761,077  
  28,307       Stryker Corp.      2,670,199  
  9,471       Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*      819,336  

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

  16,041       Zimmer Holdings, Inc.    $ 1,819,370  
     

 

 

 
        38,710,643  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.3%):

  

  33,291       Aetna, Inc.      2,957,240  
  19,678       AmerisourceBergen Corp.      1,774,168  
  25,566       Anthem, Inc.^      3,212,879  
  31,346       Cardinal Health, Inc.      2,530,563  
  28,786       Cerner Corp.*^      1,861,303  
  24,753       CIGNA Corp.      2,547,331  
  16,323       DaVita, Inc.*      1,236,304  
  69,507       Express Scripts Holding Co.*      5,885,158  
  14,503       Humana, Inc.^      2,083,066  
  7,998       Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*^      862,984  
  21,961       McKesson, Inc.      4,558,664  
  8,184       Patterson Cos., Inc.^      393,650  
  13,664       Quest Diagnostics, Inc.^      916,308  
  9,256       Tenet Healthcare Corp.*^      469,002  
  90,899       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.^      9,188,979  
  8,607       Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B      957,615  
     

 

 

 
        41,435,214  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.6%):

  

  42,700       Carnival Corp.      1,935,591  
  2,944       Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      2,015,197  
  12,510       Darden Restaurants, Inc.^      733,461  
  20,129       Marriott International, Inc., Class A^      1,570,666  
  92,169       McDonald’s Corp.      8,636,236  
  15,833       Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.^      1,305,114  
  70,871       Starbucks Corp.      5,814,966  
  16,915       Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.      1,371,299  
  11,667       Wyndham Worldwide Corp.      1,000,562  
  7,644       Wynn Resorts, Ltd.      1,137,121  
  41,385       Yum! Brands, Inc.^      3,014,897  
     

 

 

 
        28,535,110  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.4%):

  

  31,308       D.R. Horton, Inc.      791,779  
  11,489       Garmin, Ltd.^      606,964  
  6,453       Harman International Industries, Inc.      688,600  
  13,024       Leggett & Platt, Inc.^      554,953  
  17,033       Lennar Corp.^      763,249  
  5,843       Mohawk Industries, Inc.*^      907,768  
  25,790       Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.      982,341  
  31,674       PulteGroup, Inc.^      679,724  
  7,394       Whirlpool Corp.      1,432,513  
     

 

 

 
        7,407,891  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (1.9%):

  

  12,281       Clorox Co. (The)^      1,279,803  
  81,138       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      5,613,938  
  35,318       Kimberly-Clark Corp.      4,080,642  
  255,905       Procter & Gamble Co. (The)      23,310,386  
     

 

 

 
        34,284,769  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.3%):

  

  62,457       AES Corp. (The)    $ 860,033  
  41,339       NextEra Energy, Inc.^      4,393,923  
  32,151       NRG Energy, Inc.^      866,469  
     

 

 

 
        6,120,425  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.2%):

  

  60,690       3M Co.^      9,972,581  
  57,900       Danaher Corp.      4,962,609  
  951,050       General Electric Co.      24,033,033  
     

 

 

 
        38,968,223  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (4.2%):

  

  31,419       ACE, Ltd.      3,609,415  
  42,740       AFLAC, Inc.      2,610,987  
  39,725       Allstate Corp. (The)      2,790,681  
  132,582       American International Group, Inc.      7,425,918  
  27,006       Aon plc      2,560,979  
  6,717       Assurant, Inc.      459,644  
  172,700       Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*^      25,930,905  
  22,335       Chubb Corp. (The)^      2,311,002  
  13,982       Cincinnati Financial Corp.      724,687  
  46,741       Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*      397,299  
  40,868       Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)      1,703,787  
  24,593       Lincoln National Corp.      1,418,278  
  28,352       Loews Corp.      1,191,351  
  51,281       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.^      2,935,324  
  107,593       MetLife, Inc.      5,819,705  
  25,770       Principal Financial Group, Inc.      1,338,494  
  50,702       Progressive Corp. (The)      1,368,447  
  43,423       Prudential Financial, Inc.      3,928,045  
  12,269       Torchmark Corp.      664,612  
  31,387       Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)      3,322,314  
  23,806       UnumProvident Corp.      830,353  
  24,445       XL Group plc, Class B      840,175  
     

 

 

 
        74,182,402  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (1.2%):

  

  35,957       Amazon.com, Inc.*      11,159,256  
  9,345       Expedia, Inc.^      797,689  
  5,706       Netflix, Inc.*^      1,949,227  
  4,959       Priceline.com, Inc.*      5,654,301  
  10,499       TripAdvisor, Inc.*^      783,855  
     

 

 

 
        20,344,328  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (3.2%):

  

  16,878       Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      1,062,639  
  107,073       eBay, Inc.*      6,008,937  
  198,019       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      15,449,443  
  26,971       Google, Inc., Class C*      14,197,534  
  26,995       Google, Inc., Class A*      14,325,167  
  10,325       VeriSign, Inc.*^      588,525  
  83,442       Yahoo!, Inc.*      4,214,655  
     

 

 

 
        55,846,900  
     

 

 

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

IT Services (3.2%):

  

  59,473       Accenture plc, Class A^    $ 5,311,534  
  6,058       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*^      1,732,891  
  45,656       Automatic Data Processing, Inc.      3,806,341  
  57,672       Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A*      3,037,008  
  13,308       Computer Sciences Corp.      839,069  
  26,887       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.^      1,672,371  
  23,108       Fiserv, Inc.*^      1,639,975  
  87,166       International Business Machines Corp.      13,984,913  
  92,858       MasterCard, Inc., Class A      8,000,645  
  30,839       Paychex, Inc.^      1,423,837  
  14,598       Teradata Corp.*^      637,641  
  15,765       Total System Services, Inc.      535,379  
  46,256       Visa, Inc., Class A      12,128,323  
  49,309       Western Union Co.^      883,124  
     

 

 

 
        55,633,051  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.1%):

  

  10,739       Hasbro, Inc.^      590,538  
  32,242       Mattel, Inc.      997,728  
     

 

 

 
        1,588,266  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.4%):

  

  31,694       Agilent Technologies, Inc.      1,297,552  
  10,608       PerkinElmer, Inc.^      463,888  
  37,886       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      4,746,737  
  7,896       Waters Corp.*      890,037  
     

 

 

 
        7,398,214  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.5%):

  

  57,336       Caterpillar, Inc.      5,247,963  
  16,107       Cummins, Inc.      2,322,146  
  33,947       Deere & Co.      3,003,291  
  15,679       Dover Corp.^      1,124,498  
  12,901       Flowserve Corp.^      771,867  
  34,064       Illinois Tool Works, Inc.^      3,225,861  
  25,225       Ingersoll-Rand plc      1,599,013  
  9,217       Joy Global, Inc.^      428,775  
  33,557       PACCAR, Inc.^      2,282,212  
  10,060       Pall Corp.^      1,018,173  
  14,079       Parker Hannifin Corp.^      1,815,487  
  17,694       Pentair, Ltd.^      1,175,235  
  5,513       Snap-On, Inc.      753,848  
  14,838       Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      1,425,635  
  17,102       Xylem, Inc.^      651,073  
     

 

 

 
        26,845,077  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.7%):

  

  20,587       Cablevision Systems Corp., Class A^      424,916  
  45,160       CBS Corp., Class B      2,499,154  
  244,030       Comcast Corp., Class A^      14,156,179  
  47,567       DIRECTV, Inc., Class A*      4,124,059  
  25,779       Discovery Communications, Inc., Class C*^      869,268  
  13,934       Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A*^      480,026  
  21,287       Gannett Co., Inc.^      679,694  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Media, continued

  

  39,760       Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)    $ 825,815  
  25,715       McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. (The)      2,288,121  
  47,465       News Corp., Class A*      744,726  
  23,506       Omnicom Group, Inc.^      1,821,010  
  9,612       Scripps Networks Interactive, Class A^      723,495  
  26,566       Time Warner Cable, Inc.      4,039,626  
  79,411       Time Warner, Inc.      6,783,288  
  175,613       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc.^      6,744,417  
  34,989       Viacom, Inc., Class B      2,632,922  
  147,746       Walt Disney Co. (The)      13,916,196  
     

 

 

 
        63,752,912  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.4%):

  

  111,729       Alcoa, Inc.      1,764,201  
  10,327       Allegheny Technologies, Inc.^      359,070  
  98,420       Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.      2,299,091  
  47,129       Newmont Mining Corp.      890,738  
  30,253       Nucor Corp.^      1,483,910  
     

 

 

 
        6,797,010  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.7%):

  

  28,739       Dollar General Corp.*      2,031,847  
  19,500       Dollar Tree, Inc.*      1,372,410  
  9,076       Family Dollar Stores, Inc.      718,910  
  19,129       Kohl’s Corp.^      1,167,634  
  32,704       Macy’s, Inc.^      2,150,288  
  13,314       Nordstrom, Inc.^      1,056,998  
  60,327       Target Corp.^      4,579,423  
     

 

 

 
        13,077,510  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (1.3%):

  

  23,020       Ameren Corp.      1,061,913  
  40,653       CenterPoint Energy, Inc.      952,500  
  25,950       CMS Energy Corp.      901,763  
  27,801       Consolidated Edison, Inc.^      1,835,144  
  55,302       Dominion Resources, Inc.      4,252,723  
  16,765       DTE Energy Co.      1,447,993  
  7,603       Integrys Energy Group, Inc.      591,894  
  29,964       NiSource, Inc.      1,271,073  
  44,997       PG&E Corp.      2,395,640  
  47,971       Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.      1,986,479  
  13,432       SCANA Corp.^      811,293  
  21,892       Sempra Energy^      2,437,893  
  22,052       TECO Energy, Inc.^      451,845  
  21,382       Wisconsin Energy Corp.^      1,127,687  
  47,949       Xcel Energy, Inc.      1,722,328  
     

 

 

 
        23,248,168  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (7.0%):

  

  47,966       Anadarko Petroleum Corp.      3,957,195  
  35,658       Apache Corp.^      2,234,687  
  38,966       Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.^      1,153,783  
  48,978       Chesapeake Energy Corp.^      958,499  
  179,034       Chevron Corp.      20,084,034  

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

  8,298       Cimarex Energy Co.    $ 879,588  
  116,577       ConocoPhillips^      8,050,808  
  21,728       CONSOL Energy, Inc.^      734,624  
  33,379       Denbury Resources, Inc.      271,371  
  36,441       Devon Energy Corp.      2,230,554  
  51,902       EOG Resources, Inc.      4,778,617  
  14,294       EQT Corp.      1,082,056  
  401,031       Exxon Mobil Corp.      37,075,315  
  24,070       Hess Corp.      1,776,847  
  160,921       Kinder Morgan, Inc.^      6,808,568  
  63,925       Marathon Oil Corp.      1,808,438  
  26,538       Marathon Petroleum Corp.      2,395,320  
  15,712       Murphy Oil Corp.^      793,770  
  12,957       Newfield Exploration Co.*      351,394  
  34,020       Noble Energy, Inc.      1,613,569  
  73,455       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      5,921,208  
  19,642       ONEOK, Inc.      977,975  
  52,423       Phillips 66      3,758,729  
  14,103       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      2,099,232  
  15,602       QEP Resources, Inc.      315,472  
  16,058       Range Resources Corp.^      858,300  
  33,308       Southwestern Energy Co.*      908,975  
  63,554       Spectra Energy Corp.^      2,307,010  
  11,959       Tesoro Corp.^      889,152  
  49,369       Valero Energy Corp.      2,443,766  
  63,715       Williams Cos., Inc. (The)      2,863,352  
     

 

 

 
        122,382,208  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.1%):

  

  40,038       International Paper Co.      2,145,236  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.1%):

  

  41,204       Avon Products, Inc.^      386,906  
  21,194       Estee Lauder Co., Inc. (The), Class A      1,614,982  
     

 

 

 
        2,001,888  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (6.2%):

  

  150,893       Abbvie, Inc.      9,874,438  
  25,103       Actavis, Inc. plc*^      6,461,763  
  28,214       Allergan, Inc.      5,998,014  
  157,098       Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.^      9,273,495  
  92,797       Eli Lilly & Co.      6,402,065  
  15,996       Hospira, Inc.*      979,755  
  265,090       Johnson & Johnson Co.      27,720,462  
  11,015       Mallinckrodt plc*      1,090,815  
  269,994       Merck & Co., Inc.      15,332,959  
  35,450       Mylan, Inc.*^      1,998,317  
  13,333       Perrigo Co. plc      2,228,744  
  596,707       Pfizer, Inc.      18,587,424  
  47,483       Zoetis, Inc.      2,043,193  
     

 

 

 
        107,991,444  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.2%):

  

  3,425       Dun & Bradstreet Corp.^      414,288  
  11,443       Equifax, Inc.      925,395  
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Professional Services, continued

  

  30,681       Nielsen Holdings NV    $ 1,372,361  
  12,947       Robert Half International, Inc.      755,846  
     

 

 

 
        3,467,890  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (2.3%):

  

  37,549       American Tower Corp.      3,711,719  
  13,934       Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A      517,648  
  12,502       AvalonBay Communities, Inc.^      2,042,702  
  14,512       Boston Properties, Inc.^      1,867,549  
  31,621       Crown Castle International Corp.      2,488,573  
  34,321       Equity Residential Property Trust      2,465,621  
  6,057       Essex Property Trust, Inc.^      1,251,376  
  59,547       General Growth Properties, Inc.      1,675,057  
  43,499       HCP, Inc.      1,915,261  
  31,035       Health Care REIT, Inc.^      2,348,418  
  71,838       Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.^      1,707,589  
  38,964       Kimco Realty Corp.      979,555  
  13,335       Macerich Co. (The)^      1,112,272  
  16,643       Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.^      712,154  
  47,357       ProLogis, Inc.      2,037,772  
  13,742       Public Storage, Inc.^      2,540,209  
  29,434       Simon Property Group, Inc.      5,360,226  
  27,594       Ventas, Inc.^      1,978,490  
  16,537       Vornado Realty Trust      1,946,570  
  49,610       Weyerhaeuser Co.^      1,780,503  
     

 

 

 
        40,439,264  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.1%):

  

  26,490       CBRE Group, Inc.*      907,283  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.0%):

  

  94,164       CSX Corp.      3,411,562  
  10,429       Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.^      1,272,651  
  29,308       Norfolk Southern Corp.      3,212,450  
  5,007       Ryder System, Inc.      464,900  
  84,204       Union Pacific Corp.      10,031,222  
     

 

 

 
        18,392,785  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (2.4%):

  

  28,835       Altera Corp.^      1,065,165  
  29,406       Analog Devices, Inc.      1,632,621  
  115,397       Applied Materials, Inc.^      2,875,693  
  23,953       Avago Technologies, Ltd.      2,409,432  
  51,025       Broadcom Corp., Class A      2,210,913  
  7,098       First Solar, Inc.*^      316,535  
  457,902       Intel Corp.      16,617,265  
  15,638       KLA-Tencor Corp.^      1,099,664  
  15,057       Lam Research Corp.^      1,194,622  
  22,557       Linear Technology Corp.^      1,028,599  
  19,108       Microchip Technology, Inc.^      861,962  
  101,668       Micron Technology, Inc.*      3,559,397  
  49,009       NVIDIA Corp.      982,630  
  100,040       Texas Instruments, Inc.^      5,348,639  

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment, continued

  

  25,050       Xilinx, Inc.    $ 1,084,415  
     

 

 

 
        42,287,552  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (3.8%):

  

  44,874       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      3,262,340  
  21,486       Autodesk, Inc.*^      1,290,449  
  30,193       CA, Inc.^      919,377  
  15,248       Citrix Systems, Inc.*      972,822  
  29,354       Electronic Arts, Inc.*      1,380,078  
  27,043       Intuit, Inc.      2,493,094  
  780,641       Microsoft Corp.      36,260,774  
  306,404       Oracle Corp.      13,778,988  
  17,785       Red Hat, Inc.*      1,229,655  
  55,580       Salesforce.com, Inc.*^      3,296,450  
  65,225       Symantec Corp.      1,673,347  
     

 

 

 
        66,557,374  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (2.4%):

  

  7,076       AutoNation, Inc.*      427,461  
  3,035       AutoZone, Inc.*^      1,878,999  
  17,581       Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*^      1,339,145  
  27,657       Best Buy Co., Inc.      1,078,070  
  20,402       CarMax, Inc.*^      1,358,365  
  10,283       GameStop Corp., Class A^      347,565  
  25,277       Gap, Inc. (The)^      1,064,414  
  124,806       Home Depot, Inc. (The)      13,100,886  
  23,286       L Brands, Inc.      2,015,403  
  92,142       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      6,339,370  
  9,608       O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*^      1,850,693  
  9,463       PetSmart, Inc.^      769,295  
  19,879       Ross Stores, Inc.      1,873,795  
  60,435       Staples, Inc.^      1,095,082  
  10,611       Tiffany & Co.^      1,133,891  
  65,285       TJX Cos., Inc. (The)      4,477,245  
  12,941       Tractor Supply Co.^      1,020,010  
  9,591       Urban Outfitters, Inc.*^      336,932  
     

 

 

 
        41,506,621  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (4.7%):

  

  555,429       Apple, Inc.      61,308,252  
  192,723       EMC Corp.      5,731,582  
  176,751       Hewlett-Packard Co.      7,093,018  
  29,524       NetApp, Inc.      1,223,770  
  20,899       SanDisk Corp.      2,047,684  
  30,995       Seagate Technology plc      2,061,168  
  20,643       Western Digital Corp.      2,285,180  
  101,361       Xerox Corp.      1,404,863  
     

 

 

 
        83,155,517  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.8%):

  

  26,106       Coach, Inc.      980,541  
  4,259       Fossil Group, Inc.*      471,642  
  19,504       Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd.*      1,464,750  
  66,089       Nike, Inc., Class B      6,354,458  
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods, continued

  

  7,832       PVH Corp.    $ 1,003,827  
  5,725       Ralph Lauren Corp.^      1,060,041  
  15,844       Under Armour, Inc., Class A*^      1,075,808  
  32,723       V.F. Corp.^      2,450,953  
     

 

 

 
        14,862,020  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.1%):

  

  45,460       Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.      460,055  
  29,090       People’s United Financial, Inc.^      441,586  
     

 

 

 
        901,641  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (1.4%):

  

  187,185       Altria Group, Inc.      9,222,605  
  34,099       Lorillard, Inc.      2,146,191  
  147,182       Philip Morris International, Inc.      11,987,974  
  29,187       Reynolds American, Inc.^      1,875,848  
     

 

 

 
        25,232,618  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.2%):

  

  25,803       Fastenal Co.^      1,227,191  
  9,455       United Rentals, Inc.*^      964,505  
  5,742       W.W. Grainger, Inc.^      1,463,578  
     

 

 

 
        3,655,274  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,017,458,748)

     1,728,000,498  
     

 

 

 

Contracts,

Shares,

Notional

Amount or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (12.4%):

  

$ 218,268,942       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (a)    $ 218,268,942  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $218,268,942)

     218,268,942  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (2.2%):

  

  39,665,384       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      39,665,384  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $39,665,384)

     39,665,384  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Investment Securities
(Cost $1,275,393,074)(c) — 112.5%

     1,985,934,824  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (12.5)%

     (220,711,916
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 1,765,222,908  
     

 

 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $211,309,348.

 

+ Affiliated Securities

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
 

Futures Contracts

 

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

S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         399       $ 40,945,380      $ 255,574  

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

10


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investments in non-affiliates, at cost

     $ 1,272,900,818  

Investments in affiliates, at cost

       2,492,256  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at cost

     $ 1,275,393,074  
    

 

 

 

Investments in non-affiliates, at value*

     $ 1,981,621,220  

Investments in affiliates, at value

       4,313,604  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment securities, at value

       1,985,934,824  

Cash

       22,557  

Interest and dividends receivable

       2,340,767  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       267,518  

Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts

       19,440  

Prepaid expenses

       14,848  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       1,988,599,954  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       3,633,880  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       218,268,942  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       504,225  

Manager fees payable

       255,441  

Administration fees payable

       40,174  

Distribution fees payable

       371,162  

Custodian fees payable

       10,781  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       5,035  

Trustee fees payable

       101  

Other accrued liabilities

       287,305  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       223,377,046  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 1,765,222,908  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 1,100,341,376  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       25,393,899  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (71,309,691 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       710,797,324  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 1,765,222,908  
    

 

 

 

Class 1

    

Net Assets

     $ 21,303,526  

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       1,469,034  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 14.50  
    

 

 

 

Class 2

    

Net Assets

     $ 1,743,919,382  

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       121,075,779  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 14.40  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $211,309,348.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 33,157,318  

Dividends from affiliates

       91,113  

Income from securities lending

       138,748  

Foreign withholding tax

       (3,858 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       33,383,321  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       2,832,281  

Administration fees

       443,266  

Distribution fees — Class 2

       4,116,340  

Custodian fees

       45,930  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       21,756  

Trustee fees

       83,597  

Professional fees

       92,935  

Shareholder reports

       43,902  

Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the manager

       53,390  

Other expenses

       357,459  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       8,090,856  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       25,292,465  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       7,426,336  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       9,071,639  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       167,334,457  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       183,832,432  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 209,124,897  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

11


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL S&P 500 Index Fund
     

For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2014

  

For the
Year Ended
December 31,

2013

Change In Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 25,292,465        $ 20,233,342  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       16,497,975          16,815,781  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       167,334,457          315,124,535  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       209,124,897          352,173,658  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income:

         

Class 1

       (264,526 )        (231,746 )

Class 2

       (19,712,701 )        (15,948,931 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (19,977,227 )        (16,180,677 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Class 1

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       2,319,500          2,374,133  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       264,526          231,746  

Value of shares redeemed

       (2,824,368 )        (2,576,769 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class 1

       (240,342 )        29,110  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class 2

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       148,739,164          267,637,519  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       19,712,701          15,948,931  

Value of shares redeemed

       (159,158,737 )        (87,266,590 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class 2

       9,293,128          196,319,860  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       9,052,786          196,348,970  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       198,200,456          532,341,951  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       1,567,022,452          1,034,680,501  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 1,765,222,908        $ 1,567,022,452  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 25,393,899        $ 20,133,607  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Class 1

         

Shares issued

       168,399          208,259  

Dividends reinvested

       19,017          19,740  

Shares redeemed

       (210,215 )        (226,450 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class 1 Shares

       (22,799 )        1,549  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class 2

         

Shares issued

       11,227,373          23,358,224  

Dividends reinvested

       1,425,358          1,365,490  

Shares redeemed

       (11,729,494 )        (7,610,457 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class 2 Shares

       923,237          17,113,257  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       900,438          17,114,806  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Class 1

                    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 12.96       $ 9.95       $ 8.71       $ 8.68       $ 7.71  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.24 (a)       0.21 (a)       0.19 (a)       0.16 (a)       0.14 (a)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.49         2.96         1.17         (b)       0.98  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.73         3.17         1.36         0.16         1.12  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.19 )       (0.16 )       (0.12 )       (0.13 )       (0.13 )

Net Realized Gains

                                       (0.02 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.19 )       (0.16 )       (0.12 )       (0.13 )       (0.15 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 14.50       $ 12.96       $ 9.95       $ 8.71       $ 8.68  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

       13.41 %       32.02 %       15.66 %       1.88 %       14.75 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 21,304       $ 19,334       $ 14,828       $ 13,488       $ 15,506  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.76 %       1.81 %       2.00 %       1.79 %       1.79 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)

       0.24 %       0.24 %       0.26 %       0.27 %       0.29 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.24 %       0.24 %       0.26 %       0.26 %       0.24 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)

       3 %       4 %       3 %       2 %       14 %

Class 2

                    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 12.88       $ 9.90       $ 8.67       $ 8.65       $ 7.68  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.20 (a)       0.18 (a)       0.17 (a)       0.14 (a)       0.12 (a)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.48         2.94         1.17         (0.01 )       0.98  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.68         3.12         1.34         0.13         1.10  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.16 )       (0.14 )       (0.11 )       (0.11 )       (0.11 )

Net Realized Gains

                                       (0.02 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.16 )       (0.14 )       (0.11 )       (0.11 )       (0.13 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 14.40       $ 12.88       $ 9.90       $ 8.67       $ 8.65  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

       13.12 %       31.66 %       15.42 %       1.55 %       14.57 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 1,743,919       $ 1,547,689       $ 1,019,853       $ 732,892       $ 594,350  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.51 %       1.56 %       1.77 %       1.56 %       1.51 %

Expenses Before Reductions(d)

       0.49 %       0.49 %       0.51 %       0.52 %       0.54 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.49 %       0.49 %       0.51 %       0.51 %       0.49 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate(e)

       3 %       4 %       3 %       2 %       14 %

 

(a) Average shares method used in calculation.

 

(b) Represents less than $0.005.

 

(c) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(d) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(e) Portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the basis of the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL S&P 500 Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available. In addition, income and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets on a daily basis.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Each class of shares bears its pro-rata portion of expenses attributable to its series, except that each class separately bears expenses related specifically to that class, such as distribution fees. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

14


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $62.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $13,780 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $40.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $51.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 255,574      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

 

15


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/ depreciation on investments      $ 9,071,639         $ 1,496,036   

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund Class 1

         0.17 %          0.46 %

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund Class 2

         0.17 %          0.71 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $20,517 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

 

16


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 1,728,000,498          $          $ 1,728,000,498  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    218,268,942            218,268,942  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         39,665,384                       39,665,384  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         1,767,665,882            218,268,942            1,985,934,824  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         255,574                       255,574  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 1,767,921,456          $ 218,268,942          $ 1,986,190,398  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

 

17


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

       $ 99,321,798          $ 42,836,424  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $1,288,270,975. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 720,454,541   

Unrealized depreciation

    (22,790,692
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 697,663,849   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs subject to expiration:

 

        Expires
12/31/2016
        

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

       $ 57,858,950  

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $14,962,755 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

       $ 19,977,227          $          $ 19,977,227  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

       $ 16,180,677          $          $ 16,180,677  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

 

18


AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL S&P 500 Index Fund

       $ 25,076,633          $          $ (57,858,950 )        $ 697,663,849          $ 664,881,532  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

19


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL S&P 500 Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

20


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

21


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

22


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

23


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

24


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

25


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other
Directorships
Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead
Independent
Trustee
 

Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

26


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

27


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 7

Statement of Operations

Page 7

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 8

Financial Highlights

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 10

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 15

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 16

Other Information

Page 17

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 18

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 21

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (Class 2 Shares) returned -5.22% compared to a -1.82% total return for its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index1.

Emerging markets equities struggled during the period, underperforming developed markets for a second consecutive year, although it was a volatile year. Investors early in the period avoided emerging markets stocks amid concerns about the health of global economies such as Europe and China. Geopolitical issues—including Russia’s incursion into Ukraine—also rattled investors. However, improved economic results in the U.S., Europe and China buoyed emerging markets stocks from March to September. Those gains were erased during the final few months of the period, as investors again grew concerned about the health of global economies and the strength of the US dollar. What’s more, steep declines in oil prices added to the downward pressure on some emerging markets stocks late in the period.

Russia’s stock market was among the worst performers during the period. The crisis in Ukraine, and the international sanctions that followed, hurt Russian stocks, as did the plunging oil prices and a tumbling ruble.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the period. Much of the underperformance took place in the first quarter, specifically in March. The Fund’s country allocation decisions were based on expectations that global liquidity would tighten as global growth increased and the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its stimulus efforts. The Fund favoured countries with trade surpluses, such as China and Korea. Those countries tend to outperform during periods of tightening global liquidity, as their economies are less dependent on outside credit. By comparison, countries with current account deficits, such as South Africa and Indonesia, tend to underperform when global liquidity tightens, as they are more dependent on outside credit.*

As expectations for global growth declined early in the period, the liquidity environment eased rather than tightened. As a result, the Fund’s underweight to trade-deficit countries weighed on relative performance. A larger-

than-benchmark position in Russia also hurt the Fund’s relative performance in the first quarter. However, a shift to an underweight position for the remainder of the period helped offset those initial losses.*

Stock selection also dragged on relative performance, primarily in Korea. An overweight position in a growth-oriented chemical company detracted as global growth lagged. A larger-than-benchmark position in an automobile manufacturer also detracted as poor corporate governance decisions led to strong selling pressure during October.*

On a positive note, the Fund’s relative performance benefited from an overweight position and strong stock selection in China. Despite slower growth, the Chinese economy still performed relatively well during the period. The Fund benefited from exposure to two Chinese insurance companies. Exposure to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar also benefited the Fund as both countries were added to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at the end of May. The resulting boost to performance was only partially offset by losses, later in the period, as falling oil prices dragged on Gulf sentiment. Finally, exposure to Indian and Thai financials also contributed positively to relative returns.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) Emerging Markets Index (gross of withholding tax) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity performance of emerging markets. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of companies the Fund’s subadviser believes to be “emerging market” issuers.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Emerging market investing may be subject to additional economic, political, liquidity, and currency risks not associated with more developed countries.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     Inception
Date
     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
 

AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (Class 1 Shares)

     5/6/07         -4.96     4.23     1.12     0.61

AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (Class 2 Shares)

     5/1/06         -5.22     3.95     0.87     2.02

MSCI Emerging Markets Index
(gross of withholding taxes)

     5/1/06         -1.82     4.41     2.11     4.21

MSCI Emerging Markets Index
(net of withholding taxes)

     5/1/06         -2.19     4.04     1.78     3.88

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (Class 1 Shares)

     1.40

AZL® Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (Class 2 Shares)

     1.65

Expense Ratios are based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 1.08%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense), to 1.40% for Class 1 Shares and 1.65% for Class 2 Shares through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) Emerging Markets Index, an unmanaged free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity performance of emerging markets. The Index noted as “gross of withholding taxes” does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Index noted as “net of withholding taxes” reflects the reinvestment of dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 1

       $ 1,000.00          $ 917.50          $ 6.38            1.32 %

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2

       $ 1,000.00          $ 917.20          $ 7.59            1.57 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 1

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,018.55          $ 6.72            1.32 %

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,017.29          $ 7.98            1.57 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of net assets

Financials

      34.4 %

Information Technology

      24.8  

Consumer Discretionary

      11.8  

Energy

      7.7  

Telecommunication Services

      5.9  

Consumer Staples

      5.2  

Materials

      3.6  

Industrials

      3.1  

Health Care

      1.9  

Utilities

      0.8  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks

      99.2  

Right

      ^

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      2.8  

Money Market

      0.8  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      102.8  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (2.8 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%

 

3


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks (98.1%):

  

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  

  4,826       Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.    $ 1,027,288  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (6.1%):

  

  1,712,000       Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, Ltd.      2,743,089  
  426,200       Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., Class B      964,130  
  53,107       Hero MotoCorp, Ltd.      2,614,856  
  32,834       Hyundai Motor Co.      4,985,483  
  32,798       KIA Motors Corp.      1,549,822  
  48,363       Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.      2,542,849  
     

 

 

 
        15,400,229  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (22.6%):

  

  586,568       Akbank T.A.S.      2,164,136  
  703,445       Axis Bank, Ltd.      5,558,004  
  151,043       Banco Bradesco SA, ADR      2,019,444  
  10,511,832       China Construction Bank      8,556,295  
  3,963,597       Chinatrust Financial Holding Co., Ltd.      2,561,013  
  227,189       Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE      1,562,997  
  125,981       Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE, GDR      830,726  
  7,650       Credicorp, Ltd.      1,225,377  
  105,445       DGB Financial Group, Inc.      1,085,089  
  81,825       Grupo Financiero Inbursa SAB de C.V., Class O      211,240  
  50,695       Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico SAB de C.V., Class B, ADR      525,200  
  86,420       Hana Financial Holdings      2,496,881  
  318,081       HDFC Bank, Ltd.      4,770,735  
  4,733,385       Industrial & Commercial Bank of China      3,438,885  
  382,055       Itau Unibanco Banco Multiplo SA, ADR      4,970,535  
  612,400       Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.      4,230,042  
  2,939       Komercni Banka AS      605,879  
  388,433       National Bank of Greece SA*      689,966  
  33,414       OTP Bank Nyrt      483,044  
  250,550       Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA      2,523,211  
  2,081,000       PT Bank Mandiri Tbk       1,796,939  
  42,228       Qatar National Bank      2,453,638  
  21,280       Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.      853,950  
  326,502       Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS      1,309,986  
     

 

 

 
        56,923,212  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (1.7%):

  

  344,765       Ambev SA, ADR      2,144,438  
  26,017       Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de C.V., ADR*      2,290,277  
     

 

 

 
        4,434,715  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (1.8%):

  

  116,627       Alfa SAB de C.V., Class A*      260,445  
  26,253       Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana SA      442,156  
  11,219       LG Chem, Ltd.      1,831,162  
  31,517       Samsung C&T Corp.      1,747,344  
     

 

 

 
        4,281,107  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks (0.6%):

  

  553,250       Turkiye Is Bankasi AS, Class C      1,589,089  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Construction Materials (0.5%):

  

  116,964       Cemex SAB de C.V., ADR*^    $ 1,191,863  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.6%):

  

  238,400       Kroton Educacional SA      1,390,637  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.7%):

  

  432,188       Firstrand, Ltd.      1,874,002  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.6%):

  

  50,610       Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA (OTE)*      552,233  
  4,383,100       PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk      1,006,361  
     

 

 

 
        1,558,594  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.4%):

  

  26,680       Korea Electric Power Corp., Ltd.      1,027,646  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.4%):

  

  186,000       Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co., Ltd.      1,085,468  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (3.8%):

  

  344,500       AAC Technologies Holdings, Inc.^      1,830,959  
  2,344,480       Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.      6,465,473  
  44,312       LG Display Co., Ltd.*      1,341,997  
     

 

 

 
        9,638,429  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (1.1%):

  

  43,879       Bim Birlesik Magazalar AS      940,615  
  8,705       Magnit PJSC, GDR      392,548  
  765,000       Sun Art Retail Group, Ltd.^      758,694  
  203,483       Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de C.V., Series V      437,577  
     

 

 

 
        2,529,434  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.0%):

  

  115       Orion Corp.      105,780  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.6%):

  

  53,200       Mindray Medical International, Ltd., ADR^      1,404,480  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.3%):

  

  139,468       Alsea SAB de C.V.*^      385,486  
  36,726       Yum! Brands, Inc.      2,675,489  
     

 

 

 
        3,060,975  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.3%):

  

  9,630       Coway Co., Ltd.      732,803  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.5%):

  

  2,170       LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.      1,229,841  
     

 

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.4%):

  

  883,000       China Longyuan Power Group Corp.      909,721  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.0%):

  

  323       Cheil Industries, Inc.*      46,437  
  309,570       KOC Holdings AS      1,637,286  
  11,755       LG Corp.      651,604  
     

 

 

 
        2,335,327  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (8.1%):

  

  829,400       AIA Group, Ltd.      4,567,559  
  124,400       BB Seguridade Participacoes SA      1,505,609  
  1,743,781       Cathay Financial Holding Co., Ltd.      2,565,825  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Insurance, continued

  
  1,033,000       China Life Insurance Co., Ltd.    $ 4,052,515  
  1,020,600       China Pacific Insurance Group Co., Ltd., Class H      5,115,220  
  11,286       Powszechny Zaklad Ubezpieczen SA      1,544,641  
  12,993       Samsung Life Insurance Co., Ltd.      1,372,486  
     

 

 

 
        20,723,855  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (5.8%):

  

  7,913       Baidu, Inc., ADR*      1,803,927  
  4,554       NHN Corp.      2,942,378  
  672,500       Tencent Holdings, Ltd.      9,650,314  
     

 

 

 
        14,396,619  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (2.2%):

  

  102,300       Cielo SA      1,604,261  
  99,043       Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.      4,011,029  
     

 

 

 
        5,615,290  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (1.2%):

  

  66,449       Iochpe-Maxion SA      305,087  
  87,000       WEG SA      1,001,882  
  416,799       Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Class H      1,749,519  
     

 

 

 
        3,056,488  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.3%):

  

  24,771       Naspers, Ltd.      3,191,991  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.6%):

  

  64,076       Mining and Metallurgical Co. Norilsk Nickel, ADR      885,537  
  4,615       POSCO      1,164,533  
  165,800       Vale SA, Sponsored ADR^      1,356,244  
  44,100       Vale SA, Sponsored ADR      320,166  
     

 

 

 
        3,726,480  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.0%):

  

  10,576       Hyundai Department Store Co., Ltd.      1,174,759  
  188,863       Woolworths Holdings, Ltd.      1,249,587  
     

 

 

 
        2,424,346  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (7.1%):

  

  8,810,400       China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec), H Shares      7,133,786  
  28,723       Enersis SA, ADR      460,430  
  58,285       LUKOIL, ADR      2,235,230  
  162,982       OAO Gazprom, GDR      738,308  
  15,101       Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Sponsored, ADR      110,237  
  213,800       PTT pcl      2,096,700  
  196,302       Reliance Industries, Ltd.      2,761,698  
  56,318       Tupras-Turkiye Petrol Rafine      1,331,533  
  73,942       Ultrapar Participacoes SA      1,431,702  
     

 

 

 
        18,299,624   
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (1.5%):

  

  803       Amorepacific Corp.*      1,613,419  
  177,500       Hengan International Group Co., Ltd.      1,848,340  
     

 

 

 
        3,461,759  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  
     

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.3%):

  

  40,370       Aspen Pharmacare Holdings, Ltd.    $ 1,405,951  
  76,683       Lupin, Ltd.      1,735,422  
     

 

 

 
        3,141,373  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (2.0%):

  

  1,606,700       Ayala Land, Inc.      1,203,987  
  78,000       BR Malls Participacoes SA      482,290  
  1,743,322       Emaar Properties PJSC      3,344,925  
     

 

 

 
        5,031,202  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (11.9%):

  

  2,645,000       Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.      3,144,630  
  10,213       Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.      12,278,233  
  78,141       SK Hynix, Inc.*      3,365,154  
  2,574,110       Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.      11,359,573  
     

 

 

 
        30,147,590  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.6%):

  

  1,404,000       Belle International Holdings, Ltd.      1,571,935  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%):

  

  339,000       Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.      2,609,368  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.3%):

  

  83,960       Eclat Textile Co., Ltd.      850,289  
     

 

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.5%):

  

  210,656       Companhia de Concessoes Rodoviarias      1,221,665  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (5.3%):

  

  355,600       Advanced Info Service pcl      2,708,719  
  38,416       America Movil SAB de C.V., Series L, ADR      852,067  
  346,500       China Mobile, Ltd.      4,070,999  
  8,372       SK Telecom Co., Ltd.      2,036,192  
  580,000       Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd.      1,915,543  
  293,649       Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS*      1,795,596  
     

 

 

 
        13,379,116  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $207,790,589)

     246,579,630   
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks (0.7%):

  

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.6%):

  

  38,100       Companhia Brasileira de Destribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar, Series A, Preferred Shares      1,414,197  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.1%):

  

  37,100       Vale SA, Preferred Shares, ADR      269,346  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.4%):

  

  143,704       Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Preferred Shares, ADR      1,089,276   
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $4,201,474)

     2,772,819   
     

 

 

 

 

Right (0.0%):

  

 

Banks (0.0%):

  

  22,024       DGB Financial Group, Inc.*      23,046  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Right (Cost $—)

     23,046  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (2.8%):

  

$ 7,138,751       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 7,138,751  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $7,138,751)

     7,138,751  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.8%):

  

  2,083,797       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      2,083,797  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $2,083,797)

     2,083,797  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $221,214,611)(c) — 102.8%

     258,598,043  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (2.8)%

     (7,128,152
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 251,469,891  
     

 

 

 

 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

GDR—Global Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $6,782,609.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “—” are either $0 or less than $1.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Bermuda

    0.5

Brazil

    8.8

Cayman Islands

    3.3

Chile

    0.2

China

    12.7

Colombia

    0.2

Czech Republic

    0.2

Egypt

    0.9

Greece

    0.5

Hong Kong

    6.4

Hungary

    0.2

India

    9.3

Indonesia

    1.1

Korea, Republic Of

    3.7
Country   Percentage  

Mexico

    2.4

Philippines

    0.5

Poland

    1.6

Qatar

    0.9

Republic of Korea (South)

    14.3

Russian Federation

    1.6

South Africa

    3.0

Switzerland

    2.0

Taiwan

    12.1

Thailand

    3.5

Turkey

    4.2

United Arab Emirates

    1.3

United States

    4.6
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 221,214,611  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 258,598,043  

Interest and dividends receivable

       606,178  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $335,162)

       336,754  

Receivable for investments sold

       482,080  

Reclaims receivable

       10,345  

Prepaid expenses

       2,387  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       260,035,787  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       745,209  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       255,000  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       7,138,751  

Manager fees payable

       232,809  

Administration fees payable

       7,744  

Distribution fees payable

       48,263  

Custodian fees payable

       117,672  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       701  

Trustee fees payable

       14  

Other accrued liabilities

       19,733  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       8,565,896  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 251,469,891  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 205,059,100  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       2,349,676  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       6,678,385  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       37,382,730  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 251,469,891  
    

 

 

 

Class 1

    

Net Assets

     $ 26,194,175  

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       3,562,601  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 7.35  
    

 

 

 

Class 2

    

Net Assets

     $ 225,275,716  

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       30,677,506  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 7.34  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $6,782,609.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 7,473,943  

Income from securities lending

       117,413  

Foreign withholding tax

       (675,898 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       6,915,458  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       3,472,534  

Administration fees

       99,650  

Distribution fees — Class 2

       631,642  

Custodian fees

       470,752  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       3,605  

Trustee fees

       14,529  

Professional fees

       15,739  

Shareholder reports

       23,277  

Other expenses

       7,807  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       4,739,535  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (423,482 )

Less expenses paid indirectly

       (47 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       4,316,006  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       2,599,452  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       8,455,489  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (24,537,832 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (16,082,343 )
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ (13,482,891 )
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

        

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,599,452       $ 2,536,114  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       8,455,489         4,555,338  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (24,537,832 )       (14,705,734 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       (13,482,891 )       (7,614,282 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income:

        

Class 1

       (253,318 )       (333,101 )

Class 2

       (1,478,612 )       (2,124,595 )

From net realized gains:

        

Class 1

       (44,382 )        

Class 2

       (380,578 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (2,156,890 )       (2,457,696 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

        

Class 1

        

Proceeds from shares issued

       75,407         354,171  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       297,700         333,101  

Value of shares redeemed

       (4,229,928 )       (4,799,713 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class 1

       (3,856,821 )       (4,112,441 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class 2

        

Proceeds from shares issued

       10,680,833         16,234,949  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       1,859,190         2,124,596  

Value of shares redeemed

       (40,235,190 )       (41,378,164 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class 2

       (27,695,167 )       (23,018,619 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       (31,551,988 )       (27,131,060 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (47,191,769 )       (37,203,038 )

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of period

       298,661,660         335,864,698  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 251,469,891       $ 298,661,660  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 2,349,676       $ 1,730,383  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

        

Class 1

        

Shares issued

       9,781         45,222  

Dividends reinvested

       36,708         43,714  

Shares redeemed

       (543,859 )       (623,478 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class 1 Shares

       (497,370 )       (534,542 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class 2

        

Shares issued

       1,402,596         2,123,012  

Dividends reinvested

       229,530         278,818  

Shares redeemed

       (5,180,975 )       (5,379,241 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Class 2 Shares

       (3,548,849 )       (2,977,411 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in shares

       (4,046,219 )       (3,511,953 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Class 1

                    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 7.81       $ 8.05       $ 7.08       $ 8.76       $ 7.84  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.10         0.09         0.08         0.12         0.10 (a)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.48 )       (0.25 )       1.39         (1.61 )       0.88  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (0.38 )       (0.16 )       1.47         (1.49 )       0.98  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.07 )       (0.08 )       (0.08 )       (0.08 )       (0.06 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.01 )               (0.42 )       (0.11 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.08 )       (0.08 )       (0.50 )       (0.19 )       (0.06 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 7.35       $ 7.81       $ 8.05       $ 7.08       $ 8.76  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       (4.96 )%       (1.96 )%       21.52 %       (17.09 )%       12.61 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 26,194       $ 31,711       $ 36,970       $ 34,046       $ 47,962  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       1.14 %       1.04 %       0.99 %       1.28 %       1.19 %

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.46 %       1.45 %       1.43 %       1.45 %       1.45 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.31 %       1.30 %       1.28 %       1.25 %       1.17 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(d)

       1.31 %       1.30 %       1.28 %       1.25 %       1.17 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       58 %       49 %       51 %       66 %       101 %

Class 2

                    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 7.80       $ 8.03       $ 7.07       $ 8.74       $ 7.82  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.08         0.07         0.05         0.09         0.08 (a)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       (0.48 )       (0.24 )       1.39         (1.59 )       0.89  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       (0.40 )       (0.17 )       1.44         (1.50 )       0.97  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.05 )       (0.06 )       (0.06 )       (0.06 )       (0.05 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.01 )               (0.42 )       (0.11 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.06 )       (0.06 )       (0.48 )       (0.17 )       (0.05 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 7.34       $ 7.80       $ 8.03       $ 7.07       $ 8.74  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(b)

       (5.22 )%       (2.10 )%       21.04 %       (17.27 )%       12.40 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 225,276       $ 266,951       $ 298,895       $ 266,106       $ 376,825  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.90 %       0.79 %       0.74 %       1.03 %       0.91 %

Expenses Before Reductions(c)

       1.71 %       1.70 %       1.68 %       1.70 %       1.70 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.56 %       1.55 %       1.53 %       1.50 %       1.42 %

Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(d)

       1.56 %       1.55 %       1.53 %       1.50 %       1.42 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       58 %       49 %       51 %       66 %       101 %

 

(a) Average shares method used in calculation.

 

(b) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(c) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(d) Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, under which brokers remit a portion of the brokerage commission which is used to pay certain Fund expenses. See note 2 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

9


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available. In addition, income and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets on a daily basis.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Each class of shares bears its pro-rata portion of expenses attributable to its series, except that each class separately bears expenses related specifically to that class, such as distribution fees.

Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

10


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $11,595 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“Schroder”), Schroder provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class 1

         1.23 %          1.40 %

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund Class 2

         1.23 %          1.65 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 1.08% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02%

 

11


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $3,553 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 Investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

12


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:    Level 1      Level 2      Total
                    

Common Stocks

                  

Banks

     $ 10,514,793          $ 46,408,419          $ 56,923,212  

Beverages

       4,434,715                       4,434,715  

Chemicals

       260,445            4,020,662            4,281,107  

Construction Materials

       1,191,863                       1,191,863  

Electrical Equipment

       1,085,468                       1,085,468  

Food & Staples Retailing

       437,577            2,091,857            2,529,434  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

       1,404,480                       1,404,480  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

       3,060,975                       3,060,975  

Internet Software & Services

       1,803,927            12,592,692            14,396,619  

Metals & Mining

       2,561,947            1,164,533            3,726,480  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       3,544,205            14,755,419            18,299,624  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

       852,067            12,527,049            13,379,116  

All Other Common Stocks+

                  121,866,537            121,866,537  

Preferred Stocks

                  

Food & Staples Retailing

                  1,414,197            1,414,197  

Metals & Mining

       269,346                       269,346  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

       1,089,276                       1,089,276  

Right

                  23,046            23,046  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                  7,138,751            7,138,751  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

       2,083,797                       2,083,797  
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

     $ 34,594,881          $ 224,003,162          $ 258,598,043  
    

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

       $ 162,939,762          $ 195,378,285  

6. Investment Risks

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $223,227,726. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 48,591,975   

Unrealized depreciation

    (13,221,658
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 35,370,317   
 

 

 

 

 

13


AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

       $ 1,731,930          $ 424,960          $ 2,156,890  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

       $ 2,457,696          $          $ 2,457,696  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund

       $ 2,350,442          $ 8,691,500          $          $ 35,368,849          $ 46,410,791  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

14


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

15


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 0.49% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $424,960.

 

16


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

17


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

18


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

19


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

20


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY

Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College

Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)

Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None

Peter W. McClean, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of

Portfolios

Overseen for

VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

 

Other

Directorships

Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Robert DeChellis, Age 47

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

21


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age   

Positions

Held with

VIP and VIP

FOF Trust

  

Term of

Office(2)/Length

of Time Served

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Brian Muench, Age 44

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.

Michael Radmer, Age 69

Dorsey & Whitney LLP,

Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498

   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.

Steve Rudden, Age 45

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.

3435 Stelzer Road

Columbus, OH 43219

  

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer

   Since 6/14   

Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present;

Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.

Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46

5701 Golden Hills Drive

Minneapolis, MN 55416

  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

22


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 12

Statement of Operations

Page 12

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 13

Financial Highlights

Page 14

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 15

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 20

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 21

Other Information

Page 22

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 23

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 26

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund returned 5.23%. That compared to a 5.76% total return for its benchmark, the S&P SmallCap 600 Index1.

The Fund attempts to replicate the performance of the S&P Small Cap 600 Index of U.S. small-cap stocks. U.S. equities moved higher in 2014 as domestic economic growth gained momentum and interest rates remained low. The period started out on a negative note, however: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Equity markets declined sharply in January, but the sell-off was short-lived. Investors soon learned that the recent weakness in the U.S. economic data was weather-related, and therefore temporary. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve shifted its position, announcing a more cautious approach to raising short-term rates.*

U.S. equities moved higher throughout the period, but volatility increased through the period. A combination of high valuations and persistent expectations of higher interest rates left stocks vulnerable to bad news. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine weighed on global markets early in the period, while later geopolitical crises—including a ground war in Gaza—added to concerns.

U.S. economic growth strengthened considerably in the second half of 2014, even as the broader global economy showed signs of slowing. U.S. stocks recovered from a September sell-off to post impressive gains through the fourth quarter of 2014 as economic data continued to impress investors and helped to fuel a positive corporate earnings season. A sharp decline in oil prices later in the period contributed to uncertainty about global growth, but helped buoy U.S. stocks as it led to a pickup in consumer spending.

The Fund slightly underperformed its benchmark due to the effect of fees and expenses. These negatives were partially offset by payments to the Fund resulting from class action lawsuits against companies held in the Fund.*

The low-interest rate environment helped the utilities sector post strong returns as that sector offered attractive yields to income-seeking investors. The information technology and heath care sectors also posted strong gains as the result of their ties to cyclical growth. The health care sector benefited from gains in the biotechnology industry, which were driven by new drug developments. Consumer staples stocks also posted strong results as many investors turned to more defensive holdings as volatility increased during the period. Most sectors of the index posted gains for the period, however, the energy sector was an outlier. It posted a sizeable loss for the period due to the effect of falling oil prices.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”) covers approximately 3% of the domestic equities market. Measuring the small-cap segment of the market that is typically renowned for poor trading liquidity and financial instability, the index is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund Review (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to match the performance of the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600® Index (the “S&P 600”). This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in all of the stocks in the S&P 600 in proportion to their weighting in the Index.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

The Fund does not attempt to manage market volatility or reduce the effects of poor stock performance. In addition, factors such as Fund expenses, selection of a representative portfolio, changes in the composition of the Index, or the timing of purchases or redemptions of Fund shares may affect the correlation between the performance of the Index and the Fund’s performance.

The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Index because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    Since
Inception
(5/1/07)
 

AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund

     5.23     19.67     16.62     7.58

S&P SmallCap 600 Index

     5.76     20.24     17.27     8.01

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® Small Cap Stock Index Fund

     0.64

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.71% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.59%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”), an unmanaged index which covers approximately 3% of the domestic equities market. Measuring the small-cap segment of the market that is typically renowned for poor trading liquidity and financial instability, the index is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,022.30          $ 2.96            0.58 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,022.28          $ 2.96            0.58 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Financials

      23.1 %

Industrials

      16.2  

Information Technology

      16.0  

Consumer Discretionary

      14.9  

Health Care

      11.1  

Materials

      5.7  

Consumer Staples

      3.7  

Utilities

      3.7  

Energy

      3.3  

Telecommunication Services

      0.7  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      98.4  

Right

      ^

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      29.2  

Money Market

      1.0  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      128.6  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (28.6 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

^ Represents less than 0.05%

 

3


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (98.4%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.6%):

  
  20,519       AAR Corp.^    $ 570,018  
  10,878       Aerovironment, Inc.*^      296,426  
  4,270       American Science & Engineering, Inc.      221,613  
  11,787       Cubic Corp.      620,468  
  25,979       Curtiss-Wright Corp.^      1,833,857  
  9,536       Engility Holdings, Inc.*      408,141  
  31,912       Gencorp, Inc.*^      583,990  
  21,979       Moog, Inc., A*^      1,627,105  
  2,662       National Presto Industries, Inc.^      154,502  
  32,956       Orbital Sciences Corp.*^      886,187  
  28,418       TASER International, Inc.*^      752,509  
  19,775       Teledyne Technologies, Inc.*      2,031,683  
     

 

 

 
        9,986,499  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.7%):

  

  13,426       Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings*^      661,902  
  16,478       Forward Air Corp.^      829,997  
  18,829       Hub Group, Inc., A*      717,008  
  49,633       UTI Worldwide, Inc.*^      599,070  
     

 

 

 
        2,807,977  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.4%):

  

  7,379       Allegiant Travel Co.      1,109,285  
  27,680       SkyWest, Inc.^      367,590  
     

 

 

 
        1,476,875  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.6%):

  

  16,598       Dorman Products, Inc.*^      801,185  
  12,786       Drew Industries, Inc.*      652,981  
  11,257       Standard Motor Products, Inc.      429,117  
  12,523       Superior Industries International, Inc.      247,830  
     

 

 

 
        2,131,113  
     

 

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.1%):

  

  14,644       Winnebago Industries, Inc.^      318,653   
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (7.6%):

  

  34,961       Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.^      1,325,722   
  10,593       Banner Corp.      455,711   
  43,006       BBCN Bancorp, Inc.^      618,426   
  44,819       Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.^      603,712   
  17,315       Cardinal Financial Corp.      343,356   
  8,241       City Holding Co.^      383,454   
  28,894       Columbia Banking System, Inc.^      797,763   
  21,940       Community Bank System, Inc.^      836,572   
  52,074       CVB Financial Corp.^      834,225   
  93,952       F.N.B. Corp.^      1,251,441   
  56,460       First Bancorp*      331,420   
  49,663       First Commonwealth Financial Corp.      457,893   
  33,228       First Financial Bancorp^      617,709   
  34,638       First Financial Bankshares, Inc.^      1,034,983   
  40,719       First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.^      696,702   
  40,599       Glacier Bancorp, Inc.^      1,127,434   
  17,240       Hanmi Financial Corp.^      376,004   
  31,794       Home Bancshares, Inc.^      1,022,495   
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Banks, continued

  

  13,000       Independent Bank Corp.^    $ 556,530   
  34,795       MB Financial, Inc.^      1,143,364   
  66,911       National Penn Bancshares, Inc.^      704,238   
  23,644       NBT Bancorp, Inc.^      621,128  
  24,194       Ofg BanCorp^      402,830  
  57,881       Old National Bancorp^      861,269  
  17,960       Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.      710,138  
  38,076       PrivateBancorp, Inc.      1,271,738  
  16,126       S & T Bancorp, Inc.^      480,716  
  8,586       Simmons First National Corp., A      349,021  
  45,422       Sterling BanCorp/de^      653,168  
  98,071       Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.^      1,317,095  
  24,733       Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*^      1,343,745  
  6,383       Tompkins Financial Corp.^      352,980  
  20,421       UMB Financial Corp.^      1,161,751  
  34,482       United Bankshares, Inc.^      1,291,351  
  24,412       United Community Banks, Inc.^      462,363  
  14,011       Westamerica Bancorp^      686,819  
  38,149       Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.      386,449  
  25,279       Wintrust Financial Corp.^      1,182,046  
     

 

 

 
        29,053,761  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.4%):

  

  4,807       Boston Beer Co., Inc. (The), Class A*^      1,391,819  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (0.7%):

  

  22,703       Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*^      927,872  
  15,821       Emergent Biosolutions, Inc.*      430,806  
  9,864       Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., B*^      524,863  
  25,395       Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      305,756  
  16,613       Repligen Corp.*      328,937  
  31,210       Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      216,285  
     

 

 

 
        2,734,519  
     

 

 

 

 

Building Products (1.0%):

  

  22,707       AAON, Inc.^      508,410  
  6,781       American Woodmark Corp.*      274,224  
  15,675       Apogee Enterprises, Inc.^      664,150  
  15,725       Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*      255,689  
  22,824       Griffon Corp.      303,559  
  25,839       PGT, Inc.*      248,830  
  20,316       Quanex Building Products Corp.      381,534  
  22,515       Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.^      779,018  
  10,809       Universal Forest Products, Inc.      575,039  
     

 

 

 
        3,990,453  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.8%):

  

  9,367       Calamos Asset Management, Inc., A      124,768  
  19,482       Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A^      1,020,272  
  28,117       Financial Engines, Inc.^      1,027,677  
  14,317       Greenhill & Co., Inc.^      624,221  
  17,733       HFF, Inc., Class A      636,969  
  18,840       Investment Technology Group, Inc.*      392,249  
  8,797       Piper Jaffray Cos., Inc.*      511,018  
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Capital Markets, continued

  

  35,712       Stifel Financial Corp.*^    $ 1,822,027  
  3,825       Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.      652,124  
     

 

 

 
        6,811,325  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (2.4%):

  

  15,802       A. Schulman, Inc.^      640,455  
  13,666       American Vanguard Corp.^      158,799  
  16,635       Balchem Corp.^      1,108,556  
  28,786       Calgon Carbon Corp.*^      598,173  
  27,134       Flotek Industries, Inc.*^      508,220  
  12,189       Futurefuel Corp.      158,701  
  27,215       H.B. Fuller Co.^      1,211,883  
  5,156       Hawkins, Inc.      223,409  
  11,768       Innophos Holdings, Inc.      687,840  
  30,473       Intrepid Potash, Inc.*^      422,965  
  11,098       Koppers Holdings, Inc.      288,326  
  17,759       Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.*      369,210  
  10,522       LSB Industries, Inc.*      330,812  
  16,685       OM Group, Inc.      497,213  
  7,194       Quaker Chemical Corp.^      662,136  
  23,055       Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.^      514,127  
  10,379       Stepan Co.      415,990  
  13,850       Tredegar Corp.      311,487  
  12,463       Zep, Inc.      188,814  
     

 

 

 
        9,297,116  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Banks (0.1%):

  

  14,842       Central Pacific Financial Corp.      319,103  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (2.4%):

  

  28,041       ABM Industries, Inc.      803,375  
  26,277       Brink’s Co. (The)^      641,422  
  12,959       Encore Capital Group, Inc.*^      575,380  
  10,772       G & K Services, Inc., A^      763,196  
  38,241       Healthcare Services Group, Inc.^      1,182,793  
  35,805       Interface, Inc.^      589,708  
  24,949       Mobile Mini, Inc.      1,010,684  
  21,092       Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*^      495,029  
  33,877       Tetra Tech, Inc.      904,516  
  8,455       UniFirst Corp.      1,026,860  
  21,072       United Stationers, Inc.^      888,396  
  10,851       Viad Corp.^      289,288  
     

 

 

 
        9,170,647  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.2%):

  

  29,401       ADTRAN, Inc.^      640,942  
  5,824       Bel Fuse, Inc., B      159,228  
  8,394       Black Box Corp.^      200,617  
  19,600       Calamp Corp.*^      358,680  
  8,790       Comtech Telecommunications Corp.      277,061  
  13,636       Digi International, Inc.*      126,678  
  47,700       Harmonic, Inc.*^      334,377  
  31,865       Ixia*      358,481  
  18,719       NETGEAR, Inc.*^      666,022  
  23,318       ViaSat, Inc.*^      1,469,734  
     

 

 

 
        4,591,820  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Construction & Engineering (0.8%):

  

  20,225       Aegion Corp.*^    $ 376,387  
  20,180       Comfort Systems USA, Inc.      345,482  
  18,477       Dycom Industries, Inc.*      648,358  
  35,028       Emcor Group, Inc.      1,558,395  
  14,913       Orion Marine Group, Inc.*      164,789  
     

 

 

 
        3,093,411  
     

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials (0.2%):

  

  39,764       Headwaters, Inc.*      596,062  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.0%):

  

  15,637       Cash America International, Inc.^      353,709  
  14,311       Enova International, Inc.*^      318,563  
  26,407       EZCORP, Inc., A*^      310,282  
  15,318       First Cash Financial Services, Inc.*^      852,753  
  27,074       PRA Group, Inc.*^      1,568,397  
  4,868       World Acceptance Corp.*^      386,763  
     

 

 

 
        3,790,467  
     

 

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.1%):

  

  13,418       Myers Industries, Inc.      236,157  
     

 

 

 

 

Distributors (0.4%):

  

  23,492       Pool Corp.^      1,490,332  
  10,781       VOXX International Corp.*^      94,442  
     

 

 

 
        1,584,774  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (1.2%):

  

  9,322       American Public Education, Inc.*      343,702  
  5,903       Capella Education Co.^      454,295  
  32,658       Career Education Corp.*^      227,300  
  33,984       Hillenbrand, Inc.^      1,172,447  
  16,038       Matthews International Corp., A      780,569  
  10,236       Outerwall, Inc.*^      769,952  
  24,235       Regis Corp.*      406,179  
  5,902       Strayer Education, Inc.*^      438,401  
  11,727       Universal Technical Institute, Inc.      115,394  
     

 

 

 
        4,708,239  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.0%):

  

  22,996       FXCM, Inc.^      381,044  
  19,632       Green Dot Corp., A*      402,260  
  31,641       Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A^      922,652  
  20,221       MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.^      1,450,047  
  19,741       ViewPoint Financial Group^      470,823  
     

 

 

 
        3,626,826  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.6%):

  

  48,465       8x8, Inc.*^      443,939  
  5,431       Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.^      367,081  
  113,178       Cincinnati Bell, Inc.*      361,038  
  25,356       Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.^      705,658  
  16,481       General Communication, Inc., A*      226,614  
  10,257       Lumos Networks Corp.      172,523  
     

 

 

 
        2,276,853  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Electric Utilities (0.9%):

  

  20,756       ALLETE, Inc.    $ 1,144,486  
  21,823       El Paso Electric Co.      874,229  
  30,575       UIL Holdings Corp.^      1,331,236  
     

 

 

 
        3,349,951  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.6%):

  

  13,876       AZZ, Inc.^      651,062  
  25,848       Brady Corp., A^      706,684  
  10,092       Encore Wire Corp.      376,734  
  24,538       EnerSys^      1,514,486  
  21,352       Franklin Electric Co., Inc.^      801,341  
  26,337       General Cable Corp.^      392,421  
  28,073       II-VI, Inc.*      383,196  
  20,637       Methode Electronics, Inc.      753,457  
  5,013       Powell Industries, Inc.      245,988  
  9,096       Vicor Corp.*^      110,062  
     

 

 

 
        5,935,431  
     

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (3.8%):

  

  8,037       Agilysys, Inc.*^      101,186  
  14,748       Anixter International, Inc.*      1,304,607  
  7,815       Badger Meter, Inc.      463,820  
  28,750       Benchmark Electronics, Inc.*^      731,400  
  22,580       Checkpoint Systems, Inc.*      310,023  
  13,596       Coherent, Inc.*      825,549  
  18,156       CTS Corp.      323,721  
  21,288       Daktronics, Inc.^      266,313  
  9,349       DTS, Inc.*      287,482  
  14,368       Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.      111,496  
  16,132       Fabrinet*      286,182  
  9,332       FARO Technologies, Inc.*^      584,930  
  22,148       Insight Enterprises, Inc.*      573,412  
  12,180       Littlelfuse, Inc.^      1,177,441  
  17,479       Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.*      243,308  
  8,153       MTS Systems Corp.^      611,720  
  21,615       Newport Corp.*      413,063  
  10,103       OSI Systems, Inc.*      714,989  
  11,334       Park Electrochemical Corp.      282,557  
  18,190       Plexus Corp.*      749,610  
  15,159       Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc.*      436,124  
  9,914       Rogers Corp.*      807,396  
  44,579       Sanmina Corp.*      1,048,944  
  15,440       ScanSource, Inc.*^      620,070  
  15,113       SYNNEX Corp.^      1,181,232  
  28,899       TTM Technologies, Inc.*^      217,609  
     

 

 

 
        14,674,184  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.6%):

  

  18,885       Basic Energy Services, Inc.*^      132,384  
  19,022       Bristow Group, Inc.^      1,251,457  
  10,560       Era Group, Inc.*      223,344  
  36,936       Exterran Holdings, Inc.      1,203,375  
  7,109       Geospace Technologies Corp.*^      188,389  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Energy Equipment & Services, continued

  

  7,278       Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.    $ 141,120  
  14,267       Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., A^      348,400  
  17,490       Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.*^      436,725  
  69,205       ION Geophysical Corp.*^      190,314  
  14,415       Matrix Service Co.*      321,743  
  45,574       Newpark Resources, Inc.*^      434,776  
  45,640       Paragon Offshore plc^      126,423  
  9,546       SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*^      704,590  
  19,516       Tesco Corp.      250,195  
  43,381       TETRA Technologies, Inc.*      289,785  
     

 

 

 
        6,243,020  
     

 

 

 

 

Environmental & Facilities Services (0.1%):

  

  11,701       US Ecology, Inc.^      469,444  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.8%):

  

  14,548       Andersons, Inc. (The)^      773,081  
  20,898       Casey’s General Stores, Inc.^      1,887,507  
  20,298       SpartanNash Co.      530,590  
     

 

 

 
        3,191,178  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.7%):

  

  29,024       B&G Foods, Inc.^      867,818  
  8,339       Calavo Growers, Inc.      394,435  
  16,226       Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.^      633,301  
  89,169       Darling International, Inc.*^      1,619,308  
  14,268       Diamond Foods, Inc.*      402,786  
  8,091       J & J Snack Foods Corp.      880,057  
  11,104       Sanderson Farms, Inc.^      933,013  
  3,890       Seneca Foods Corp., A*^      105,147  
  28,112       Snyders-Lance, Inc.^      858,822  
     

 

 

 
        6,694,687  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (1.9%):

  

  23,391       Laclede Group, Inc. (The)^      1,244,401  
  22,867       New Jersey Resources Corp.      1,399,460  
  14,702       Northwest Natural Gas Co.^      733,630  
  42,355       Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.      1,669,210  
  18,207       South Jersey Industries, Inc.      1,072,939  
  25,148       Southwest Gas Corp.^      1,554,398  
     

 

 

 
        7,674,038  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (4.0%):

  

  11,453       Abaxis, Inc.^      650,874  
  19,923       ABIOMED, Inc.*^      758,269  
  6,696       Analogic Corp.^      566,549  
  13,831       AngioDynamics, Inc.*^      262,927  
  7,844       Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*      319,565  
  19,105       Cantel Medical Corp.      826,482  
  14,902       CONMED Corp.      669,994  
  13,551       CryoLife, Inc.^      153,533  
  14,240       Cyberonics, Inc.*^      792,883  
  11,719       Cynosure, Inc., Class A*      321,335  
  13,532       Greatbatch, Inc.*      667,128  
  27,744       Haemonetics Corp.*^      1,038,180  
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies, continued

  

  7,321       ICU Medical, Inc.*    $ 599,590  
  13,667       Integra LifeSciences Holdings*^      741,161  
  15,839       Invacare Corp.      265,462  
  25,814       Masimo Corp.*^      679,941  
  22,501       Meridian Bioscience, Inc.^      370,366  
  23,556       Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*      408,225  
  17,621       Natus Medical, Inc.*      635,061  
  19,985       Neogen Corp.*^      991,056  
  25,458       NuVasive, Inc.*      1,200,599  
  6,977       Surmodics, Inc.*^      154,192  
  38,447       West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.^      2,046,919  
     

 

 

 
        15,120,291  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.3%):

  

  19,329       Air Methods Corp.*^      851,056  
  4,308       Almost Family, Inc.*      124,717  
  18,079       Amedisys, Inc.*^      530,619  
  25,307       AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*      496,017  
  26,063       AmSurg Corp.*^      1,426,428  
  13,358       Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc.*^      429,193  
  9,204       Chemed Corp.^      972,587  
  4,846       CorVel Corp.*      180,368  
  16,017       Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*      199,892  
  10,957       Ensign Group, Inc. (The)      486,381  
  18,384       ExamWorks Group, Inc.*^      764,591  
  16,980       Gentiva Health Services, Inc.*      323,469  
  19,101       Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.*^      418,312  
  19,138       Healthways, Inc.*      380,463  
  9,305       IPC The Hospitalist Co.*      427,006  
  37,663       Kindred Healthcare, Inc.^      684,713  
  5,164       Landauer, Inc.^      176,299  
  6,630       LHC Group, Inc.*      206,723  
  14,960       Magellan Health Services, Inc.*      898,049  
  17,026       Molina Healthcare, Inc.*^      911,402  
  6,987       MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc.*^      1,187,161  
  16,272       PharMerica Corp.*      336,993  
  6,481       Providence Service Corp.*      236,168  
     

 

 

 
        12,648,607  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (1.0%):

  

  5,636       Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.^      342,387  
  11,494       HealthStream, Inc.*      338,843  
  32,649       MedAssets, Inc.*      645,144  
  29,354       Medidata Solutions, Inc.*^      1,401,654  
  19,270       Omnicell, Inc.*      638,222  
  23,785       Quality Systems, Inc.      370,808  
     

 

 

 
        3,737,058  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (4.0%):

  

  928       Biglari Holdings, Inc.*      370,745  
  11,712       BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.*^      588,060  
  12,760       Bob Evans Farms, Inc.^      653,057  
  42,223       Boyd Gaming Corp.*^      539,610  
  10,245       Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.*^      1,847,994  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, continued

  

  12,938       Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.^    $ 1,821,153  
  8,924       DineEquity, Inc.^      924,883  
  21,331       Interval Leisure Group, Inc.      445,605  
  20,901       Jack in the Box, Inc.^      1,671,244  
  10,033       Marcus Corp.      185,711  
  15,352       Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.      1,144,338  
  5,482       Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*      90,946  
  16,080       Papa John’s International, Inc.      897,264  
  32,510       Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.*^      723,348  
  7,588       Red Robin Gourmet Burgers*^      584,086  
  33,597       Ruby Tuesday, Inc.*^      229,803  
  19,125       Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.      286,875  
  26,573       Scientific Games Corp., A*^      338,274  
  27,258       Sonic Corp.^      742,235  
  33,832       Texas Roadhouse, Inc.^      1,142,168  
     

 

 

 
        15,227,399  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.5%):

  

  14,090       Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.^      436,367  
  14,462       Helen of Troy, Ltd.*      940,898  
  16,023       iRobot Corp.*^      556,319  
  28,018       La-Z-Boy, Inc.^      752,003  
  13,253       M/I Homes, Inc.*      304,289  
  20,102       Meritage Corp.*^      723,471  
  24,952       Ryland Group, Inc. (The)^      962,149  
  81,984       Standard Pacific Corp.*^      597,663  
  8,554       Universal Electronics, Inc.*^      556,267  
     

 

 

 
        5,829,426  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.2%):

  

  23,148       Central Garden & Pet Co., A*      221,063  
  7,445       WD-40 Co.^      633,421  
     

 

 

 
        854,484  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.1%):

  

  6,904       Standex International Corp.      533,403  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (2.6%):

  

  40,907       American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.^      1,194,075  
  10,196       Amerisafe, Inc.      431,903  
  9,625       eHealth, Inc.*      239,855  
  17,044       Employers Holdings, Inc.      400,704  
  4,945       Hci Group, Inc.^      213,822  
  22,688       Horace Mann Educators Corp.      752,788  
  6,224       Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.      480,866  
  25,450       Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.^      215,307  
  19,946       Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd.^      714,466  
  5,866       Navigators Group, Inc.*      430,212  
  30,936       ProAssurance Corp.      1,396,761  
  20,010       RLI Corp.^      988,494  
  6,822       Safety Insurance Group, Inc.^      436,676  
  30,587       Selective Insurance Group, Inc.      831,049  
  12,002       Stewart Information Services Corp.      444,554  
  11,356       United Fire Group, Inc.^      337,614  
  15,776       Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.^      322,619  
     

 

 

 
        9,831,765  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.3%):

  

  6,415       Blue Nile, Inc.*^    $ 231,004  
  10,253       FTD Cos., Inc.*      357,010  
  15,587       Nutri/System, Inc.^      304,726  
  10,998       PetMed Express, Inc.^      158,041  
     

 

 

 
        1,050,781  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (1.9%):

  

  22,267       Blucora, Inc.*      308,398  
  18,540       comScore, Inc.*^      860,812  
  23,980       DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.*^      1,062,554  
  20,074       Dice Holdings, Inc.*      200,941  
  17,306       Digital River, Inc.*      427,977  
  24,572       j2 Global, Inc.^      1,523,465  
  13,410       Liquidity Services, Inc.*^      109,560  
  26,944       LivePerson, Inc.*      379,910  
  13,197       LogMeIn, Inc.*^      651,140  
  48,139       Monster Worldwide, Inc.*^      222,402  
  32,835       NIC, Inc.      590,702  
  18,640       Perficient, Inc.*      347,263  
  19,026       QuinStreet, Inc.*^      115,488  
  7,958       Stamps.com, Inc.*      381,904  
  13,106       XO Group, Inc.*      238,660  
     

 

 

 
        7,421,176  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (2.2%):

  

  12,878       CACI International, Inc., A*      1,109,826  
  24,119       Cardtronics, Inc.*^      930,511  
  38,153       CIBER, Inc.*      135,443  
  18,586       CSG Systems International, Inc.      465,951  
  16,940       Exlservice Holdings, Inc.*      486,347  
  5,931       Forrester Research, Inc.      233,444  
  19,601       Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.^      1,057,474  
  19,226       iGATE Corp.*^      759,042  
  12,708       ManTech International Corp., A^      384,163  
  35,627       Maximus, Inc.      1,953,786  
  9,480       TeleTech Holdings, Inc.*^      224,486  
  14,533       Virtusa Corp.*^      605,590  
     

 

 

 
        8,346,063  
     

 

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.2%):

  

  6,979       Arctic Cat, Inc.      247,755  
  42,077       Callaway Golf Co.^      323,993  
  10,509       Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.^      363,926  
     

 

 

 
        935,674  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.8%):

  

  40,005       Affymetrix, Inc.*^      394,849  
  12,872       Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*^      209,556  
  16,791       Cambrex Corp.*      363,021  
  20,602       Luminex Corp.*^      386,494  
  29,765       PAREXEL International Corp.*^      1,653,744  
     

 

 

 
        3,007,664  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Machinery (3.3%):

  

  35,133       Actuant Corp., A    $ 957,023  
  15,557       Albany International Corp., A^      591,010  
  10,171       Astec Industries, Inc.      399,822  
  26,529       Barnes Group, Inc.^      981,838  
  24,560       Briggs & Stratton Corp.^      501,515  
  9,554       CIRCOR International, Inc.      575,915  
  12,973       EnPro Industries, Inc.*^      814,185  
  14,232       ESCO Technologies, Inc.      525,161  
  33,954       Federal Signal Corp.      524,250  
  15,767       John Bean Technologies Corp.^      518,104  
  6,605       Lindsay Corp.^      566,313  
  9,326       Lydall, Inc.*^      306,079  
  30,787       Mueller Industries, Inc.^      1,051,068  
  9,944       Tennant Co.^      717,658  
  29,028       Titan International, Inc.^      308,568  
  30,138       Toro Co.      1,923,107  
  15,383       Watts Water Technologies, Inc., A^      975,898  
     

 

 

 
        12,237,514  
     

 

 

 

 

Marine (0.2%):

  

  23,329       Matson, Inc.      805,317  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.3%):

  

  16,302       E.W. Scripps Co. (The), A*      364,350  
  23,263       Harte-Hanks, Inc.      180,056  
  14,532       Scholastic Corp.^      529,254  
  12,179       Sizmek, Inc.*      76,241  
     

 

 

 
        1,149,901  
     

 

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (1.6%):

  

  9,348       A.M. Castle & Co.*^      74,597  
  95,890       AK Steel Holding Corp.*^      569,587  
  27,973       Century Aluminum Co.*      682,541  
  34,715       Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.      598,139  
  6,724       Haynes International, Inc.      326,114  
  9,630       Kaiser Aluminum Corp.^      687,871  
  10,915       Materion Corp.      384,535  
  4,883       Olympic Steel, Inc.^      86,820  
  16,626       RTI International Metals, Inc.*      419,973  
  65,092       Stillwater Mining Co.*^      959,456  
  35,838       SunCoke Energy, Inc.^      693,107  
  29,225       US Silica Holdings, Inc.^      750,790  
     

 

 

 
        6,233,530  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.2%):

  

  18,776       Fred’s, Inc.      326,890  
  23,743       Tuesday Morning Corp.*^      515,223  
     

 

 

 
        842,113  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.7%):

  

  30,981       Avista Corp.^      1,095,178  
  24,822       NorthWestern Corp.^      1,404,429  
     

 

 

 
        2,499,607  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.7%):

  

  19,740       Approach Resources, Inc.*^    $ 126,139  
  115,012       Arch Coal, Inc.^      204,721  
  26,885       Bill Barrett Corp.*^      306,220  
  17,376       Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.*      417,024  
  24,897       C&J Energy Services, Inc.*      328,889  
  22,977       Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.*^      955,843  
  32,982       Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.*      302,775  
  24,109       Comstock Resources, Inc.^      164,182  
  8,605       Contango Oil & Gas Co.*      251,610  
  18,495       Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.^      458,306  
  31,037       Northern Oil & Gas, Inc.*^      175,359  
  19,407       PDC Energy, Inc.*^      800,927  
  38,938       Penn Virginia Corp.*^      260,106  
  31,793       PetroQuest Energy, Inc.*      118,906  
  34,779       Pioneer Energy Services Corp.*      192,676  
  26,338       Rex Energy Corp.*^      134,324  
  30,402       Stone Energy Corp.*^      513,186  
  23,962       Swift Energy Co.*^      97,046  
  37,365       Synergy Resources Corp.*      468,557  
     

 

 

 
        6,276,796  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (1.4%):

  

  21,314       Boise Cascade Co.*      791,815  
  10,570       Clearwater Paper Corp.*      724,574  
  5,992       Deltic Timber Corp.      409,853  
  45,731       KapStone Paper & Packaging Corp.^      1,340,376  
  8,990       Neenah Paper, Inc.      541,827  
  23,211       P.H. Glatfelter Co.^      593,505  
  16,477       Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.      696,977  
  27,038       Wausau Paper Corp.^      307,422  
     

 

 

 
        5,406,349  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.4%):

  

  9,219       Inter Parfums, Inc.      253,062  
  6,082       Medifast, Inc.*      204,051  
  28,236       Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*^      980,354  
     

 

 

 
        1,437,467  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.3%):

  

  40,255       Akorn, Inc.*^      1,457,230  
  31,812       DepoMed, Inc.*      512,491  
  35,857       Impax Laboratories, Inc.*^      1,135,950  
  14,343       Lannett Co., Inc.*^      615,028  
  35,404       Medicines Co. (The)*^      979,629  
  12,260       Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^      307,849  
     

 

 

 
        5,008,177  
     

 

 

 

 

Professional Services (1.5%):

  

  7,894       CDI Corp.      139,803  
  6,965       Exponent, Inc.      574,613  
  8,936       Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.      205,975  
  12,209       Insperity, Inc.      413,763  
  16,200       Kelly Services, Inc., A      275,724  
  27,206       Korn/Ferry International*      782,445  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Professional Services, continued

  

  26,261       Navigant Consulting, Inc.*    $ 403,632  
  25,495       On Assignment, Inc.*^      846,179  
  20,583       Resources Connection, Inc.^      338,590  
  23,025       Trueblue, Inc.*      512,306  
  17,792       Wageworks, Inc.*^      1,148,828  
     

 

 

 
        5,641,858  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (8.1%):

  

  36,580       Acadia Realty Trust^      1,171,657  
  9,352       Agree Realty Corp.      290,754  
  18,272       American Assets Trust, Inc.^      727,408  
  31,178       Associated Estates Realty Corp.      723,641  
  13,296       AVIV REIT, Inc.^      458,446  
  51,822       Capstead Mortgage Corp.^      636,374  
  15,229       CareTrust REIT, Inc.      187,772  
  37,283       Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc.      273,657  
  29,697       Chesapeake Lodging Trust^      1,105,025  
  11,763       Coresite Realty Corp.^      459,345  
  111,197       Cousins Properties, Inc.^      1,269,870  
  105,806       DiamondRock Hospitality, Co.^      1,573,335  
  17,278       EastGroup Properties, Inc.^      1,094,043  
  20,170       Education Realty Trust, Inc.^      738,020  
  30,919       EPR Properties^      1,781,863  
  48,239       Franklin Street Properties Corp.^      591,893  
  40,116       Geo Group, Inc. (The)^      1,619,082  
  14,119       Getty Realty Corp.      257,107  
  38,063       Government Properties Income Trust^      875,830  
  53,119       Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.      1,451,211  
  47,633       Inland Real Estate Corp.^      521,581  
  45,165       Kite Realty Group Trust^      1,298,042  
  113,093       Lexington Realty Trust^      1,241,761  
  18,846       LTC Properties, Inc.      813,582  
  93,302       Medical Properties Trust, Inc.^      1,285,702  
  45,569       Parkway Properties, Inc.      838,014  
  37,289       Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust^      874,800  
  29,464       Post Properties, Inc.^      1,731,599  
  10,507       PS Business Parks, Inc.      835,727  
  50,321       Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.^      844,890  
  29,512       Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.      896,279  
  6,127       Saul Centers, Inc.      350,403  
  18,264       Sovran Self Storage, Inc.      1,592,986  
  6,520       Universal Health Realty Income Trust      313,742  
  13,907       Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., A^      304,285  
     

 

 

 
        31,029,726  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.1%):

  

  18,909       Forestar Group, Inc.*      291,199  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.0%):

  

  13,139       ArcBest Corp.^      609,255  
  11,937       Celadon Group, Inc.      270,851  
  29,910       Heartland Express, Inc.^      807,869  
  32,936       Knight Transportation, Inc.^      1,108,626  
 

 

Continued

 

9


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Road & Rail, continued

  

  14,985       Roadrunner Transportation System, Inc.*    $ 349,900  
  13,403       Saia, Inc.*^      741,990  
     

 

 

 
        3,888,491  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.1%):

  

  20,430       Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*      484,191  
  36,158       Brooks Automation, Inc.      461,015  
  12,864       Cabot Microelectronics Corp.*      608,724  
  10,941       CEVA, Inc.*      198,470  
  34,188       Cirrus Logic, Inc.*^      805,811  
  13,825       Cohu, Inc.      164,518  
  19,816       Diodes, Inc.*^      546,327  
  11,718       DSP Group, Inc.*      127,375  
  49,152       Entropic Communications, Inc.*      124,355  
  25,400       Exar Corp.*      259,080  
  32,760       Kopin Corp.*^      118,591  
  41,685       Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.*      602,765  
  24,182       Micrel, Inc.      350,881  
  51,417       Microsemi Corp.*      1,459,213  
  28,684       MKS Instruments, Inc.^      1,049,834  
  19,477       Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.      968,786  
  13,139       Nanometrics, Inc.*      220,998  
  10,701       Pericom Semiconductor Corp.*      144,892  
  15,977       Power Integrations, Inc.^      826,650  
  17,905       Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*      183,168  
  25,418       Tessera Technologies, Inc.^      908,948  
  15,261       Ultratech, Inc.*      283,244  
  21,754       Veeco Instruments, Inc.*^      758,780  
     

 

 

 
        11,656,616  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (2.6%):

  

  25,050       Blackbaud, Inc.      1,083,663  
  20,696       Bottomline Technologies, Inc.*^      523,195  
  15,900       Ebix, Inc.^      270,141  
  16,976       EPIQ Systems, Inc.^      289,950  
  9,139       Interactive Intelligence Group*^      437,758  
  40,373       Manhattan Associates, Inc.*^      1,643,988  
  4,890       MicroStrategy, Inc., A*      794,136  
  21,193       Monotype Imaging Holdings, Inc.^      610,994  
  20,291       NetScout Systems, Inc.*^      741,433  
  27,160       Progress Software Corp.*      733,863  
  19,481       Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*^      815,475  
  45,519       Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*^      1,275,898  
  19,710       Tangoe, Inc.*      256,821  
  15,884       VASCO Data Security International, Inc.*^      448,088  
     

 

 

 
        9,925,403  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (4.1%):

  

  43,089       Aeropostale, Inc.*^      99,966  
  23,186       Barnes & Noble, Inc.*^      538,379  
  9,787       Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.      143,184  
  23,721       Brown Shoe Co., Inc.^      762,630  
  15,176       Buckle, Inc. (The)^      797,044  
  13,896       Cato Corp.^      586,133  
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Specialty Retail, continued

  

  11,473       Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (The)^    $ 653,961  
  20,010       Christopher & Banks Corp.*^      114,257  
  25,848       Finish Line, Inc. (The), A      628,365  
  22,908       Francesca’s Holdings Corp.*      382,564  
  13,029       Genesco, Inc.*^      998,283  
  11,576       Group 1 Automotive, Inc.^      1,037,442  
  11,146       Haverty Furniture Co., Inc.      245,323  
  13,531       Hibbett Sports, Inc.*^      655,306  
  8,038       Kirkland’s, Inc.*      190,018  
  12,360       Lithia Motors, Inc., A^      1,071,489  
  14,659       Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*^      972,038  
  13,463       MarineMax, Inc.*      269,933  
  24,685       Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (The)^      1,089,844  
  17,108       Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.^      988,842  
  29,155       Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack*^      286,302  
  28,838       Select Comfort Corp.*^      779,491  
  18,009       Sonic Automotive, Inc., A^      486,963  
  17,212       Stage Store, Inc.      356,288  
  15,289       Stein Mart, Inc.      223,525  
  16,708       Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.*^      811,675  
  11,696       Zumiez, Inc.*^      451,816  
     

 

 

 
        15,621,061  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%):

  

  25,440       Electronics for Imaging, Inc.*^      1,089,595  
  47,724       QLogic Corp.*^      635,684  
  18,918       Super Micro Computer, Inc.*      659,860  
  19,966       Synaptics, Inc.*^      1,374,459  
     

 

 

 
        3,759,598  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (2.0%):

  

  44,655       Crocs, Inc.*^      557,741  
  10,338       G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.*^      1,044,241  
  25,975       Iconix Brand Group, Inc.*^      877,695  
  9,781       Movado Group, Inc.      277,487  
  7,842       Oxford Industries, Inc.^      432,957  
  6,550       Perry Ellis International, Inc.*^      169,842  
  67,578       Quiksilver Resources, Inc.*^      149,347  
  22,187       Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*^      1,225,832  
  30,582       Steven Madden, Ltd.*      973,425  
  7,814       Unifi, Inc.*      232,310  
  54,950       Wolverine World Wide, Inc.^      1,619,377  
     

 

 

 
        7,560,254  
     

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.8%):

  

  23,486       Bank Mutual Corp.^      161,114  
  7,059       Bofi Holding, Inc.*^      549,260  
  37,892       Brookline Bancorp, Inc.      380,057  
  16,343       Dime Community Bancshares      266,064  
  51,371       Northwest Bancshares, Inc. ^      643,678  
  20,639       Oritani Financial Corp.      317,841  
  29,142       Provident Financial Services, Inc.      526,305  
  51,242       TrustCo Bank Corp.^      372,017  
     

 

 

 
        3,216,336  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

10


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Tobacco (0.2%):

  

  45,503       Alliance One International, Inc.*    $ 71,895  
  12,537       Universal Corp.^      551,377  
     

 

 

 
        623,272  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.7%):

  

  14,763       Aceto Corp.      320,357  
  22,336       Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.^      1,018,298  
  6,962       Dxp Enterprises, Inc.*^      351,790  
  14,657       Kaman Corp., A^      587,599  
  4,422       Veritiv Corp.*^      229,369  
     

 

 

 
        2,507,413  
     

 

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.2%):

  

  20,782       American States Water Co.^      782,650  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%):

  

  9,071       NTELOS Holdings Corp.^      38,007  
  11,824       Spok Holdings, Inc.      205,265  
     

 

 

 
        243,272  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $249,446,397)

     375,414,113  
     

 

 

 

 

Right (0.0%):

  

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.0%):

  

  10,537       Gerber Scientific, Inc.*       
     

 

 

 

 

Total Right (Cost $—)

      
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (29.2%):

  

  $111,487,356       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(a)    $ 111,487,356  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $111,487,356)

     111,487,356  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (1.0%):

  

  3,801,990       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(b)      3,801,990  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $3,801,990)

     3,801,990  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $364,735,743)(c) — 128.6%

     490,703,459  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (28.6)%

     (109,118,450
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 381,585,009  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $108,165,728.

 

(a) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(b) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(c) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “-” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

Futures Contracts

Cash of $237,000 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

Russell 2000 Mini Index March Futures

     Long         3/20/15         55       $ 6,603,850      $ 137,917  

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

11


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 364,735,743  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 490,703,459  

Segregated cash for collateral

       237,000  

Interest and dividends receivable

       522,720  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       7,470  

Receivable for investments sold

       2,721,562  

Prepaid expenses

       3,168  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       494,195,379  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       551,087  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       293,285  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       111,487,356  

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts

       36,058  

Manager fees payable

       85,706  

Administration fees payable

       9,084  

Distribution fees payable

       79,831  

Custodian fees payable

       4,428  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       1,108  

Trustee fees payable

       22  

Other accrued liabilities

       62,405  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       112,610,370  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 381,585,009  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 235,124,960  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       3,014,216  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       17,340,201  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       126,105,632  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 381,585,009  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       24,737,747  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 15.43  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $108,165,728.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 4,929,219  

Income from securities lending

       276,759  

Foreign withholding tax

       (415 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       5,205,563  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       973,417  

Administration fees

       106,284  

Distribution fees

       935,974  

Custodian fees

       19,750  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       5,034  

Trustee fees

       19,323  

Professional fees

       20,870  

Shareholder reports

       22,189  

Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the manager

       7,655  

Other expenses

       80,840  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses

       2,191,336  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       3,014,227  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       26,291,372  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       78,929  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (10,424,079 )
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       15,946,222  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 18,960,449  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
   For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

         

Operations:

         

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,014,227        $ 2,300,037  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       26,370,301          21,520,628  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       (10,424,079 )        85,642,048  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       18,960,449          109,462,713  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

         

From net investment income

       (2,252,073 )        (3,162,887 )

From net realized gains

       (21,348,069 )        (4,536,872 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (23,600,142 )        (7,699,759 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

         

Proceeds from shares issued

       31,350,526          47,168,227  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       23,600,142          7,699,759  

Value of shares redeemed

       (51,878,166 )        (40,531,433 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       3,072,502          14,336,553  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       (1,567,191 )        116,099,507  

Net Assets:

         

Beginning of period

       383,152,200          267,052,693  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 381,585,009        $ 383,152,200  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 3,014,216        $ 2,300,035  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

         

Shares issued

       2,069,433          3,497,435  

Dividends reinvested

       1,604,360          554,338  

Shares redeemed

       (3,415,127 )        (3,016,965 )
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Change in shares

       258,666          1,034,808  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 15.65       $ 11.39       $ 9.87       $ 9.90       $ 7.94  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.12         0.09         0.13         0.05         0.07  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       0.65         4.50         1.43         (0.03 )       1.94  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       0.77         4.59         1.56         0.02         2.01  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.09 )       (0.14 )       (0.04 )       (0.05 )       (0.05 )

Net Realized Gains

       (0.90 )       (0.19 )                        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (0.99 )       (0.33 )       (0.04 )       (0.05 )       (0.05 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 15.43       $ 15.65       $ 11.39       $ 9.87       $ 9.90  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       5.23 %       40.62 %       15.82 %       0.29 %       25.49 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 381,585       $ 383,152       $ 267,053       $ 203,895       $ 199,967  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.81 %       0.71 %       1.33 %       0.46 %       0.62 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       0.59 %       0.59 %       0.61 %       0.63 %       0.65 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       0.59 %       0.59 %       0.61 %       0.62 %       0.58 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       14 %       17 %       10 %       21 %       24 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

15


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $27,301 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide equity exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $6.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivative

   

Liability Derivative

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
 

Equity Risk Exposure

       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 137,917      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts   $   

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives  Recognized
in Income
 

Equity Risk Exposure

            
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 78,929         $ (150,224

 

16


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a subadvisory agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

         0.26 %          0.71 %

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,651 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

 

17


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      

Common Stocks+

       $ 375,414,113          $          $ 375,414,113  

Right

                    ^          ^

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    111,487,356            111,487,356  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         3,801,990                       3,801,990  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         379,216,103            111,487,356            490,703,459  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:*

                    

Futures Contracts

         137,917                       137,917  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 379,354,020          $ 111,487,356          $ 490,841,376  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment.

 

^ Represents the interest in securities that were determined to have a value of zero at December 31, 2014.

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

       $ 51,971,051          $ 67,834,362  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all

 

18


AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $372,558,289. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 137,569,631  

Unrealized depreciation

    (19,424,461
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 118,145,170   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

       $ 4,385,860          $ 19,214,282          $ 23,600,142  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

       $ 3,162,887          $ 4,536,872          $ 7,699,759  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund

    $ 4,086,973          $ 24,227,906          $          $ 118,145,170          $ 146,460,049  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

19


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

20


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 62.29% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $19,214,282.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $2,133,787.

 

21


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

22


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

23


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

24


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

25


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04  

Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003;

Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.

  43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99  

Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation

for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.

  43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and

FOF Trust

  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

26


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

27


 

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The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

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Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 12

Statement of Operations

Page 12

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 13

Financial Highlights

Page 14

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 15

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 22

Other Federal Income Tax Information

Page 23

Other Information

Page 24

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 25

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 28

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund returned 11.77%. That compared to a 10.56% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of a 60% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 40% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.

U.S. equities rose in 2014 for the sixth consecutive year as the economy recovered strongly from a first-quarter weather-related contraction. Falling long-term interest rates, solid employment growth, and favorable corporate earnings also supported strong gains for stocks. Nearly all S&P 500 sectors produced positive results, led by utilities. Energy was the only sector to decline. Long-term interest rates continued to decline due to global economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties.

The Fund lagged the all-equity S&P 500 Index in 2014 due to its allocation to bonds in a rising equity environment. While the Fund’s equity holdings outpaced the S&P 500, its fixed income segment, while positive for the year, lagged its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index. The portfolio’s overweight to high-yield bonds was beneficial in the first half of the year but detracted from returns later in the period.*

The Fund’s subadvisor trimmed holdings within the utilities and consumer staples sectors during the period and decreased its overall equity exposure from the prior year. However, the subadvisor continued to build on an overweight position in the health care sector. The Fund maintained significant exposure to covered call options, which provided downside protection while offering the benefits of owning a stock, such as dividends and capital appreciation, as long as the stock remained below the option strike price.*

Within equities, stock selection and an overweight within the health care sector supported the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark. The acquisition of two health care stocks late in the year added to results. The industrials and business services sector detracted from relative results due to both stock selection and an overweight position. The energy sector also detracted from relative performance due to stock selection, though an underweight position in the year’s worst performing sector limited the damage.*

The Fund’s overall weighting toward fixed income marginally decreased during 2014 due to increasing difficulty finding attractive opportunities. Holdings in 10-year U.S. Treasuries were eliminated in the fourth quarter, as long-term interest rates continued to decline due to global economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties. Meanwhile, the Fund’s exposure to high-yield bonds was increased as falling oil prices caused spreads to widen. Energy sector bonds compose the largest segment of the high-yield market, making it particularly sensitive to the price of oil. High-yield bonds remain the Fund’s largest asset class within fixed income, accounting for 15% at year-end.*

At the end of the period the Fund held currency forwards, equity options and index futures, all of which generated a net derivative exposure equivalent to approximately 6% of net assets. Short call options were used in a covered call strategy which decreased exposure to underlying securities. During the first 11 months of the period the Fund held only equity options. The estimated return impact from employing currency forwards was negligible. During the last three months of the period, the covered call strategy represented, on average, roughly 5% of the overall portfolio and generated a return of approximately 8%. The covered call strategy’s estimated contribution to the portfolio’s total return was less than 1%.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole.
2  The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year.

Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

1


AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important intermediate-term objective. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 50% of its net assets in the common stock of established U.S. Companies that have above-average potential for capital growth. The remaining assets are generally invested in convertible securities, corporate and government debt, bank loans, and foreign securities.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.

Investing in a single industry or sector, or concentrating investments in a limited number of industries or sectors, tends to increase the risk that economic, political, or regulatory developments affecting certain industries or sectors will have a large impact on the value of the portfolio.

The Fund is subject to the risk that principal values reacts in opposition to the movement of interest rates and that a rising interest rate environment increases the risk of loss of principal.

High-yield bonds have a higher risk of default or other adverse credit events, but have the potential to pay higher earnings over investment grade bonds. The higher risk of default, or the inability of the creditor to repay its debt, is the primary reason for the higher interest rates on high-yield bonds.

Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

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The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks as well as the component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     1
Year
    3
Year
    5
Year
    10
Year
 

AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

     11.77     17.72     11.86     5.98

Balanced Composite Index

     10.56     13.18     11.29     6.87

S&P 500 Index

     13.69     20.41     15.45     7.67

Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

     5.97     2.66     4.45     4.71

Russell 1000® Value Index

     13.45     20.89     15.42     7.30

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio1

   Gross  

AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

     1.07

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

 

1  Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 1.06%.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance was previously measured against the Russell 1000® Index. The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. It is currently measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 60% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,047.00          $ 5.16            1.00 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 - 12/31/14

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.16          $ 5.09            1.00 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Common Stocks, Preferred Stocks, and Convertible Preferred Stocks

      61.7 %

Corporate Bonds

      20.8  

Money Market

      12.0  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      6.1  

Yankee Dollars

      5.2  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

      1.3  

Foreign Bonds

      0.3  

Convertible Bonds

      0.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      107.6  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (7.6 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (61.1%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (1.1%):

  

  44,300       Boeing Co. (The)    $ 5,758,114  
  24,300       United Technologies Corp.      2,794,500  
     

 

 

 
        8,552,614  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (2.0%):

  

  106,900       Delphi Automotive plc      7,773,768  
  162,500       Johnson Controls, Inc.      7,855,250  
     

 

 

 
        15,629,018  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.9%):

  

  109,900       JPMorgan Chase & Co.      6,877,542  
     

 

 

 

 

Beverages (0.8%):

  

  62,500       PepsiCo, Inc.      5,910,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (5.5%):

  

  142,400       Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)      5,777,168  
  45,100       Invesco, Ltd.      1,782,352  
  31,760       Julius Baer Group, Ltd.      1,449,807  
  194,400       State Street Corp.      15,260,400  
  254,100       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.^      9,091,698  
  560,512       UBS Group AG*      9,637,941  
     

 

 

 
        42,999,366  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.6%):

  

  103,400       Cytec Industries, Inc.      4,773,978  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.6%):

  

  102,913       Iron Mountain, Inc.^      3,978,617  
  190,000       Tyco International plc      8,333,400  
     

 

 

 
        12,312,017  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (0.2%):

  

  58,000       Cisco Systems, Inc.      1,613,270  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.3%):

  

  62,500       FirstEnergy Corp.^      2,436,875  
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (1.9%):

  

  155,800       AMETEK, Inc.      8,199,754  
  43,800       Roper Industries, Inc.      6,848,130  
     

 

 

 
        15,047,884  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.8%):

  

  38,000       CVS Health Corp.      3,659,780  
  26,500       Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.      2,275,820  
     

 

 

 
        5,935,600  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (0.7%):

  

  5,300       J.M. Smucker Co. (The)^      535,194  
  135,400       Mondelez International, Inc., Class A      4,918,405  
     

 

 

 
        5,453,599  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.0%):

  

  176,100       Abbott Laboratories      7,928,022  
  72,100       Becton, Dickinson & Co.^      10,033,436  
  95,500       CareFusion Corp.*      5,666,970  
     

 

 

 
        23,628,428  
     

 

 

 
    
    
    
    
     
Shares
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.4%):

  

  68,300       CIGNA Corp.    $ 7,028,752  
  35,700       DaVita, Inc.*      2,703,918  
  13,400       Henry Schein, Inc.*      1,824,410  
  72,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc.      7,278,480  
     

 

 

 
        18,835,560  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (4.5%):

  

  416,300       Danaher Corp.      35,681,073  
     

 

 

 

 

Insurance (2.7%):

  

  377,700       Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.      21,619,548  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (1.2%):

  

  34,400       eBay, Inc.*      1,930,528  
  9,600       Google, Inc., Class C*      5,053,440  
  5,100       Google, Inc., Class A*      2,706,366  
     

 

 

 
        9,690,334  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (5.1%):

  

  142,200       Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.      8,844,840  
  273,700       Fiserv, Inc.*^      19,424,489  
  30,000       Vantive, Inc., Class A*      1,017,600  
  44,500       Visa, Inc., Class A      11,667,900  
     

 

 

 
        40,954,829  
     

 

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (3.2%):

  

  88,700       Agilent Technologies, Inc.      3,631,378  
  169,300       Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.      21,211,597  
     

 

 

 
        24,842,975  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (2.0%):

  

  44,400       IDEX Corp.      3,456,096  
  190,600       Pentair, Ltd.      12,659,652  
     

 

 

 
        16,115,748  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.6%):

  

  32,100       Liberty Global plc, Class A*      1,611,581  
  145,500       Liberty Global plc, Series C*      7,029,105  
  73,700       Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class B      2,718,793  
  15,000       Viacom, Inc., Class B      1,128,750  
     

 

 

 
        12,488,229  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (2.2%):

  

  267,900       PG&E Corp.      14,262,996  
  83,400       Xcel Energy, Inc.      2,995,728  
     

 

 

 
        17,258,724  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (2.7%):

  

  36,700       Apache Corp.^      2,299,989  
  19,800       California Resources Corp.*^      109,098  
  395,800       Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd.      12,222,304  
  51,800       Occidental Petroleum Corp.      4,175,598  
  42,673       Range Resources Corp.^      2,280,872  
     

 

 

 
        21,087,861  
     

 

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.0%):

  

  488,000       Sino-Forest Corp.*(a)(b)       
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Pharmaceuticals (6.9%):

  
  45,600       Actavis, Inc. plc*    $ 11,737,896  
  62,400       Allergan, Inc.      13,265,616  
  200,900       Eli Lilly & Co.      13,860,090  
  28,100       Merck & Co., Inc.      1,595,799  
  227,600       Pfizer, Inc.      7,089,740  
  177,200       Zoetis, Inc.      7,624,916  
     

 

 

 
        55,174,057  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.5%):

  
  49,300       American Tower Corp.      4,873,305  
  90,300       Crown Castle International Corp.      7,106,610  
     

 

 

 
        11,979,915  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.9%):

  
  137,900       Texas Instruments, Inc.      7,372,824  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (3.7%):

  
  32,400       AutoZone, Inc.*^      20,059,164  
  110,900       Lowe’s Cos., Inc.      7,629,920  
  7,400       O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*      1,425,388  
     

 

 

 
        29,114,472  
     

 

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.8%):

  
  73,500       Philip Morris International, Inc.      5,986,575  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%):

  
  19,100       SBA Communications Corp., Class A*      2,115,516  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $425,419,096)

     481,488,431  
     

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks (0.1%):

  

 

Banks (0.0%):

  
  9,874       U.S. Bancorp, Series F, Preferred Shares^      290,789  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.1%):

  
  21,000       State Street Corp., Preferred Shares      530,040  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $789,426)

     820,829  
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.5%):

  

 

Electric Utilities (0.2%):

  
  16,700       SCE Trust I, 5.63%, Callable 6/15/17 @25^      409,150   
  2,930       SCE Trust II, 5.10%, Callable 3/15/18 @25      66,628   
  32,472       SCE Trust II, 5.75%, Callable 3/15/24 @25^      858,885   
     

 

 

 
        1,334,663   
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  
  210       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 4.50%^      19,215  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%):

  
  40,285       T-Mobile US, Inc., Series A, 5.50%      2,134,702  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $3,263,415)

     3,488,580  
     

 

 

 

 

Convertible Bonds (0.2%):

  

 

Airlines (0.1%):

  
  365,000       United Airlines, Inc., 4.50%, 1/15/15      1,278,641  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.1%):

  
  542,000       Group, Inc. (The), 0.35%, 6/15/20^      604,330  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $1,348,248)

     1,882,971  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds (20.8%):

  

 

Advertising (0.1%):

  
$ 225,000       CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 8.13%, 4/30/20, Callable 4/30/15 @ 104.06    $ 236,813  
  825,000       CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 7.38%, 6/1/20, Callable 12/1/15 @ 103.69      874,500  
     

 

 

 
        1,111,313  
     

 

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense (0.0%):

  
  200,000       Moog, Inc., 5.25%, 12/1/22, Callable 12/1/17 @ 103.94(c)      202,500  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.1%):

  
  580,533       U.S. Airways 2010-1A PTT, Series A, 6.25%, 10/22/24      651,649  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.4%):

  
  950,000       Delphi Corp., 6.13%, 5/15/21, Callable 5/15/16 @ 103.06^      1,035,500  
  2,000,000       Delphi Corp., 5.00%, 2/15/23, Callable 2/15/18 @ 102.5      2,134,960  
     

 

 

 
        3,170,460  
     

 

 

 

 

Banks (0.1%):

  
  651,860       Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 2.73%, 4/29/20(d)      631,287  
  495,000       Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 3.00%, 4/29/20(d)      478,913  
     

 

 

 
        1,110,200  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (1.4%):

  
  1,450,000       E*TRADE Financial Corp., 6.38%, 11/15/19, Callable 11/15/15 @ 104.78      1,537,000  
  250,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 4.25%, 2/3/17^      262,517  
  500,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 6.63%, 8/15/17      557,379  
  1,000,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 0.76%, 9/8/17(d)      993,114  
  1,800,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 0.81%, 12/6/17(d)      1,788,439  
  475,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.72%, 12/6/17      470,091  
  1,625,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.00%, 5/15/18      1,765,641  
  1,975,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.38%, 3/12/19^      1,961,249  
  1,400,000       Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.60%, 11/4/19      1,392,469  
     

 

 

 
        10,727,899  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (0.4%):

  
  905,000       Cytec Industries, Inc., 3.95%, 5/1/25, Callable 2/1/25 @ 100      915,982  
  1,044,339       Kronos, Inc., 4.50%, 10/30/19(d)      1,034,470  
  1,250,000       Kronos, Inc., 9.75%, 4/30/20(d)      1,268,750  
     

 

 

 
        3,219,202  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.1%):

  
  500,000       International Lease Finance Corp., 2.19%, 6/15/16^(d)      499,375  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.0%):

  
  250,000       First Data Corp., 3.67%, 3/24/18(d)      244,375  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.2%):

  
  570,000       Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 2.25%, 12/1/19, MTN^      570,624  
  540,000       Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 3.25%, 12/1/24, MTN      547,135  
 

 

Continued

 

5


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Diversified Financial Services, continued

  

$ 50,000       CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 3.88%, 11/1/15^    $ 50,250  
  1,425,000       CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 6.25%, 11/1/16^      1,492,688  
  275,000       CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 3.63%, 4/15/18      270,875  
  6,300,000       UPC Financing Partnership, 3.25%, 6/30/21(d)      6,134,625  
     

 

 

 
        9,066,197  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.8%):

  

  13,600,000       Intelsat Jackson Holding SA, 3.75%, 6/30/19(d)      13,379,000  
  1,979,899       Telesat Canada, 3.50%,
3/28/19(d)
     1,948,973  
     

 

 

 
        15,327,973  
     

 

 

 

 

Electric Utilities (0.0%):

  

  253,960       Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 3.75%,
5/5/16(d)
     253,960  
     

 

 

 
        253,960   
     

 

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.0%):

  

  210,000       Amphenol Corp., 1.55%, 9/15/17      209,415  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.5%):

  

  746,250       Rite Aid Corp., 3.50%, 2/21/20(d)      741,586  
  2,800,000       Rite Aid Corp., 8.00%, 8/15/20, Callable 8/15/15 @ 104      2,992,500  
     

 

 

 
        3,734,086  
     

 

 

 

 

Food Products (1.2%):

  

  250,000       B&G Foods, Inc., 4.63%, 6/1/21, Callable 6/1/16 @ 103.47      244,025  
  8,913,008       H.J. Heinz Co., 3.50%, 6/5/20(d)      8,847,764  
     

 

 

 
        9,091,789  
     

 

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.1%):

  

  625,000       Suburban Propane Partners LP, 7.38%, 3/15/20, Callable 3/15/15 @ 103.69      648,438  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.8%):

  

  650,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 1.80%, 12/15/17      652,397  
  630,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 2.68%, 12/15/19      638,285  
  575,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 3.73%, 12/15/24, Callable 9/15/24 @ 100      592,006  
  155,000       Becton, Dickinson & Co., 4.69%, 12/15/44, Callable 6/15/44 @ 100      166,929  
  500,000       Medtronic, Inc., 1.50%,
3/15/18(c)
     497,611  
  795,000       Medtronic, Inc., 2.50%,
3/15/20(c)
     797,085  
  1,040,000       Medtronic, Inc., 3.50%,
3/15/25(c)
     1,063,889  
  1,405,000       Medtronic, Inc., 4.63%,
3/15/45(c)
     1,523,005  
     

 

 

 
        5,931,207  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.3%):

  

$ 2,023,063       DaVita Healthcare Partners, Inc., 3.50%, 6/24/21(d)    $ 1,998,240   
  3,700,000       DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., 5.13%, 7/15/24, Callable 7/15/19 @ 102.56^      3,774,000  
  975,000       DaVita, Inc., 6.63%, 11/1/20, Callable 2/6/15 @ 104.97^      1,023,750  
  2,600,000       DaVita, Inc., 5.75%, 8/15/22, Callable 8/15/17 @ 102.88      2,756,000  
  350,000       Omnicare, Inc., 5.00%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      358,750  
  470,000       UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 1.40%, 12/15/17      469,581  
     

 

 

 
        10,380,321  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Services (0.2%):

  

  600,000       Fresenius Medical Care, 5.63%, 7/31/19(c)      640,500  
  525,000       Fresenius Medical Care, 5.88%, 1/31/22(c)      569,625  
     

 

 

 
        1,210,125  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.3%):

  

  200,000       Cedar Fair LP, 5.25%, 3/15/21, Callable 3/15/16 @ 103.94      201,000  
  850,000       Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, 3.50%, 10/25/20(d)      839,018  
  989,975       Wendy’s International LLC, 3.25%, 5/15/19(d)      980,283  
     

 

 

 
        2,020,301  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (0.3%):

  

  1,305,000       Amazon.com, Inc., 2.60%, 12/5/19, Callable 11/5/19 @ 100^      1,318,260  
  650,000       Amazon.com, Inc., 3.80%, 12/5/24, Callable 9/5/24 @ 100      665,938  
     

 

 

 
        1,984,198  
     

 

 

 

 

Machinery (0.1%):

  

  550,000       Xylem, Inc., 3.55%, 9/20/16      571,556  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (1.6%):

  

  575,000       Charter Communications, Inc., 4.25%, 8/12/21(d)      578,237  
  250,000       Lamar Media Corp., 5.88%, 2/1/22, Callable 2/1/17 @ 102.94      259,375  
  270,000       Lamar Media Corp., 5.00%, 5/1/23, Callable 5/1/18 @ 102.5^      267,300  
  4,575,000       Univision Communications, Inc., 6.88%, 5/15/19, Callable 5/15/15 @ 103.44(c)      4,763,719  
  3,250,000       Univision Communications, Inc., 7.88%, 11/1/20, Callable 11/1/15 @ 103.94(c)      3,461,250  
  2,009,000       Univision Communications, Inc., 6.75%, 9/15/22, Callable 9/15/17 @ 103.38(c)      2,149,630  
  850,000       Univision Communications, Inc., 5.13%, 5/15/23, Callable 5/15/18 @ 102.56(c)      858,500  
     

 

 

 
        12,338,011  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

6


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Multiline Retail (0.1%):

  

$ 75,000       Amerigas Finance Corp. LLC, 6.75%, 5/20/20, Callable 5/20/16 @ 103.38    $ 77,250  
  525,000       Amerigas Finance Corp. LLC, 7.00%, 5/20/22, Callable 5/20/17 @ 103.5      543,375  
     

 

 

 
        620,625  
     

 

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (0.6%):

  

  725,000       Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 2.40%, 2/1/20, Callable 1/1/20 @ 100^(c)      721,843  
  750,000       Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 3.50%, 2/1/25, Callable 12/1/24 @ 100(c)      754,769  
  550,000       Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 4.50%, 2/1/45, Callable 8/1/44 @ 100(c)      575,491  
  450,000       CMS Energy Corp., 8.75%, 6/15/19      563,373  
  1,250,000       Dominion Resources, Inc., 2.50%, 12/1/19, Callable 11/1/19 @ 100^      1,253,650  
  525,000       Dominion Resources, Inc., 3.63%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100      531,805  
     

 

 

 
        4,400,931  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%):

  

  210,000       Noble Energy, Inc., 3.90%, 11/15/24, Callable 8/15/24 @ 100^      207,553  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (6.0%):

  

  1,075,000       Antero Resources Finance Corp., 6.00%, 12/1/20, Callable 12/1/15 @ 104.03      1,072,313  
  1,000,000       Antero Resources Finance Corp., 5.38%, 11/1/21, Callable 11/1/16 @ 104.03      967,500  
  475,000       Antero Resources Finance Corp., 5.13%, 12/1/22, Callable 6/1/17 @ 103.84^(c)      447,688  
  725,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.25%, 3/15/16, Callable 2/6/15 @ 101      723,188  
  525,000       Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.48%, 4/15/19, Callable 4/15/15 @ 101(d)      514,500  
  3,175,000       Concho Resources, Inc., 7.00%, 1/15/21, Callable 1/15/16 @ 103.5^      3,325,812  
  825,000       Concho Resources, Inc., 6.50%, 1/15/22, Callable 1/15/17 @ 103.25      862,125  
  1,375,000       Concho Resources, Inc., 5.50%, 4/1/23, Callable 10/1/17 @ 102.75      1,381,463  
  700,000       CONSOL Energy, Inc., 5.88%, 4/15/22, Callable 4/15/17 @ 104.41(c)      651,000  
  500,000       Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.15%, 10/1/20, Callable 8/1/20 @ 100      512,590  
  550,000       Energy Transfer Partners LP, 4.90%, 2/1/24, Callable 11/1/23 @ 100      576,329  
  210,000       EQT Corp., 6.50%, 4/1/18      236,321  
  350,000       EQT Corp., 8.13%, 6/1/19      421,951  
  2,025,000       EQT Corp., 4.88%, 11/15/21      2,187,622  
  2,025,000       Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 9.50%, 2/15/19, Callable 2/15/15 @ 104.75      2,014,875  
  600,000       Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 5.63%, 1/15/22, Callable 1/15/17 @ 104.22^      525,000  
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued

  

$ 1,525,000       Markwest Energy Partners LP, 6.75%, 11/1/20, Callable 11/1/15 @ 103.38^    $ 1,586,000  
  1,225,000       Markwest Energy Partners LP, 6.50%, 8/15/21, Callable 2/15/16 @ 103.25      1,261,750  
  1,875,000       Markwest Energy Partners LP, 6.25%, 6/15/22, Callable 12/15/16 @ 103.13      1,940,625  
  2,625,000       Markwest Energy Partners LP, 5.50%, 2/15/23, Callable 8/15/17 @ 102.75^      2,657,813  
  3,650,000       Markwest Energy Partners LP, 4.50%, 7/15/23, Callable 4/15/23 @ 100      3,513,124  
  1,000,000       MarkWest Energy Partners LP, 4.88%, 12/1/24, Callable 9/1/24 @ 100^      977,500  
  1,850,000       Range Resources Corp., 6.75%, 8/1/20, Callable 8/1/15 @ 103.38      1,924,000  
  4,625,000       Range Resources Corp., 5.75%, 6/1/21, Callable 6/1/16 @ 102.88^      4,775,312  
  4,275,000       Range Resources Corp., 5.00%, 8/15/22, Callable 2/15/17 @ 102.5      4,274,999  
  5,150,000       Range Resources Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/23, Callable 3/15/18 @ 102.5^      5,149,999  
  875,000       SM Energy Co., 6.50%, 11/15/21, Callable 11/15/16 @ 103.25      848,750  
  350,000       Targa Resources Partners LP, 6.88%, 2/1/21, Callable 2/1/16 @ 103.44^      357,875  
  700,000       Targa Resources Partners LP, 5.25%, 5/1/23, Callable 11/1/17 @ 102.63      675,500  
  750,000       Targa Resources Partners LP, 4.25%, 11/15/23, Callable 5/15/18 @ 102.13      682,500  
  725,000       WPX Energy, Inc., 5.25%, 1/15/17^      732,250  
     

 

 

 
        47,778,274  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.4%):

  

  405,000       Johnson & Johnson, 1.13%, 11/21/17^      403,791  
  1,850,000       Johnson & Johnson, 3.38%, 12/5/23      1,979,543  
  200,000       Novartis Capital Corp., 3.40%, 5/6/24      208,056  
  830,000       Roche Holding, Inc., 3.35%, 9/30/24, Callable 6/30/24 @ 100(c)      854,242  
     

 

 

 
        3,445,632  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.9%):

  

  300,000       American Tower Corp., 5.00%, 2/15/24^      318,140  
  4,341,169       Crown Castle Operating Co., 3.00%, 1/31/21(d)      4,265,198  
  500,000       DE Master Blenders, 4.25%, 7/2/21      601,711  
  1,975,000       DE Master Blenders, 4.25%, 7/2/21      1,930,563  
     

 

 

 
        7,115,612  
     

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.1%):

  

  750,000       CBRE Services, Inc., 5.00%, 3/15/23, Callable 3/15/18 @ 102.5      766,425  
     

 

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.3%):

  

  125,000       Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5.00%, 6/1/22, Callable 6/1/17 @ 103.75(c)      122,188  
  350,000       L Brands, Inc., 6.90%, 7/15/17^      385,000  
  250,000       L Brands, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19      296,250  
 

 

Continued

 

7


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Corporate Bonds, continued

  

 

Specialty Retail, continued

  

$ 250,000       L Brands, Inc., 7.00%, 5/1/20    $ 283,750  
  500,000       L Brands, Inc., 6.63%, 4/1/21      562,500  
  525,000       L Brands, Inc., 5.63%, 2/15/22      564,375  
  350,000       Penske Automotive Group, Inc., 5.38%, 12/1/24, Callable 12/1/19 @ 102.69      354,375  
     

 

 

 
        2,568,438  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.4%):

  

  1,050,000       Crown Castle International Corp., 4.88%, 4/15/22      1,060,500  
  725,000       Crown Castle International Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/23      739,500  
  225,000       SBA Communications Corp., 5.63%, 10/1/19, Callable 10/1/16 @ 102.81      230,063  
  500,000       SBA Communications Corp., 5.75%, 7/15/20, Callable 7/15/16 @ 102.88      508,900  
  750,000       Sprint Communications, Inc., 9.00%, 11/15/18(c)      853,050  
     

 

 

 
        3,392,013  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $165,590,979)

     164,000,053  
     

 

 

 

 

Foreign Bonds (0.3%):

  

 

Containers & Packaging (0.1%):

  

  750,000       Rexam plc, 6.75%, 6/29/67, Callable 6/29/17 @ 100+(d)      907,430  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.2%):

  

  1,025,000       Matterhorn Mobile SA, 6.75%, 5/15/19, Callable 2/15/15 @ 105.06+(c)      1,082,959  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Foreign Bonds (Cost $2,194,744)

     1,990,389  
     

 

 

 

 

Yankee Dollars (5.2%):

  

 

Banks (0.8%):

  

  1,225,000       KFW, Series G, 0.50%, 4/19/16      1,224,976  
  4,715,000       KFW, 2.50%, 11/20/24      4,780,873  
     

 

 

 
        6,005,849  
     

 

 

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (1.5%):

  

  1,975,000       Intelsat Jackson Holding SA, 7.25%, 4/1/19, Callable 4/1/15 @ 103.65      2,061,406  
  4,885,000       Intelsat Jackson Holding SA, 7.25%, 10/15/20, Callable 10/15/15 @ 103.63      5,159,781  
  1,715,000       Intelsat Jackson Holding SA, 5.50%, 8/1/23, Callable 8/1/18 @ 102.75^      1,704,539  
  1,850,000       Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.50%, 4/1/21, Callable 4/1/15 @ 103.75      1,979,500  
  530,000       Telesat Canada, 6.00%, 5/15/17, Callable 2/6/15 @ 103(c)      540,600  
     

 

 

 
        11,445,826  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (0.5%):

  

  2,475,000       Unitymedia Hessen, 7.50%, 3/15/19, Callable 3/15/15 @ 103.75(c)      2,598,750  
  650,000       Unitymedia Hessen, 5.50%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/18 @ 103(c)      679,250  
  950,000       Unitymedia Kabelbw GMBH, 6.13%, 1/15/25(c)      980,875  
     

 

 

 
        4,258,875  
     

 

 

 
Contracts,
Shares,
Notional
Amount or
Principal
Amount
           Fair Value  

 

Yankee Dollars, continued

  

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1%):

  

$ 360,000       Canadian Natural Resources, 1.75%, 1/15/18    $ 357,882  
  770,000       Canadian Natural Resources, 3.90%, 2/1/25, Callable 11/1/24 @ 100      759,040  
     

 

 

 
        1,116,922  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.5%):

  

  1,550,000       NXP Funding BV/NXP Funding LLC, 3.75%, 6/1/18(c)      1,550,000  
  1,150,000       NXP Funding BV/NXP Funding LLC, 5.75%, 2/15/21, Callable 2/15/17 @ 102.88(c)      1,207,500  
  1,400,000       NXP Funding BV/NXP Funding LLC, 5.75%, 3/15/23, Callable 3/15/18 @ 102.88(c)      1,473,500  
     

 

 

 
        4,231,000  
     

 

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.8%):

  

  5,880,000       UPCB Finance III, Ltd., 6.63%, 7/1/20, Callable 7/1/15 @ 103.31(c)      6,173,999  
  3,800,000       UPCB Finance V, Ltd., 7.25%, 11/15/21, Callable 11/15/16 @ 103.63(c)      4,156,250  
  3,325,000       UPCB Finance VI, Ltd., 6.88%, 1/15/22, Callable 1/15/17 @ 103.44(c)      3,615,938  
     

 

 

 
        13,946,187  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $40,724,139)

     41,004,659  
     

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligation (1.3%):

  

 

U.S. Treasury Note (1.3%)

  
  10,000,000       0.25%, 10/31/15      9,999,220  
     

 

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligation (Cost $9,998,451)

     9,999,220  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (6.1%):

  

  48,016,055       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(e)      48,016,055  
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $48,016,055)

     48,016,055  
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (12.0%):

  

  94,849,675       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(f)      94,849,675  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $94,849,675)

     94,849,675  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $792,194,228)(g) —107.6%

     847,540,862  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (7.6)%

     (59,970,579
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 787,570,283  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

8


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

MTN—Medium Term Note

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $46,362,614.

 

+ The principal amount is disclosed in local currency and the fair value is disclosed in U.S. Dollars.

 

(a) Security issued in connection with a pending litigation settlement.

 

(b) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 0.00% of the net assets of the fund.

 

(c) Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

(d) Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date.

 

(e) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

(f) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.

 

(g) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

Amounts shown as “—” are either $0 or round to less than $1.

The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:

 

Country   Percentage  

Canada

    1.6

Cayman Islands

    1.7

Germany

    1.2

Ireland (Republic of)

    2.5

Luxembourg

    1.4

Netherlands

    0.5

Switzerland

    1.3

United Kingdom

    1.1

United States

    88.7
 

 

 

 
    100.0
 

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

Cash of $967,087 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:

 

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

DJ EURO STOXX 50 March Futures (Euro)

     Long         3/23/15         212       $ 8,036,152      $ 400,847  

DJ EURO SROXX 600 March Futures (Euro)

     Long         3/20/15         199         4,088,299        86,175  
              

 

 

 

Total

               $ 487,022  
              

 

 

 

Over-the-counter options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call    Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Allergan, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         170.00         01/16/15         98      $ (421,750

American Tower Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         105.00         01/15/16         36        (18,594

American Tower Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         110.00         01/15/16         37        (13,022

American Tower Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         115.00         01/15/16         73        (17,150

Apache Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         90.00         01/16/15         34        (20

Apache Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         93.00         01/16/15         68        (27

Apache Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         95.00         01/16/15         67        (19

Apache Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         95.00         01/16/15         23        (5

 

Continued

 

9


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Description    Counterparty    Put/Call    Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         25.00         01/15/16         510      $ (186,611

CVS Health Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         78.00         01/16/15         19        (35,762

CVS Health Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         80.00         01/16/15         19        (31,036

CVS Health Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         90.00         01/15/16         126        (134,305

CVS Health Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         95.00         01/15/16         126        (96,942

Danaher Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase    Call      USD         80.00         01/16/15         18        (10,571

Danaher Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase    Call      USD         85.00         01/16/15         18        (3,069

Danaher Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase    Call      USD         90.00         01/16/15         61        (591

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         60.00         01/15/16         315        (335,234

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         75.00         01/15/16         119        (38,870

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         53.00         01/16/15         14        (22,537

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         55.00         01/16/15         14         (19,069

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase    Call      USD         55.00         01/16/15         153        (208,403

Mondelez International, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         45.00         01/15/16         194        (12,886

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         95.00         01/15/16         239        (58,201

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         98.00         01/15/16         239        (47,708

PepsiCo, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         100.00         01/15/16         177        (56,119

PepsiCo, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         105.00         01/15/16         108        (20,527

PepsiCo, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         110.00         01/15/16         184        (20,776

Pfizer, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         30.00         01/15/16         721        (182,643

Pfizer, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         32.00         01/16/15         98        (1,763

Pfizer, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         35.00         01/16/15         98        (159

State Street Corp.

   Morgan Stanley    Call      USD         85.00         01/15/16         99        (43,807

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         30.00         01/16/15         1,211        (759,165

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase    Call      USD         33.00         01/16/15         607        (173,521

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         30.00         02/20/15         723        (417,162

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         45.00         01/16/15         489        (416,416

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         50.00         01/16/15         215        (80,755

The Boeing Co.

   Citibank    Call      USD         140.00         01/15/16         61        (35,491

The Boeing Co.

   Citibank    Call      USD         145.00         01/16/15         40        (47

The Boeing Co.

   Citibank    Call      USD         150.00         01/16/15         41        (16

The Boeing Co.

   Citibank    Call      USD         155.00         01/16/15         40        (5

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         150.00         01/15/16         49        (19,976

United Technologies Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         120.00         01/15/16         160        (95,852

United Technologies Corp.

   Citibank    Call      USD         120.00         01/16/15         83        (1,651

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         100.00         01/15/16         102        (94,464

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         105.00         01/15/16         102        (69,963

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         80.00         01/15/16         123        (102,604

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

   Citibank    Call      USD         83.00         01/15/16         123        (82,327
                    

 

 

 

Total Over-the-counter options

  

            $ (4,387,591
                    

 

 

 

Exchange-traded options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

Description    Put/Call    Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Apache Corp.

   Call    USD      97.50         01/16/15         26      $ (78

Apache Corp.

   Call    USD      100.00         01/16/15         56        (56

Apache Corp.

   Call    USD      105.00         01/16/15         26        (26

AutoZone, Inc.

   Call    USD      570.00         01/16/15         1        (5,025

AutoZone, Inc.

   Call    USD      600.00         01/16/15         1        (2,240

Google, Inc.

   Call    USD      1280.00         01/16/15         1        (150

Google, Inc.

   Call    USD      1330.00         01/16/15         1        (145

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Call    USD      70.00         01/15/16         391        (72,922

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Call    USD      60.00         01/16/15         22        (5,962

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Call    USD      65.00         01/16/15         24        (480

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   Call    USD      95.00         01/16/15         42        (84

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   Call    USD      97.50         01/16/15         5        (20

 

Continued

 

10


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Description    Put/Call    Strike Price      Expiration
Date
     Contracts      Fair Value  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

   Call    USD      50.00         01/16/15         62      $ (22,785

The Boeing Co.

   Call    USD      135.00         01/16/15         21        (788

The Boeing Co.

   Call    USD      140.00         01/16/15         21        (147

Visa, Inc.

   Call    USD      280.00         01/15/16         44        (66,330

Visa, Inc.

   Call    USD      300.00         01/15/16         45        (39,263
                 

 

 

 

Total Exchange-traded options

            $ (216,501
                 

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:

 

Type of Contract    Counterparty    Delivery
Date
   Contract Amount
(Local Currency)
     Contract
Value
     Value      Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts:

                 

European Euro

   Merrill Lynch    3/25/15      1,210,000      $ 1,474,899      $ 1,465,082      $ 9,817  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1,474,899      $ 1,465,082      $ 9,817  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

11


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 792,194,228  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 847,540,862  

Cash

       57,143  

Segregated cash for collateral

       967,087  

Interest and dividends receivable

       3,141,713  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $509,959)

       504,231  

Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts

       9,817  

Receivable for capital shares issued

       2,521,057  

Receivable for investments sold

       3,131,261  

Reclaims receivable

       42,846  

Prepaid expenses

       6,158  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       857,922,175  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       16,736,296  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       303,496  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       48,016,055  

Written Options (Premiums received $2,178,591)

       4,604,092  

Manager fees payable

       459,984  

Administration fees payable

       19,020  

Distribution fees payable

       164,280  

Custodian fees payable

       7,056  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       2,108  

Trustee fees payable

       42  

Other accrued liabilities

       39,463  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       70,351,892  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 787,570,283  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 694,488,080  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       5,989,304  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       33,684,672  

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       53,408,227  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 787,570,283  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       49,520,499  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

     $ 15.90  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $46,362,614.

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 6,367,248  

Interest

       5,878,615  

Income from securities lending

       30,812  

Foreign withholding tax

       (35,690 )
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       12,240,985  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       4,740,351  

Administration fees

       184,513  

Distribution fees

       1,580,117  

Custodian fees

       28,511  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       8,251  

Trustee fees

       31,118  

Professional fees

       37,113  

Shareholder reports

       38,759  

Other expenses

       17,630  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       6,666,363  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (316,033 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       6,350,330  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       5,890,655  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       34,130,209  

Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts

       (790,069 )

Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts

       560,092  

Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts

       (31,125 )

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       31,445,254  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       65,314,361  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 71,205,016  
    

 

 

 
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

12


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
      For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013

Change in Net Assets:

        

Operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 5,890,655       $ 2,168,561  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       33,869,107         209,333,841  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       31,445,254         (86,896,119 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       71,205,016         124,606,283  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders:

        

From net investment income

       (2,093,311 )       (4,077,861 )

From net realized gains

       (66,596,069 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders

       (68,689,380 )       (4,077,861 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

        

Proceeds from shares issued

       271,387,641         44,380,761  

Proceeds from dividends reinvested

       68,689,380         4,077,861  

Value of shares redeemed

       (74,270,125 )       (70,733,204 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       265,806,896         (22,274,582 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       268,322,532         98,253,840  

Net Assets:

        

Beginning of period

       519,247,751         420,993,911  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 787,570,283       $ 519,247,751  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 5,989,304       $ 2,093,377  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

        

Shares issued

       16,855,919         3,126,962  

Dividends reinvested

       4,492,438         276,465  

Shares redeemed

       (4,617,286 )       (4,879,004 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Change in shares

       16,731,071         (1,475,577 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

13


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

     Year Ended December 31,
      2014   2013   2012   2011   2010

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 15.84       $ 12.29       $ 10.98       $ 11.57       $ 10.59  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

                    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.11         0.07         0.13         0.09         0.14  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.69         3.60         1.22         (0.58 )       1.10  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.80         3.67         1.35         (0.49 )       1.24  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends to Shareholders From:

                    

Net Investment Income

       (0.06 )       (0.12 )       (0.04 )       (0.10 )       (0.26 )

Net Realized Gains

       (1.68 )                                
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Dividends

       (1.74 )       (0.12 )       (0.04 )       (0.10 )       (0.26 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

     $ 15.90       $ 15.84       $ 12.29       $ 10.98       $ 11.57  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(a)

       11.77 %       29.94 %(c)       12.32 %       (4.20 )%       12.05 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

                    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 787,570       $ 519,248       $ 420,994       $ 364,642       $ 425,305  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       0.93 %       0.44 %       1.14 %       0.71 %       0.55 %

Expenses Before Reductions(b)

       1.05 %       1.06 %       1.07 %       1.10 %       1.08 %

Expenses Net of Reductions

       1.00 %       1.01 %       1.02 %       1.06 %       1.03 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       72 %       122 %(d)       24 %       11 %       14 %

 

(a) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(b) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

(c) During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Fund received monies related to certain nonrecurring litigation settlements. The corresponding impact to the return was 0.10%.

 

(d) Effective November 15, 2013, the Subadviser changed from Davis Selected Advisors, LP to T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Costs of purchase and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities associated with the change in the Subadviser contributed to higher portfolio turnover rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to prior years.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

14


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

15


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33  1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $17.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $3,069 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Commission Recapture

Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.

Derivative Instruments

All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.

Forward Currency Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in connection with planned purchases or sales of securities or to hedge the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated in a particular currency. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $1.5 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Futures Contracts

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund used futures contracts to provide market exposure on the Fund’s cash balances. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $12.1 million as of December 31,2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

Options Contracts

The Fund may purchase or write put and call options on a security or an index of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund purchased and wrote call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to underlying instruments (including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or foreign currency exchange rate risk) and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

 

16


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Written Options Contracts — The Fund receives a premium which is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options that are either exercised or closed are offset against the proceeds received or the amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. The risk associated with writing an option is that the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of an underlying asset and is required to buy or sell an underlying asset under the contractual terms of the option at a price different from the current value. Realized gains and losses, if any, are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts” on the Statement of Operations.

 

       Number of
Contracts
     Premiums
Received

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

         (1,938 )        $ (826,586 )

Options written

         (13,307 )          (2,873,476 )

Options exercised

         75            16,371  

Options expired

         577            101,696  

Options closed

         5,530            1,403,404  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

         (9,063 )        $ (2,178,591 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Summary of Derivative Instruments

The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value*
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Total Fair
Value
 
Equity Contracts   Investment securities, at value (purchased options)   $      Written options   $ (4,604,092
Foreign Currency Contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 9,817      Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts       
Equity Contracts   Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   $ 487,022      Payable for variation margin on futures contracts       

 

* For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts.

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Primary Risk Exposure    Location of Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in Income
     Realized Gains/(Losses)
on Derivatives
Recognized in
Income
       Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Derivatives Recognized
in Income
 
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments      $ 560,092         $ (2,278,840
Foreign Currency Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on forward currency contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments        (31,125        9,817   
Equity Contracts    Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments        (790,069        487,022   

Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. ASU 2013-01 clarified the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of that entity’s financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of U.S. GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11 as applying to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset either in accordance with other requirements of U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.

The Fund is generally subject to master netting agreements that allow for amounts owed between the Fund and the counterparty to be netted. The party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting agreements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. The amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Fund’s ability to reflect the master netting agreements at

 

17


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This table also summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by type are as follows:

 

        Assets      Liabilities

Derivative Financial Instruments:

             

Option contracts

       $          $ 4,604,092  

Forward currency contracts

         9,817             
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

         9,817            4,604,092  

Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

                    (216,501 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total assets and liabilities subject to a MNA

       $ 9,817          $ 4,387,591  
      

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received by the Fund as of December 31, 2013:

 

Counterparty     

Derivative Assets
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty

     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Received
     Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Assets

Merrill Lynch

       $ 9,817          $          $          $          $ 9,817  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 9,817          $          $          $          $ 9,817  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:

 

Counterparty      Derivative Liabilities
Subject to a MNA
by Counterparty
     Derivatives
Available
for Offset
     Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged
     Net Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities

Citibank

       $ 3,136,381          $          $          $          $ 3,136,381  

Morgan Stanley

         855,055                                             855,055  

JPMorgan Chase

         396,155                                             396,155  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

       $ 4,387,591          $          $          $          $ 4,387,591  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to subadvisory agreement with T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“T. Rowe Price”), T. Rowe Price provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

         0.75 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

 

18


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $7,639 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Options are generally valued at the average of the closing bid and ask quotations on the principal exchange on which the option is traded, which are then typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

 

19


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:      Level 1      Level 2      Total
                      
                    

Common Stocks

                    

Capital Markets

       $ 41,549,559          $ 1,449,807          $ 42,999,366  

All Other Common Stocks+

         438,489,065                       438,489,065  

Convertible Bonds+

                    1,882,971            1,882,971  

Convertible Preferred Stocks+

         3,488,580                       3,488,580  

Corporate Bonds+

                    164,000,053            164,000,053  

Foreign Bonds+

                    1,990,389            1,990,389  

Preferred Stocks+

         820,829                       820,829  

U.S. Treasury Obligation

                    9,999,220            9,999,220  

Yankee Dollars+

                    41,004,659            41,004,659  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                    48,016,055            48,016,055  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

         94,849,675                       94,849,675  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

         579,197,708            268,343,154            847,540,862  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments*

                    

Forward Currency Contracts

         9,817                       9,817  

Futures Contracts

         487,022                       487,022  

Written Call Options

         (216,501 )          (4,387,591 )          (4,604,092 )
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total Investments

       $ 579,478,046          $ 263,955,563          $ 843,433,609  
      

 

 

        

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

* Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as written options, futures contracts and forward currency contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 563,232,111          $ 408,206,109  

6. Investment Risks

Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

 

20


AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $793,082,177. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 62,586,388  

Unrealized depreciation

    (8,127,703
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 54,458,685   
 

 

 

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 2,039,311          $ 66,596,069          $ 68,689,380  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

        Ordinary
Income
     Net
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Total
Distributions(a)

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 4,077,861          $          $ 4,077,861  

 

(a) Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)(a)
     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund

       $ 25,091,405          $ 15,957,542          $          $ 52,033,256          $ 93,082,203  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

21


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

22


Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, 100.00% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $66,596,069.

 

23


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

24


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

25


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

26


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

27


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age  

Positions

Held with

VIP Trust

and

FOF Trust

  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
 

Other
Directorships
Held Outside the

AZL Fund Complex

Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee
 

Since 2/07

  Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead
Independent
Trustee
  Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07)   Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43   Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43   PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43   Connecticut Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

28


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2/14   

Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

29


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2014

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Management Discussion and Analysis

Page 1

Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition

Page 3

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

Page 4

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Page 6

Statement of Operations

Page 6

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Page 7

Financial Highlights

Page 8

Notes to the Financial Statements

Page 9

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Page 13

Other Information

Page 14

Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

Page 15

Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers

Page 18

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.


AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund (unaudited)

 

Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund and Wells Capital Management Incorporated serves as Subadviser to the Fund.

What factors affected the Fund’s performance from its inception on April 25, 2014 to the period ended December 31, 2014?

From its inception on April 25, 2014 to the period ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund returned 12.70%. That compared to a 13.13% total return for its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index1.

Equities generally performed strongly during the period, and the Fund’s absolute returns benefited from the largely positive investor sentiment. Investors were encouraged by improved U.S. economic data, including increased gross domestic product2 growth. However, concerns about the potential for deflation in Europe and slowing growth in China created some headwinds that dragged on absolute returns.

Investors made a dramatic move away from fast-growing equities in the early part of the period, regardless of the companies’ fundamentals. In the second half of the year they continued to prioritize slower-growing, dividend-paying stocks, even as growth stocks reported strong earnings.

The Fund slightly underperformed the benchmark. Underweight positions in slower growing dividend-paying, mega-cap brands, which do not meet the Fund’s investment criteria, detracted from relative performance as investors moved away from growth stocks during the first and second quarters. For example, the Fund holds underweight positions in two global tech giants, whose stock prices rose over the period. However, the firms were not growing fast enough to merit a larger investment from the Fund. In addition, an underweight position in the consumer staples sector slightly detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.*

The Fund’s holdings in a chain of national auto parts stores, a discount retailer and a hotel company were among the larger positive contributors to relative performance. Additionally, overweight holdings of two pharmaceutical companies as well as oversized positions in two railroads and a regional airline boosted relative returns. The Fund’s overweight holdings in a social media tech company and a credit card company also played a role.*

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

* The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014.
1  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
2  Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

1


AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund (unaudited)

 

Fund Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of large-capitalization companies.

Investment Concerns

Equity securities (stocks) are more volatile and carry more risk than other forms of investments, including investments in high-grade fixed income securities. The net asset value per share of this Fund will fluctuate as the value of the securities in the portfolio changes.

International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

Growth based investments can perform differently from the market as a whole and can be more volatile than other types of securities.

Investing in a single industry or sector, or concentrating investments in a limited number of industries or sectors, tends to increase the risk that economic, political, or regulatory developments affecting certain industries or sectors will have a large impact on the value of the portfolio.

The Fund is subject to the risk that principal values reacts in opposition to the movement of interest rates and that a rising interest rate environment increases the risk of loss of principal.

For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

Growth of $10,000 Investment

 

LOGO

The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.

Aggregate Total Returns as of December 31, 2014

 

     6
Month
    Since
Inception
(4/25/14)
 

AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

     5.43     12.70

Russell 1000® Growth Index

     6.34     13.13

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.

 

Expense Ratio

   Gross  

AZL® Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

     1.15

The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70%. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 1.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.

The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted.

The Fund’s performance is measured against the Russell 1000® Growth Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are 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. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.

The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, 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 table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,054.30          $ 4.97            0.96 %

The Hypothetical Expense 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

        Beginning
Account Value
7/1/14
     Ending
Account Value
12/31/14
     Expenses Paid
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14*
     Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/14 -  12/31/14

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

       $ 1,000.00          $ 1,020.37          $ 4.89            0.96 %

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period).

Portfolio Composition

(Unaudited)

 

Investments   Percent of Net Assets

Information Technology

      27.1 %

Consumer Discretionary

      26.0  

Health Care

      15.4  

Industrials

      12.4  

Financials

      6.2  

Materials

      4.2  

Consumer Staples

      4.2  

Energy

      4.2  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      99.7  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

      8.4  

Money Market

      0.4  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

      108.5  

Net other assets (liabilities)

      (8.5 )
   

 

 

 

Net Assets

      100.0 %
   

 

 

 

 

3


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

 

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks (99.7%):

  

 

Aerospace & Defense (2.4%):

  

  7,140       Boeing Co. (The)    $ 928,057  
  2,590       Precision Castparts Corp.      623,879  
  7,420       United Technologies Corp.      853,300  
     

 

 

 
        2,405,236  
     

 

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.0%):

  

  8,810       United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B      979,408  
     

 

 

 

 

Airlines (0.8%):

  

  18,400       Southwest Airlines Co.      778,688  
     

 

 

 

 

Auto Components (0.6%):

  

  7,930       Delphi Automotive plc      576,670  
     

 

 

 

 

Biotechnology (9.2%):

  

  14,350       Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      2,655,180  
  5,600       Biogen Idec, Inc.*      1,900,920  
  14,900       Celgene Corp.*      1,666,714  
  14,500       Gilead Sciences, Inc.*      1,366,770  
  4,480       Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*      1,837,920  
     

 

 

 
        9,427,504  
     

 

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.7%):

  

  4,180       Ameriprise Financial, Inc.      552,805  
  9,730       Northern Trust Corp.      655,802  
  44,000       TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.      1,574,320  
     

 

 

 
        2,782,927  
     

 

 

 

 

Chemicals (4.2%):

  

  14,550       Ecolab, Inc.      1,520,766  
  5,630       Monsanto Co.      672,616  
  15,920       Praxair, Inc.      2,062,595  
     

 

 

 
        4,255,977  
     

 

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.6%):

  

  14,520       Tyco International plc      636,847  
     

 

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.2%):

  

  16,610       QUALCOMM, Inc.      1,234,621  
     

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (3.1%):

  

  17,720       American Express Co.      1,648,669  
  22,220       Discover Financial Services      1,455,188  
     

 

 

 
        3,103,857  
     

 

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (1.3%):

  

  14,940       Schlumberger, Ltd.      1,276,025  
     

 

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.2%):

  

  15,980       Costco Wholesale Corp.      2,265,165  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.3%):

  

  12,810       Covidien plc      1,310,207  
     

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (2.7%):

  

  12,500       AmerisourceBergen Corp.      1,127,000  
  24,600       Cerner Corp.*      1,590,636  
     

 

 

 
        2,717,636  
     

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (6.4%):

  

  2,310       Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*      1,581,218  
  15,790       Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*      411,961  

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, continued

  

  18,000       Marriott International, Inc., Class A    $ 1,404,540  
  20,680       Starbucks Corp.      1,696,793  
  9,610       Wynn Resorts, Ltd.      1,429,584  
     

 

 

 
        6,524,096  
     

 

 

 

 

Household Products (0.9%):

  

  13,000       Colgate-Palmolive Co.      899,470  
     

 

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (2.0%):

  

  7,170       3M Co.      1,178,174  
  10,480       Danaher Corp.      898,241  
     

 

 

 
        2,076,415  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet & Catalog Retail (2.3%):

  

  4,010       Amazon.com, Inc.*      1,244,503  
  770       Netflix, Inc.*      263,040  
  720       Priceline.com, Inc.*      820,951  
     

 

 

 
        2,328,494  
     

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (7.7%):

  

  10,690       Akamai Technologies, Inc.*      673,042  
  33,840       Facebook, Inc., Class A*      2,640,196  
  4,230       Google, Inc., Class C*      2,226,672  
  4,260       Google, Inc., Class A*      2,260,612  
     

 

 

 
        7,800,522  
     

 

 

 

 

IT Services (6.4%):

  

  9,300       Accenture plc, Class A      830,583  
  5,350       Alliance Data Systems Corp.*      1,530,368  
  27,000       MasterCard, Inc., Class A      2,326,320  
  7,130       Visa, Inc., Class A      1,869,486  
     

 

 

 
        6,556,757  
     

 

 

 

 

Media (3.6%):

  

  30,000       CBS Corp., Class B      1,660,200  
  21,440       Pandora Media, Inc.*      382,275  
  17,100       Walt Disney Co. (The)      1,610,649  
     

 

 

 
        3,653,124  
     

 

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (3.9%):

  

  35,180       Dollar Tree, Inc.*      2,475,968  
  18,420       Nordstrom, Inc.      1,462,364  
     

 

 

 
        3,938,332  
     

 

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (2.9%):

  

  8,800       Antero Resources Corp.*      357,104  
  12,360       Concho Resources, Inc.*      1,232,910  
  9,190       Pioneer Natural Resources Co.      1,367,932  
     

 

 

 
        2,957,946  
     

 

 

 

 

Personal Products (1.1%):

  

  14,430       Estee Lauder Co., Inc. (The), Class A      1,099,566  
     

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (2.2%):

  

  9,630       Merck & Co., Inc.      546,888  
  10,210       Perrigo Co. plc      1,706,704  
     

 

 

 
        2,253,592  
     

 

 

 
 

 

Continued

 

4


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Schedule of Portfolio Investments

December 31, 2014

Shares

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.4%):

  

  4,590       American Tower Corp.    $ 453,722  
     

 

 

 

 

Road & Rail (3.9%):

  

  7,330       Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc.      894,480  
  8,440       Norfolk Southern Corp.      925,108  
  18,130       Union Pacific Corp.      2,159,827  
     

 

 

 
        3,979,415  
     

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.3%):

  

  18,960       Arm Holdings plc, ADR      877,848  
  30,160       Microchip Technology, Inc.      1,360,517  
  22,350       Texas Instruments, Inc.      1,194,943  
     

 

 

 
        3,433,308  
     

 

 

 

 

Software (5.9%):

  

  9,450       Adobe Systems, Inc.*      687,016  
  41,420       Microsoft Corp.      1,923,959  
  25,270       Salesforce.com, Inc.*      1,498,764  
  16,500       ServiceNow, Inc.*      1,119,525  
  12,540       Splunk, Inc.*      739,233  
     

 

 

 
        5,968,497  
     

 

 

 

Contracts,

Shares,

Notional

Amount or

Principal

Amount

           Fair Value  

 

Common Stocks, continued

  

 

Specialty Retail (5.2%):

  

  28,590       CarMax, Inc.*    $ 1,903,522  
  8,830       O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*      1,700,835  
  22,000       Tractor Supply Co.      1,734,040  
     

 

 

 
        5,338,397  
     

 

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (2.6%):

  

  23,620       Apple, Inc.      2,607,176  
     

 

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (4.0%):

  

  22,390       Nike, Inc., Class B      2,152,799  
  26,260       V.F. Corp.      1,966,874  
     

 

 

 
        4,119,673  
     

 

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.7%):

  

  6,710       W.W. Grainger, Inc.      1,710,312  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $89,618,093)

     101,449,582  
     

 

 

 

 

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (8.4%):

  

$ 8,569,423       Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(b)      8,569,423   
     

 

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan
(Cost $8,569,423)

     8,569,423   
     

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.4%):

  

  403,642       Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a)      403,642  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $403,642)

     403,642  
     

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities (Cost $98,591,158)(b) — 108.5%

     110,422,647  

 

Net other assets (liabilities) — (8.5)%

     (8,682,976
     

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   $ 101,739,671  
     

 

 

 
 

Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt

 

* Non-income producing security.
^ This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $8,380,697.
(a) The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014.
(b) See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
(c) Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

5


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2014

 

Assets:

    

Investment securities, at cost

     $ 98,591,158  
    

 

 

 

Investment securities, at value*

     $ 110,422,647  

Interest and dividends receivable

       69,035  

Prepaid expenses

       893  
    

 

 

 

Total Assets

       110,492,575  
    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

    

Payable for investments purchased

       64,020  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       27,806  

Payable for collateral received on loaned securities

       8,569,423  

Manager fees payable

       60,647  

Administration fees payable

       2,430  

Distribution fees payable

       21,659  

Custodian fees payable

       2,288  

Administrative and compliance services fees payable

       430  

Trustee fees payable

       9  

Other accrued liabilities

       4,192  
    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

       8,752,904  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 101,739,671  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

    

Capital

     $ 90,079,559  

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

       68,566  

Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions

       (239,943 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       11,831,489  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets

     $ 101,739,671  
    

 

 

 

Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

       9,027,024  

Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share)

       11.27  
    

 

 

 

 

* Includes securities on loan of $8,380,697.

Statement of Operations

For the Period Ended December 31, 2014(a)

 

Investment Income:

    

Dividends

     $ 677,168  

Income from securities lending

       5,205  
    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       682,373  
    

 

 

 

Expenses:

    

Manager fees

       545,733  

Administration fees

       5,820  

Distribution fees

       170,541  

Custodian fees

       5,295  

Administrative and compliance services fees

       925  

Trustee fees

       3,799  

Professional fees

       5,712  

Shareholder reports

       1,499  

Other expenses

       1,391  
    

 

 

 

Total expenses before reductions

       740,715  

Less expenses voluntarily waived/reimbursed by the Manager

       (68,216 )
    

 

 

 

Net expenses

       672,499  
    

 

 

 

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       9,874  
    

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:

    

Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions

       (239,943 )

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       11,831,489  
    

 

 

 

Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       11,591,546  
    

 

 

 

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

     $ 11,601,420  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) For the period April 28, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014
 

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

6


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

     AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund
      April 28,
2014 to
December 31,
2014(a)

Change In Net Assets:

    

Operations:

    

Net investment income/(loss)

     $ 9,874  

Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions

       (239,943 )

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       11,831,489  
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from operations

       11,601,420  
    

 

 

 

Capital Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares issued

       97,277,902  

Value of shares redeemed

       (7,139,651 )
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions

       90,138,251  
    

 

 

 

Change in net assets

       101,739,671  

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of period

        
    

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 101,739,671  
    

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     $ 68,566  
    

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

    

Shares issued

       9,680,346  

Shares redeemed

       (653,322 )
    

 

 

 

Change in shares

       9,027,024  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

7


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Financial Highlights

(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)

      April 28,
2014 to
December 31,
2014(a)

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

     $ 10. 00  
    

 

 

 

Investment Activities:

    

Net Investment Income/(Loss)

       (b)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments

       1.27  
    

 

 

 

Total from Investment Activities

       1.27  
    

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

       11.27  
    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

       12.70 %(d)

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

    

Net Assets, End of Period (000’s)

     $ 101,740  

Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e)

       0.01 %

Expenses Before Reductions(e) (f)

       1.09 %

Expenses Net of Reductions(e)

       0.99 %

Portfolio Turnover Rate

       24 %(d)

 

(a) Period from commencement of operations.

 

(b) Represents less than $0.005.

 

(c) The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower.

 

(d) Not annualized.

 

(e) Annualized for periods less than one year.

 

(f) Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated.

 

See accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

8


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

1. Organization

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on July 13, 1999. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 31 separate investment portfolios (individually a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), and 30 are presented in separate reports.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Security Valuation

The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income

Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies. Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. The Funds accrue such taxes, as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules in the foreign markets in which they invest.

Dividends to Shareholders

Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.

Expense Allocation

Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.

 

9


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

Securities Lending

To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $514 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

3. Related Party Transactions

The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the Fund. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“Wells Capital”), Wells Capital provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the Fund subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager. The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Expenses incurred by the Fund for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:

 

        Annual Rate*      Annual Expense Limit

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

         0.80 %          1.20 %

 

* The Manager voluntarily reduced the management fee to 0.70% on all assets. The Manager reserves the right to increase the management fee to the amount shown in the table above at any time.

Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.

In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Statement of Operations.

Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”

Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a Trust-wide asset-based fee, which is based on the following schedule: 0.05% of daily average net assets on the first $4 billion, 0.04% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion, 0.02% of daily average net assets on the next $2 billion and 0.01% of daily average net assets over $8 billion. The overall Trust-wide fees are accrued daily and paid monthly and are subject to a minimum annual fee. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, an annual fee for each additional class of shares of any Fund, certain annual fees in supporting fair value services, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”

Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $42,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.

 

10


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

The Trust has adopted a distribution and service plan in conformance with Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to this plan, the Fund is authorized to pay certain fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and services provided to its shareholders at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fees are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Distribution fees.”

In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $742 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.

Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.

4. Investment Valuation Summary

The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.

Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the period ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.

In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For the period ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:

 

Investment Securities:    Level 1    Level 2    Total
                

Common Stocks+

     $ 101,449,582        $        $ 101,449,582  

Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan

                8,569,423          8,569,423  

Unaffiliated Investment Company

       403,642                   403,642  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities

     $ 101,853,224        $ 8,569,423        $ 110,422,647  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

+ For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments.

 

11


AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

Notes to the Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

5. Security Purchases and Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:

 

        Purchases      Sales

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

       $ 111,785,897          $ 21,927,861  

6. Investment Risks

Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.

7. Federal Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.

Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.

Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $98,598,410. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:

 

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 13,848,123  

Unrealized depreciation

    (2,023,886
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

  $ 11,824,237   
 

 

 

 

As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.

CLCFs not subject to expiration:

 

        Short Term
Amount
     Long Term
Amount
     Total
Amount

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

       $ 232,691          $          $ 232,691  

As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

        Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses
    

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)(a)

     Total
Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)

AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund

       $ 68,566          $          $ (232,691 )        $ 11,824,237          $ 11,660,112  

 

(a) The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

8. Ownership and Principal Holders

The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2 (a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had an individual shareholder account which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser representing ownership in excess of 50% of the Fund.

9. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.

 

12


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the period April 28, 2014 to December 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the period April 28, 2014 to December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 25, 2015

 

13


Other Information (Unaudited)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

14


Approval of Investment Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (Unaudited)

The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust (the “Trust”) is a manager-of-managers fund. That means that the Trust’s Manager (“Allianz Investment Management LLC”) is responsible for monitoring the various Subadvisers that have day-to-day responsibility for the decisions made for each of the Trust’s investment portfolios. The Trust’s Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to consider recommending for selection as a Subadviser.

In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the investment management agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.

The Trust’s Manager has adopted policies and procedures to assist it in the process of analyzing each potential Subadviser with expertise in particular asset classes for purposes of making the recommendation that a specific investment adviser be selected. The Trust’s Board reviews and considers the information provided by the Manager in deciding which investment advisers to select. After an investment adviser becomes a Subadviser, a similarly rigorous process is instituted by the Manager to monitor the investment performance and other responsibilities of the Subadviser. The Manager reports to the Trust’s Board on its analysis at the regular meetings of the Board, which are held at least quarterly. Where warranted, the Manager will add or remove a particular Subadviser from a “watch” list that it maintains. Watch list criteria include, for example: (a) Fund performance over various time periods; (b) Fund risk issues, such as changes in key personnel involved with Fund management, changes in investment philosophy or process, or “capacity” concerns; and (c) organizational risk issues, such as regulatory, compliance or legal concerns, or changes in the ownership of the Subadviser. The Manager may place a Fund on the watch list for other reasons, and if so, will explain its rationale to the Trustees. Funds which are on the watch list are subject to special scrutiny of the Manager and the Board of Trustees. Funds may be removed from such watch list, if for example, performance improves or regulatory matters are satisfactorily resolved. However, in some situations where Funds which have been on the watch list, the Manager has recommended the retention of a new Subadviser, and the Board of Trustees has subsequently approved new Subadvisory Agreements with such Subadvisers.

In assessing the Manager’s and Subadvisers’ (collectively, the “Advisory Organizations”), performance of their obligations, the Board considers whether there has occurred a circumstance or event that would constitute a reason for it to not renew an advisory contract. In this regard, the Board is mindful of the potential disruption of a Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew a contract.

As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Trust’s Investment Management Agreement with the Manager (the “Advisory Agreement”) and portfolio management agreements (the “Subadvisory Agreements”) with the Subadvisers. The Board’s decision to approve these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of these contracts, the Board considers many factors, among the most material of which are: the Fund’s investment objectives and long term performance; the Advisory Organizations’ management philosophy, personnel, and processes, including their compliance history and the adequacy of their compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.

The Board also considers the compensation and benefits received by the Advisory Organizations. This includes fees received for services provided to the Fund by affiliated persons of the Advisory Organizations and research services received by the Advisory Organizations from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and a Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Trust pursuant to Rule 12b-1.

The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser, including the performance of the fund; the adviser’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the adviser may realize “economies of scale” as the fund grows larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the adviser and its affiliates as a result of the adviser’s relationship with the fund; performance and expenses of comparable funds; and the extent to which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the adviser’s service and fee. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and takes them into account in its review of the Trust’s advisory contracts.

The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust and working with the Advisory Organizations on matters relating to the Funds, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Advisory Organizations. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of an advisory contract is informed by reports covering such matters as: an Advisory Organization’s investment philosophy, personnel, and processes; the Fund’s short- and long-term performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark(s), certain competitor or “peer group” funds and similar funds managed by the particular Subadviser), and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund’s expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Fund, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund’s portfolio securities; the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Advisory Organizations and their affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or Advisory Organizations are responding to them.

The Board also receives financial information about Advisory Organizations, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Advisory Organizations derive from their relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the advisory contracts, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits an Advisory Organization may derive from its relationship with the Funds.

The Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements (collectively, the “Agreements”) were most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreements was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreements were approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreements with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of

 

15


the Agreements, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Agreements on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to every Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.

An SEC Rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of investment advisers and the approval of advisory fees. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:

(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and Subadvisers. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager holds the sole and exclusive responsibility to provide, or arrange for other to provide, the management of the Funds’ assets and the placement of orders for the purchase and sale of the securities of the Funds. As the Trust is a manager of managers fund, the Manager is authorized, under the Advisory Agreement, to retain one or more Subadvisers for each Fund to handle day-to-day management of the Funds’ investment portfolios; the Manager is responsible for determining, in the first instance, which investment advisers to recommend to the Board of Trustees for selection as a Subadviser. The Trustees were aware that, notwithstanding the retention of the Subadvisers to handle day-to-day portfolio management, the Manager remains responsible for substantial other matters, including continuously monitoring compliance by each Subadviser with the investment policies and restrictions of the respective Funds, with such other limitations or directions of the Board of Trustees, and with all legal requirements under federal or state law or regulation. The Manager also is responsible primarily to provide statistical information and other data to the Trustees regarding the Funds’ portfolio investments and to make available to the Funds’ administrator such information as is necessary for the conduct of its duties.

The Trustees also noted that the Manager provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.

The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and the Subadvisers and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager and Subadvisers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring their own compliance programs, and these compliance programs are continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also were considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Agreements.

(2) The investment performance of the Funds, the Manager and the Subadvisers. In connection with every in-person quarterly Board of Trustees meeting, Trustees receive extensive information on the performance results of each of the Funds. This includes, for example, performance information on all of the Funds for the previous quarter, and previous one, three and five-year periods, and since inception. (For Funds which have been in existence for less than five years, Trustees may receive performance information on comparable funds managed by the particular Subadviser for periods prior to the creation of a particular Fund.) Such performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus Subadvisers’ comparable fund(s), performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), and performance versus peer groups. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, 11 Funds were in the top 40%, nine were in the middle 20% and five were in the bottom 40%, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, 11 were in the middle 20%, and eight were in the bottom 40%. The Manager also reported that for the five year period ended June 30, 2014, nine Funds were in the top 40%, six were in the middle 20%, and six were in the bottom 40%. At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the overall investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.

(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and the Subadvisers and their affiliates from their relationship with the Funds. The Manager has supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to the level of investment advisory fees to which the Funds are subject. The Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, and information is provided to Trustees setting forth “contractual” advisory fees and “actual” fees after taking expense caps into account. Based upon the information provided, the “actual” advisory fees payable by the Funds overall are generally comparable to the average level of fees paid by Fund peer groups. For the 30 Funds reviewed by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2014, 25 Funds paid “actual” advisory fees in a percentage amount within the 65th percentile or lower for each Fund’s applicable category. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of advisory fees because there are variations in the services that are included in the fees paid by other funds. The Board has concluded that the advisory fees to be paid to the Manager by the Funds are not unreasonable.

The Manager has also supplied information to the Board of Trustees pertaining to total Fund expenses (which includes advisory fees, the 25 basis point 12b-1 fee paid by the Funds, and other Fund expenses). As noted above, the Manager has agreed to “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels. Based upon the information provided, the overall total expense ratio ranking in 2014 for the 30 Funds was as follows: (1) 27 of the Funds had total expense rankings below the 65th percentile (with 19 Funds below the 50th percentile); (2) the AZL Russell 1000 Value Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; (3) the AZL International Index Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; the Manager reported that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund; and (4) the AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund had a total expense ranking in the 66th percentile; it was reported by the Manager that there is only a limited peer group for such Fund, and such Fund is the third smallest in its peer group.

The Manager has committed to providing the Funds with a high quality of service and working to reduce Fund expenses over time, particularly as the Funds grow larger. The Trustees concluded therefore that the expense ratios of the Funds were not unreasonable.

The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund and, based on their review, concluded that they were satisfied that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was not excessive.

The Manager, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, endeavored to obtain information on the profitability of each Subadviser in connection with its relationship with the Fund or Funds which it subadvises. The Manager was unable to obtain meaningful profitability information from some of the unaffiliated Subadvisers. The Manager assured the Board of Trustees that the Agreements with the Subadvisers which are not affiliated with it were negotiated on an “arm’s length” basis, so that arguably, such profitability information should be less relevant. The Trustees were also provided with certain information on the profitability for the Subadviser which is affiliated with the Manager. Trustees recognized the difficulty of allocating costs to multiple advisory accounts and products of a large advisory organization. Based upon the information provided, the Trustees determined that there was no evidence that the level of such profitability attributable to subadvising the Funds was excessive.

 

16


(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that most of the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels, although certain Subadvisory Agreements have such “breakpoints.” The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific service provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $8.0 billion, and that no single non-money market Fund had assets in excess of $625 million.

The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Agreements at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.

Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in certain of the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.

 

17


Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)

The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:

Non-Interested Trustees(1)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/07   Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman,Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years.   43   Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Lead

Independent

Trustee

 

Since 10/14

(Trustee since 2/07)

  Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003.   43   Luther College
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999.   43   Virtus Funds (8 Funds)
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012.   43  

Connecticut

Technology Council

and Connecticut

Bioscience

Innovation Fund

Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002.   43   None
Peter W. McClean, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 2/04   Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001.   43  

PNMAC Opportunity

Fund; Northeast Bank;

and FHI

Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 10/99   Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999.   43  

Connecticut

Water Service, Inc.

Interested Trustees(3)

 

Name, Address, and Age   Positions
Held with
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Term of
Office(2)/Length
of Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
Overseen for
VIP Trust
and
FOF Trust
  Other
Directorships
Held Outside the
AZL Fund Complex
Robert DeChellis, Age 47
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 3/08   President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present.   43   None
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  Trustee   Since 6/11   President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.   43   None

 

18


Officers

 

Name, Address, and Age    Positions
Held with
VIP and VIP
FOF Trust
   Term of
Office(2)/ Length
of Time Served
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Brian Muench, Age 44
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
   President    Since 11/10    President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010.
Michael Radmer, Age 69
Dorsey & Whitney LLP,
Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
   Secretary    Since 2/02    Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976.
Steve Rudden, Age 45
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc.
3435 Stelzer Road
Columbus, OH 43219
   Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer    Since 6/14    Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010.
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46
5701 Golden Hills Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55416
  

Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering

Compliance Officer

   Since 2/14    Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014.

 

(1) Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(2) Indefinite.

 

(3) Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz.

 

(4) The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust.

 

19


 

LOGO

 

The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC.
These Funds are not FDIC Insured. ANNRPT1214 2/15


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This code of ethics is included as an Exhibit.

(b) During the period covered by the report, with respect to the registrant’s code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions; there have been no amendments to, nor any waivers granted from, a provision that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

3(a)(1) The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

3(a)(2) The audit committee financial expert is Arthur C. Reeds III, who is “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of

Form N-CSR.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

     2014      2013  

(a) Audit Fees

   $ 403,000       $ 370,000   

(b) Audit-Related Fees

   $ 8,500       $ 11,500   

Audit-related fees for both years relate to the review of the annual registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Audit-related fees for 2013 also include the consent for issuance of one Form N-14 filing.

 

     2014      2013  

(c) Tax Fees

   $ 93,000       $ 68,975   

Tax fees for both years relate to the preparation of the Funds’ federal and state income tax returns, federal excise tax return review and review of capital gain and income distribution calculations.

 

     2014      2013  

(d) All Other Fees

   $ 0       $ 0   

4(e)(1) The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the Registrant is responsible for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. Before the Registrant engages the independent auditor to render a service, the engagement must be

either specifically approved by the Committee or entered into pursuant to the pre-approval policy. The Committee may delegate preapproval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee may not delegate to management the Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor. The Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman for any services not exceeding $10,000.

4(e)(2) During the previous two fiscal years, the Registrant did not receive any non-audit services pursuant to a waiver from the audit committee approval or pre-approval requirement under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

4(f) Not applicable

 

     2014      2013  

4(g)

   $ 101,500       $ 80,475   

4(h) Not applicable

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

(a) The Schedule of Investments as of the close of the reporting period are included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of the Form N-CSR.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures are adequately designed and are operating effectively to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)(1) The code of ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) are attached hereto.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) are furnished herewith.


SIGNATURES

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

 

(Registrant)

Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust

By (Signature and Title) 

/s/ Brian Muench

Brian Muench, President
Date March 5, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title) 

/s/ Brian Muench

Brian Muench, President
Date March 5, 2015
By (Signature and Title) 

/s/ Steve Rudden

Steve Rudden, Treasurer
Date March 5, 2015