N-CSR 1 tm201055d1_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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  811-10145

 

Baillie Gifford Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1 Greenside Row
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, EH1 3AN
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Gareth Griffiths
1 Greenside Row
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, EH1 3AN
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 011-44-131-275-2000

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2019

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 

 

 

 

BAILLIE GIFFORD FUNDS

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

Beginning January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of your Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will not be sent by mail unless you specifically request to receive paper copies. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds' website (https://www.bailliegifford.com/en/usa/professional-investor/literature/), and you will be notified by mail each time a shareholder report that includes your Fund is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you have already elected to receive shareholders reports electronically, your election will not be affected and you need not take any further action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically anytime in advance of January 1, 2021 by contacting your financial intermediary (such as broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 1-844-394-6127 or by sending an e-mail request to BGFundsReporting@bailliegifford.com.

If you currently receive reports in paper and wish to continue to do so after January 1, 2021, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Funds, you can call 1-844-394-6127 or send an email request to BGFundsReporting@bailliegifford.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account (whether or not they are Baillie Gifford Funds) if you invest through your financial intermediary or all Funds held with the Baillie Gifford Funds complex if you invest directly with the Funds.



Index

Page Number

     
 

01

   

Shareholder Letter

 
 

02

   

Management Discussion

 
 

32

   

Fund Expenses

 

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 
 

39

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

40

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

42

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

43

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

44

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

45

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

46

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
 

47

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

48

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

52

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

53

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

54

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

55

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

56

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

57

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

58

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
 

59

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

60

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

64

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

65

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

66

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Financial Highlights

 
 

67

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

68

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

69

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
 

70

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

71

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

75

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

76

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

77

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

78

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

79

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

80

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

81

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

82

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
 

83

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

84

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

90

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

91

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

92

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

93

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

94

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

95

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

96

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

97

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
 

98

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

99

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

103

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

104

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

105

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

106

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

107

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
 

108

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

109

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

114

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

115

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

117

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

118

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 

 

Page Number

     
 

119

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

120

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

121

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

122

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

123

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 
 

124

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

125

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

127

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

128

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

130

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Financial Highlights

 
 

131

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

132

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
 

133

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

134

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

138

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

139

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

140

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Financial Highlights

 
 

141

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

142

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

143

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

144

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

145

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

146

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
 

147

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

148

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

152

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

153

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

154

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

155

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

156

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
 

157

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

158

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

160

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

161

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

162

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

163

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

164

   

Selected Data for Class 4

 
 

165

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

166

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
 

167

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

168

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

171

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

172

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

173

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

174

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

175

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
 

176

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

177

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

179

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

180

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

181

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

182

   

Selected Data for Class K

 
 

183

   

Selected Data for Institutional Class

 
 

184

   

Notes to Financial Statements

 
 

212

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
 

214

   

Supplemental Information

 
 

214

   

Federal Income Tax Information

 
 

216

   

Management of the Trust

 
 

218

   

Board Considerations Regarding New Fund's Contract Approval

 

This report is intended for shareholders of the funds listed on the front of this annual report (each, a "Fund", and collectively the "Funds") and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for each Fund.

The statements and views expressed in this report are as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. All investments entail risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Source: © David Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo



Shareholder Letter

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Dear Shareholder,

When reporting to you over the course of 2019 Baillie Gifford has used the term "Actual Investors". We believe that the phrase accurately reflects our ethos and our objective for shareholders: to deploy capital into exceptional growth companies for profit, while withholding it from the long tail of mediocre stock market performers.

Supporting entrepreneurial activity, and in turn well-functioning capital markets, requires us to take a deliberate step back from the day-to-day news flow and focus on the long term. We invest in high-quality innovative companies that we think can deliver exceptional earnings growth over the next decade and beyond.

The key inefficiency we look to exploit is market short-termism. Typically, the market rewards companies on quarterly results, not on fundamental progress. We therefore seek to invest in businesses run by corporate visionaries who have a long-term focus on solving problems for their customers. These types of companies tend to be underappreciated as they forego short term profit for better longer-term outcomes. Typically, they are also nimble, more easily navigating technological advances and policy changes in today's fast-evolving world.

To track down these companies we focus on alternative and independent sources of information. We continue to seek meetings with leaders of great companies and to attend the industry conferences which allow us access to management and customers. But we also sponsor book festivals, enabling us to learn from authors of all disciplines, and foster academic relationships that allow us to learn from experts in important fields such as artificial intelligence and genetics.

2019 has been a fantastic year for innovation, and we have seen some exceptionally positive developments. Advances in technology are driving changes across all sectors, particularly in energy and medicine. Over the long term we expect climate concerns to strengthen, encouraging businesses to be ever more creative in finding clean energy solutions. Companies such as Tesla continue to make strides in producing electric vehicles and are raising the bar for the competition.

Medical advancements continued to deliver better treatments and to offer potential cures. Last year scientists announced that they are closer to curing diabetes by insulin-producing cells, while others discovered how to monitor the progression of Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms present themselves, among other trial successes. The companies behind these innovations are exactly the kind we look to invest in on your behalf.

Such a long-term approach requires patience from investors and shareholders alike. It is only with such alignment, plus an ability to weather inevitable near-term market disruptions, that we can focus on generating long-term rewards. Baillie Gifford is committed to a differentiated "actual" investing approach on your behalf. Thank you for remaining loyal, long term shareholders within Baillie Gifford Funds.

Sincerely,

David Salter

President

Baillie Gifford Funds


01



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

2019 delivered a welcome rebound for equity investors. The MSCI EAFE benchmark returned 22.66%, while Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class 2 delivered 32.33%. Market concerns over the trade disputes between the US and China and worries around Brexit seemed to lessen, especially with a trade deal agreed (albeit not yet signed) and a Conservative majority behind Boris Johnson in Downing Street. While we are aware of and take an interest in macro-political events, we would like to take this opportunity to note that we do not believe that we can predict future governmental policy or the outcomes of them. We do believe, however, that we can deliver outperformance for clients through bottom-up stock selection as we search for the best international holdings for long term growth.

Given this approach, it is once again stock selection that led to outperformance this year, not thematic or sector views. In terms of sectors, your stocks in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials helped performance, whereas stocks in Materials and Energy detracted over the year.

In terms of stock specifics, Zalando was also amongst the largest contributors. Normal business resumed for the online clothes retailer after a series of disappointments in 2018, and the share price reflected this. With only 10% of the online European apparel market (and only 15% of overall sales online) we remain optimistic that Zalando could maintain significant growth for years to come.

The Japanese endoscope and camera manufacturer Olympus also contributed to performance. Following on from a couple of subdued returns in the wake of endoscope hygiene concerns and slowing orders as customers waited for the next generation of scopes, Olympus saw sales grow steadily in the year and the FDA released recommendations for reusable scopes with disposable caps to reduce infection risk. This was taken as a positive for Olympus (a reusable scope manufacturer) as this adaption will be easier for Olympus to add to their range than a single use device.

One of the more recent purchases for the Fund, Bechtle, which delivers IT services in Europe, also helped annual performance. The German company reported strong operating results and continues to grow its revenues, arguably against a less than compelling macro backdrop.

Turning to the detractors from performance, Pigeon, a producer of high-quality baby and nursing products in Japan, saw its share price fall as weaker sales in Asia and Japan were taken badly by the market. We remain upbeat for the longer-term growth opportunity as parents have more disposable income and choose to buy the best products for their children.

Jardine Strategic, the Hong Kong based holding company was also a detractor. The business has an interesting collection of high-quality assets in Asia, and its management have an excellent investment record. However, it has suffered recently amidst the unrest in Hong Kong.

Lastly, Svenska Handelsbanken — the Swedish retail bank did not perform well over the period. We sold this long-standing holding during the year, as we have concerns that the company's strongest growth opportunities may be behind it, especially given the increasing competition from new financial technology, and our unease at a rapid succession of management changes.

Overall the Fund continues to hold a broad range of high-quality businesses that we believe can grow earnings over rolling five-year periods. We believe that there are significant tail-winds behind potential growth for your holdings: the rise of the emerging middle class, the huge steps being taken in technology and healthcare, and the work being undertaken to provide alternative energy solutions. With structural growth opportunities like these and positive economic indicators, we are excited to see what the next five years will deliver.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is


02



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom up stock research are listed below:

New Buys:

Avanza Bank, Nemetschek, Nibe, Prosus, Ryman Healthcare, Suzuki Motor, Sysmex, Techtronic, Trainline, Xero

Complete Sales:

Advantest, Novo Nordisk, Svenska Handelsbanken

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class 2

   

32.33

%

   

8.32

%

   

6.14

%

 

04/15/14

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class 3

   

32.42

%

   

8.35

%

   

6.16

%

 

03/24/17

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund Class K

   

32.24

%

   

8.32

%

   

6.14

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Institutional Class
   

32.28

%

   

8.23

%

   

6.05

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI EAFE Index

   

22.66

%

   

6.18

%

   

4.69

%

 

04/15/14

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


03



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

2019 delivered a welcome rebound for equity investors. The MSCI EAFE benchmark returned 22.66%, while Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class 2 delivered 31.73%. Market concerns over the trade disputes between the US and China and worries around Brexit seemed to lessen, especially with a trade deal agreed (albeit not yet signed) and a Conservative majority behind Boris Johnson in Downing Street. While we are aware of and take an interest in macro-political events, we would like to take this opportunity to note that we do not believe that we can predict future governmental policy or the outcomes of them. We do believe, however, that we can deliver outperformance for clients through bottom-up stock selection as we search for the best International holdings for long term growth.

Given this approach, it is once again stock selection that led to outperformance this year, not thematic or sector views. In terms of sectors, your stocks in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology helped performance, whereas stocks in Materials and Energy detracted over the year.

In terms of stock specifics, Zalando was also amongst the largest contributors. Normal business resumed for the online clothes retailer after a series of disappointments in 2018, and the share price reflected this. With only 10% of the online European apparel market (and only 15% of overall sales online) we remain optimistic that Zalando could maintain significant growth for years to come.

The Japanese endoscope and camera manufacturer Olympus also contributed to performance. Following on from a couple of subdued returns in the wake of endoscope hygiene concerns and slowing orders as customers waited for the next generation of scopes, Olympus saw sales grow steadily in the year and the FDA released recommendations for reusable scopes with disposable caps to reduce infection risk. This was taken as a positive for Olympus (a reusable scope manufacturer) as this adaption will be easier for Olympus to add to their range than a single use device.

One of the more recent purchases for the Fund, Bechtle, which delivers IT services in Europe, also helped annual performance. The German company reported strong operating results and continues to grow its revenues, arguably against a less than compelling macro backdrop.

Turning to the detractors from performance, there were a couple of Emerging Markets (EM) businesses that did not perform over the period — though we would note that the off-benchmark EM holdings contributed in aggregate. Mahindra & Mahindra had a poor year, partly related to weak returns from Indian equities generally but also because of lackluster performance in the car business. We remain enthused by the tractor and agricultural equipment business that Mahindra has and believe that the demand for this part of the business will continue to grow.

Baidu, the Chinese internet giant, saw its shares continue to fall. We ended the year hoping that the fall in revenues from the core search business had bottomed out and that we would start to see returns from its many nascent new business lines. We continue to assess the changes in management, but we believe that Baidu has a huge opportunity in the wealth of data and technology it has at its disposal.

Lastly, Svenska Handelsbanken — the Swedish retail bank did not perform well over the period. We sold this long-standing holding during the year, as we have concerns that the company's strongest growth opportunities may be behind it, especially given the increasing competition from new financial technology, and our unease at a rapid succession of management changes.

Overall the Fund continues to hold a broad range of high-quality businesses that we believe can grow earnings over rolling five-year periods. We believe that there are significant tail-winds behind potential growth for your holdings: the rise of the emerging middle class, the huge steps being taken in technology and healthcare, and the work being undertaken to provide alternative energy solutions. With structural growth opportunities like these and positive economic indicators, we are excited to see what the next five years will deliver.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also


04



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

New Buys:

Nemetschek, Nibe, Ping An Insurance, Prosus, Suzuki Motor, Sysmex, Techtronic, Trainline, Xero

Complete Sales:

Advantest, Clicks, JD.com, Multichoice Group, Novo Nordisk, Svenska Handelsbanken

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class 2

   

31.73

%

   

8.24

%

   

7.50

%

   

8.14

%

 

12/17/09

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund Class K

   

31.72

%

   

8.25

%

   

7.50

%

   

8.14

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Institutional Class
   

31.60

%

   

8.13

%

   

7.36

%

   

8.00

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI EAFE Index

   

22.66

%

   

6.18

%

   

5.99

%

   

6.19

%

 

12/17/09

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


05



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

Despite what headlines around trade wars and slowing global growth may have led you to assume, it has been a good year for the Emerging Markets as a whole. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index rose handsomely and Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund outperformed this, with stock selection being the driver of outperformance as shareholders should expect. As ever we would caution reading too much into performance over a short time horizon like this and prefer shareholders to judge the Fund over periods of 5 years or longer.

The volume of noise around us has continued to increase, albeit as much of this has come from developed markets as has emerging markets. Against this backdrop it is encouraging that operational performance of companies has been the key performance driver and that there are several different types of companies helping to drive returns.

Amongst the positive contributors were Norilsk Nickel in Russia and MediaTek in Taiwan.

Norilsk Nickel makes the majority of its revenues from Nickel, Copper and Palladium. In the case of both Nickel and Palladium, we have seen strong price appreciation through 2019, which has helped to drive performance. Nickel, for instance, has been as high as $18,000 per tonne, having been $11,000 per tonne at the beginning of the year. Norilsk's recent operational results have been strong with 21% growth in earnings when compared with the same period last year. We met with the company in our office during the third quarter. They commented on the lack of greenfield investment across the industry and said that as the low-cost producer they are one of the few companies for whom new capital expenditure makes sense. This serves to underpin our view that supply will continue to be tight.

MediaTek, the Taiwanese chip designer (a relatively recent purchase), is also displaying strong operating

results, for example operating income is rising 50% when compared with the same period last year. MediaTek has a blue-chip customer base. Recently it has collaborated with Amazon to launch microphone chips to accelerate improvements in the Alexa voice assistant. They are also working with Microsoft Azure (cloud) to provide security solutions for connected devices.

Amongst the performance detractors were Mahindra and Mahindra and CNOOC.

Mahindra & Mahindra (Indian autos and tractors) has been weaker, as financially sensitive Indian sectors have struggled more generally. A liquidity squeeze in the non-banking financial (NBFC) sector has had wider impacts and in areas which rely on finance, such as auto financing, and therefore we have seen weakness in this area. We reviewed this stock during the year and believe that the investment case is still in-tact, despite temporary factors. Long-term returns are strong, management remain in place, and the conglomerate owns a decent collection of assets.

CNOOC's (Chinese oil company) share price has been impacted by the volatility of oil prices. Despite OPEC's (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) decision to extend oil output cuts until March 2020, oil prices have not rebounded significantly, even with OPEC production at its lowest level since 2014. Concerns around weaker global growth has also been weighing on oil prices. CNOOC continues to perform well operationally. For instance, during the first half of 2019, CNOOC grew production 2.5%, while reducing production costs by 8% and cutting all-in costs by 9% to $28.99 per barrel (from $31.83 in the first half of 2018). This helped the company to grow net profit by 18%. Our view on the company has not changed despite weaker short-term performance.

We conclude the year in an upbeat frame of mind. Our enthusiasm for the opportunities available in emerging markets remains unwavering, be it in newer areas such as healthcare or ecommerce or more traditional areas such as banks and mining. As the world fixates on negative short-term news flow, valuations across EM seem to reflect a good deal of pessimism about the growth outlook.


06



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 2
   

28.00

%

   

9.51

%

   

5.94

%

   

13.75

%

 

03/02/15

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 3
   

28.09

%

   

9.56

%

   

6.01

%

   

13.83

%

 

03/31/16

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class 5*
   

28.19

%

   

9.66

%

   

6.05

%

   

13.86

%

 

04/04/03

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Class K
   

28.00

%

   

9.49

%

   

5.93

%

   

13.75

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities
Fund Institutional Class
   

27.94

%

   

9.39

%

   

5.81

%

   

13.60

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

   

18.88

%

   

6.00

%

   

4.04

%

   

11.60

%

 

04/04/03

 

*  Effective January 1, 2015, the share class structure of Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund was changed, and shares previously designated as Class III shares were converted to Class 5 shares. The performance information provided for Class 5 reflects the performance for Class III for periods prior to January 1, 2015. Class III shares were subject to a higher shareholder service fee than Class 5 shares, and no adjustment has been made to the performance information shown for Class 5 to reflect its different expense structure.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 5 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


07



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

It is a fact familiar to most that the earth takes ~365 days to make a full orbit of the sun. This celestial dance, known as heliocentrism, hasn't always been an astronomical truism. The Greek mathematician Aristarchus of Samos (c.310 — c.230 BC) lived in an age when it was widely believed that our planet was at the centre of the universe. Great thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle and Ptolemy all subscribed to the notion that the earth was stationary, with the sun, stars and planets rotating on spherical orbits. Aristarchus dared to be different. He was the first to suggest the sun was rooted at the centre of the known universe. His hypothesis gained few supporters, however, and 18 centuries would pass before Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus produced a fully predictive mathematical model of a heliocentric system.

A year is thus an important period of time for astronomers. It is of far less relevance to the workings of equity markets. A scan of most broker reports quickly reveals that companies are frequently judged on the progress they have made over a 12-month period. Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, much like Aristarchus, dares to be different. We believe a 12-month period provides only a snapshot of the long, frequently uncertain and bumpy path of progress made by businesses in the real world. Even with the accelerating pace of technological change and the rapid scale this can bring, it still takes time for a company to develop markets, deepen a competitive moat and monetise a user base. The short termism of most market participants often leads to, in our view, sentiment driven overreactions — the contributors and detractors to relative performance across 2019 provide stark evidence of this.

'Semiconductors' has historically been a deeply cyclical industry. Following a strong period for semiconductor companies over the last five years, the market was pricing in an extreme cyclical downturn. However, Japanese semiconductor-testing company Advantest, was the largest contributor to relative performance across 2019 thanks to the company's financial results being less terrible than the market had been expecting! It is rare that the top contributor to performance suffers a shrinking revenue base over the period in question, but this does highlight the market's tendency to overreact in the first instance. Our view has long been that the testing companies would be more resilient to 'normal' semiconductor cycles as both testing

volumes and testing complexity continued to rise (driven by semiconductors becoming omnipresent and being used in more mission-critical applications).

At the other end of the performance table, Grubhub has seen increased competition from the likes of UberEats and Doordash in online takeaway delivery. Grubhub has been happy to forego near-term earnings in favor of investing heavily in its delivery network which we support. While this has been unpopular with the market, we believe that Grubhub remains a key player in a rapidly growing market that is comfortably big enough to accommodate more than one platform. Competition for market share will continue to be fierce with such a lucrative addressable market up for grabs. We will continue to engage with Grubhub management to ensure they are making sensibly long-term capital allocation decisions — those in the best interests of our clients.

The appropriateness of the shape and positioning of Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund is always subject to a healthy degree of debate. Our four 'Growth Profiles' (Stalwart, Rapid, Cyclical, Latent) serve as a natural check on our enthusiasms and ensure that the Fund always has a range of broad and diverse ideas.

Three out of the four profiles have seen new ideas enter in 2019 as short-term volatility (more overreaction in our view) has thrown up opportunities to take holdings in quality growth companies at attractive valuations. In Stalwart Growth, the Fund purchased Sysmex — a Japanese business that sells equipment and consumables for urinalysis and hematological testing. Weaker-than-expected revenue from China caused a sharp fall in the share price. The market's compulsion to react to this interim news flow provided a welcome opportunity to invest in a company we have long admired. For the Rapid Growth profile, the Fund re-invested in Abiomed (a holding that had been sold in 2018 on valuation grounds). The technology behind Abiomed's miniature heart pumps is revolutionary and it will take time for mass adoption. A halving of the company's share price suggested that the market was not willing to afford Abiomed this time. Our long-term investment philosophy, however, is more than willing. And finally, the Fund took a new holding in Brilliance China Automotive. Through its joint venture with BMW, Brilliance manufactures and distributes BMWs across China. The tough cyclical backdrop and history of poor capital allocation make this an appropriate holding for our Latent Growth profile. But we believe the current price misses the potential for both a cyclical recovery and the benefits of a closer relationship with BMW following the German car-makers' increased investment in the joint venture.


08



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Funding for these new ideas has, in part, come from holdings where our concerns around capital allocation increased significantly. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these holdings formally resided in the Cyclical Growth profile. Royal Caribbean Cruises was an excellent long-term holding, rising over five-fold across the Fund's holding period. This was built on industry wide capacity discipline and a healthy focus on return on capital. However, the destructive 'my ship's bigger than your ship' competitive dynamic of the past began to re-emerge and with the share price now factoring in a much brighter future than when we first invested, we decided to sell the position completely. In contrast, the holding in Danish shipping company Maersk, which has also been sold, was a mistake. There was little sign of either the industry-wide capacity reductions or progress into higher margin areas such as freight forwarding that were core parts of our investment case.

Returning to the celestial theme with which we started this letter, the 365 days it takes the earth to travel its 940-million-kilometre orbit of the sun may have fascinated astronomers for millennia, but it's unlikely to be a decision-making factor for the management teams of the Fund's holdings. What is important for us is that companies commit capital to future growth and have the vision to think decades in advance. These are the holdings that stand a good chance of growing their revenues, their cash flows and their earnings at above market rates for significant periods of time. Only by investing in these companies and holding them in size for long periods, can we remain confident of continuing to add value for clients, after fees, for many years to come.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth above the market over the long term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyse industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The Global Alpha investment team is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly as part of a Portfolio Review Group, along with representatives from each of Baillie Gifford's regional investment teams, to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction in their continuing holdings.

Trading over the period

New Buys:

Abiomed, Axon Enterprise Inc., Brilliance China Automotive, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Chegg, Illumina, Microsoft, Novocure Ltd, Reliance Inds. GDR, Sysmex Corp., Teladoc, The Trade Desk

Complete Sales:

Advanced Micro Devices, AP Moller Maersk B, Baidu.com ADR, CH Robinson, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, First Republic Bank, HTC, Infineon Technologies AG, Kansai Paint Co Ltd, LINE Corp, MultiChoice Group Ltd, NetEase.com ADR, Persol Holdings, Rohm, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Svenska Handelsbanken


09



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 2

   

32.56

%

   

11.52

%

   

13.07

%

 

01/06/13

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 3

   

32.65

%

   

11.60

%

   

13.15

%

 

11/15/11

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class 4

   

32.69

%

   

11.62

%

   

13.16

%

 

07/10/17

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund Class K

   

32.48

%

   

11.52

%

   

13.07

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Institutional Class
   

32.56

%

   

11.46

%

   

12.97

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

27.30

%

   

8.99

%

   

10.77

%

 

11/15/11

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 3 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


10



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

2019 was a strong year for Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund. Class K shares produced a return of 29.37%, outperforming the MSCI ACWI Index which rose by 27.30%. While this is clearly a very encouraging outcome, it is important to stress that our focus is on producing long-term capital appreciation, and hence we believe shareholders should judge us over a longer-term time horizon.

As will always be the case over relatively short-term periods, headline performance numbers disguise a significant level of volatility at the individual holding level. As a result, we should be careful not to draw too many conclusions on such data. That being said, two stocks stand out as having made a particularly positive contribution during the past 12 months: MarketAxess and Shopify, the former which rose by 80% over the year, the latter which nearly tripled. Moreover, in both cases the share price rises would seem to be justified by excellent operational progress, as outlined below.

MarketAxess is an electronic bond trading platform. The core security traded on its network is U.S. investment grade corporate bonds, which are inherently much less liquid than equities. As a result, transacting in corporate bonds historically relied heavily on brokers and market makers, but this approach is becoming less profitable for traditional intermediaries as capital requirements have increased. In addition, new regulations on trading transparency should also drive additional volume towards electronic trading platforms. MarketAxess will be a major beneficiary of these two tailwinds, as it enjoys high market share: 85% of electronic trading of corporate bonds in the US for example. Indeed, the company's most recent results saw growth accelerate: trading volumes were up strongly year-on-year, resulting in a 30% increase in revenues and a 42% rise in operating income.

Canadian firm Shopify provides an online retail platform for businesses. Our original investment case focused on Shopify selling internet retail software to small- and medium-sized businesses, but the creation of Shopify Plus, a more advanced offering, has extended the company's reach to much larger customers such as Proctor & Gamble and Tesla. Shopify is investing

significant amounts to improve its services, encompassing shipping (including the Shopify Fulfilment Network, which aims to offer merchants access to two-day shipping), payments and Shopify Capital. This should further increase the attraction of Shopify for retailers looking to sell online. Again, reported results have demonstrated that the company is expanding rapidly: gross merchandising value across Shopify-backed sites for the third quarter increased 48% year-on-year, with revenues up 45% as a result.

The most significant detractor from performance over the 12 months was Abiomed. Abiomed is a medical devices company, which sells the Impella range of products, the world's smallest heart pump. The shares have performed poorly in 2019 due to a significant slowdown in growth at the company. At the end of 2018, sales were growing by 30%, but this decelerated to just 13% growth by the end of September 2019 and is forecast to only recover to around a 15% rise in 2020. The slowdown was caused by two issues. The first of these was a letter published by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) at the beginning of the year which showed high mortality rates when one type of Impella heart pump was used in certain circumstances. However, these examples related to a small part of Abiomed's business, occurring when the pump was effectively being used as a last resort for patients suffering more severe heart attacks than it was intended for. The FDA has subsequently clarified this and confirmed that Impella remains safe for use within its original guidance.

However, there remains the second, broader issue that Impella pumps are still a new and unfamiliar technology for many doctors and hence Abiomed will need to recruit more salespeople to explain and promote the device. At the same time, it is striving to make the next generation of Impellas even easier to use in order to encourage their adoption. Having discussed this with company management in a meeting in September, we remain holders of the stock, enthused by the rise in survival rates demonstrated by broader studies of the Impella device.

Our investment approach focuses on finding long-term responsible growth businesses. As a consequence, we will often hold relatively young or rapidly evolving companies like Abiomed, and in turn this will result in short-term share price volatility when they experience growing pains. That should not detract from the excellent prospects of the stocks held, nor from what was, overall, a satisfying year for the Fund.


11



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund Class K

   

29.37

%

   

8.84

%

 

12/14/17

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund Institutional Class

   

29.37

%

   

8.84

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

27.30

%

   

8.32

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


12



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

Market returns in 2019 have been almost universally positive. Whether for risk assets or safe havens, increasing expectation of stimulus to preserve the long economic expansion across developed markets has buoyed sentiment. In International Equities, markets recorded very strong returns across the board within an overall market return of 22.13% for the MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index. The Fund comfortably outperformed its benchmark by delivering 32.14% for Class 2 shares. All regions posted double digit returns with Canadian equities leading the way, followed by Developed Asia, Europe, the UK and Emerging Markets. Robust returns can be cause for cheer, but the current situation is rather indiscriminate and there are some signs that economic activity is moderating. With interest rates already low by historic standards, there is also a question as to how much leverage can be exerted through further stimulus.

The Fund is focused on high quality growth stocks and while many of these do exhibit economic sensitivity, the companies that we have selected demonstrate the type of strong competitive advantages that can help to sustain or improve returns through the cycle. At the same time, many companies within the Fund are secular growth companies, often disruptive within the industry that they operate in and taking market share. As such, short-term macro concerns are not a significant consideration for the Portfolio Construction Group and it is the stock selection process which will ultimately dominate performance over the long term

As ever, our focus is on the operational performance of companies, which we believe drives long-term returns. Two of the top examples in the Fund this year are MercadoLibre and Constellation Software.

MercadoLibre, the Latin American ecommerce retailer, was the standout contributor to relative performance over the year. We have highlighted previously that the company was investing heavily, and sensibly in our opinion, in its logistics network. The company has shared with investors the positive impact this investment is now having. In addition to the larger delivery companies, small independent counterparts are now taking deliveries from MercadoLibre fulfilment centers. The long-term ambition is to shift away from the 'drop-ship' network to one where consumers get deliveries direct to their door. The average

delivery time is now under three days and the drop-ship delivery time less than four days, a two-day improvement from a year ago. The overall positive impact on service levels and customer satisfaction serves to increase the network effect of this excellent business.

Elsewhere, Constellation Software, the Canadian software company, has proved itself an excellent capital allocator for a number of years. The company has highlighted that the smaller deals it has been historically very good at making are now harder to come by and so company management have been flagging to the market that they may need to consider larger acquisitions in the future. Such deals have historically been welcomed by the market. Acquisitions this year have tracked ahead of their full year target of $400ml-$450ml. During the year the company reported revenue growth of 12%. Whilst organic revenue growth was lower than usual, solid growth in licenses and maintenance, as well as recurring revenue were well received.

Amongst the negative contributors were South African insurance company, Discovery and Tencent Music Entertainment, the Chinese music streaming company.

Discovery features as a detractor to relative performance despite continuing to show strong new business growth through its joint venture with Ping An Healthcare and Technology in China, which was up 76% last year. There was some disappointment in recent earnings, whilst the recent release of the National Health Insurance bill in South Africa — with the intention to provide medical access for all — weighed on the share price. However, Discovery's track record of market disruption in South African financial services continues unabated and we remain upbeat about the prospects for this innovative company.

When Tencent Music Entertainment attended an event to update investors there were both positives and negatives in the update, but on the whole, we believe the long-term prospects for the business remain very strong. The company does not intend to change its pricing strategy in the coming 1-2 years. This may be a disappointment for investors in the short term. There is also expected to be a decline in pay-for-downloads in the coming quarters. Balanced against this, however, is a significant improvement in paying-user retention ratio from 60% to 70% per month. The company's karaoke platform WeSing still accounts for the majority of monthly active users in the Social Entertainment division and, whilst the average revenue per user of WeSing is below that of live music streaming, the gap is narrowing.


13



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

The investment strategy remains unchanged. The Fund invests in growth stocks based on bottom-up company analysis. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry opportunity, competitive advantage, management attitudes, financial strength, and valuation. We also consider whether we have a different view from the market. We think that the market, in general, is too short term and inward looking. Our ability to add value is derived from having a much longer time horizon and from our differentiated sources of information. We believe our patient investment approach, and reputation as a long-term investor, allows us to develop much deeper relationships with management teams and have more meaningful conversations with company leaders.

The International Alpha Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly to discuss both buy and sell

ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings and will continue to monitor the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings and make changes where appropriate.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom up stock research are listed below:

New Buys:

Ping An Insurance, Umicore, Takeaway.com, Norilsk Nickel, Ping An Healthcare & Technology, Kuehne & Nagel, CSL, IMCD, ASML

Complete Sales:

Sampo, Credit Suisse, EssilorLuxottica, PriceSmart, SGS, Svenska Handelsbanken, Panalpina, Rolls-Royce, Hon Hai, Brenntag, James Hardie

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 2

   

32.14

%

   

8.97

%

   

7.83

%

   

5.68

%

 

02/07/08

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 3

   

32.23

%

   

9.04

%

   

8.20

%

   

5.98

%

 

09/01/10

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 4

   

32.27

%

   

9.02

%

   

7.86

%

   

5.70

%

 

07/10/17

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class 5

   

32.34

%

   

9.13

%

   

7.92

%

   

5.76

%

 

04/07/14

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund Class K

   

32.16

%

   

8.97

%

   

7.83

%

   

5.68

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Institutional Class
   

32.11

%

   

8.86

%

   

7.70

%

   

5.55

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

22.13

%

   

6.01

%

   

5.44

%

   

3.52

%

 

02/07/08

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.


14



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


15



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2019.

It has been a very positive year for both absolute and relative performance. Fund returns have generally been driven by stock specific factors deriving primarily from continued operational strength. Whilst geopolitical uncertainty in many parts of the world has frequently dominated short-term news flow, it has had little direct impact on the long-term business fundamentals of holdings in the Fund. We aim to hold a small number of exceptional growth companies whose culture, competitive advantages and structural opportunities position them to be long-term winners. In that context, we see market volatility as an opportunity to look where others may not, over a time frame that few are able or willing to entertain.

ASML and Mercadolibre were among the positive contributors to performance.

ASML, the Dutch semi-conductor equipment manufacturer, is the Fund's largest holding. We believe it has solid growth prospects and a competitive advantage expected to endure for at least the next decade. Performance was helped both by continued strength in developing leading-edge technology as well as a more cyclical shift in market expectations for the semiconductor capex cycle and a greater focus on longer-term opportunities provided by more robust global semiconductor spending. After a slower period for industry capex as a whole, there are growing expectations of a recovery in the memory capex cycle and a multi-year investment cycle in foundry. We own ASML in the Fund for its through-the-cycle opportunity and the likelihood its continued investments in R&D will push the boundaries at the leading edge of technology and reinforce its competitive advantages.

Mercadolibre continued to post a significant growth in revenues and online payments throughout the year. We are pleased that the business continues to deliver operationally, and optimistic about further investments being made to maximise the broad opportunities across its largest markets: Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. This includes investing in its payments business, which was given an

additional boost earlier in the year with an investment from American online payments company, PayPal.

Among the key detractors from performance over the 12-month period were Tencent and Baidu.

Tencent reported strong growth in revenues and earnings but this seems to have been overlooked by a market more focused on the shorter-term US-China trade discussions and turbulent ongoings in Hong Kong. We see little to change a fundamental thesis that Tencent is more than a social media platform, increasingly becoming a gateway to internet services within it's 'super-app' that positions it to lead over the long-term.

Baidu is China's leading search engine with growth opportunities across advertising and artificial intelligence. In our view, three interconnected issues have led to weaker performance over the year and have resulted in the Fund selling its holding. There is waning conviction in the upside case for the company's artificial intelligence capabilities given that the investment required is likely to be held back by a need to defend its core market share against new entrants. Secondly, it seems increasingly clear that there is a structural shift underlying the first point, with the rise of 'super apps' in several key verticals. This constrains the growth of Baidu's search product and potentially deprives it of the data required to capitalize on its early lead in AI. We had also become more concerned by an increasingly autocratic management style which could undermine Baidu's long-term ability to adapt at a time when corporate culture is absolutely central to retaining talent in a rapidly evolving Chinese internet landscape.

In addition to the sale of Baidu, the Fund also made a complete sale of Rocket Internet during the year. Partial sales were made to AIA. The Fund made no new purchases during the year, but did take advantage of growing conviction in the strategic outlook to make additions to Spotify, Meituan, Delivery Hero, Amazon and Ping An Insurance.

We continue to believe that disruption continues apace and opportunities for growth remain vast. Technological advancements are influencing human behaviour at an increasing rate, altering the demand landscape and leading to the emergence of new business models that are squeezing existing markets. This gives us much reason for optimism, and we remain committed to taking advantage of these changes to find the exceptional companies that drive your returns.


16



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities
Fund Class K
   

45.26

%

   

12.49

%

 

12/14/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities
Fund Institutional Class
   

45.32

%

   

12.27

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

22.13

%

   

3.73

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


17



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

Equity markets, as measured by the MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) benchmark, enjoyed a strong year, with a gain of 22.13% over the period. Despite cautious forecasts and markets braced for slowdown towards the end of 2018, equity markets continue to be underpinned by consistent global growth, strong corporate performance and accommodative central banks. As always, whilst we are far from blind to such macro considerations, we believe we are of most value to investors if we focus on the long-term growth prospects for individual companies.

The Fund significantly outperformed its benchmark with a return of 37.34% for Class 2 shares. Positive contributors included ASML, Ferrari and M3, while the negative contributors included Baidu, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin.

ASML, the manufacturer of leading-edge lithography equipment to the semiconductor industry, is now beginning to see the fruits of its substantial and long-term investment program, a strategy that has enabled it to establish a formidable competitive position. Despite some cyclical headwinds, management restated its full year guidance, and importantly there were higher than expected orders combined with an encouraging outlook for its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology. This is the technology behind the semiconductor manufacturing tools that will allow the production of ever smaller and more powerful chips. We are encouraged by the wide range of long-term growth drivers, including 5G adoption, automotive, artificial intelligence and large-scale data storage. We continue to admire ASML's bold decision making and willingness to invest for the future.

Ferrari shares have performed well during 2019, despite some profit taking in Q3. Operating results continue to show solid progress, with revenues and shipments up 9% in the most recent quarter. The business is on track, with strong demand on the back of successful model launches. Ferrari is also entering a period of product expansion, with fifteen new models to be introduced by 2022, by which time volumes should have increased from some 10,000 units to 14,000 units per year.

The strong share price for Japanese medical platform M3 was underpinned by an acceleration of operating profit growth. The core medical platform delivered renewed growth as last year's expansion of the marketing team led to strong results in marketing support

services for pharmaceutical companies. The stock also received a technical boost from inclusion in the Nikkei 225 index. More interesting to the long-term investor though is M3's growing user base, which includes almost half of all doctors globally, and the opportunity to monetize this asset through pharmaceutical marketing, drug trials, research, and medical career solutions.

Moving to shares that detracted from performance, Baidu's share price has been trending down since July 2018, including a sharp fall in May after announcing its first quarterly loss as a public company. In its core online search business, revenues fell year-on-year due to trade war fears impacting demand for advertising, increasing competition in search, and advertisers migrating from 'search ads' to 'super apps' that offer better user targeting. Whilst Baidu seem to have an early lead in some areas like AI, we have been reviewing the thesis as there has been a structural shift in its core business, where the rise of 'super apps' in several key verticals has created a new competitive threat.

Rolls-Royce continues to make progress on its restructuring program but a problem with the Trent 1000 engine, the one that powers Boeing's Dreamliner continues to drag. The market was disappointed that the costs associated with fixing the problem will be higher than expected, and this knocked the share price. Then more recently, the company disclosed that it has uncovered another issue with the Trent 1000, so this headwind has not yet abated. In terms of operating performance, the company delivered 257 engines in the first half and is on track to meet the full year target of 500.

Aston Martin, in contrast to Ferrari, with which it is sometimes compared, has had a difficult start to life as a public company. Operating performance has been soft, leading to lower revenue and profits guidance from management, attributed to a challenging external environment. There have also been some concerns about the cash position, which has been somewhat assuaged by a recent bond issue. Meanwhile the company is scheduled to commence deliveries of the much anticipated DBX (SUV) next year. This is a vehicle that will be highly important to the future of Aston Martin.

With the economic expansion in the US appearing somewhat long in the tooth, dysfunctional politics seemingly the new normal in many countries, riots in Hong Kong, and investors actually paying governments to lend them money in some countries, it would be easy to become cautious or depressed. However, there is another perspective. Disruptive forces are spreading into a much broader swathe of the economy as the barriers to disruption continue to fall. As a result, the opportunities have never


18



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

been greater for management teams with the vision, skill and ambition to grasp them. We aim to find the best of these companies for this Fund.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

The philosophy and process underlying the Fund's management remains unchanged, although in the prior period the Fund changed its primary benchmark to the MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index and began implementing a related increase to its emerging markets exposure. The Fund invests in growth stocks based on bottom-up company analysis. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes, financial strength and valuation. We also consider whether we have a different

view from the wider market. We think that the market, in general, is too short term and inward looking. Our ability to add value is derived from having a much longer time horizon and from our differentiated sources of information. When formulating an investment opinion, we pay little heed to broker research. Instead, we prefer to listen to alternative voices such as academia, authors, and independent experts.

Trading over the period

New Buys:

Argenx, GMO Payment Gateway, HelloFresh, Temenos

Complete Sale:

Alfa Laval, AMS, DIA

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Ten Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Class 2
   

37.34

%

   

10.26

%

   

9.08

%

   

6.30

%

 

03/06/08

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Class 3
   

37.44

%

   

10.33

%

   

9.16

%

   

6.36

%

 

04/19/10

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Class 4
   

37.48

%

   

10.33

%

   

9.12

%

   

6.33

%

 

10/10/16

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Class 5
   

37.55

%

   

10.42

%

   

9.41

%

   

6.57

%

 

07/19/12

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Class K
   

37.40

%

   

10.26

%

   

9.09

%

   

6.30

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford International Growth
Fund Institutional Class
   

37.25

%

   

10.16

%

   

8.95

%

   

6.17

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI EAFE Index*

   

22.66

%

   

6.18

%

   

5.99

%

   

3.41

%

 

03/06/08

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index*

   

22.13

%

   

6.01

%

   

5.44

%

   

3.17

%

 

03/06/08

 

*  MSCI EAFE was the primary benchmark until November 22, 2019, MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index is the primary benchmark thereafter.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.


19



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


20



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

Although the year has been plagued by pessimistic news stories on trade wars, possible US recession and Brexit, 2019 has ended as another strong year for markets. However, viewing the year as a whole hides distinct periods of volatility, most notably in the third quarter. With this in mind, although it's only a short period, we are encouraged by ending the year as we have. The Fund returned 26.58% for Class K shares, ahead of its benchmark which returned 22.93%.

Over the year the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Small Cap Index has returned slightly less than its large cap peer. However, this does nothing to dent our enthusiasm for the sector. The opportunity set available to the Fund is vast, with most internationally listed companies being considered 'small caps'. Moreover, this remains a highly inefficient market, with many international smaller companies not receiving the same level of coverage by the financial community as larger businesses. For these reasons our portfolio managers remain excited about the prospects of uncovering exceptional, growing companies with the promise of delivering strong returns on behalf of clients. As these are smaller, potentially immature, businesses there will inevitably be periods of under-performance. Yet, over longer, more meaningful, time periods we are confident that the quality of the underlying holdings will be reflected in strong performance.

As you would imagine for an actively managed growth fund, outperformance was entirely driven by stock selection, with events at the individual businesses responsible for the Fund's success rather than themes or sectors. Two of the strongest performers in the Fund this year are Li Ning and Hypoport.

Li Ning was the outstanding contributor over the year. This is a multi-sports sports brand founded by a Chinese Olympic gymnast in 1989. Formerly the leading sports brand in China in the late 2000s, overly ambitious expansion plans, price hikes and intensifying competition resulted in the company having to deal with huge inventory problems and suffer substantial losses. Since 2013, the company has worked to shore up its finances and focused on rebuilding its position, from investing in e-commerce to sorting out its supply chain and getting back to producing products consumers want to buy. These strategic

decisions are now being rewarded. This year has seen Li Ning go from strength to strength, recording significant increases in revenue and order growth. Yet more than this, Li Ning is now building a strong and distinctive domestic brand, whose appeal is beginning to rival international brands like Adidas and Nike in the Chinese market.

Hypoport has two strands to its business; firstly, it operates a franchise of German independent mortgage brokers, whilst it also manages a mortgage origination software platform (Europace). Our main interest lies in the software platform, which it sells to German banks to replace their inefficient legacy systems. The success of the software business is reliant upon brokers and banks moving away from internal systems to an outsourced solution. Although this shift takes time, we've already seen it happen elsewhere in the banking sector. Over the year shares have performed strongly on news that usage of the Europace platform is growing, increasing numbers of banks are using it and its adoption is ahead of expectations. Moreover, the platform's transaction volume is growing faster than the market's, suggesting it is increasing share. Despite its progress to date, there is still a lot more for Hypoport to go after and we remain excited by the prospects for this business.

On the flip-side, among the negative contributors were Café24, a Korean e-commerce platform for SME online distribution, and Ted Baker, a UK mid-market fashion brand.

Café24 has struggled to live up to our hopes for it in 2019. The business has struggled to grow its top line revenue, while margins have also suffered due to several one-off expenses and additional investment required to expand into Japan and build capabilities in AI and robotics. Over the same period domestic competition has increased, with competitors such as Korea Center and NHN offering keenly priced alternatives. Over the year competitors' revenues have grown faster than Café24's, suggesting it has lost market share. We continue to hold the business and will monitor the situation further. It is not uncommon for young businesses to have difficult periods; it is for us to decide if Café24 is capable of turning this around or if its long-term potential has diminished.

Ted Baker has also had a difficult year. In March allegations were made against the then CEO, Ray Kelvin. Although Mr. Kelvin was a key component of our original investment thesis, we decided to be supportive of the business after he stepped down. Besides, we continued to like the business model and shares were already down a third. Since then trading conditions have become more difficult, sales have fallen, and shares have performed very


21



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

poorly. We exited the position in early-December. Due to our long-term investment philosophy and preference to be patient shareholders, one of our constant challenges is evaluating when the difficulties a business face are surmountable or terminal to the investment thesis. In hindsight this is one we got wrong.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

The investment strategy used to manage the Fund is unchanged over the year. The Fund employs bottom-up, fundamental research to build a portfolio of growing companies. The Fund is constructed with an awareness of the asset class; all new purchases must be below $2 billion in market capitalization at time of purchase, we cannot add to a position once its value increases beyond $5 billion and we are forced sellers at $10 billion. International smaller companies present a vast and incredibly diverse investment universe. This Fund seeks to find the exceptional businesses within that, companies with the potential to deliver strong returns for our clients, while also acknowledging that these companies can do so in different ways. Our edge in this comes from our portfolio managers, who bring a range of experiences in managing small and all-cap portfolios across different geographies, and our ability to employ a longer-term investment horizon than most of the market. This long-termism is fundamental to how we exploit the asymmetry available in equity returns.

Central to our investment process is our 'Radar' framework. We assess all potential new and existing holdings against this. It has six spokes (opportunity, edge, alignment, scalability, sustainability, insight) which

represent what we believe are the most important factors to the investment case. We recognise that special companies can come in different shapes, and often the most exciting companies will score very highly in few, rather than all, categories.

The International Smaller Companies Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet for weekly stock discussions and six weekly portfolio construction meetings, in which they review the progress of existing holdings and consider revisions to the portfolio.

Trading over the period

All trading decisions are as a result of our bottom-up stock research. As the Fund was launched in December 2018, there were more new buys over 2019 than would typically be the case, as the portfolio managers continued to shape portfolio.

Our new buy and complete sale decisions are listed below:

New Buys:

Kitanotatsujin Corp, Douzone Bizon Co Ltd, Maytronics, Biocartis Gp, Keywords Studios, Dotdigital Group, TCI Co, XXL ASA, Team 17 Group, Tsugami Corp, Aumann Ag, Asiakastieto Group, DMG Mori, ESI Group, Technogym Spa, U-Blox, Hypebeast, Vostok New Ventures, Johnson Electric Holdings, Alpha FX

Complete Sales:

AO World, Xaar, Clinigen, Ted Baker

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund Class K

   

26.58

%

   

25.03

%

 

12/19/18

 
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Institutional Class
   

26.58

%

   

25.03

%

 

12/19/18

 

MSCI ACWI ex-USA Small Cap Index

   

22.93

%

   

21.60

%

 

12/19/18

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.


22



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


23



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

As we take a long-term and bottom-up approach to stock picking, we seek to look beyond the sorts of short-term vagaries of the stock market that occurred in 2019. Regardless of the fact that Class 2 shares of the Fund delivered a return of 33.49% in 2019 (6.19% ahead of the benchmark), our focus is forever on the much longer-term prospects for companies in the portfolio over 5-10 years and beyond. What matters to us is their operational progress, which remains strong and we see considerable upside potential from here. Looking back on 2019, our thinking therefore remains unchanged, other than to further strengthen our view that short-term share price movements are not a good measure of a company's long-term value.

Meituan and Alibaba were among the top positive contributors to Fund performance during the year 2019. The share price of Meituan, the Chinese 'super app' for online services, appreciated strongly throughout the period as it continued to experience rapacious operational growth — across its total sales, number of users, transactions per user and the overall monetization rate. Its food delivery business contributed most of this growth, with close to 28 million orders every day.

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has also experienced robust share price performance in 2019, with significant growth across its business fundamentals in commerce, cloud computing, digital media and payments. Its annual 24-hour shopping event reached new records on November 11th, with total sales more than double those of Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, and 1.3 billion delivery orders.

Among the top detractors from performance over the period were Baidu and Illumina. In recent years, we grew increasingly concerned about the long-term prospects for Baidu, China's leading online search engine. Given our waning conviction in the potential for its artificial intelligence capabilities, our hypothesis that a structural shift is underway in China from online search to 'super apps' such as Meituan, and our concerns about Baidu's corporate culture, we decided to sell the holding in 2019.

The fact that Illumina, the maker of genome sequencing machines, featured among both the top detractors and top contributors from/to performance from quarter to quarter

throughout 2019 highlights the short-term volatility of the stock market. Various headwinds in 2019 included a delay to the start of a major population genomics initiative; ongoing weakness in the direct-to-consumer business following an exceptionally strong 2018; and weaker-than-expected purchases of lower-end sequencing equipment. However, the long-term opportunity for Illumina's genome sequencing business remains vast as the transition to more personalized treatments is expected to continue apace.

With the stock market's fixation on the short term, our role as stock-pickers remains as relevant as ever. We are forever seeking to identify the small number of exceptional companies with the most compelling operational performance and opportunities for long-term growth.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth over the long term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met.

The Long Term Global Growth team is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. We interact regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. We will continue to monitor the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings and make changes where appropriate.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research, are listed below:

New Buys:

Shopify, Peloton, Pinduoduo

Complete Sales:

Atlas Copco, Bluebird Bio, Baidu, Under Armour


24



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class 2

   

33.49

%

   

17.33

%

   

16.35

%

 

06/10/14

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class 4

   

33.59

%

   

17.34

%

   

16.37

%

 

04/09/19

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class K

   

33.50

%

   

17.33

%

   

16.36

%

 

04/28/17

 
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Institutional Class
   

33.40

%

   

17.22

%

   

16.24

%

 

04/28/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

27.30

%

   

8.99

%

   

7.82

%

 

06/10/14

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

  Returns for the K and Institutional share class are based on actual performance from April 28, 2017. Prior to that date returns are calculated based on the oldest share class of the Fund adjusted to reflect the K and Institutional share class fees where these fees are higher.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


25



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

Global equities ended the year well into positive territory despite a number of obstacles. 2019 brought a global manufacturing slowdown, trade wars, Brexit deadlines that came and went, riots and uprisings across the world including in Hong Kong, one of the biggest financial centers. Amid this backdrop, we remained focused on the long-term progress for the companies in the Fund.

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund aims to deliver attractive investment returns and to contribute towards a more sustainable world. 2019 was a year of strong operational performance for the majority of holdings in the Fund, providing good progress towards delivering on both our financial and positive impact objectives over our 5-year time horizon.

The largest contributors to financial performance over the year were holdings in our Healthcare and Quality of Life impact theme. The top contributor M3, the Japanese healthcare platform, posted strong results with overall profits rising well ahead of market expectations. M3's platform uses technology and data to take costs out of healthcare systems and drive efficiencies for both doctors and pharmaceutical companies. Pleasingly, its recent strong results are due to growth in its core medical platform, which allows doctors to more efficiently source information about new drug developments. M3 also announced the acquisition of a French medical records company, which should open-up the French market, an important step as the company continues to expand internationally. We believe that M3 has huge growth potential to continue disrupting the existing drug information market and using this valuable data to expand into other areas such as clinical drug trials.

Another healthcare company which contributed significantly to performance over the period was Dexcom, the maker of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. Dexcom shares have been buoyed by strong patient additions, increasing global awareness of the benefits of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and impressive full-year guidance. Walgreens in the US announced that all Medicare patients can now fill their Dexcom CGM prescriptions through any of its nationwide retail locations which should boost volumes, and Dexcom started selling its newest G6 device in Canada in November. Beyond North America, international growth

was also strong, and management is upbeat about Dexcom being able to achieve its long-term target on the expansion of the G6 rollout and improved awareness and access to CGM globally. We believe Dexcom is still at the early stages of an exciting growth trajectory which will improve patient outcomes in the long run.

Detractors over the period included Abiomed and Tesla. The largest detractor to financial performance was Abiomed, the manufacturer of the world's smallest heart pump, Impella®. The pump is improving patient outcomes (both recovery times and mortality rates), and the company has a significant technological lead on competitors. Share price volatility in 2019 was driven by a restructuring of the salesforce as Abiomed prepares for the next leg of growth. Short-term earnings guidance came in below expectations as a result and the company was punished on the back of exceptionally strong share price performance in 2018. Our investment case is unchanged for this remarkable and still relatively young company.

Tesla was another significant detractor to relative performance as the company's share price continues to be very volatile over the short term. Tesla had a capital raise and weaker quarterly results over the first half of the year which spooked the market, although a surprise profit announcement in the third quarter meant its share price has notably recovered. Amid this backdrop we are focused on whether Tesla is executing on its long-term plan. The company produced more cars in 2018 than all other years combined and 2019 exceeded production further by almost 50%. Over the year, Tesla built its new Shanghai factory in just 10 months and is already producing full vehicles on a trial basis, ready for live production in 2020 for the exciting new Chinese market. Looking further out, we believe that Tesla will continue to grow its market share in the overall vehicle market as well as develop its stationary storage offering over the next 10 years. Growth will come from the introduction of more affordable cars such as the Model 3 and Model Y. Musk's masterplan also discusses potential opportunities in trucks, semis and buses. And lastly, in terms of stationary storage, the purchase of Solar City in 2016 has enabled Tesla to introduce solar and storage products for the domestic market. We believe Tesla's brand, engineering expertise, scale in battery module production and abilities in software are underestimated by the market and we think the company is still relatively early in the growth cycle.

We believe that every company within the portfolio has the potential to deliver positive impact as well as strong financial returns. We published our second Positive Change Impact Report in mid-2019 which provided a comprehensive


26



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

analysis of the impact of the holdings within the portfolio. The report combined bespoke metrics for individual companies along with the portfolio's overall contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A copy of our Impact Report is available on our website — www.bailliegifford.com/positivechangereport

All in all, we are very pleased with the progress that the companies in the portfolio are making. Provided that the fundamental investment and impact case remain intact, we are happy to own companies that are experiencing short-term setbacks. In fact, being patient owners of the companies in which we invest and encouraging management teams to take a long-term view are how we, as investors, can add value. Ultimately, change takes time; an ability to look beyond quarterly results and focus on long-term operational growth and positive impact is essential.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund seeks capital appreciation by investing in high quality growth businesses that deliver a positive social or environmental change in the following areas: social inclusion and education, healthcare, the environment, and that address basic needs and aspirations of the world's poorest populations.

The Fund applies Baillie Gifford's core approach to stock picking as well as inhouse, proprietary research on positive impact when considering holdings for the Fund.

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth over the long

term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantage, management attitudes and financial strength, and finally we consider valuation. We meet the management of the companies within our investment universe and revisit the investment case for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. We firmly believe that investment performance and impact are complementary and that companies that are doing the right thing will outperform over the long term.

The Positive Change Portfolio Construction Group, consisting of a mix of Investment Managers and Impact Analysts, is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. They meet regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. They monitor both the investment and impact performance of the holdings in the fund on a regular basis. Holdings must meet both impact and investment objectives over the long run to merit a place in the Fund.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom-up stock research and are listed below:

New Buys:

Sartorius, Shopify, Teladoc

Complete Sales:

Kroton Educacional, Euglena

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund Class K

   

30.53

%

   

14.46

%

 

12/14/17

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund Institutional Class

   

30.49

%

   

14.44

%

 

12/14/17

 

MSCI ACWI Index

   

27.30

%

   

8.32

%

 

12/14/17

 

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.


27



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


28



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

Market conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

2019 saw the U.S. equity market recover strongly from the sharp sell-off it experienced at the end of 2018. The Federal Reserve ended 2018 by making its fourth interest rate rise in 12 months and indicating that further increases were coming in 2019. By the end of January, however, it had put these on pause and was considering a looser monetary policy, which boosted equity markets. Three rate cuts followed, starting in July. Alongside this, 2019 saw some progress in two of the notable trade disputes affecting market sentiment: in the closing months of the year a long-awaited "phase one" trade truce was announced between the U.S. and China; while the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The strong start and end to the year was punctuated with a spike in volatility in late summer. This was caused in part by the U.S. yield curve inverting for several weeks in August. The bond market indicator, which shows the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates, has inverted before every U.S. recession in the last 50 years. A sharp rotation from high growth stocks into value stocks followed in September, significantly impacting the Fund's performance during the third quarter. However, fears of an imminent recession have subsided somewhat: the actions of the Federal Reserve and the progress in trade negotiations helped stimulate an end of year rally that saw the S&P 500 reach new highs at the close of the year. The U.S. economy continues to grow steadily, but trade disputes have had a slowing effect on growth. Inflation remains in line with the Federal Reserve's 2% target, unemployment continues to fall, and despite President Trump's impeachment in December, it seems that many market participants are entering 2020 in a more optimistic mood than a year ago.

The Fund's Class K shares returned 29.78%, compared to the 31.49% return of the S&P 500 Index (the Fund's primary benchmark), and the 36.39% return of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Fund's secondary benchmark). Our investment horizon is five years and beyond and we encourage all investors in the Fund to view shorter periods of time through this lens. We believe factors other than fundamentals drive share prices over the shorter term, particularly so over 12 months.

The Fund's performance continues to be driven by stock selection rather than thematic or sector views, as we would expect given our bottom-up stock picking approach to investment. The biggest detractors to relative performance

against the S&P 500 Index in 2019 were Abiomed, maker of the world's smallest heart pump, and GrubHub, the online takeaway delivery company. Elsewhere, the strong share price performance of Apple during the year, which is not held in the Fund but is a large benchmark constituent, also hurt relative performance.

Abiomed's share price suffered this year after enjoying a strong run over a number of years. The company encountered some execution issues in getting the next cohort of heart surgeons to adopt its technology which slowed revenue growth, while some negative third-party research on the efficacy of Abiomed's Impella heart pump was published in November. We believe the company will be able to manage these issues and they are not material to the long-term growth opportunity for Abiomed, which remains vast.

GrubHub's operational results and forecasts suffered heavily this year as competition in the online food delivery space increased rapidly. The growth of rivals DoorDash and UberEats has had an impact on customer retention and order frequency in GrubHub's major markets. The company is investing heavily to compete, but the situation has challenged our original investment thesis. We are assessing the long-term investment case for GrubHub as the scale of the opportunity still stands.

For Apple, while we admire it as a business, we cannot comfortably make the case for a 2.5 times share price return over the next five years with a better than average probability. This is our minimum valuation hurdle for every stock in the portfolio.

Top contributors to relative performance against the S&P 500 Index in 2019 were ecommerce company Shopify, programmatic advertising platform The Trade Desk, and media streaming company Roku. Despite their strong performance this year, we still believe all three are still in the early stages of growth.

Shopify delivered strong operational performance throughout the year and announced in October that over one million merchants now use the Shopify platform. The company remains focused on serving its merchants and investing for the future: its move into offering two-day shipping for merchants via the Shopify Fulfilment Network supports this approach, and we believe further embeds its competitive position.

The Trade Desk platform runs real time digital auctions for ad buyers to better target online ads. Like Shopify, the company also delivered a strong set of operational results ahead of Wall Street expectations throughout the year. Notably, programmatic advertising on connected TVs continues to grow rapidly for The Trade Desk, an area we


29



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

think will grow in importance for it over the coming years. It is also making good progress in China, which is another potentially huge opportunity for growth.

It was also a strong operational year for Roku, which makes media streaming devices and software to allow people to watch TV online. Roku continued to gain market share in user accounts, users are watching more video via the internet compared to the past, and Roku's monetization of that viewership continues to improve. While this is a competitive market, we remain confident that Roku is emerging as one of the key players.

Despite what much of the media would seem to have people believe, the past decade may have been the best one in human history. While there remain many uncertainties in the macro environment, the world is unequivocally getting better in terms of human development, perhaps at an increasing rate. Extreme poverty has more than halved over the past decade, falling to below 10% of world population for the first time. According to Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank focused on global poverty, 148 out of 167 countries have seen net positive progress in the past decade. That's not to say that there aren't still serious problems to be addressed. But as investors, we continue to be impressed by the innovative ways in which entrepreneurs are trying to address these pressing issues. Thus, we believe that this is an unprecedented time to be an investor in the U.S. market: We are witnessing a once-in-a-generation change in leadership of companies. The disruption witnessed over the last two decades in the advertising and retail industries continues to broaden out to other areas of the economy such as entertainment, healthcare, automotive, and real estate. We are observing the changing of consumer expectations (demand) and innovative business (supply). This interplay has created a positive feedback loop that sets the stage for significant growth opportunities to come. Our sole focus is to find the exceptional growth companies that are driving or exploiting these opportunities when they are under-appreciated. It then takes a level of patience rare in this industry to hold them over the long term, secure in the

belief that share prices are driven by company level fundamentals.

Investment strategies used to manage the Fund

The Fund seeks to meet its objective by identifying the exceptional growth businesses and owning them for long enough that the advantages of their business models and cultural strengths become the dominant drivers of their stock prices. Our long-term time horizon allows us to capture the disproportionate impact of successful investments, harnessing the asymmetry of returns inherent in equity markets.

In our terms, an exceptional growth business has a special culture, addresses a large market opportunity and possesses an edge that will allow it to deliver high future returns. Such opportunities are rare. The Fund is concentrated as we do not want to dilute the impact of exceptional companies in the name of diversification.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom up stock research are listed below.

New Buys:

2U, Appian, Chewy, Lyft, Roku, Teladoc, Yext, Zillow, Zoom Video Communications

Complete Sales:

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Celgene, Ellie Mae, Now Inc, Tableau Software, Under Armour, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Wabtec


30



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Since Inception
  Inception
Date
 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund Class K*

   

29.78

%

   

23.12

%

 

12/05/16

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund Institutional Class

   

30.01

%

   

23.07

%

 

04/28/17

 

S&P 500 Index

   

31.49

%

   

15.52

%

 

12/05/16

 

Russell 1000 Growth Index

   

36.39

%

   

20.50

%

 

12/05/16

 

*  The inception date for Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund is December 5, 2016, when Baillie Gifford International, LLC purchased Class 1 shares. Classes 1-5 of Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund were terminated effective May 1, 2017, and Class 1 was converted to Class K. For the purposes of the total return data and other data reflected in the Fund's management discussion, the Fund has used December 5, 2016 as its inception date for Class K.

  The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class K share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


31



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

As a shareholder of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund and/or Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, which may include purchase fees and redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees, administration and supervisory fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in the other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return.

The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as purchase fees and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table labeled "Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)" is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


32



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund — Class K(1)

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,029.00

     

0.87

%

 

$

0.29

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.82

     

0.87

%

 

$

0.29

   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund — Institutional Class(1)

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,029.00

     

0.87

%

 

$

0.29

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.82

     

0.87

%

 

$

0.29

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,103.20

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.45

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,103.50

     

0.58

%

 

$

3.08

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.28

     

0.58

%

 

$

2.96

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,102.50

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.44

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,102.70

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.82

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.58

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.67

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,095.70

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.43

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,095.90

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.38

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.98

     

0.64

%

 

$

3.26

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,095.30

     

0.75

%

 

$

3.96

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.42

     

0.75

%

 

$

3.82

   


33



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,090.70

     

0.83

%

 

$

4.37

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.02

     

0.83

%

 

$

4.23

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,091.20

     

0.76

%

 

$

4.01

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.37

     

0.76

%

 

$

3.87

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,091.60

     

0.68

%

 

$

3.58

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.78

     

0.68

%

 

$

3.47

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,090.70

     

0.82

%

 

$

4.32

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.07

     

0.82

%

 

$

4.18

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,090.60

     

0.91

%

 

$

4.80

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.62

     

0.91

%

 

$

4.63

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,098.60

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.49

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,098.90

     

0.59

%

 

$

3.12

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.23

     

0.59

%

 

$

3.01

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,099.10

     

0.56

%

 

$

2.96

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.38

     

0.56

%

 

$

2.85

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,098.60

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.49

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   


34



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,098.70

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.49

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,037.00

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.34

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,037.00

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.34

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,100.30

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.23

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.13

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.11

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,100.70

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.86

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.48

     

0.54

%

 

$

2.75

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,100.90

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.70

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.63

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.60

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,101.10

     

0.46

%

 

$

2.44

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.89

     

0.46

%

 

$

2.35

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,100.50

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.23

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.13

     

0.61

%

 

$

3.11

   


35



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,099.90

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.49

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,145.30

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.89

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.58

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.67

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,144.70

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.89

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.58

     

0.72

%

 

$

3.67

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,110.90

     

0.60

%

 

$

3.19

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.18

     

0.60

%

 

$

3.06

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,111.30

     

0.53

%

 

$

2.82

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.53

     

0.53

%

 

$

2.70

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,111.40

     

0.50

%

 

$

2.66

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.68

     

0.50

%

 

$

2.55

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class 5

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,111.70

     

0.45

%

 

$

2.40

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.94

     

0.45

%

 

$

2.29

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,111.00

     

0.60

%

 

$

3.19

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.18

     

0.60

%

 

$

3.06

   


36



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,110.50

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.46

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,065.50

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.69

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.67

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.58

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,065.50

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.69

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.67

     

0.90

%

 

$

4.58

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,121.70

     

0.76

%

 

$

4.06

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.37

     

0.76

%

 

$

3.87

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class 4

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,122.30

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.53

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,121.80

     

0.76

%

 

$

4.06

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.37

     

0.76

%

 

$

3.87

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,121.40

     

0.86

%

 

$

4.60

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,020.87

     

0.86

%

 

$

4.38

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,166.70

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.55

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,166.40

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.55

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   


37



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(2)
 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund — Class K

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,030.30

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.33

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.93

     

0.65

%

 

$

3.31

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund — Institutional Class

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,029.80

     

0.75

%

 

$

3.84

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.42

     

0.75

%

 

$

3.82

   

(1)  Commencement of operation December 19, 2019.

(2)  Unless otherwise indicated, expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the six-month period).

Expenses are calculated using the annualized expense ratio for the Fund, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the period end December 31, 2019. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of

days in the most recent fiscal half-year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the calendar year. Expense ratios for the most recent period may differ from expense ratios based on the data in the financial highlights.


38



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

20,798

     

2.0

%

 

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

68,650

     

6.7

   

Beverages

   

109,099

     

10.6

   

Commercial Services

   

43,569

     

4.2

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

29,062

     

2.8

   

Electronics

   

56,102

     

5.5

   

Entertainment

   

15,885

     

1.5

   

Food

   

82,142

     

8.0

   

Healthcare — Products

   

33,580

     

3.3

   

Healthcare — Services

   

120,689

     

11.7

   

Home Furnishings

   

54,498

     

5.3

   

Insurance

   

83,565

     

8.1

   

Leisure Time

   

31,971

     

3.1

   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

   

48,331

     

4.7

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

123,890

     

12.1

   

Software

   

56,934

     

5.5

   

Transportation

   

27,262

     

2.7

   

Total Value of Investments

   

1,006,027

     

97.8

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

22,577

     

2.2

   

Net Assets

 

$

1,028,604

     

100.0

%

 


39



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.8%

 

CHINA — 97.8%

 

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,100

   

$

39,070

   
Berry Genomics Co., Ltd., Class A *    

5,800

     

30,492

   

BGI Genomics Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,400

     

33,580

   

China International Travel Service Corp., Ltd., Class A

   

2,500

     

31,971

   

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,900

     

29,062

   

Focus Media Information Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

23,100

     

20,798

   

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,500

     

54,114

   

Glodon Co., Ltd., Class A

   

8,100

     

39,570

   

Guangzhou Kingmed Diagnostics Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,000

     

29,407

   

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,200

     

29,227

   

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,800

     

43,569

   

Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., Class A

   

7,800

     

29,129

   

Iflytek Co., Ltd., Class A

   

3,500

     

17,364

   

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,300

     

28,028

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

4,800

     

60,388

   

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Class A

   

300

     

51,053

   

Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,200

     

27,426

   

Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,500

     

54,498

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class A

   

6,800

     

83,565

   

SF Holding Co., Ltd., Class A

   

5,100

     

27,262

   

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,100

     

26,875

   
Topchoice Medical Corp., Class A *    

1,700

     

25,055

   

Visual China Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

6,400

     

15,884

   

Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Class A

   

17,300

     

39,521

   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,600

     

30,620

   

WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class A

   

2,700

     

35,735

   

Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,900

     

24,433

   

Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., Ltd., Class A

   

19,400

     

48,331

   
         

1,006,027

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 97.8%

 

(cost $975,723)

     

$

1,006,027

   

Other assets less liabilities — 2.2%

       

22,577

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

1,028,604

   

*  Non-income producing security.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
40



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

   

$

1,006,027

   

$

   

$

1,006,027

   

Total

 

$

   

$

1,006,027

   

$

   

$

1,006,027

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
41



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $975,723)

 

$

1,006,027

   

Cash

   

22,863

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

29,454

   

Total Assets

   

1,058,344

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

181

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

56

   

Trustee fee payable

   

3

   

Accrued expenses

   

29,500

   

Total Liabilities

   

29,740

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,028,604

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

999,736

   

Total distributable earnings

   

28,868

   
   

$

1,028,604

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($514,302 / 50,000 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

10.29

   
Institutional Class ($514,302 / 50,000 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

10.29

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
42



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Period December 19, 2019* through December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

 

$

22

   

Total Investment Income

   

22

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

181

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

28

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

28

   

Transfer agency

   

2,500

   

Professional fees

   

24,400

   

Custody

   

1,321

   

Fund accounting

   

1,250

   

Legal

   

14

   

Registration fees

   

8

   

Trustees' fees

   

3

   

Miscellaneous

   

7

   

Total Expenses

   

29,740

   

Fees waived

   

(29,454

)

 

Net Expenses

   

286

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(264

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized loss from:

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(1,436

)

 
     

(1,436

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

30,304

   
     

30,304

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

28,868

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

28,604

   

*  Commencement of investment operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
43



Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

    For the Period
December 19, 2019(a)
through
December 31,
2019
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(264

)

 

Net realized loss

   

(1,436

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

30,304

   

Net increase in net assets from operations

   

28,604

   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

500,000

   

Institutional Class

   

500,000

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

1,000,000

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

1,028,604

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

   

End of period

 

$

1,028,604

   

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
44



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout the period:

    For the Period
December 19, 2019(a)
through
December 31, 2019
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

0.29

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

0.29

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

10.29

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

2.90

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

514

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

90.51

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.80

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
45



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout the period:

    For the Period
December 19, 2019(a)
through
December 31, 2019
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

0.29

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

0.29

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

10.29

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

2.90

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

514

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

90.51

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.80

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
46



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

17,047,922

     

3.0

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

5,297,054

     

0.9

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

7,185,328

     

1.3

   

Banks

   

12,071,163

     

2.1

   

Beverages

   

7,862,371

     

1.4

   

Building Materials

   

18,690,617

     

3.3

   

Chemicals

   

11,204,976

     

2.0

   

Commercial Services

   

7,885,480

     

1.4

   

Computers

   

10,203,230

     

1.8

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

27,626,095

     

4.8

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

28,636,586

     

5.0

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

12,106,146

     

2.1

   

Electronics

   

39,971,931

     

7.0

   

Engineering & Construction

   

7,975,670

     

1.4

   

Food

   

14,029,765

     

2.5

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

20,927,559

     

3.7

   

Healthcare — Products

   

33,393,664

     

5.8

   

Healthcare — Services

   

7,196,558

     

1.3

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

3,967,682

     

0.7

   

Insurance

   

31,126,809

     

5.5

   

Internet

   

70,762,775

     

12.3

   

Investment Companies

   

10,963,586

     

1.9

   

Leisure Time

   

12,556,678

     

2.2

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

6,927,064

     

1.2

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

48,009,276

     

8.4

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

4,497,871

     

0.8

   

Retail

   

40,589,638

     

7.1

   

Semiconductors

   

27,917,782

     

4.9

   

Software

   

8,410,716

     

1.4

   

Telecommunications

   

7,363,531

     

1.3

   

Total Value of Investments

   

562,405,523

     

98.5

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

8,701,022

     

1.5

   

Net Assets

 

$

571,106,545

     

100.0

%

 


47



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.2%

 

AUSTRALIA — 4.9%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

80,259

   

$

12,649,303

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

487,790

     

7,720,589

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

690,242

     

7,862,371

   
         

28,232,263

   

CHINA — 1.0%

 
Prosus NV *    

76,381

     

5,716,501

   

DENMARK — 0.3%

 

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

32,072

     

1,569,455

   

FINLAND — 1.7%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

147,166

     

9,622,910

   

FRANCE — 2.1%

 

Legrand SA

   

148,243

     

12,106,146

   

GERMANY — 7.7%

 

adidas AG

   

27,515

     

8,944,304

   

Bechtle AG

   

73,073

     

10,203,230

   

Infineon Technologies AG

   

472,350

     

10,672,494

   

Nemetschek SE

   

30,271

     

1,994,216

   
Zalando SE *    

233,939

     

11,797,637

   
         

43,611,881

   

HONG KONG — 5.9%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

1,711,600

     

18,002,551

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

71,300

     

3,967,682

   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

129,500

     

3,971,519

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

913,000

     

7,451,629

   
         

33,393,381

   

IRELAND — 1.8%

 

Kingspan Group PLC

   

165,852

     

10,129,716

   

JAPAN — 24.7%

 

Denso Corp.

   

159,100

     

7,185,328

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

331,400

     

8,461,672

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
48



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Kao Corp.

   

125,700

   

$

10,367,120

   

Keyence Corp.

   

18,400

     

6,460,950

   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

   

397,600

     

13,124,258

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

134,900

     

8,302,906

   

Nidec Corp.

   

58,000

     

7,921,861

   

Olympus Corp.

   

873,700

     

13,466,081

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

131,000

     

4,796,721

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

77,400

     

12,556,678

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

175,500

     

12,462,254

   

SMC Corp.

   

29,800

     

13,628,000

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

169,600

     

7,363,531

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

58,200

     

3,070,321

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

126,900

     

5,297,054

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

106,900

     

7,278,280

   
         

141,743,015

   

NETHERLANDS — 2.7%

 
ASML Holding NV    

52,643

     

15,585,376

   

NEW ZEALAND — 2.4%

 

Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

   

654,793

     

7,196,558

   
Xero Ltd. *    

114,210

     

6,416,500

   
         

13,613,058

   

PORTUGAL — 1.8%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

610,354

     

10,058,246

   

SINGAPORE — 2.1%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

613,789

     

12,071,163

   

SPAIN — 2.5%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

402,132

     

14,211,611

   

SWEDEN — 8.4%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

342,432

     

13,668,403

   

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

26,196

     

909,552

   

Avanza Bank Holding AB

   

680,598

     

7,106,555

   

Epiroc AB, A Shares

   

260,741

     

3,188,669

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

314,555

     

3,738,395

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

200,821

     

10,963,586

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

493,441

     

8,560,901

   
         

48,136,061

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
49



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWITZERLAND — 4.7%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

147,280

   

$

11,510,069

   

Schindler Holding AG, Participating Certificates

   

52,992

     

13,475,930

   
u-blox Holding AG *    

16,426

     

1,659,912

   
         

26,645,911

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 18.2%

 
ASOS PLC *    

134,315

     

6,019,062

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

1,641,403

     

12,962,492

   

Burberry Group PLC

   

277,561

     

8,103,618

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

654,368

     

16,785,448

   

HomeServe PLC

   

476,357

     

7,975,670

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

101,763

     

7,885,480

   

John Wood Group PLC

   

848,056

     

4,497,871

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

242,332

     

9,635,521

   

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

   

873,642

     

4,744,583

   

Rightmove PLC

   

1,559,661

     

13,087,437

   
Trainline PLC *    

1,265,465

     

8,570,819

   

Weir Group PLC (The)

   

185,972

     

3,719,461

   
         

103,987,462

   

UNITED STATES — 4.3%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

20,742

     

16,454,214

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

54,993

     

8,224,203

   
         

24,678,417

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $453,815,592)

       

555,112,573

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.3%

 

GERMANY — 1.3%

 

Sartorius AG 0.32% (cost $4,542,525)

   

34,117

     

7,292,950

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.5%

 

(cost $458,358,117)

     

$

562,405,523

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.5%

       

8,701,022

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

571,106,545

   

*  Non-income producing security.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
50



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

62,064,029

   

$

493,048,544

   

$

   

$

555,112,573

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

7,292,950

     

     

7,292,950

   

Total

 

$

62,064,029

   

$

500,341,494

   

$

   

$

562,405,523

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
51



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $458,358,117)

 

$

562,405,523

   

Cash

   

8,322,462

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

756,716

   

Dividends receivable

   

350,476

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

86,000

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

11,268

   

Prepaid assets

   

25,104

   

Total Assets

   

571,957,549

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

458,447

   

Servicing fee payable

   

113,922

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

94,641

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

14,061

   

Trustee fee payable

   

4,722

   

Commitment fee payable

   

1,828

   

Accrued expenses

   

163,383

   

Total Liabilities

   

851,004

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

571,106,545

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

478,332,096

   

Total distributable earnings

   

92,774,449

   
   

$

571,106,545

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($229,861,194 / 17,504,234 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.13

   
Class 3 ($84,911,312 / 6,402,287 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.26

   
Class K ($247,154,848 / 18,849,469 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.11

   
Institutional Class ($9,179,191 / 700,893 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.10

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
52



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $867,287)

 

$

7,944,680

   

Interest

   

48,233

   

Total Investment Income

   

7,992,913

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,622,137

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

351,598

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

75,171

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

301,400

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

7,107

   

Transfer agency

   

71,200

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

3,072

   

Fund accounting

   

199,094

   

Registration fees

   

137,007

   

Legal

   

85,416

   

Custody

   

62,314

   

Professional fees

   

48,076

   

Trustees' fees

   

18,499

   

Miscellaneous

   

21,453

   

Total Expenses

   

3,003,544

   

Net Investment Income

   

4,989,369

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized loss from:

 

Investments

   

(1,993,626

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(114,062

)

 
     

(2,107,688

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

127,364,413

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

17,354

   
     

127,381,767

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

125,274,079

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

130,263,448

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
53



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

4,989,369

   

$

4,627,166

   

Net realized loss

   

(2,107,688

)

   

(8,465,609

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

127,381,767

     

(73,462,453

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

130,263,448

     

(77,300,896

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(2,596,461

)

   

(1,510,948

)

 

Class 3

   

(1,002,546

)

   

(573,430

)

 

Class K

   

(2,874,994

)

   

(1,410,939

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(107,514

)

   

(17,245

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(6,581,515

)

   

(3,512,562

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

6,000

     

7,500

   

Class K

   

73,243,343

     

181,677,307

   

Institutional Class

   

7,084,206

     

2,216,528

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

2,596,461

     

1,510,948

   

Class 3

   

1,002,546

     

573,430

   

Class K

   

2,624,780

     

1,410,939

   

Institutional Class

   

107,514

     

17,245

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(9,000,000

)

   

(5,000,000

)

 

Class 3

   

     

(5,000,000

)

 

Class K

   

(29,311,402

)

   

(389,000

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(990,117

)

   

(639

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

47,363,331

     

177,024,258

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

171,045,264

     

96,210,800

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

400,061,281

     

303,850,481

   

End of year

 

$

571,106,545

   

$

400,061,281

   
   

 

     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
54



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.04

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.55

   

$

9.70

   

$

9.36

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.13

     

0.15

     

0.14

     

0.17

     

0.13

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.11

     

(2.08

)

   

2.58

     

(0.18

)

   

0.27

(b)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.24

     

(1.93

)

   

2.72

     

(0.01

)

   

0.40

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.09

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.06

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.09

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.01

     

(0.00

)(c)

   

0.03

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.04

   

$

12.06

   

$

9.55

   

$

9.70

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

32.33

%

   

(16.05

)%

   

28.59

%

   

(0.20

)%

   

4.61

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

229,861

   

$

181,679

   

$

221,316

   

$

172,316

   

$

172,659

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.66

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.66

%

   

0.66

%

   

0.66

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.08

%

   

1.23

%

   

1.22

%

   

1.73

%

   

1.36

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

   

13

%

   

18

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
55



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
March 24, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.13

   

$

12.17

   

$

10.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.14

     

0.16

     

0.12

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.15

     

(2.11

)

   

1.79

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.29

     

(1.95

)

   

1.91

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.23

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.23

)

 

 

Proceeds from Purchase Fees and Redemption Fees(b)

   

     

     

0.00

(c)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.26

   

$

10.13

   

$

12.17

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

32.42

%

   

(15.99

)%

   

18.25

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

84,911

   

$

64,123

   

$

82,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.59

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.58

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.16

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.32

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
56



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.03

   

$

12.06

   

$

10.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.12

     

0.11

     

0.07

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.11

     

(2.04

)

   

1.47

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.23

     

(1.93

)

   

1.54

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.22

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.11

   

$

10.03

   

$

12.06

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.24

%

   

(16.05

)%

   

14.39

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

247,155

   

$

152,397

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.66

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.66

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.04

%

   

0.99

%

   

0.87

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
57



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.02

   

$

12.06

   

$

10.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.11

     

0.06

     

0.07

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.13

     

(2.00

)

   

1.47

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.24

     

(1.94

)

   

1.54

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.22

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

     

(0.06

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.10

   

$

10.02

   

$

12.06

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.28

%

   

(16.13

)%

   

14.39

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

9,179

   

$

1,862

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.73

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.66

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.89

%

   

0.59

%

   

0.87

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

19

%

   

14

%

   

21

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
58



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

13,893,458

     

3.1

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

6,840,345

     

1.5

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

4,904,630

     

1.1

   

Banks

   

8,308,621

     

1.9

   

Beverages

   

9,478,714

     

2.1

   

Building Materials

   

12,571,539

     

2.8

   

Chemicals

   

7,034,105

     

1.6

   

Commercial Services

   

6,897,964

     

1.5

   

Computers

   

8,215,727

     

1.8

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

21,510,206

     

4.8

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

13,802,970

     

3.1

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

10,335,095

     

2.3

   

Electronics

   

33,931,861

     

7.6

   

Engineering & Construction

   

5,742,080

     

1.3

   

Food

   

10,324,718

     

2.3

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

14,213,018

     

3.2

   

Healthcare — Products

   

23,299,097

     

5.2

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

2,292,686

     

0.5

   

Insurance

   

28,402,049

     

6.3

   

Internet

   

67,425,010

     

15.1

   

Investment Companies

   

10,275,485

     

2.3

   

Leisure Time

   

6,456,793

     

1.4

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

4,907,482

     

1.1

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

35,741,051

     

8.0

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

3,299,337

     

0.7

   

Retail

   

32,592,043

     

7.3

   

Semiconductors

   

25,106,141

     

5.7

   

Software

   

6,357,072

     

1.4

   

Telecommunications

   

4,984,277

     

1.1

   

Total Value of Investments

   

439,143,574

     

98.1

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

8,491,356

     

1.9

   

Net Assets

 

$

447,634,930

     

100.0

%

 


59



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 96.6%

 

AUSTRALIA — 4.3%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

55,568

   

$

8,757,852

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

341,917

     

5,411,756

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

418,142

     

4,762,949

   
         

18,932,557

   

BRAZIL — 0.9%

 
Raia Drogasil SA *    

151,200

     

4,196,179

   

CHINA — 5.7%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

38,559

     

8,178,364

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

17,201

     

2,174,206

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

446,000

     

5,277,727

   
Prosus NV *    

33,775

     

2,527,786

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

86,867

     

2,913,519

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

   

701,943

     

4,715,765

   
         

25,787,367

   

DENMARK — 0.3%

 

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

23,894

     

1,169,261

   

FINLAND — 1.5%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

105,976

     

6,929,573

   

FRANCE — 2.3%

 

Legrand SA

   

126,556

     

10,335,095

   

GERMANY — 7.4%

 

adidas AG

   

27,708

     

9,007,043

   

Bechtle AG

   

58,839

     

8,215,727

   

Infineon Technologies AG

   

273,914

     

6,188,939

   

Nemetschek SE

   

23,419

     

1,542,815

   
Zalando SE *    

166,070

     

8,374,976

   
         

33,329,500

   

HONG KONG — 5.6%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

1,416,800

     

14,901,855

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

41,200

     

2,292,686

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
60



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

102,000

   

$

3,128,146

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

586,500

     

4,786,835

   
         

25,109,522

   

INDIA — 1.0%

 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. GDR

   

363,156

     

2,745,459

   
MakeMyTrip Ltd. *    

71,341

     

1,633,709

   
         

4,379,168

   

IRELAND — 1.5%

 

Kingspan Group PLC

   

113,141

     

6,910,294

   

JAPAN — 22.2%

 

Denso Corp.

   

108,600

     

4,904,630

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

170,900

     

4,363,608

   

Kao Corp.

   

78,300

     

6,457,800

   

Keyence Corp.

   

14,500

     

5,091,509

   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

   

249,100

     

8,222,467

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

115,400

     

7,102,709

   

Nidec Corp.

   

44,100

     

6,023,346

   

Olympus Corp.

   

523,800

     

8,073,175

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

103,900

     

3,804,423

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

39,800

     

6,456,793

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

158,400

     

11,247,983

   

SMC Corp.

   

23,300

     

10,655,450

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

114,800

     

4,984,277

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

46,200

     

2,437,265

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

98,100

     

4,094,886

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

95,000

     

6,468,070

   
         

100,388,391

   

NETHERLANDS — 1.9%

 
ASML Holding NV    

28,523

     

8,444,459

   

NEW ZEALAND — 1.1%

 
Xero Ltd. *    

85,691

     

4,814,257

   

PORTUGAL — 1.6%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

436,702

     

7,196,572

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
61



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SINGAPORE — 1.9%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

422,473

   

$

8,308,621

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.2%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

32,858

     

5,377,114

   

SPAIN — 2.2%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

273,664

     

9,671,467

   

SWEDEN — 7.0%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

99,300

     

3,963,626

   

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

177,748

     

6,171,596

   

Epiroc AB, A Shares

   

21,971

     

268,689

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

390,316

     

4,638,793

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

188,217

     

10,275,485

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

326,308

     

5,661,245

   
         

30,979,434

   

SWITZERLAND — 4.2%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

101,242

     

7,912,156

   

Schindler Holding AG, Participating Certificates

   

37,067

     

9,426,183

   
u-blox Holding AG *    

11,459

     

1,157,977

   
         

18,496,316

   

TAIWAN — 2.1%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

160,323

     

9,314,766

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 16.2%

 
ASOS PLC *    

84,433

     

3,783,699

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

1,175,134

     

9,280,271

   

Burberry Group PLC

   

167,367

     

4,886,415

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

411,615

     

10,558,496

   

HomeServe PLC

   

342,953

     

5,742,080

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

89,019

     

6,897,964

   

John Wood Group PLC

   

622,077

     

3,299,337

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

147,500

     

5,864,844

   

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

   

597,420

     

3,244,474

   

Rightmove PLC

   

1,123,075

     

9,423,953

   
Trainline PLC *    

982,198

     

6,652,291

   

Weir Group PLC (The)

   

146,464

     

2,929,297

   
         

72,563,121

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
62



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

UNITED STATES — 4.5%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

17,821

   

$

14,137,043

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

38,146

     

5,704,734

   
         

19,841,777

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $316,162,804)

       

432,474,811

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.5%

 

GERMANY — 1.5%

 

Sartorius AG 0.32% (cost $4,012,980)

   

31,197

     

6,668,763

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.1%

 

(cost $320,175,784)

     

$

439,143,574

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.9%

       

8,491,356

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

447,634,930

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

74,984,634

   

$

357,490,177

   

$

   

$

432,474,811

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

6,668,763

     

     

6,668,763

   

Total

 

$

74,984,634

   

$

364,158,940

   

$

   

$

439,143,574

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
63



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $320,175,784)

 

$

439,143,574

   

Cash

   

8,210,919

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

674,100

   

Dividends receivable

   

282,233

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

8,414

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,490

   

Total Assets

   

448,342,730

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

360,638

   

Servicing fee payable

   

125,078

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

50,089

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

36,636

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

10,826

   

Trustee fee payable

   

3,737

   

Commitment fee payable

   

971

   

Accrued expenses

   

119,825

   

Total Liabilities

   

707,800

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

447,634,930

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

331,245,628

   

Total distributable earnings

   

116,389,302

   
   

$

447,634,930

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($309,334,898 / 18,516,183 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.71

   
Class K ($114,921,941 / 6,897,108 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.66

   
Institutional Class ($23,378,091 / 1,405,659 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.63

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
64



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $679,652)

 

$

6,162,207

   

Non-cash income

   

2,854,953

   

Interest

   

33,560

   

Total Investment Income

   

9,050,720

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,316,593

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

465,615

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

144,741

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

29,132

   

Transfer agency

   

55,637

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

16,748

   

Fund accounting

   

166,151

   

Legal

   

71,012

   

Custody

   

58,524

   

Professional fees

   

53,852

   

Registration fees

   

41,712

   

Trustees' fees

   

15,338

   

Miscellaneous

   

17,960

   

Total Expenses

   

2,453,015

   

Net Investment Income

   

6,597,705

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

8,559,309

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(28,470

)

 
     

8,530,839

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

87,028,332

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

1,419

   
     

87,029,751

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

95,560,590

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

102,158,295

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
65



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

6,597,705

   

$

2,951,074

   

Net realized gain

   

8,530,839

     

4,489,513

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

87,029,751

     

(55,320,823

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

102,158,295

     

(47,880,236

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(11,089,493

)

   

(5,515,340

)

 

Class K

   

(4,158,396

)

   

(1,650,610

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(833,239

)

   

(266,670

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(16,081,128

)

   

(7,432,620

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

2,723,300

     

34,104,348

*

 

Class 3

   

     

405,000

   

Class K

   

27,900,000

     

67,194,504

   

Institutional Class

   

9,046,949

     

12,355,055

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

11,089,493

     

5,515,340

   

Class K

   

4,146,582

     

1,650,610

   

Institutional Class

   

828,614

     

263,403

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(528,300

)

   

(37,450,000

)

 

Class 3

   

     

(27,282,248

)*  

Class K

   

(1,375,000

)

   

(500,000

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(805,468

)

   

(38,023

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

53,026,170

     

56,217,989

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

139,103,337

     

905,133

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

308,531,593

     

307,626,460

   

End of year

 

$

447,634,930

   

$

308,531,593

   
   

 

 

 

 

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
66



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.15

   

$

16.11

   

$

12.46

   

$

12.55

   

$

12.43

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.27

     

0.17

     

0.16

     

0.19

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.91

     

(2.81

)

   

3.74

     

(0.13

)

   

0.09

(b)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.18

     

(2.64

)

   

3.90

     

0.06

     

0.26

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.09

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.62

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.15

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

16.71

   

$

13.15

   

$

16.11

   

$

12.46

   

$

12.55

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

31.73

%

   

(16.39

)%

   

31.28

%

   

0.59

%

   

2.16

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

309,335

   

$

232,937

   

$

280,488

   

$

272,338

   

$

229,032

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

1.76

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.46

%

   

1.29

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

   

23

%

   

16

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
67



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.12

   

$

16.10

   

$

14.15

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.26

     

0.04

     

0.08

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.91

     

(2.68

)

   

2.13

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.17

     

(2.64

)

   

2.21

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.26

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.63

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.66

   

$

13.12

   

$

16.10

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

31.72

%

   

(16.36

)%

   

15.63

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

114,922

   

$

64,827

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.73

%

   

0.42

%

   

0.73

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
68



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.10

   

$

16.09

   

$

14.15

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.26

     

0.07

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.88

     

(2.73

)

   

2.21

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.14

     

(2.66

)

   

2.22

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.28

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.23

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.61

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.28

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.63

   

$

13.10

   

$

16.09

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

31.60

%

   

(16.50

)%

   

15.68

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

23,378

   

$

10,768

   

$

201

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.75

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.72

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

11

%

   

26

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
69



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

41,117,233

     

1.1

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

107,583,440

     

2.8

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

16,857,373

     

0.4

   

Banks

   

693,226,959

     

18.3

   

Biotechnology

   

34,174,091

     

0.9

   

Building Materials

   

49,119,223

     

1.2

   

Chemicals

   

30,135,340

     

0.8

   

Commercial Services

   

16,988,866

     

0.5

   

Computers

   

55,109,333

     

1.5

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

156,683,534

     

4.1

   

Electronics

   

20,103,948

     

0.5

   

Food

   

37,730,885

     

1.0

   

Gas

   

23,144,759

     

0.6

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

16,371,378

     

0.4

   

Home Furnishings

   

23,483,474

     

0.6

   

Insurance

   

247,139,394

     

6.5

   

Internet

   

607,155,614

     

16.1

   

Iron/Steel

   

109,406,880

     

2.9

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

19,057,607

     

0.5

   

Mining

   

187,785,774

     

5.0

   

Oil & Gas

   

463,765,302

     

12.3

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

16,403,181

     

0.4

   

Real Estate

   

50,525,977

     

1.3

   

Retail

   

22,042,891

     

0.6

   

Semiconductors

   

609,595,001

     

16.1

   

Software

   

55,132,879

     

1.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

3,709,840,336

     

97.9

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

77,792,041

     

2.1

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,787,632,377

     

100.0

%

 


70



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 94.9%

 

ARGENTINA — 1.2%

 

Banco Macro SA ADR

   

241,814

   

$

8,765,758

   
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

65,850

     

37,662,249

   
         

46,428,007

   

BRAZIL — 8.8%

 

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

3,558,100

     

38,007,198

   

Banco Bradesco SA ADR

   

8,248,636

     

73,825,292

   

Cogna Educacao

   

5,979,100

     

16,988,867

   
Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR *    

6,032,688

     

96,161,047

   

Vale SA ADR

   

8,288,400

     

109,406,880

   
   

   

334,389,284

   

CANADA — 0.1%

 
Valeura Energy, Inc. *    

4,672,400

     

2,302,827

   

CHILE — 0.7%

 

Lundin Mining Corp.

   

4,396,100

     

26,270,637

   

CHINA — 28.9%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

1,176,209

     

249,473,929

   
BeiGene Ltd. ADR *    

91,076

     

15,096,758

   

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

   

28,070,000

     

29,132,628

   

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class H

   

20,110,500

     

103,390,671

   

China Vanke Co., Ltd., Class H

   

11,843,600

     

50,525,977

   

CNOOC Ltd.

   

68,894,000

     

114,559,052

   

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

   

9,115,000

     

17,846,334

   

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A

   

1,303,834

     

16,403,181

   
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. *    

7,271,000

     

18,856,743

   

Minth Group Ltd.

   

4,774,000

     

16,857,373

   

Ping An Bank Co., Ltd., Class A

   

14,370,236

     

34,001,084

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

14,758,500

     

174,644,234

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

   

1,903,000

     

27,812,490

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

4,031,300

     

194,212,544

   
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR *    

1,108,365

     

13,012,205

   
Zai Lab Ltd. ADR *    

458,700

     

19,077,333

   
         

1,094,902,536

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
71



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

HONG KONG — 0.6%

 

Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd.

   

7,516,300

   

$

23,483,474

   

INDIA — 13.7%

 

Ambuja Cements Ltd.

   

3,999,041

     

10,997,298

   

Asian Paints Ltd.

   

531,898

     

13,304,020

   

HDFC Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

   

2,080,743

     

18,257,424

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

3,509,841

     

118,676,336

   

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co., Ltd.

   

1,062,573

     

20,644,640

   

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

   

2,648,334

     

17,900,278

   

Indraprastha Gas Ltd.

   

3,857,075

     

23,144,759

   

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

   

4,204,981

     

31,333,564

   

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

   

283,492

     

29,270,914

   

Reliance Industries Ltd.

   

6,051,951

     

128,374,678

   

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

   

1,819,680

     

55,109,333

   

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

   

3,396,725

     

36,276,136

   

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

   

305,914

     

17,346,727

   
         

520,636,107

   

INDONESIA — 1.8%

 

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

   

43,930,800

     

24,274,557

   

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

   

142,305,400

     

45,043,350

   
         

69,317,907

   

MEXICO — 2.4%

 

Alfa SAB de CV, Class A

   

19,766,400

     

16,371,378

   

Cemex SAB de CV, Participating Certificates ADR

   

5,496,084

     

20,775,197

   

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

   

5,833,300

     

32,567,137

   

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   

7,678,260

     

22,042,891

   
         

91,756,603

   

PERU — 0.7%

 

Credicorp Ltd.

   

117,423

     

25,026,364

   

POLAND — 0.4%

 
KGHM Polska Miedz SA *    

599,207

     

15,115,003

   

PORTUGAL — 0.9%

 

Galp Energia, SGPS, SA

   

1,990,608

     

33,418,593

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
72



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

RUSSIA — 8.2%

 

Magnit PJSC GDR Reg S

   

1,689,686

   

$

20,369,165

   

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

   

4,787,251

     

146,400,134

   

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR

   

8,757,750

     

144,279,228

   
         

311,048,527

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 3.4%

 

FirstRand Ltd.

   

8,487,584

     

38,083,659

   

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

560,579

     

91,737,080

   
         

129,820,739

   

SOUTH KOREA — 8.4%

 
Doosan Bobcat, Inc. *    

641,741

     

19,057,607

   
LG Chem Ltd. *    

61,416

     

16,831,320

   
NAVER Corp. *    

130,878

     

21,057,607

   
Orion Corp. *    

190,368

     

17,361,720

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

3,384,438

     

163,085,513

   
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. *    

74,644

     

15,692,817

   

SK Hynix, Inc.

   

774,995

     

63,036,354

   
         

316,122,938

   

TAIWAN — 9.7%

 

Eclat Textile Co., Ltd.

   

988,360

     

13,304,744

   

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

   

6,627,278

     

20,103,948

   

MediaTek, Inc.

   

6,483,000

     

96,059,165

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

21,358,310

     

236,390,139

   
         

365,857,996

   

THAILAND — 2.6%

 

Kasikornbank PCL NVDR

   

7,791,100

     

39,221,580

   

Siam Commercial Bank PCL NVDR

   

14,978,500

     

60,909,429

   
         

100,131,009

   

TURKEY — 0.6%

 
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS *    

12,185,491

     

22,821,249

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 1.8%

 
Premier Oil PLC *    

51,681,299

     

67,225,257

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $2,814,263,208)

 

   

3,596,075,057

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
73



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 3.0%

 

BRAZIL — 1.7%

 

Banco Bradesco SA 5.35%

   

4,561,833

   

$

41,017,600

   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR 5.35%

   

1,456,022

     

21,723,848

   
         

62,741,448

   

SOUTH KOREA — 1.3%

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2.33%

   

1,303,229

     

51,023,831

   

Total Preferred Stocks

 

(cost $73,919,067)

 

   

113,765,279

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 97.9%

 

(cost $2,888,182,275)

     

$

3,709,840,336

   

Other assets less liabilities — 2.1%

       

77,792,041

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

3,787,632,377

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR  —  Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Regulation S ("Reg S") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act") is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). At December 31, 2019, the net value of these securities was $20,369,165 representing 0.5% of net assets.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

1,040,358,756

   

$

2,555,716,301

   

$

   

$

3,596,075,057

   
Preferred Stocks **    

62,741,448

     

51,023,831

     

     

113,765,279

   

Total

 

$

1,103,100,204

   

$

2,606,740,132

   

$

   

$

3,709,840,336

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
74



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $2,888,182,275)

 

$

3,709,840,336

   

Cash

   

66,490,135

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

16,563,524

   

Dividends receivable

   

12,817,912

   

Receivable for Indian capital gains tax refunds (Note A)

   

268,502

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

206,929

   

Prepaid assets

   

63,606

   

Total Assets

   

3,806,250,944

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

4,523,392

   

Deferred Indian capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

11,408,772

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

807,416

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

721,878

   

Servicing fee payable

   

191,591

   

Trustee fee payable

   

30,351

   

Commitment fee payable

   

13,941

   

Accrued expenses

   

921,226

   

Total Liabilities

   

18,618,567

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

3,787,632,377

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

3,008,321,680

   

Total distributable earnings

   

779,310,697

   
   

$

3,787,632,377

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($118,855,897 / 5,474,111 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.71

   
Class 3 ($344,702,033 / 15,735,314 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.91

   
Class 5 ($1,331,946,417 / 59,190,747 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

22.50

   
Class K ($1,328,534,881 / 61,392,935 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.64

   
Institutional Class ($663,593,149 / 30,670,450 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

21.64

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
75



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $10,521,890)

 

$

80,751,187

   

Non-cash income

   

44,605,517

   

Interest

   

375,327

   

Total Investment Income

   

125,732,031

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

15,647,516

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

186,152

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

304,865

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

241,273

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

1,289,564

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

904,368

   

Transfer agency

   

119,601

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

452,668

   

Fund accounting

   

1,172,369

   

Custody

   

1,014,832

   

Legal

   

535,007

   

Registration fees

   

335,075

   

Trustees' fees

   

118,482

   

Professional fees

   

30,050

   

Miscellaneous

   

131,275

   

Total Expenses

   

22,483,097

   

Net Investment Income

   

103,248,934

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of Indian capital gains tax benefit of $225,087)

   

14,740,537

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(819,714

)

 
     

13,920,823

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred Indian capital gains tax liability of $10,692,971) (Note A)

   

603,115,782

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

3,091

   
     

603,118,873

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

617,039,696

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

720,288,630

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
76



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

103,248,934

   

$

26,005,585

   

Net realized gain

   

13,920,823

     

82,003,727

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

603,118,873

     

(410,495,257

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

720,288,630

     

(302,485,945

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(4,430,516

)

   

(15,711,644

)

 

Class 3

   

(12,961,322

)

   

(15,383,533

)

 

Class 5

   

(49,677,405

)

   

(96,382,507

)

 

Class K

   

(50,357,207

)

   

(45,808,096

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(24,586,085

)

   

(14,890,937

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(142,012,535

)

   

(188,176,717

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

7,306,000

     

44,256,131

*

 

Class 3

   

106,960,476

*

   

   

Class 5

   

7,000,000

     

38,000,000

   

Class K

   

797,388,161

*

   

506,095,758

   

Institutional Class

   

498,938,452

     

289,603,933

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

4,430,516

     

15,711,644

   

Class 3

   

12,961,322

     

15,383,534

   

Class 5

   

49,677,405

     

96,382,507

   

Class K

   

40,228,644

     

43,485,061

   

Institutional Class

   

24,574,424

     

14,875,218

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(109,960,476

)*    

(25,068,932

)

 

Class 5

   

(34,320,000

)

   

(25,368,631

)*  

Class K

   

(158,716,823

)

   

(29,860,792

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(213,958,164

)*    

(21,776,659

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

1,032,509,937

     

961,718,772

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

1,610,786,032

     

471,056,110

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

2,176,846,345

     

1,705,790,235

   

End of year

 

$

3,787,632,377

   

$

2,176,846,345

   
   

 

 

 

 

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
77



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Period
March 3,
2015(a)
through
December 31,
2015
  For the
Period
April 8,
2014(a)
through
June 9,
2014
  For the
Period
January 1,
2014(a)
through
January 12,
2014
 
Net asset value, beginning
of period
 

$

17.62

   

$

22.82

   

$

15.20

   

$

14.88

   

$

17.24

   

$

16.64

   

$

16.52

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.63

     

0.28

     

0.16

     

0.07

     

0.13

     

0.01

     

(0.00

)(c)

 
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments
and foreign currency
   

4.30

     

(3.70

)

   

7.89

     

0.38

     

(2.38

)

   

1.18

     

(0.41

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in
net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.93

     

(3.42

)

   

8.05

     

0.45

     

(2.25

)

   

1.19

     

(0.41

)

 
Dividends and Distributions
to Shareholders
 

From net investment income

   

(0.65

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.17

)

   

     

   
From net realized gain on
investments
   

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

     

(0.00

)(c)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.84

)

   

(1.78

)

   

(0.43

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.17

)

   

     

   
Proceeds from Purchase
Fees and Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

(0.00)(c)

     

0.01

     

0.06

     

0.02

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.71

   

$

17.62

   

$

22.82

   

$

15.20

   

$

14.88

   

$

17.85

   

$

16.11

   

Total Return

 
Total return based on net
asset value(d)
   

28.00

%

   

(14.92

)%

   

53.02

%

   

3.10

%

   

(12.68

)%

   

7.27

%

   

(2.48

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of period
(000's omitted)
 

$

118,856

   

$

191,177

   

$

203,830

   

$

121,739

   

$

69,091

   

$

9,994

   

$

49,767

   
Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets
   

0.83

%

   

0.84

%

   

0.85

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.87

%*    

0.90

%*    

0.92

%*  
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets
   

3.29

%(e)

   

1.31

%

   

0.82

%

   

0.52

%

   

0.95

%*    

0.46

%*    

(0.90

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

   

46

%

   

26

%

   

26

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from January 13, 2014 to April 7, 2014 and from June 10, 2014 to March 2, 2015. All shares of this class were redeemed at $16.11 on January 12, 2014. New shares were issued at $16.64 on April 8, 2014. All shares of this class were redeemed at $17.85 on June 9, 2014. New shares were issued at $17.24 on March 3, 2015.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
78



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the Period
April 01, 2016(a)
through
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.77

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.32

   

$

14.72

   

$

16.74

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.71

     

0.29

     

0.17

     

0.12

     

0.17

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

4.29

     

(3.72

)

   

7.96

     

0.62

     

(0.15

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.00

     

(3.43

)

   

8.13

     

0.74

     

0.02

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.67

)

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.02

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.86

)

   

(1.80

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.02

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

   

0.02

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.91

   

$

17.77

   

$

23.00

   

$

15.32

   

$

16.76

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

28.09

%

   

(14.86

)%

   

53.13

%

   

5.05

%

   

0.26

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each period (000's omitted)

 

$

344,702

   

$

167,268

   

$

196,468

   

$

128,303

   

$

485,066

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.80

%*    

0.75

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

3.45

%(e)

   

1.33

%

   

0.84

%

   

1.09

%*    

1.00

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

   

26

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2016. All shares of this class were redeemed on December 31, 2014 at $16.76. New shares were issued at $14.72 on April 01, 2016.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
79



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

18.23

   

$

23.55

   

$

15.67

   

$

15.33

   

$

16.93

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.72

     

0.31

     

0.19

     

0.13

     

0.14

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

4.42

     

(3.81

)

   

8.15

     

0.35

     

(1.60

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.14

     

(3.50

)

   

8.34

     

0.48

     

(1.46

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.68

)

   

(0.27

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.19

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

   

     

(0.00

)(b)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.87

)

   

(1.82

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.19

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.01

     

0.05

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

22.50

   

$

18.23

   

$

23.55

   

$

15.67

   

$

15.33

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.19

%

   

(14.80

)%

   

53.25

%

   

3.24

%

   

(8.24

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000's omitted)

 

$

1,331,946

   

$

1,063,434

   

$

1,232,137

   

$

1,075,176

   

$

935,177

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.68

%

   

0.69

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.71

%

   

0.71

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

3.47

%(d)

   

1.41

%

   

0.91

%

   

0.83

%

   

0.89

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

   

24

%

   

46

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
80



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.57

   

$

22.79

   

$

18.22

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.71

     

0.34

     

0.02

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

4.21

     

(3.75

)

   

5.00

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.92

     

(3.41

)

   

5.02

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.27

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.85

)

   

(1.81

)

   

(0.45

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.64

   

$

17.57

   

$

22.79

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

28.00

%

   

(14.91

)%

   

27.57

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,328,535

   

$

499,172

   

$

73,349

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.83

%

   

0.84

%

   

0.85

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

3.55

%(d)

   

1.65

%

   

0.18

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
81



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.56

   

$

22.80

   

$

18.22

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.79

     

0.11

     

0.16

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

4.12

     

(3.54

)

   

4.86

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.91

     

(3.43

)

   

5.02

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.64

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.26

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.55

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.83

)

   

(1.81

)

   

(0.44

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

21.64

   

$

17.56

   

$

22.80

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

27.94

%

   

(14.98

)%

   

27.61

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

663,593

   

$

255,795

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.92

%

   

0.95

%

   

0.85

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

3.81

%(d)

   

0.68

%

   

1.13

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

15

%

   

22

%

   

33

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
82



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

5,436,676

     

0.6

%

 

Airlines

   

9,217,185

     

0.9

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

15,413,215

     

1.6

   

Banks

   

46,400,797

     

4.7

   

Beverages

   

17,098,751

     

1.8

   

Biotechnology

   

34,724,143

     

3.6

   

Building Materials

   

28,999,092

     

3.0

   

Chemicals

   

5,594,791

     

0.6

   

Commercial Services

   

62,445,820

     

6.4

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

6,446,303

     

0.7

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

88,666,314

     

9.1

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

7,590,494

     

0.8

   

Electronics

   

9,817,739

     

1.0

   

Environmental Control

   

5,923,099

     

0.6

   

Food Service

   

3,757,586

     

0.4

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

10,754,399

     

1.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

60,446,851

     

6.2

   

Healthcare — Services

   

28,793,012

     

3.0

   

Holding Companies — Diversified

   

3,706,138

     

0.4

   

Home Furnishings

   

427,969

     

0

   

Insurance

   

109,063,197

     

11.2

   

Internet

   

192,609,793

     

19.8

   

Lodging

   

3,500,780

     

0.4

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

5,680,333

     

0.6

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

24,045,978

     

2.5

   

Media

   

7,455,443

     

0.8

   

Mining

   

9,214,111

     

0.9

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

   

9,973,319

     

1.0

   

Oil & Gas

   

30,135,194

     

3.1

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

2,051,030

     

0.2

   

Real Estate

   

3,858,904

     

0.4

   

Retail

   

14,961,579

     

1.6

   

Semiconductors

   

33,881,198

     

3.5

   

Software

   

48,116,086

     

5.0

   

Transportation

   

12,129,972

     

1.2

   

Total Value of Investments

   

958,337,291

     

98.7

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

12,228,581

     

1.3

   

Net Assets

 

$

970,565,872

     

100.0

%

 


83



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%

 

AUSTRALIA — 1.4%

 

BHP Group PLC

   

393,193

   

$

9,214,111

   

Orica Ltd.

   

318,624

     

4,913,335

   
         

14,127,446

   

BRAZIL — 0.8%

 

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   

738,300

     

7,886,432

   

CANADA — 2.4%

 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

17,455

     

8,196,074

   

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.

   

131,272

     

5,638,132

   
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

22,974

     

9,134,003

   
         

22,968,209

   

CHINA — 8.9%

 
58.com, Inc. ADR *    

88,719

     

5,742,781

   
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

148,227

     

31,438,947

   
Autohome, Inc. ADR *    

60,906

     

4,873,089

   

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

   

5,794,000

     

6,013,340

   
Meituan Dianping, Class B *    

473,000

     

6,180,291

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

1,255,000

     

14,851,002

   
Prosus NV *    

133,423

     

9,985,634

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

138,364

     

4,640,728

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

   

440,000

     

2,955,990

   
         

86,681,802

   

DENMARK — 0.5%

 
Genmab A/S *    

21,498

     

4,781,232

   

FRANCE — 2.6%

 
Adevinta ASA *    

250,481

     

2,967,210

   

Bureau Veritas SA

   

307,736

     

8,044,849

   

Pernod Ricard SA

   

79,037

     

14,142,761

   
         

25,154,820

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
84



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

GERMANY — 2.6%

 

Deutsche Boerse AG

   

49,704

   

$

7,794,250

   

SAP SE

   

129,374

     

17,413,593

   
         

25,207,843

   

HONG KONG — 2.5%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

2,009,600

     

21,136,905

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

66,600

     

3,706,138

   
         

24,843,043

   

INDIA — 3.8%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

403,202

     

13,633,249

   

ICICI Bank Ltd. ADR

   

856,094

     

12,918,459

   

Reliance Industries Ltd. GDR

   

240,137

     

10,217,829

   
         

36,769,537

   

IRELAND — 3.0%

 

Bank of Ireland Group PLC

   

939,656

     

5,171,518

   

CRH PLC

   

374,131

     

15,089,519

   
Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR *    

105,207

     

9,217,185

   
         

29,478,222

   

JAPAN — 7.3%

 

Advantest Corp.

   

192,500

     

10,856,640

   

CyberAgent, Inc.

   

161,400

     

5,622,496

   

Hoshizaki Corp.

   

4,800

     

427,969

   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

   

349,100

     

11,523,336

   

Olympus Corp.

   

978,800

     

15,085,956

   

SMC Corp.

   

21,100

     

9,649,356

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

   

219,800

     

8,688,905

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

136,700

     

9,307,212

   
         

71,161,870

   

MACAU — 0.4%

 

Sands China Ltd.

   

655,200

     

3,500,780

   

NETHERLANDS — 0.8%

 

Signify NV

   

242,516

     

7,590,494

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
85



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NORWAY — 0.8%

 

Schibsted ASA, Class A

   

224,374

   

$

6,788,539

   

Schibsted ASA, Class B

   

23,337

     

666,904

   
         

7,455,443

   

RUSSIA — 1.2%

 
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. GDR Reg S *    

127,433

     

2,841,756

   

Sberbank of Russia PJSC ADR

   

517,308

     

8,522,371

   
         

11,364,127

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 2.2%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

131,497

     

21,519,091

   

SWEDEN — 1.5%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

260,061

     

9,029,589

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

477,953

     

5,680,333

   
         

14,709,922

   

SWITZERLAND — 1.9%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

93,542

     

7,310,394

   

Schindler Holding AG, Participating Certificates

   

42,290

     

10,754,399

   
         

18,064,793

   

TAIWAN — 1.5%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

249,147

     

14,475,441

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 4.3%

 

Hays PLC

   

1,693,836

     

4,074,504

   
Just Eat PLC *    

425,967

     

4,712,863

   
M&G PLC *    

1,491,255

     

4,685,481

   

Prudential PLC

   

1,458,489

     

27,945,759

   
         

41,418,607

   

UNITED STATES — 47.2%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

24,848

     

4,238,820

   

Albemarle Corp.

   

76,599

     

5,594,791

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

85,145

     

9,806,150

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

18,541

     

24,789,688

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

16,031

     

29,622,723

   

Anthem, Inc.

   

77,651

     

23,452,932

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
86



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Apache Corp.

   

323,888

   

$

8,288,294

   

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

   

122,229

     

11,639,868

   
Axon Enterprise, Inc. *    

69,050

     

5,059,984

   

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

   

67,400

     

8,326,596

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

95,719

     

3,628,707

   
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *    

9,140

     

7,651,185

   

EOG Resources, Inc.

   

138,838

     

11,629,071

   
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

64,104

     

13,157,346

   
GrubHub, Inc. *    

77,253

     

3,757,586

   
Howard Hughes Corp. (The) *    

30,433

     

3,858,904

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

21,047

     

6,982,132

   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

   

79,044

     

3,685,031

   

Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.

   

257,421

     

5,501,087

   
Kirby Corp. *    

135,485

     

12,129,972

   
LendingTree, Inc. *    

15,185

     

4,607,736

   
Markel Corp. *    

7,947

     

9,084,772

   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

   

17,134

     

6,495,671

   

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

   

49,741

     

13,909,573

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

78,892

     

23,556,362

   

Microsoft Corp.

   

123,869

     

19,534,141

   

Moody's Corp.

   

105,702

     

25,094,712

   
Myriad Genetics, Inc. *    

168,188

     

4,579,759

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

17,288

     

5,593,878

   
Novocure Ltd. *    

66,540

     

5,607,326

   
NOW, Inc. *    

182,476

     

2,051,030

   

ResMed, Inc.

   

83,694

     

12,970,059

   
Seattle Genetics, Inc. *    

75,047

     

8,574,870

   

Service Corp. International

   

205,719

     

9,469,246

   
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. *    

71,112

     

6,446,303

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

25,095

     

3,752,957

   
Stericycle, Inc. *    

92,824

     

5,923,100

   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

   

130,967

     

6,509,060

   
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

63,785

     

5,340,080

   

Teradyne, Inc.

   

125,372

     

8,549,117

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

22,470

     

9,399,875

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

40,747

     

13,237,478

   
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

20,928

     

5,436,676

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

82,454

     

15,493,107

   
Waters Corp. *    

42,019

     

9,817,739

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
87



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

   

68,985

   

$

5,367,033

   
Zillow Group, Inc., Class C *    

193,210

     

8,876,067

   
         

458,078,594

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $614,812,316)

       

947,237,748

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.1%

 

BRAZIL — 1.1%

 

Banco Bradesco SA 5.35% (cost $8,119,344)

   

1,234,452

     

11,099,543

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.7%

 

(cost $622,931,660)

     

$

958,337,291

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.3%

 

   

12,228,581

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

970,565,872

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Reg S under the 1933 Act is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). At December 31, 2019, the net value of these securities was $2,841,756 representing 0.3% of net assets.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
88



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

597,026,645

   

$

350,211,103

   

$

   

$

947,237,748

   
Preferred Stocks **    

11,099,543

     

     

     

11,099,543

   

Total

 

$

608,126,188

   

$

350,211,103

   

$

   

$

958,337,291

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
89



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $622,931,660)

 

$

958,337,291

   

Cash

   

12,945,942

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

731,375

   

Dividends receivable

   

155,085

   

Receivable for Indian capital gains tax refunds (Note A)

   

76,898

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

61,509

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,306

   

Total Assets

   

972,331,406

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

927,422

   

Deferred Indian capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

333,788

   

Servicing fee payable

   

230,759

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

32,483

   

Trustee fee payable

   

8,499

   

Commitment fee payable

   

655

   

Accrued expenses

   

231,928

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,765,534

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

970,565,872

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

637,145,092

   

Total distributable earnings

   

333,420,780

   

 

$

970,565,872

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($173,625,221 / 10,546,001 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.46

   
Class 3 ($568,608,110 / 33,647,562 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.90

   
Class 4 ($147,091,574 / 8,481,311 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

17.34

   
Class K ($81,233,880 / 4,945,983 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.42

   
Institutional Class ($7,087 / 431 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.45

*

 

*  Net assets divided by shares does not recalculate using values rounded to the dollar.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
90



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $883,555)

 

$

11,990,515

   

Non-cash income

   

15,410,010

   

Interest

   

75,465

   

Total Investment Income

   

27,475,990

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

3,457,803

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

259,672

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

526,793

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

91,489

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

92,148

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

11

   

Transfer agency

   

83,650

   

Fund accounting

   

360,969

   

Legal

   

159,907

   

Custody

   

92,315

   

Professional fees

   

52,456

   

Registration fees

   

36,236

   

Trustees' fees

   

34,427

   

Miscellaneous

   

26,286

   

Total Expenses

   

5,274,162

   

Net Investment Income

   

22,201,828

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of Indian capital gains tax benefit of $74,663)

   

29,408,046

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

34,282

   
     

29,442,328

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred Indian capital gains tax liability of $398,259) (Note A)

   

188,561,915

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

2,268

   
     

188,564,183

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

218,006,511

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

240,208,339

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
91



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

22,201,828

   

$

5,902,448

   

Net realized gain

   

29,442,328

     

148,486,032

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

188,564,183

     

(210,354,776

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

240,208,339

     

(55,966,296

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(9,449,544

)

   

(29,638,221

)

 

Class 3

   

(30,477,830

)

   

(101,000,978

)

 

Class 4

   

(7,732,134

)

   

(24,453,077

)

 

Class K

   

(4,458,584

)

   

(9,635,592

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(386

)

   

(1,223

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(52,118,478

)

   

(164,729,091

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

5,506,000

     

3,007,500

   

Class 3

   

8,000,000

     

7,500,000

   

Class K

   

34,752,614

     

6,673,503

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

9,449,544

     

29,638,221

   

Class 3

   

30,477,830

     

101,000,978

   

Class 4

   

7,732,135

     

24,453,077

   

Class K

   

4,458,584

     

8,951,758

   

Institutional Class

   

386

     

1,223

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(4,000,000

)

   

(14,500,000

)

 

Class 3

   

(33,788,000

)

   

(79,500,000

)

 

Class 4

   

     

(261,700,383

)

 

Class K

   

(11,265,988

)

   

(16,990,416

)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

51,323,105

     

(191,464,539

)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

239,412,966

     

(412,159,926

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

731,152,906

     

1,143,312,832

   

End of year

 

$

970,565,872

   

$

731,152,906

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
92



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.13

   

$

18.85

   

$

14.52

   

$

13.96

   

$

14.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.39

     

0.11

     

0.10

     

0.10

     

0.12

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.89

     

(1.93

)

   

4.91

     

0.59

     

0.11

(b)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.28

     

(1.82

)

   

5.01

     

0.69

     

0.23

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.11

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.95

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.68

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.28

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

16.46

   

$

13.13

   

$

18.85

   

$

14.52

   

$

13.96

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

32.56

%

   

(9.44

)%

   

34.56

%

   

4.95

%

   

1.75

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

173,625

   

$

129,690

   

$

154,523

   

$

225,095

   

$

210,890

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.66

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.52

%(e)

   

0.59

%

   

0.59

%

   

0.69

%

   

0.83

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

   

20

%

   

16

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
93



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

13.46

   

$

19.22

   

$

14.79

   

$

14.23

   

$

14.26

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.41

     

0.13

     

0.10

     

0.10

     

0.13

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.99

     

(1.97

)

   

5.04

     

0.61

     

0.12

(b)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.40

     

(1.84

)

   

5.14

     

0.71

     

0.25

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.12

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.96

)

   

(3.92

)

   

(0.71

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.29

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

16.90

   

$

13.46

   

$

19.22

   

$

14.79

   

$

14.23

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

32.65

%

   

(9.37

)%

   

34.65

%

   

5.02

%

   

1.84

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

568,608

   

$

449,177

   

$

564,714

   

$

593,513

   

$

500,983

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.60

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.59

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.61

%(e)

   

0.67

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.75

%

   

0.85

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

   

20

%

   

16

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
94



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
July 10, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.79

   

$

19.58

   

$

17.99

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.42

     

0.11

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

4.10

     

(1.98

)

   

2.31

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.52

     

(1.87

)

   

2.32

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.16

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.97

)

   

(3.92

)

   

(0.73

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

17.34

   

$

13.79

   

$

19.58

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.69

%

   

(9.35

)%

   

12.87

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

147,092

   

$

110,854

   

$

367,908

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.57

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.58

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.62

%(d)

   

0.57

%

   

0.15

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
95



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.11

   

$

18.82

   

$

16.56

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.35

     

0.11

     

0.02

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.92

     

(1.92

)

   

2.96

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.27

     

(1.81

)

   

2.98

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.96

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.72

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.42

   

$

13.11

   

$

18.82

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.48

%

   

(9.38

)%

   

17.97

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

81,234

   

$

41,427

   

$

56,163

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.68

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.22

%(d)

   

0.56

%

   

0.17

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
96



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

13.12

   

$

18.84

   

$

16.56

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.39

     

0.12

     

0.04

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.89

     

(1.94

)

   

2.95

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.28

     

(1.82

)

   

2.99

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.14

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.38

)

   

(3.77

)

   

(0.57

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.95

)

   

(3.90

)

   

(0.71

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.45

   

$

13.12

   

$

18.84

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.56

%

   

(9.42

)%

   

18.03

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

7

   

$

5

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.67

%

   

0.68

%

   

0.67

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.56

%(d)

   

0.62

%

   

0.35

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

17

%

   

18

%

   

27

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level and excludes the value of portfolio securities received in-kind in connection with Fund capital shares sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
97



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

39,746

     

1.1

%

 

Apparel

   

75,741

     

2.1

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

79,064

     

2.2

   

Banks

   

168,864

     

4.7

   

Biotechnology

   

131,841

     

3.7

   

Building Materials

   

33,831

     

1.0

   

Chemicals

   

83,438

     

2.3

   

Commercial Services

   

231,179

     

6.5

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

90,380

     

2.5

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

311,447

     

8.7

   

Electronics

   

86,842

     

2.5

   

Food Service

   

27,919

     

0.8

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

70,259

     

1.9

   

Healthcare — Products

   

161,734

     

4.5

   

Home Furnishings

   

23,796

     

0.7

   

Insurance

   

213,585

     

6.0

   

Internet

   

926,571

     

26.0

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

177,007

     

5.0

   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

   

32,175

     

0.9

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

55,704

     

1.6

   

Real Estate

   

38,158

     

1.1

   

Retail

   

127,746

     

3.5

   

Semiconductors

   

131,368

     

3.7

   

Software

   

66,853

     

1.9

   

Telecommunications

   

125,910

     

3.5

   

Toys/Games/Hobbies

   

16,866

     

0.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

3,528,024

     

98.9

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

39,012

     

1.1

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,567,036

     

100.0

%

 


98



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.9%

 

CANADA — 3.5%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

315

   

$

125,238

   

CHINA — 6.4%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

404

     

85,689

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

125

     

15,800

   
JD.com, Inc. ADR *    

1,401

     

49,357

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

1,600

     

77,082

   
         

227,928

   

DENMARK — 0.7%

 

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

517

     

25,300

   

FRANCE — 1.7%

 

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

   

374

     

62,080

   

GERMANY — 2.9%

 

adidas AG

   

233

     

75,741

   
Zalando SE *    

593

     

29,905

   
         

105,646

   

HONG KONG — 2.6%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

6,000

     

63,108

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

900

     

29,239

   
         

92,347

   

IRELAND — 0.5%

 
COSMO Pharmaceuticals NV *    

207

     

16,383

   

JAPAN — 11.3%

 

CyberAgent, Inc.

   

400

     

13,934

   

DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.

   

1,700

     

26,010

   

FANUC Corp.

   

200

     

36,933

   

FANUC Corp. ADR

   

1,840

     

33,893

   

Gree, Inc.

   

6,400

     

28,917

   

Kubota Corp.

   

2,500

     

39,258

   

MISUMI Group, Inc.

   

1,300

     

32,175

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd. ADR

   

338

     

16,866

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
99



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

2,900

   

$

125,910

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

   

1,300

     

51,390

   
         

405,286

   

NETHERLANDS — 1.6%

 

IMCD NV

   

664

     

58,138

   

SWEDEN — 3.6%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

1,085

     

37,672

   

Beijer Ref AB

   

997

     

29,251

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

1,950

     

33,831

   

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, A Shares

   

2,445

     

26,333

   
         

127,087

   

SWITZERLAND — 2.0%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

364

     

28,447

   

Schindler Holding AG, Participating Certificates

   

174

     

44,249

   
         

72,696

   

TAIWAN — 3.1%

 

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. GDR Reg S

   

3,389

     

20,740

   

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

8,000

     

88,543

   
         

109,283

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 6.0%

 

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

1,800

     

46,173

   
Just Group PLC *    

36,025

     

37,698

   
M&G PLC *    

3,314

     

10,412

   

Prudential PLC

   

3,314

     

63,499

   

St James's Place PLC

   

3,811

     

58,746

   
         

216,528

   

UNITED STATES — 53.0%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

240

     

40,942

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class A *    

64

     

85,721

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

96

     

177,393

   
CarMax, Inc. *    

483

     

42,345

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

2,138

     

81,052

   
Denali Therapeutics, Inc. *    

1,217

     

21,200

   
Exact Sciences Corp. *    

296

     

27,374

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
100



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

436

   

$

89,489

   

Fastenal Co.

   

1,193

     

44,081

   

First Republic Bank

   

776

     

91,141

   

Fortive Corp.

   

431

     

32,924

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

387

     

21,080

   
GrubHub, Inc. *    

574

     

27,919

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

251

     

83,267

   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

   

1,004

     

46,807

   
iRobot Corp. *    

470

     

23,796

   
LendingTree, Inc. *    

246

     

74,646

   
Lyft, Inc., Class A *    

509

     

21,897

   
Markel Corp. *    

34

     

38,868

   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

   

396

     

150,127

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

187

     

55,836

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

292

     

94,482

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

182

     

42,825

   
Pacira BioSciences, Inc. *    

868

     

39,321

   
Redfin Corp. *    

1,805

     

38,158

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

312

     

46,660

   
STAAR Surgical Co. *    

1,070

     

37,632

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

189

     

79,064

   

TJX Cos, Inc. (The)

   

443

     

27,049

   
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

153

     

39,746

   
Waters Corp. *    

142

     

33,178

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

257

     

46,299

   
Wayfair, Inc., Class A *    

485

     

43,829

   
Yext, Inc. *    

1,102

     

15,891

   
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A *    

324

     

22,045

   
         

1,884,084

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.9%

 

(cost $3,031,504)

     

$

3,528,024

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.1%

       

39,012

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

3,567,036

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

Reg S  —  Reg S under the 1933 Act is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). At December 31, 2019, the net value of these securities was $20,740 representing 0.6% of net assets.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
101



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

2,389,329

   

$

1,138,695

   

$

   

$

3,528,024

   

Total

 

$

2,389,329

   

$

1,138,695

   

$

   

$

3,528,024

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
102



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $3,031,504)

 

$

3,528,024

   

Cash

   

53,449

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

27,363

   

Dividends receivable

   

1,262

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

831

   

Prepaid assets

   

25,775

   

Total Assets

   

3,636,704

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

2,792

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

1,438

   

Trustee fee payable

   

31

   

Commitment fee payable

   

29

   

Accrued expenses

   

65,378

   

Total Liabilities

   

69,668

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

3,567,036

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

3,073,049

   

Total distributable earnings

   

493,987

   
   

$

3,567,036

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($1,783,518 / 153,535 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

11.62

   
Institutional Class ($1,783,518 / 153,535 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

11.62

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
103



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $2,927)

 

$

29,061

   

Interest

   

164

   

Total Investment Income

   

29,225

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

10,810

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

2,785

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

2,785

   

Transfer agency

   

31,101

   

Fund accounting

   

94,078

   

Registration fees

   

34,633

   

Professional fees

   

28,011

   

Legal

   

4,517

   

Custody

   

2,721

   

Trustees' fees

   

130

   

Miscellaneous

   

4,622

   

Total Expenses

   

216,193

   

Fees waived

   

(194,899

)

 

Net Expenses

   

21,294

   

Net Investment Income

   

7,931

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

61,242

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(122

)

 
     

61,120

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

740,995

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

30

   
     

741,025

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

802,145

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

810,076

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
104



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

7,931

   

$

8,060

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

61,120

     

(3,854

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

741,025

     

(292,449

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

810,076

     

(288,243

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(21,386

)

   

(15,312

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(21,386

)

   

(15,312

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(42,772

)

   

(30,624

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

21,386

     

15,312

   

Institutional Class

   

21,386

     

15,312

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

42,772

     

30,624

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

810,076

     

(288,243

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

2,756,960

     

3,045,203

   

End of year

 

$

3,567,036

   

$

2,756,960

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
105



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.03

     

0.03

     

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

2.64

     

(0.99

)

   

0.15

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

2.67

     

(0.96

)

   

0.15

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

29.37

%

   

(9.43

)%

   

1.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,784

   

$

1,378

   

$

1,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

6.60

%

   

5.53

%

   

18.55

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%*  

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

   

0.24

%

   

0.25

%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

21

%

   

14

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
106



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.03

     

0.03

     

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

2.64

     

(0.99

)

   

0.15

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

2.67

     

(0.96

)

   

0.15

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.02

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.08

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.10

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

11.62

   

$

9.09

   

$

10.15

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

29.37

%

   

(9.43

)%

   

1.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

1,784

   

$

1,379

   

$

1,523

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

6.60

%

   

5.53

%

   

18.55

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.80

%*  

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

   

0.24

%

   

0.25

%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

21

%

   

14

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
107



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Aerospace/Defense

 

$

33,690,622

     

1.3

%

 

Airlines

   

76,383,768

     

3.0

   

Apparel

   

56,096,217

     

2.2

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

35,799,134

     

1.4

   

Banks

   

117,141,593

     

4.6

   

Beverages

   

33,264,269

     

1.3

   

Biotechnology

   

35,839,851

     

1.4

   

Building Materials

   

76,243,311

     

3.0

   

Chemicals

   

77,815,537

     

3.0

   

Commercial Services

   

127,770,141

     

5.0

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

31,821,231

     

1.2

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

29,682,851

     

1.2

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

240,602,981

     

9.4

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

30,691,122

     

1.2

   

Electronics

   

37,328,355

     

1.5

   

Food

   

105,960,448

     

4.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

25,462,515

     

1.0

   

Healthcare — Services

   

18,512,408

     

0.7

   

Home Furnishings

   

51,813,196

     

2.0

   

Insurance

   

173,692,197

     

6.8

   

Internet

   

376,798,756

     

14.7

   

Leisure Time

   

32,300,189

     

1.3

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

29,220,417

     

1.1

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

154,014,900

     

6.0

   

Mining

   

64,005,449

     

2.5

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

25,959,001

     

1.0

   

Retail

   

57,584,520

     

2.2

   

Semiconductors

   

201,513,501

     

7.9

   

Software

   

108,929,560

     

4.3

   

Transportation

   

72,951,950

     

2.9

   

Total Value of Investments

   

2,538,889,990

     

99.2

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

20,942,383

     

0.8

   

Net Assets

 

$

2,559,832,373

     

100.0

%

 


108



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.9%

 

ARGENTINA — 2.7%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

120,676

   

$

69,019,431

   

AUSTRALIA — 4.1%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

161,558

     

25,462,515

   

CSL Ltd.

   

184,854

     

35,839,851

   

Rio Tinto PLC

   

739,653

     

43,784,024

   
         

105,086,390

   

BELGIUM — 0.9%

 

Umicore SA

   

490,637

     

23,910,810

   

BRAZIL — 1.3%

 

Cogna Educacao

   

4,964,000

     

14,104,587

   

Itau Unibanco Holding SA ADR

   

2,185,448

     

19,996,849

   
         

34,101,436

   

CANADA — 4.1%

 

Constellation Software, Inc.

   

49,723

     

48,291,293

   

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

84,097

     

39,488,125

   

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.

   

418,098

     

17,957,309

   
         

105,736,727

   

CHINA — 6.3%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

257,085

     

54,527,728

   
Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd. *    

2,536,400

     

18,512,408

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

1,453,000

     

17,194,029

   
Prosus NV *    

160,670

     

12,024,852

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

841,700

     

40,549,872

   
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR *    

1,521,850

     

17,866,519

   
         

160,675,408

   

DENMARK — 2.7%

 

DSV Panalpina A/S

   

345,988

     

39,876,248

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

621,867

     

30,431,283

   
         

70,307,531

   

FINLAND — 1.6%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

646,958

     

42,303,376

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
109



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

FRANCE — 4.1%

 

Danone SA

   

280,428

   

$

23,288,515

   

Edenred

   

992,528

     

51,437,476

   

Legrand SA

   

375,821

     

30,691,122

   
         

105,417,113

   

GERMANY — 8.8%

 

Continental AG

   

108,747

     

14,053,466

   

Deutsche Boerse AG

   

380,033

     

59,594,244

   

MTU Aero Engines AG

   

118,243

     

33,690,622

   

SAP SE

   

450,511

     

60,638,267

   

Scout24 AG

   

859,087

     

56,848,800

   
         

224,825,399

   

HONG KONG — 3.8%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

5,994,000

     

63,044,691

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

1,085,800

     

35,275,179

   
         

98,319,870

   

INDIA — 2.1%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

1,613,158

     

54,544,830

   

IRELAND — 4.8%

 

CRH PLC

   

873,565

     

35,232,781

   

Kingspan Group PLC

   

671,458

     

41,010,531

   
Ryanair Holdings PLC ADR *    

522,519

     

45,777,889

   
         

122,021,201

   

JAPAN — 11.0%

 

Denso Corp.

   

481,500

     

21,745,667

   

FANUC Corp.

   

122,400

     

22,602,986

   

Japan Exchange Group, Inc.

   

2,174,500

     

38,282,242

   

Nidec Corp.

   

273,300

     

37,328,355

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

199,100

     

32,300,189

   

SMC Corp.

   

92,000

     

42,073,019

   

Sony Corp.

   

469,100

     

31,850,819

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

   

632,900

     

25,019,144

   

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

   

845,000

     

29,682,851

   
         

280,885,272

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
110



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NETHERLANDS — 4.1%

 
ASML Holding NV    

108,584

   

$

32,147,151

   

Heineken Holding NV

   

342,250

     

33,264,268

   

IMCD NV

   

268,092

     

23,473,444

   
Takeaway.com NV *    

185,050

     

17,105,423

   
         

105,990,286

   

PANAMA — 1.2%

 

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

   

283,178

     

30,605,878

   

PERU — 1.0%

 

Credicorp Ltd.

   

117,462

     

25,034,676

   

RUSSIA — 1.3%

 

Magnit PJSC GDR Reg S

   

1,054,846

     

12,716,169

   

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR

   

661,236

     

20,221,425

   
         

32,937,594

   

SINGAPORE — 1.0%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

1,259,472

     

24,769,573

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.9%

 

Discovery Ltd.

   

2,459,979

     

21,187,153

   

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

160,670

     

26,293,166

   
         

47,480,319

   

SOUTH KOREA — 3.5%

 
NAVER Corp. *    

144,951

     

23,321,881

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

1,356,656

     

65,373,022

   
         

88,694,903

   

SPAIN — 2.9%

 

Bankinter SA

   

3,038,890

     

22,321,351

   

Grifols SA

   

532,684

     

18,820,602

   

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

924,002

     

32,654,843

   
         

73,796,796

   

SWEDEN — 3.0%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

1,354,669

     

47,035,519

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

2,458,656

     

29,220,417

   
         

76,255,936

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
111



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWITZERLAND — 4.3%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

318,994

   

$

24,929,677

   

Kuehne + Nagel International AG

   

196,101

     

33,075,701

   

Nestle SA

   

488,156

     

52,850,342

   
         

110,855,720

   

TAIWAN — 4.1%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

9,396,000

     

103,993,329

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 11.1%

 
ASOS PLC *    

552,062

     

24,739,572

   
boohoo Group PLC *    

7,840,560

     

30,938,920

   

Burberry Group PLC

   

861,675

     

25,157,298

   

Experian PLC

   

1,305,934

     

44,270,770

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

1,297,681

     

33,287,319

   

Howden Joinery Group PLC

   

2,240,619

     

19,962,377

   
Just Eat PLC *    

1,943,509

     

21,502,818

   

Prudential PLC

   

1,710,694

     

32,778,199

   

St James's Place PLC

   

1,272,745

     

19,619,167

   

Unilever NV

   

554,464

     

31,821,231

   
         

284,077,671

   

UNITED STATES — 1.2%

 
Spotify Technology SA *    

201,298

     

30,104,116

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $1,650,166,360)

       

2,531,751,591

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.3%

 

SPAIN — 0.3%

 

Grifols SA, B Shares 1.70% (cost $7,351,733)

   

305,482

     

7,138,399

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.2%

 

(cost $1,657,518,093)

     

$

2,538,889,990

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.8%

 

   

20,942,383

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

2,559,832,373

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
112



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

Reg S  —  Reg S under the 1933 Act is a safe harbor that defines when an offering of securities will be deemed to come to rest abroad and therefore is not subject to the registration obligations imposed under Section 5 of the 1933 Act. The regulation includes two safe harbor provisions: an issuer safe harbor and a resale safe harbor. In each case, the regulation demands that offers and sales of the securities be made outside the United States and that no offering participant (which includes the issuer, the banks assisting with the offer and their respective affiliates) engage in "directed" selling efforts. In the case of issuers for whose securities there is substantial U.S. market interest, the regulation also requires that no offers and sales be made to U.S. persons (including U.S. persons physically located outside the United States). At December 31, 2019, the net value of these securities was $12,716,169 representing 0.5% of net assets.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

588,934,704

   

$

1,942,816,887

   

$

   

$

2,531,751,591

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

7,138,399

     

     

7,138,399

   

Total

 

$

588,934,704

   

$

1,949,955,286

   

$

   

$

2,538,889,990

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
113



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,657,518,093)

 

$

2,538,889,990

   

Cash

   

20,221,486

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

3,169,239

   

Dividends receivable

   

1,853,653

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

724,058

   

Prepaid assets

   

27,276

   

Total Assets

   

2,564,885,702

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

2,095,115

   

Deferred Indian capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

1,369,366

   

Servicing fee payable

   

471,981

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

278,547

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

261,978

   

Trustee fee payable

   

22,408

   

Commitment fee payable

   

5,655

   

Accrued expenses

   

548,279

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,053,329

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

2,559,832,373

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,700,518,120

   

Total distributable earnings

   

859,314,253

   

 

$

2,559,832,373

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($513,802,763 / 37,859,702 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.57

   
Class 3 ($668,205,814 / 48,546,522 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.76

   
Class 4 ($580,145,987 / 41,436,719 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.00

   
Class 5 ($104,934,825 / 7,360,154 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.26

   
Class K ($566,554,288 / 41,880,147 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.53

   
Institutional Class ($126,188,696 / 9,294,905 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.58

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
114



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $5,649,679)

 

$

44,859,519

   

Non-cash income

   

14,472,865

   

Interest

   

162,807

   

Total Investment Income

   

59,495,191

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

7,600,559

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

757,606

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

683,357

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

325,196

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

18,604

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

726,122

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

138,569

   

Transfer agency

   

124,157

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

47,354

   

Fund accounting

   

892,478

   

Legal

   

407,757

   

Custody

   

345,177

   

Professional fees

   

100,295

   

Registration fees

   

89,334

   

Trustees' fees

   

88,608

   

Miscellaneous

   

70,530

   

Total Expenses

   

12,415,703

   

Net Investment Income

   

47,079,488

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

44,542,196

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(229,742

)

 
     

44,312,454

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
115



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred Indian capital gains tax liability of $1,178,205) (Note A)

 

$

513,482,554

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

55,958

   

   

513,538,512

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

557,850,966

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

604,930,454

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
116



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

47,079,488

   

$

31,236,442

   

Net realized gain

   

44,312,454

     

145,947,686

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

513,538,512

     

(522,018,308

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

604,930,454

     

(344,834,180

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(24,482,634

)

   

(29,796,122

)

 

Class 3

   

(31,689,022

)

   

(54,378,247

)

 

Class 4

   

(27,316,172

)

   

(38,554,309

)

 

Class 5

   

(4,893,497

)

   

(6,892,085

)

 

Class K

   

(27,292,246

)

   

(24,926,464

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(6,083,997

)

   

(2,245,341

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(121,757,568

)

   

(156,792,568

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

107,216,862

*

   

71,126,175

*

 

Class 3

   

202,113,924

*

   

13,500,000

   

Class 4

   

204,511,879

*

   

290,058,382

*

 

Class 5

   

     

33,700,000

   

Class K

   

197,754,517

     

245,988,676

*

 

Institutional Class

   

100,370,867

*

   

100,149,976

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

24,482,634

     

29,796,122

   

Class 3

   

31,689,022

     

54,378,248

   

Class 4

   

27,316,172

     

38,554,309

   

Class 5

   

4,893,497

     

6,892,085

   

Class K

   

24,093,941

     

24,652,444

   

Institutional Class

   

6,083,367

     

2,245,341

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(44,700,000

)

   

(142,859,137

)

 

Class 3

   

(335,095,740

)*    

(402,752,824

)*  

Class 4

   

(198,213,924

)*    

   

Class 5

   

     

(124,055,871

)

 

Class K

   

(36,825,366

)*    

(14,813,373

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(33,820,482

)

   

(52,246,242

)*  

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

281,871,170

     

174,314,311

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

765,044,056

     

(327,312,437

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

1,794,788,317

     

2,122,100,754

   

End of year

 

$

2,559,832,373

   

$

1,794,788,317

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
117



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.78

   

$

14.20

   

$

10.90

   

$

10.65

   

$

11.20

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.27

     

0.22

     

0.18

     

0.17

     

0.19

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.20

     

(2.59

)

   

3.62

     

0.39

     

(0.40

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.47

     

(2.37

)

   

3.80

     

0.56

     

(0.21

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.24

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.05

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.35

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

13.57

   

$

10.78

   

$

14.20

   

$

10.90

   

$

10.65

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.14

%

   

(16.57

)%

   

34.96

%

   

5.24

%

   

(1.89

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

513,803

   

$

335,450

   

$

478,079

   

$

578,606

   

$

708,666

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.11

%(d)

   

1.57

%

   

1.41

%

   

1.53

%

   

1.61

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
118



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.92

   

$

14.37

   

$

11.03

   

$

10.79

   

$

11.34

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.28

     

0.22

     

0.18

     

0.17

     

0.20

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.24

     

(2.60

)

   

3.68

     

0.40

     

(0.41

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.52

     

(2.38

)

   

3.86

     

0.57

     

(0.21

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.24

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.52

)

   

(0.33

)

   

(0.35

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

13.76

   

$

10.92

   

$

14.37

   

$

11.03

   

$

10.79

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.23

%

   

(16.51

)%

   

35.05

%

   

5.31

%

   

(1.82

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

668,206

   

$

613,224

   

$

1,119,162

   

$

915,782

   

$

776,265

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.54

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.55

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.54

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.18

%(d)

   

1.58

%

   

1.35

%

   

1.54

%

   

1.69

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
119



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
July 10,
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
January 1,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
  2015(a)
through
December 10,
2015
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2014
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

11.10

   

$

14.59

   

$

13.43

   

$

11.60

   

$

12.20

   

$

10.75

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.28

     

0.23

     

0.05

     

0.19

     

0.22

     

0.20

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
   

3.31

     

(2.65

)

   

1.64

     

(0.33

)

   

(0.57

)

   

1.45

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

3.59

     

(2.42

)

   

1.69

     

(0.14

)

   

(0.35

)

   

1.65

   
Dividends and Distributions to
Shareholders 
                                                 

From net investment income

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.21

)

   

(0.20

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

     

(0.05

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.69

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.20

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees
and Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

     

0.01

     

0.01

     

0.00

(c)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

14.00

   

$

11.10

   

$

14.59

   

$

11.46

   

$

11.60

   

$

12.20

   

Total Return

 
Total return based on
net asset value(d)
   

32.27

%

   

(16.49

)%

   

12.60

%

   

(1.04

)%

   

(2.82

)%

   

15.42

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of each year
(000's omitted)
 

$

580,146

   

$

438,616

   

$

232,741

   

$

59

   

$

352,890

   

$

611,786

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.51

%

   

0.52

%

   

0.53

%*    

0.52

%*    

0.51

%

   

0.51

%

 
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets
   

2.20

%(e)

   

1.61

%

   

0.77

%*    

1.72

%*    

1.82

%

   

1.77

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

15

%

   

11

%

   

16

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
120



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

11.30

   

$

14.82

   

$

11.36

   

$

11.11

   

$

11.67

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.30

     

0.21

     

0.20

     

0.19

     

0.22

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.35

     

(2.65

)

   

3.79

     

0.41

     

(0.42

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

3.65

     

(2.44

)

   

3.99

     

0.60

     

(0.20

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.25

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.69

)

   

(1.08

)

   

(0.53

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.36

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

14.26

   

$

11.30

   

$

14.82

   

$

11.36

   

$

11.11

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.34

%

   

(16.44

)%

   

35.16

%

   

5.40

%

   

(1.75

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

104,935

   

$

79,293

   

$

183,384

   

$

167,297

   

$

174,577

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.46

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.47

%

   

0.46

%

   

0.47

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.25

%(d)

   

1.55

%

   

1.45

%

   

1.66

%

   

1.83

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

   

12

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
121



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.75

   

$

14.17

   

$

12.44

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.26

     

0.17

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.20

     

(2.52

)

   

2.25

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.46

     

(2.35

)

   

2.26

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.17

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.07

)

   

(0.53

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.53

   

$

10.75

   

$

14.17

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.16

%

   

(16.54

)%

   

18.19

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

566,554

   

$

290,186

   

$

108,728

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

   

0.63

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.09

%(d)

   

1.26

%

   

0.12

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
122



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.79

   

$

14.19

   

$

12.44

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.25

     

0.22

     

0.09

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.22

     

(2.59

)

   

2.17

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.47

     

(2.37

)

   

2.26

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.15

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.68

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.51

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.58

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.19

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.11

%

   

(16.68

)%

   

18.25

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

126,189

   

$

38,019

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.67

%

   

0.72

%

   

0.62

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.93

%(d)

   

1.58

%

   

1.01

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

33

%

   

12

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
123



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

8,981,731

     

8.7

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

7,928,287

     

7.7

   

Biotechnology

   

5,488,118

     

5.3

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

1,295,500

     

1.3

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

123,171

     

0.1

   

Insurance

   

3,423,746

     

3.4

   

Internet

   

41,140,206

     

40.1

   

Investment Companies

   

1,312,833

     

1.3

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

1,044,617

     

1.0

   

Retail

   

7,216,733

     

7.0

   

Semiconductors

   

10,552,981

     

10.3

   

Telecommunications

   

2,474,772

     

2.4

   

Total Value of Investments

   

90,982,695

     

88.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

11,690,814

     

11.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

102,673,509

     

100.0

%

 


124



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 88.6%

 

ARGENTINA — 5.1%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

9,174

   

$

5,246,978

   

CHINA — 21.4%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

33,832

     

7,175,767

   
Meituan Dianping, Class B *    

278,700

     

3,641,537

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

81,594

     

328,008

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

196,000

     

2,319,360

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

135,800

     

6,542,322

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

57,777

     

1,937,841

   
         

21,944,835

   

DENMARK — 1.8%

 
Genmab A/S *    

8,385

     

1,864,854

   

FRANCE — 10.0%

 

Hermes International

   

3,916

     

2,933,522

   

Kering

   

9,179

     

6,048,209

   

L'Oreal SA

   

4,381

     

1,295,500

   
         

10,277,231

   

GERMANY — 8.7%

 
Delivery Hero SE *    

68,708

     

5,445,770

   
Zalando SE *    

69,860

     

3,523,068

   
         

8,968,838

   

HONG KONG — 1.1%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

105,000

     

1,104,386

   

ITALY — 4.5%

 

Ferrari NV

   

28,045

     

4,656,491

   

JAPAN — 6.2%

 

M3, Inc.

   

128,500

     

3,874,995

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

57,000

     

2,474,772

   
         

6,349,767

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
125



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NETHERLANDS — 9.3%

 
ASML Holding NV    

32,144

   

$

9,516,485

   

SPAIN — 3.6%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

104,516

     

3,693,665

   

SWEDEN — 2.3%

 

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

30,086

     

1,044,617

   

Kinnevik AB, B Shares

   

53,574

     

1,312,833

   
         

2,357,450

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 0.1%

 
Funding Circle Holdings PLC *    

105,740

     

123,171

   

UNITED STATES — 14.5%

 
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

2,143

     

3,959,921

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

10,922

     

3,623,264

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

4,405

     

1,036,496

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

22,167

     

3,315,075

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

7,037

     

2,943,788

   
         

14,878,544

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 88.6%

 

(cost $77,927,565)

     

$

90,982,695

   

Other assets less liabilities — 11.4%

       

11,690,814

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

102,673,509

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

29,567,138

   

$

61,415,557

   

$

   

$

90,982,695

   

Total

 

$

29,567,138

   

$

61,415,557

   

$

   

$

90,982,695

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
126



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $77,927,565)

 

$

90,982,695

   

Cash

   

3,364,531

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

11,008,955

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

16,889

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

8,892

   

Prepaid assets

   

26,096

   

Total Assets

   

105,408,058

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

75,298

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

2,513,373

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

32,002

   

Trustee fee payable

   

675

   

Commitment fee payable

   

629

   

Accrued expenses

   

112,572

   

Total Liabilities

   

2,734,549

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

102,673,509

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

94,037,850

   

Total distributable earnings

   

8,635,659

   
   

$

102,673,509

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($101,797,205 / 8,015,224 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.70

   
Institutional Class ($876,304 / 69,270 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.65

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
127



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $120,212)

 

$

404,267

   

Non-cash income

   

274,633

   

Interest

   

4,527

   

Total Investment Income

   

683,427

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

278,508

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

117,248

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

1,118

   

Transfer agency

   

36,513

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

40

   

Fund accounting

   

93,019

   

Registration fees

   

39,112

   

Professional fees

   

28,021

   

Legal

   

13,863

   

Custody

   

6,293

   

Trustees' fees

   

2,758

   

Miscellaneous

   

7,957

   

Total Expenses

   

624,450

   

Fees waived

   

(123,096

)

 

Net Expenses

   

501,354

   

Net Investment Income

   

182,073

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

(1,816,133

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(11,667

)

 
     

(1,827,800

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
128



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

 

$

27,149,943

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

(4,478

)

 
     

27,145,465

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

25,317,665

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

25,499,738

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
129



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

182,073

   

$

(93,303

)

 

Net realized loss

   

(1,827,800

)

   

(2,587,837

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

27,145,465

     

(14,101,730

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

25,499,738

     

(16,782,870

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(175,602

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(1,520

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(177,122

)

   

   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

20,684,000

     

70,001,500

   

Institutional Class

   

176,417

     

9,396,765

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

175,602

     

   

Institutional Class

   

1,431

     

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Institutional Class

   

(14,572

)

   

(7,292,090

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

21,022,878

     

72,106,175

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

46,345,494

     

55,323,305

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

56,328,015

     

1,004,710

   

End of year

 

$

102,673,509

   

$

56,328,015

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
130



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.75

   

$

10.05

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.03

     

(0.03

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.94

     

(1.27

)

   

0.05

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.97

     

(1.30

)

   

0.05

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.70

   

$

8.75

   

$

10.05

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

45.26

%

   

(12.84

)%

   

0.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

101,797

   

$

55,852

   

$

502

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.90

%

   

1.07

%

   

53.29

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.72

%

   

0.72

%

   

0.72

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

0.26

%(e)

   

(0.26

)%

   

(0.68

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

4

%

   

32

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
131



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.72

   

$

10.05

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.03

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.92

     

(1.27

)

   

0.05

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.95

     

(1.33

)

   

0.05

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.65

   

$

8.72

   

$

10.05

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

45.32

%

   

(13.23

)%

   

0.50

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

876

   

$

476

   

$

502

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.91

%

   

1.16

%

   

53.29

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.73

%

   

0.81

%

   

0.87

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

0.30

%(e)

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.68

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

4

%

   

32

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
132



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Aerospace/Defense

 

$

49,193,503

     

1.6

%

 

Apparel

   

130,621,941

     

4.3

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

249,638,634

     

8.3

   

Banks

   

63,811,427

     

2.1

   

Biotechnology

   

106,822,665

     

3.5

   

Chemicals

   

137,414,304

     

4.6

   

Commercial Services

   

91,230,285

     

3.1

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

100,789,334

     

3.3

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

64,190,941

     

2.1

   

Electronics

   

75,837,303

     

2.5

   

Food

   

68,705,212

     

2.2

   

Healthcare — Products

   

85,525,288

     

2.8

   

Insurance

   

155,290,481

     

5.1

   

Internet

   

777,801,401

     

25.7

   

Investment Companies

   

34,316,309

     

1.1

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

126,691,778

     

4.2

   

Media

   

13,186,338

     

0.4

   

Retail

   

254,874,686

     

8.5

   

Semiconductors

   

240,827,002

     

8.0

   

Software

   

48,959,283

     

1.6

   

Telecommunications

   

106,962,237

     

3.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

2,982,690,352

     

98.5

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

46,835,800

     

1.5

   

Net Assets

 

$

3,029,526,152

     

100.0

%

 


133



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%

 

ARGENTINA — 2.3%

 
MercadoLibre, Inc. *    

120,575

   

$

68,961,666

   

BELGIUM — 2.1%

 

Umicore SA

   

1,294,218

     

63,072,702

   

CHINA — 16.1%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

664,016

     

140,837,794

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

210,636

     

26,624,390

   
Meituan Dianping, Class B *    

4,410,300

     

57,625,659

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

2,196,750

     

8,830,935

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

3,049,500

     

36,086,160

   
TAL Education Group ADR *    

1,481,146

     

71,391,237

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

3,012,700

     

145,140,310

   
         

486,536,485

   

DENMARK — 3.7%

 

Ambu A/S, Class B

   

823,519

     

13,808,037

   

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

   

159,252

     

12,655,345

   
Genmab A/S *    

286,285

     

63,670,808

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

394,289

     

19,294,672

   
         

109,428,862

   

FRANCE — 7.9%

 
Adevinta ASA *    

454,171

     

5,380,131

   

EssilorLuxottica SA

   

161,042

     

24,620,459

   

Kering

   

198,237

     

130,621,941

   

L'Oreal SA

   

269,207

     

79,606,866

   
         

240,229,397

   

GERMANY — 9.7%

 
Aixtron SE *    

1,102,052

     

10,522,971

   

BASF SE

   

562,693

     

42,391,585

   
Delivery Hero SE *    

695,979

     

55,163,034

   
HelloFresh SE *    

1,195,564

     

25,024,368

   
MorphoSys AG *    

177,223

     

25,070,200

   
Rocket Internet SE *    

662,564

     

16,424,750

   
Zalando SE *    

2,311,434

     

116,566,534

   
         

291,163,442

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
134



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

HONG KONG — 4.9%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

11,333,400

   

$

119,204,321

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

   

907,301

     

29,476,152

   
         

148,680,473

   

INDIA — 0.5%

 

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

455,866

     

15,413,948

   

ISRAEL — 1.8%

 
Wix.com Ltd. *    

437,842

     

53,583,104

   

ITALY — 5.8%

 

Ferrari NV

   

1,057,790

     

175,631,632

   

JAPAN — 15.9%

 

CyberAgent, Inc.

   

268,900

     

9,367,343

   

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   

289,700

     

19,839,048

   

M3, Inc.

   

4,333,100

     

130,667,262

   

Nidec Corp.

   

362,900

     

49,566,264

   

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

   

2,179,200

     

36,155,718

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

578,500

     

21,182,468

   

SBI Holdings, Inc.

   

914,200

     

19,300,841

   

SMC Corp.

   

140,200

     

64,115,623

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

2,463,600

     

106,962,237

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

415,600

     

28,296,102

   
         

485,452,906

   

NETHERLANDS — 8.2%

 
Argenx SE *    

112,419

     

18,081,657

   
ASML Holding NV    

777,902

     

230,304,031

   
         

248,385,688

   

NORWAY — 0.4%

 

Schibsted ASA, Class A

   

156,498

     

4,734,919

   

Schibsted ASA, Class B

   

295,741

     

8,451,419

   
         

13,186,338

   

SPAIN — 4.3%

 

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

   

4,918,031

     

27,611,564

   

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

2,890,507

     

102,152,434

   
         

129,763,998

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
135



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWEDEN — 5.0%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

1,567,709

   

$

62,576,155

   

Elekta AB, B Shares

   

1,427,595

     

18,800,690

   

Kinnevik AB, B Shares

   

1,400,378

     

34,316,309

   

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, A Shares

   

3,361,096

     

36,199,863

   
         

151,893,017

   

SWITZERLAND — 1.6%

 
Temenos AG *    

309,498

     

48,959,283

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 5.2%

 
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC *    

1,378,878

     

9,516,298

   

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

   

3,754,048

     

55,659,769

   
Ocado Group PLC *    

2,574,439

     

43,680,844

   
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC *    

5,406,472

     

48,864,076

   
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC — Entitlement *    

248,697,712

     

329,427

   
         

158,050,414

   

UNITED STATES — 2.2%

 
Spotify Technology SA *    

454,871

     

68,025,958

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $1,535,934,147)

       

2,956,419,313

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.9%

 

GERMANY — 0.9%

 

Sartorius AG 0.32% (cost $12,780,773)

   

122,898

   

$

26,271,039

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.5%

 

(cost $1,548,714,920)

     

$

2,982,690,352

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.5%

 

   

46,835,800

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

3,029,526,152

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
136



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks**  

$

549,643,077

   

$

2,406,776,236

   

$

   

$

2,956,419,313

   
Preferred Stocks**    

     

26,271,039

     

     

26,271,039

   

Total

 

$

549,643,077

   

$

2,433,047,275

   

$

   

$

2,982,690,352

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
137



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,548,714,920)

 

$

2,982,690,352

   

Cash

   

47,322,001

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

3,161,720

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

1,313,660

   

Dividends receivable

   

198,470

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,974

   

Total Assets

   

3,034,710,177

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

2,408,808

   

Dividend withholding tax payable

   

1,208,012

   

Servicing fee payable

   

587,592

   

Deferred Indian capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

366,530

   

Trustee fee payable

   

25,936

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

9,453

   

Commitment fee payable

   

188

   

Accrued expenses

   

577,506

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,184,025

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

3,029,526,152

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,579,412,625

   

Total distributable earnings

   

1,450,113,527

   

 

$

3,029,526,152

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($874,230,122 / 59,929,828 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.59

   
Class 3 ($546,476,833 / 37,381,405 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.62

   
Class 4 ($283,093,950 / 19,350,048 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.63

   
Class 5 ($1,298,917,853 / 88,609,680 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.66

   
Class K ($6,965 / 478 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.58

*

 
Institutional Class ($26,800,429 / 1,842,274 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

14.55

   

*  Net assets divided by shares does not recalculate using values rounded to the dollar.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
138



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $5,815,093)

 

$

33,223,251

   

Non-cash income

   

13,400,258

   

Interest

   

237,193

   

Total Investment Income

 

$

46,860,702

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

9,066,471

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

1,323,801

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

480,380

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

174,232

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

228,351

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

11

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

28,648

   

Transfer agency

   

108,465

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

8,946

   

Fund accounting

   

1,074,790

   

Legal

   

499,023

   

Custody

   

305,624

   

Professional fees

   

167,617

   

Trustees' fees

   

106,434

   

Registration fees

   

39,359

   

Miscellaneous

   

62,726

   

Total Expenses

   

13,674,878

   

Net Investment Income

   

33,185,824

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

25,222,895

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(139,745

)

 
     

25,083,150

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments (net of deferred Indian capital gains tax liability of $366,530) (Note A)

   

767,713,955

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

49,774

   

   

767,763,729

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

792,846,879

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

826,032,703

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
139



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

33,185,824

   

$

21,639,364

   

Net realized gain

   

25,083,150

     

155,260,239

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

767,763,729

     

(613,824,065

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

826,032,703

     

(436,924,462

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(9,711,659

)

   

(58,931,007

)

 

Class 3

   

(6,398,737

)

   

(37,425,470

)

 

Class 4

   

(3,385,754

)

   

(19,651,309

)

 

Class 5

   

(16,066,961

)

   

(90,607,317

)

 

Class K

   

(77

)

   

(480

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(285,728

)

   

(21,567

)

 

Return of Capital

 

Class 2

   

     

(1,352,947

)

 

Class 3

   

     

(840,560

)

 

Class 4

   

     

(440,379

)

 

Class 5

   

     

(2,019,580

)

 

Class K

   

     

(11

)

 

Institutional Class

   

     

(4,450

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(35,848,916

)

   

(211,295,077

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

64,526,000

     

131,045,716

*

 

Class 3

   

9,300,000

     

11,000,000

   

Class 5

   

     

1,000,000

   

Institutional Class

   

21,930,555

     

2,139,835

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

9,691,346

     

60,268,790

   

Class 3

   

6,398,737

     

38,266,030

   

Class 4

   

3,385,754

     

20,091,688

   

Class 5

   

16,066,961

     

92,626,897

   

Class K

   

77

     

491

   

Institutional Class

   

285,728

     

26,017

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(63,189,038

)

   

(117,827,995

)

 

Class 3

   

(5,000,000

)

   

(147,753,216

)*  

Class 4

   

     

(55,000,000

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(2,123,738

)

   

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

61,272,382

     

35,884,253

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

851,456,169

     

(612,335,286

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

2,178,069,983

     

2,790,405,269

   

End of year

 

$

3,029,526,152

   

$

2,178,069,983

   

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
140



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.74

   

$

14.39

   

$

10.09

   

$

10.52

   

$

11.11

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.15

     

0.11

     

0.05

     

0.08

     

0.09

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.87

     

(2.61

)

   

4.60

     

0.06

     

(0.42

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.02

     

(2.50

)

   

4.65

     

0.14

     

(0.33

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.09

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.15

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.26

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

14.59

   

$

10.74

   

$

14.39

   

$

10.09

   

$

10.52

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

37.34

%

   

(17.33

)%

   

46.09

%

   

1.34

%

   

(3.07

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

874,230

   

$

632,645

   

$

746,817

   

$

732,160

   

$

732,135

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.61

%

   

0.62

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.16

%(d)

   

0.72

%

   

0.42

%

   

0.81

%

   

0.78

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

   

17

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
141



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.76

   

$

14.42

   

$

10.11

   

$

10.54

   

$

11.13

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.16

     

0.11

     

0.05

     

0.11

     

0.10

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.88

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

0.03

     

(0.43

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.04

     

(2.50

)

   

4.67

     

0.14

     

(0.33

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.09

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.18

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.57

)

   

(0.26

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

14.62

   

$

10.76

   

$

14.42

   

$

10.11

   

$

10.54

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

37.44

%

   

(17.27

)%

   

46.20

%

   

1.41

%

   

(3.02

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

546,477

   

$

393,050

   

$

601,549

   

$

433,860

   

$

490,218

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.53

%

   

0.53

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.54

%

   

0.55

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.22

%(d)

   

0.74

%

   

0.41

%

   

1.04

%

   

0.85

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

   

17

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
142



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the Period
October 10,
2016(a)
through
December 31,
2016
  For the Period
January 1,
2016(a)
through
April 11,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.77

   

$

14.43

   

$

10.12

   

$

11.49

   

$

10.55

   

$

11.15

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.16

     

0.12

     

0.06

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.02

     

0.10

   
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments and
foreign currency
   

3.88

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

(0.81

)

   

(0.41

)

   

(0.43

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

4.04

     

(2.49

)

   

4.68

     

(0.81

)

   

(0.39

)

   

(0.33

)

 
Dividends and Distributions to
Shareholders
             

From net investment income

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)

   

     

(0.10

)

 
From net realized gain on
investments
   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.48

)

   

     

(0.17

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.18

)

   

(1.17

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.56

)

   

     

(0.27

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees
and Redemption Fees(b)
   

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

0.00

(c)

   

     

0.00

(c)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

14.63

   

$

10.77

   

$

14.43

   

$

10.12

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.55

   

Total Return

 
Total return based on
net asset value(d)
   

37.48

%

   

(17.24

)%

   

46.24

%

   

(6.97

)%

   

(3.71

)%

   

(2.99

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 
Net assets, end of each period
(000's omitted)
 

$

283,094

   

$

205,923

   

$

302,474

   

$

201,923

   

$

191,724

   

$

199,086

   
Ratio of net expenses to average
net assets
   

0.50

%

   

0.50

%

   

0.51

%

   

0.52

%*    

0.51

%*    

0.52

%

 
Ratio of net investment income
to average net assets
   

1.26

%(e)

   

0.83

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.05

%*    

0.65

%*    

0.89

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

   

18

%

   

17

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 11, 2016 to October 9, 2016. All shares of this class were redeemed on April 11, 2016 at $10.16. New shares were issued at $11.49 on October 10, 2016.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
143



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

10.79

   

$

14.46

   

$

10.14

   

$

10.56

   

$

11.16

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.17

     

0.12

     

0.07

     

0.10

     

0.11

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.89

     

(2.61

)

   

4.62

     

0.06

     

(0.44

)

 
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

4.06

     

(2.49

)

   

4.69

     

0.16

     

(0.33

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net investment income

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.10

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.50

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.19

)

   

(1.18

)

   

(0.37

)

   

(0.58

)

   

(0.27

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

14.66

   

$

10.79

   

$

14.46

   

$

10.14

   

$

10.56

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

37.55

%

   

(17.20

)%

   

46.31

%

   

1.49

%

   

(2.94

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

1,298,918

   

$

944,366

   

$

1,139,553

   

$

778,857

   

$

767,415

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.45

%

   

0.45

%

   

0.46

%

   

0.46

%

   

0.47

%

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.31

%(d)

   

0.84

%

   

0.51

%

   

0.98

%

   

0.94

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

   

18

%

   

17

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
144



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.73

   

$

14.38

   

$

12.02

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.15

     

0.10

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.87

     

(2.60

)

   

2.71

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.02

     

(2.50

)

   

2.72

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.15

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

14.58

   

$

10.73

   

$

14.38

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

37.40

%

   

(17.32

)%

   

22.62

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

7

   

$

5

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%

   

0.60

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

1.17

%(d)

   

0.72

%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
145



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.72

   

$

14.38

   

$

12.02

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.15

     

(0.01

)

   

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.85

     

(2.49

)(c)

   

2.71

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.00

     

(2.50

)

   

2.72

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.07

)

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

(1.03

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Return of capital

   

     

(0.02

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.17

)

   

(1.16

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

14.55

   

$

10.72

   

$

14.38

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

37.25

%

   

(17.34

)%

   

22.62

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

26,800

   

$

2,081

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.69

%

   

0.60

%*  

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

   

1.09

%(e)

   

(0.23

)%

   

0.14

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

6

%

   

14

%

   

9

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
146



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

25,224

     

2.0

%

 

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

7,775

     

0.6

   

Biotechnology

   

14,154

     

1.1

   

Building Materials

   

41,662

     

3.3

   

Chemicals

   

10,662

     

0.9

   

Commercial Services

   

80,251

     

6.4

   

Computers

   

38,593

     

3.1

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

54,407

     

4.3

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

119,644

     

9.5

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

6,824

     

0.5

   

Electronics

   

93,187

     

7.4

   

Food

   

9,985

     

0.8

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

13,770

     

1.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

11,433

     

0.9

   

Insurance

   

6,748

     

0.5

   

Internet

   

226,318

     

18.0

   

Leisure Time

   

25,450

     

2.0

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

20,048

     

1.6

   

Media

   

11,065

     

0.9

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

   

31,262

     

2.5

   

Office/Business Equipment

   

15,652

     

1.2

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

38,159

     

3.0

   

Private Equity

   

9,575

     

0.8

   

Retail

   

76,451

     

6.1

   

Semiconductors

   

110,124

     

8.8

   

Software

   

152,812

     

12.1

   

Telecommunication

   

16,641

     

1.3

   

Total Value of Investments

   

1,267,876

     

100.7

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

(8,412

)

   

(0.7

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

1,259,464

     

100.0

%

 


147



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 100.7%

 

AUSTRALIA — 0.9%

 

IRESS Ltd.

   

1,257

   

$

11,488

   

BELGIUM — 0.4%

 
Biocartis NV *    

862

     

5,531

   

CANADA — 1.8%

 
Kinaxis, Inc. *    

300

     

23,107

   

CHINA — 4.6%

 

Li Ning Co., Ltd.

   

19,500

     

58,486

   

DENMARK — 1.4%

 
ALK-Abello A/S *    

72

     

17,671

   

FINLAND — 0.8%

 

Asiakastieto Group Oyj

   

270

     

9,540

   

FRANCE — 1.1%

 
Cellectis SA *    

506

     

8,787

   
ESI Group *    

135

     

4,921

   
         

13,708

   

GERMANY — 10.7%

 

Aumann AG

   

165

     

2,842

   
Hypoport AG *    

119

     

41,981

   

Isra Vision AG

   

614

     

26,764

   

New Work SE

   

80

     

26,203

   

RIB Software SE

   

901

     

22,718

   
zooplus AG *    

151

     

14,465

   
         

134,973

   

HONG KONG — 0.7%

 

Hypebeast Ltd.

   

15,000

     

2,467

   

Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd.

   

3,000

     

6,824

   
         

9,291

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
148



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

IRELAND — 0.8%

 

Keywords Studios PLC

   

533

   

$

10,600

   

ISRAEL — 1.4%

 

Maytronics Ltd.

   

2,033

     

17,016

   

ITALY — 5.0%

 

Brunello Cucinelli SpA

   

712

     

25,224

   

Reply SpA

   

383

     

29,854

   

Technogym SpA

   

648

     

8,434

   
         

63,512

   

JAPAN — 32.2%

 

Anicom Holdings, Inc.

   

200

     

6,748

   
Bengo4.com, Inc. *    

600

     

31,641

   

COLOPL, Inc.

   

1,900

     

20,284

   

Daikyonishikawa Corp.

   

1,000

     

7,775

   

Demae-Can Co., Ltd.

   

1,500

     

15,466

   

DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.

   

900

     

13,770

   

eGuarantee, Inc.

   

1,000

     

11,492

   
Healios K.K. *    

700

     

9,568

   

Ichiyoshi Securities Co., Ltd.

   

1,700

     

9,986

   

Infomart Corp.

   

3,600

     

32,487

   

Iriso Electronics Co., Ltd.

   

300

     

13,216

   
Istyle, Inc. *    

2,600

     

15,540

   

Katitas Co., Ltd.

   

700

     

30,817

   

KH Neochem Co., Ltd.

   

500

     

10,662

   

Kitanotatsujin Corp.

   

2,600

     

17,275

   

Link And Motivation, Inc.

   

2,300

     

13,358

   
Locondo, Inc. *    

700

     

5,796

   

Megachips Corp.

   

700

     

11,991

   

Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.

   

800

     

11,065

   
Open Door, Inc. *    

400

     

5,726

   

Optex Group Co., Ltd.

   

700

     

10,551

   

Outsourcing, Inc.

   

3,000

     

31,563

   
Raksul, Inc. *    

800

     

27,525

   

Sato Holdings Corp.

   

500

     

15,652

   

Tsugami Corp.

   

1,700

     

17,206

   
Uzabase, Inc. *    

400

     

8,331

   
         

405,491

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
149



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

NORWAY — 0.5%

 
XXL ASA *    

2,966

   

$

5,615

   

SOUTH KOREA — 6.9%

 
Cafe24 Corp. *    

217

     

9,580

   
Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd. *    

622

     

43,481

   
Genexine Co., Ltd. *    

100

     

5,367

   
Koh Young Technology, Inc. *    

308

     

28,067

   
         

86,495

   

SWEDEN — 6.5%

 

AddTech AB, Class B

   

773

     

25,006

   

Avanza Bank Holding AB

   

3,180

     

33,204

   

HMS Networks AB

   

902

     

16,641

   
Vostok New Ventures Ltd. SDR *    

951

     

6,387

   
         

81,238

   

SWITZERLAND — 4.8%

 

Bossard Holding AG

   

163

     

29,401

   

Fenix Outdoor International AG

   

51

     

6,360

   
Sensirion Holding AG *    

326

     

13,828

   
u-blox Holding AG *    

102

     

10,307

   
         

59,896

   

TAIWAN — 8.3%

 

Airtac International Group

   

2,000

     

31,262

   

ASPEED Technology, Inc.

   

1,000

     

32,100

   

Chroma ATE, Inc.

   

3,000

     

14,590

   

Global Unichip Corp.

   

2,000

     

16,098

   

TCI Co., Ltd.

   

1,148

     

10,920

   
         

104,970

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 11.9%

 

Alpha FX Group PLC

   

426

     

7,054

   
Creo Medical Group PLC *    

2,461

     

5,902

   
Dialog Semiconductor PLC *    

508

     

25,800

   

dotdigital group PLC

   

2,785

     

3,541

   
Draper Esprit PLC *    

1,506

     

9,575

   

FDM Group Holdings PLC

   

2,049

     

27,993

   

First Derivatives PLC

   

720

     

26,132

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
150



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Horizon Discovery Group PLC *    

3,928

   

$

7,805

   

Hotel Chocolat Group PLC

   

1,694

     

9,985

   
LoopUp Group PLC *    

2,106

     

1,995

   

Naked Wines PLC

   

1,972

     

5,926

   
Team17 Group PLC *    

1,335

     

6,631

   
Victoria PLC *    

1,904

     

10,845

   
         

149,184

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.7%

 

(cost $1,024,585)

 

 

$

1,267,812

   

Other liabilities less assets — (0.7)%

 

   

(8,348

)

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

1,259,464

   

(1)  Amount rounds to less than 0.1%.

*  Non-income producing security.

SDR  —  Special Drawing Rights

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

343,782

   

$

924,030

   

$

   

$

1,267,812

   

Total

 

$

343,782

   

$

924,030

   

$

   

$

1,267,812

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
151



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $1,024,585)

 

$

1,267,812

   

Cash

   

22,120

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

30,162

   

Dividends receivable

   

3,263

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

420

   

Prepaid assets

   

7,807

   

Other assets

   

64

   

Total Assets

   

1,331,648

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

1,760

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

516

   

Trustee fee payable

   

47

   

Commitment fee payable

   

10

   

Accrued expenses

   

69,851

   

Total Liabilities

   

72,184

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,259,464

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,029,432

   

Total distributable earnings

   

230,032

   
   

$

1,259,464

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($629,732 / 51,198 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.30

   
Institutional Class ($629,732 / 51,198 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

12.30

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
152



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,575)

 

$

11,307

   

Interest

   

421

   

Total Investment Income

   

11,728

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

6,622

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

970

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

970

   

Transfer agency

   

33,430

   

Fund accounting

   

78,744

   

Professional fees

   

32,232

   

Custody

   

6,316

   

Legal

   

4,679

   

Registration fees

   

3,828

   

Trustees' fees

   

2

   

Miscellaneous

   

5,175

   

Total Expenses

   

172,968

   

Fees waived

   

(162,693

)

 

Net Expenses

   

10,275

   

Net Investment Income

   

1,453

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

20,684

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(9

)

 

   

20,675

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

242,643

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

10

   

   

242,653

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

263,328

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

264,781

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
153



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
December 19,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

1,453

   

$

545

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

20,675

     

(6,453

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

242,653

     

591

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

264,781

     

(5,317

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(14,729

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(14,729

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(29,458

)

   

   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

     

500,000

   

Institutional Class

   

     

500,000

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

14,729

     

   

Institutional Class

   

14,729

     

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

29,458

     

1,000,000

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

264,781

     

994,683

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

994,683

     

   

End of period

 

$

1,259,464

   

$

994,683

   

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
154



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
December 19,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

9.95

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

2.64

     

(0.06

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

2.65

     

(0.05

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

         

From net investment income

   

(0.11

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.30

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.58

%

   

(0.50

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

630

   

$

497

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

15.15

%

   

95.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.13

%

   

1.85

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

11

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
155



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the Period
December 19,
2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

9.95

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(b)

   

0.01

     

0.01

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

2.64

     

(0.06

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

2.65

     

(0.05

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

         

From net investment income

   

(0.11

)

   

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.19

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.30

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.30

   

$

9.95

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

26.58

%

   

(0.50

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

630

   

$

498

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

15.15

%

   

95.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

0.13

%

   

1.85

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

11

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
156



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

22,213,085

     

6.5

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

22,816,160

     

6.7

   

Biotechnology

   

29,065,860

     

8.6

   

Commercial Services

   

7,963,267

     

2.3

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

3,719,129

     

1.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

9,639,883

     

2.8

   

Insurance

   

5,294,744

     

1.6

   

Internet

   

160,650,875

     

47.3

   

Leisure Time

   

3,305,703

     

1.0

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

8,281,497

     

2.4

   

Retail

   

7,983,385

     

2.4

   

Semiconductors

   

23,958,637

     

7.0

   

Software

   

26,908,099

     

7.9

   

Total Value of Investments

   

331,800,324

     

97.6

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

8,135,599

     

2.4

   

Net Assets

 

$

339,935,923

     

100.0

%

 


157



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%

 

CANADA — 2.0%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

16,965

   

$

6,744,945

   

CHINA — 25.2%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

117,634

     

24,950,171

   
Meituan Dianping, Class B *    

901,300

     

11,776,525

   

NetEase, Inc. ADR

   

18,515

     

5,677,439

   
NIO, Inc. ADR *    

415,214

     

1,669,160

   
Pinduoduo, Inc. ADR *    

126,346

     

4,778,406

   
TAL Education Group ADR *    

165,213

     

7,963,267

   

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

489,100

     

23,562,959

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

152,478

     

5,114,112

   
         

85,492,039

   

FRANCE — 7.6%

 

Hermes International

   

8,244

     

6,175,678

   

Kering

   

24,339

     

16,037,407

   

L'Oreal SA

   

12,577

     

3,719,129

   
         

25,932,214

   

GERMANY — 2.4%

 
Delivery Hero SE *    

98,543

     

7,810,481

   
Rocket Internet SE *    

16,916

     

419,343

   
         

8,229,824

   

HONG KONG — 1.6%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

503,400

     

5,294,744

   

NETHERLANDS — 3.5%

 
ASML Holding NV    

40,314

     

11,935,278

   

SPAIN — 2.3%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

225,898

     

7,983,385

   

UNITED STATES — 53.0%

 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

9,374

     

12,533,226

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

14,233

     

26,300,307

   
Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A *    

64,242

     

7,730,882

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
158



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
DexCom, Inc. *    

37,860

   

$

8,281,496

   
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

82,084

     

16,847,741

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

74,053

     

24,566,342

   
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *    

16,307

     

9,639,883

   
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

74,483

     

4,499,518

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

37,683

     

12,193,088

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

51,098

     

12,023,359

   
Peloton Interactive, Inc., Class A *    

116,398

     

3,305,703

   
salesforce.com, Inc. *    

45,568

     

7,411,180

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

50,950

     

7,619,573

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

50,551

     

21,147,000

   
Workday, Inc., Class A *    

37,024

     

6,088,597

   
         

180,187,895

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 97.6%

 

(cost $217,772,272)

     

$

331,800,324

   

Other assets less liabilities — 2.4%

       

8,135,599

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

339,935,923

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

237,504,738

   

$

94,295,586

   

$

   

$

331,800,324

   

Total

 

$

237,504,738

   

$

94,295,586

   

$

   

$

331,800,324

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
159



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $217,772,272)

 

$

331,800,324

   

Cash

   

7,102,797

   

Foreign currency (cost $1,449,083)

   

1,456,091

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

69,830

   

Capital shares sold receivable

   

28,709

   

Prepaid assets

   

24,688

   

Total Assets

   

340,482,439

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

329,870

   

Administration and Supervisory fees payable

   

67,118

   

Servicing fee payable

   

40,361

   

Trustee fee payable

   

2,630

   

Commitment fee payable

   

1,304

   

Capital shares purchased payable

   

921

   

Accrued expenses

   

104,312

   

Total Liabilities

   

546,516

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

339,935,923

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

230,335,438

   

Total distributable earnings

   

109,600,485

   
   

$

339,935,923

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($72,023,019 / 3,483,119 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.68

   
Class 4 ($74,807,735 / 3,085,974 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

24.24

   
Class K ($136,095,985 / 6,579,172 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.69

   
Institutional Class ($57,009,184 / 2,759,065 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

20.66

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
160



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $119,775)

 

$

866,030

   

Interest

   

37,160

   

Total Investment Income

   

903,190

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,152,125

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

107,484

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

33,614

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

3,483

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

153,631

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

62,901

   

Transfer agency

   

70,807

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

34,972

   

Fund accounting

   

115,869

   

Registration fees

   

53,176

   

Legal

   

52,750

   

Professional fees

   

26,241

   

Custody

   

18,592

   

Trustees' fees

   

10,326

   

Miscellaneous

   

18,813

   

Total Expenses

   

1,914,784

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(1,011,594

)

 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

(4,184,119

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

7,112

   
     

(4,177,007

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

79,751,105

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

5,965

   
     

79,757,070

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

75,580,063

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

74,568,469

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
161



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(1,011,594

)

 

$

(382,807

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

(4,177,007

)

   

13,105,881

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

79,757,070

     

(16,013,281

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

74,568,469

     

(3,290,207

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(102,829

)

   

(5,003,161

)

 

Class 4

   

(91,124

)

   

   

Class 5

   

     

(4,309,351

)

 

Class K

   

(194,232

)

   

(6,891,490

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(80,814

)

   

(32,928

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(468,999

)

   

(16,236,930

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 2

   

155,750

     

95,125

   

Class 4

   

67,193,017

*

   

   

Class 5

   

     

61,984,598

   

Class K

   

34,246,083

     

6,846,083

   

Institutional Class

   

50,656,366

     

2,191,113

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

102,829

     

5,003,161

   

Class 4

   

91,124

     

   

Class 5

   

     

4,309,351

   

Class K

   

194,231

     

6,891,490

   

Institutional Class

   

80,814

     

32,928

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(1,000,000

)

   

(5,059,742

)

 

Class 4

   

     

(61,984,598

)

 

Class 5

   

(69,693,017

)*    

   

Class K

   

(1,500,000

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(3,117,562

)

   

(1,671,907

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

77,409,635

     

18,637,602

   

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

151,509,105

     

(889,535

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

188,426,818

     

189,316,353

   

End of year

 

$

339,935,923

   

$

188,426,818

   
   

 

 

 

 

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
162



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

15.51

   

$

17.33

   

$

11.25

   

$

11.76

   

$

10.43

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(a)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.04

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

5.27

     

(0.22

)

   

6.16

     

(0.39

)

   

1.47

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

5.20

     

(0.26

)

   

6.08

     

(0.44

)

   

1.43

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

     

(0.07

)

   

(0.12

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

     

(0.07

)

   

(0.12

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.02

   

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

20.68

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.33

   

$

11.25

   

$

11.76

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

33.49

%

   

(1.42

)%

   

54.07

%

   

(3.80

)%

   

13.99

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

72,023

   

$

54,661

   

$

59,870

   

$

32,434

   

$

36,177

   
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
before waiver
   

0.76

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.82

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.91

%

 
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
after waiver
   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%

 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.40

)%

   

(0.22

)%

   

(0.50

)%

   

(0.43

)%

   

(0.34

)%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

10

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
163



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class 4 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the Period
April 10,
2019
through
December 31,
2019(a)
  For the Period
January 1,
2018
through
April 9,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the Period
October 7,
2015(b)
through
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

21.80

   

$

19.99

   

$

12.96

   

$

13.53

   

$

12.22

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(c)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.03

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.01

)

 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

2.51

     

1.11

     

7.10

     

(0.46

)

   

1.39

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from
investment operations
   

2.47

     

1.08

     

7.03

     

(0.50

)

   

1.38

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                     

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.03

)

   

     

     

(0.07

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.03

)

   

     

     

(0.07

)

   

(0.08

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(c)
   

     

     

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

   

0.01

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

24.24

   

$

21.07

   

$

19.99

   

$

12.96

   

$

13.53

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

11.34

%(f)

   

5.41

%

   

54.22

%

   

(3.71

)%

   

11.31

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

74,808

   

$

   

$

58,802

   

$

28,722

   

$

43,344

   
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
before waiver
   

0.66

%*

   

0.67

%*

   

0.72

%

   

0.76

%

   

0.75

%*  
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets,
after waiver
   

0.66

%*

   

0.67

%*

   

0.67

%

   

0.67

%

   

0.67

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.27

)%*

   

0.15

%*

   

(0.41

)%

   

(0.33

)%

   

(0.39

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

10

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 9, 2018 to April 9, 2019. All shares of this class were redeemed at $21.07 on April 9, 2018. New shares were issued at $21.80 on April 10, 2019.

(b)  Commencement of investment operations.

(c)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(d)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Represents total return for the period April 10, 2019 (commencement of investment operations) through December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the blended return for shares converted into Class 4 from Class 5 was 33.59%.

(g)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
164



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

15.52

   

$

17.34

   

$

13.96

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.07

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

5.27

     

(0.22

)

   

3.45

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

5.20

     

(0.26

)

   

3.38

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

20.69

   

$

15.52

   

$

17.34

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

33.50

%

   

(1.41

)%

   

24.21

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

136,096

   

$

75,402

   

$

70,639

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.76

%

   

0.79

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.76

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.77

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.41

)%

   

(0.23

)%

   

(0.61

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(d)

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(d)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
165



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28, 2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

15.51

   

$

17.34

   

$

13.96

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.06

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

5.28

     

(0.08

)(c)

   

3.44

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

5.18

     

(0.27

)

   

3.38

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.03

)

   

(1.56

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

20.66

   

$

15.51

   

$

17.34

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

33.40

%

   

(1.47

)%

   

24.21

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

57,009

   

$

356

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

0.86

%

   

0.88

%

   

0.80

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.86

%

   

0.87

%

   

0.80

%*

 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.91

)%

   

(0.56

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

5

%

   

16

%

   

13

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
166



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Auto Manufacturers

 

$

1,763,679

     

6.6

%

 

Banks

   

1,099,801

     

4.1

   

Biotechnology

   

2,925,351

     

11.0

   

Building Materials

   

2,291,854

     

8.6

   

Chemicals

   

3,739,669

     

14.0

   

Computers

   

171,072

     

0.7

   

Cosmetics/Personal Care

   

454,041

     

1.7

   

Electric

   

648,163

     

2.4

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

345,885

     

1.3

   

Electronics

   

268,486

     

1.0

   

Healthcare — Products

   

1,864,387

     

7.0

   

Healthcare — Services

   

433,084

     

1.6

   

Insurance

   

839,983

     

3.2

   

Internet

   

3,640,354

     

13.7

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

916,406

     

3.4

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

1,461,839

     

5.5

   

Semiconductors

   

3,367,980

     

12.7

   

Telecommunications

   

141,198

     

0.5

   

Total Value of Investments

   

26,373,232

     

99.0

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

267,965

     

1.0

   

Net Assets

 

$

26,641,197

     

100.0

%

 


167



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.0%

 

BELGIUM — 5.5%

 

Umicore SA

   

29,887

   

$

1,456,520

   

CANADA — 1.1%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

727

     

289,041

   

CHINA — 3.3%

 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   

18,000

     

867,171

   

DENMARK — 8.7%

 

Chr. Hansen Holding A/S

   

12,099

     

961,476

   

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

14,562

     

712,597

   

Orsted A/S

   

6,267

     

648,163

   
         

2,322,236

   

INDONESIA — 4.1%

 

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

   

3,474,600

     

1,099,801

   

IRELAND — 4.6%

 

Kingspan Group PLC

   

20,265

     

1,237,722

   

JAPAN — 9.6%

 

M3, Inc.

   

47,200

     

1,423,345

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

12,400

     

454,041

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

10,000

     

680,849

   
         

2,558,235

   

KENYA — 0.5%

 

Safaricom PLC

   

454,300

     

141,198

   

NETHERLANDS — 7.7%

 
ASML Holding NV    

5,767

     

1,707,366

   

Signify NV

   

11,051

     

345,884

   
         

2,053,250

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 3.2%

 

Discovery Ltd.

   

97,528

     

839,983

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
168



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

SWEDEN — 4.0%

 

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

60,759

   

$

1,054,132

   

TAIWAN — 6.2%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

28,582

     

1,660,614

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 0.6%

 

FDM Group Holdings PLC

   

12,522

     

171,072

   

UNITED STATES — 38.9%

 
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

3,522

     

600,818

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

7,058

     

812,870

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class A *    

792

     

1,060,797

   
DexCom, Inc. *    

6,683

     

1,461,839

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

3,156

     

609,076

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

10,698

     

582,720

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

5,189

     

1,721,399

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

19,994

     

391,083

   
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

5,173

     

433,084

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

4,216

     

1,763,679

   

Xylem, Inc.

   

11,631

     

916,406

   
         

10,353,771

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $22,536,600)

       

26,104,746

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.0%

 

GERMANY — 1.0%

 

Sartorius AG 0.32% (cost $224,692)

   

1,256

     

268,486

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.0%

 

(cost $22,761,292)

     

$

26,373,232

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.0%

       

267,965

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

26,641,197

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
169



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

16,844,565

   

$

9,260,181

   

$

   

$

26,104,746

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

268,486

     

     

268,486

   

Total

 

$

16,844,565

   

$

9,528,667

   

$

   

$

26,373,232

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
170



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $22,761,292)

 

$

26,373,232

   

Cash

   

287,611

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

30,203

   

Dividends receivable

   

14,107

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

8,995

   

Prepaid assets

   

25,775

   

Total Assets

   

26,739,923

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

19,871

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

10,237

   

Trustee fee payable

   

219

   

Commitment fee payable

   

205

   

Accrued expenses

   

68,194

   

Total Liabilities

   

98,726

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

26,641,197

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

23,078,998

   

Total distributable earnings

   

3,562,199

   
   

$

26,641,197

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($15,923,284 / 1,212,365 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.13

   
Institutional Class ($10,717,913 / 816,520 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

13.13

   

*  Net assets divided by shares does not recalculate using values rounded to the dollar.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
171



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $34,382)

 

$

200,589

   

Interest

   

2,112

   

Total Investment Income

   

202,701

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

61,979

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

17,396

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

14,533

   

Transfer agency

   

37,472

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

269

   

Fund accounting

   

93,522

   

Registration fees

   

36,303

   

Professional fees

   

28,012

   

Custody

   

6,768

   

Legal

   

4,507

   

Trustees' fees

   

756

   

Miscellaneous

   

5,380

   

Total Expenses

   

306,897

   

Fees waived

   

(184,548

)

 

Net Expenses

   

122,349

   

Net Investment Income

   

80,352

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments

   

46,003

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(6,031

)

 
     

39,972

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

5,080,102

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

51

   
     

5,080,153

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

5,120,125

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

5,200,477

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
172



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

80,352

   

$

(7,880

)

 

Net realized gain (loss)

   

39,972

     

(72,258

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

5,080,153

     

(1,484,909

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

5,200,477

     

(1,565,047

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(65,275

)

   

   

Institutional Class

   

(40,744

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(106,019

)

   

   

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

8,086,054

     

5,015,042

   

Institutional Class

   

884,224

     

8,061,290

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

18,677

     

   

Institutional Class

   

40,744

     

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Institutional Class

   

(10,610

)

   

   

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

9,019,089

     

13,076,332

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

14,113,547

     

11,511,285

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

12,527,650

     

1,016,365

   

End of year

 

$

26,641,197

   

$

12,527,650

   
   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
173



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.05

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.04

     

(0.04

)(d)

   

0.16

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.09

     

(0.06

)

   

0.16

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.04

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.06

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

30.53

%

   

(0.59

)%

   

1.60

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

15,923

   

$

5,036

   

$

508

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.63

%

   

3.21

%

   

53.13

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%*  

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

   

0.44

%

   

(0.14

)%

   

(0.47

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

7

%

   

7

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
174



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
December 14,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

$

10.00

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

   

0.05

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3.03

     

(0.04

)(d)

   

0.16

   

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

3.08

     

(0.06

)

   

0.16

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

             

From net investment income

   

(0.03

)

   

     

   

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.02

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.05

)

   

     

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

13.13

   

$

10.10

   

$

10.16

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(e)

   

30.49

%

   

(0.59

)%

   

1.60

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

10,718

   

$

7,492

   

$

508

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.63

%

   

3.21

%

   

53.13

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.80

%*  

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

   

0.41

%

   

(0.14

)%

   

(0.47

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

7

%

   

7

%

   

0

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(c)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
175



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Advertising

 

$

679,844

     

3.9

%

 

Aerospace/Defense

   

192,937

     

1.1

   

Auto Manufacturers

   

1,106,065

     

6.4

   

Banks

   

560,706

     

3.2

   

Biotechnology

   

1,208,781

     

7.0

   

Commercial Services

   

1,740,759

     

10.0

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

361,741

     

2.1

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

906,285

     

5.2

   

Electronics

   

206,941

     

1.2

   

Food Service

   

362,173

     

2.1

   

Healthcare — Products

   

1,363,175

     

7.9

   

Healthcare — Services

   

173,300

     

1.0

   

Insurance

   

152,042

     

0.9

   

Internet

   

6,863,111

     

39.6

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

2,383

     

0

   

Real Estate

   

263,214

     

1.5

   

Semiconductors

   

203,064

     

1.2

   

Software

   

731,859

     

4.2

   

Total Value of Investments

   

17,078,380

     

98.5

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

252,970

     

1.5

   

Net Assets

 

$

17,331,350

     

100.0

%

 


176



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 98.5%

 

CANADA — 6.2%

 
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

2,703

   

$

1,074,659

   

UNITED STATES — 92.3%

 
2U, Inc. *    

3,128

     

75,041

   
ABIOMED, Inc. *    

1,928

     

328,898

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

   

2,280

     

135,478

   
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *    

2,425

     

279,287

   
Alphabet, Inc., Class C *    

575

     

768,786

   
Amazon.com, Inc. *    

963

     

1,779,470

   
Appian Corp., Class A *    

3,362

     

128,462

   
Chegg, Inc. *    

10,066

     

381,602

   
Chewy, Inc., Class A *    

8,367

     

242,643

   
CoStar Group, Inc. *    

642

     

384,109

   
Denali Therapeutics, Inc. *    

7,106

     

123,787

   
Eventbrite, Inc., Class A *    

5,138

     

103,633

   
Facebook, Inc., Class A *    

2,186

     

448,677

   

First Republic Bank

   

4,774

     

560,706

   

Fortive Corp.

   

2,709

     

206,941

   
Glaukos Corp. *    

5,362

     

292,068

   
GrubHub, Inc. *    

7,446

     

362,173

   

HEICO Corp., Class A

   

2,155

     

192,937

   
Illumina, Inc. *    

2,142

     

710,587

   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

   

4,062

     

189,370

   
Lyft, Inc., Class A *    

2,419

     

104,065

   
Markel Corp. *    

133

     

152,042

   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

   

2,374

     

900,007

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

   

2,401

     

716,915

   
Moderna, Inc. *    

4,863

     

95,120

   
Netflix, Inc. *    

2,520

     

815,396

   
New Relic, Inc. *    

2,104

     

138,254

   
Novocure Ltd. *    

5,788

     

487,755

   
NOW, Inc. *    

212

     

2,383

   

NVIDIA Corp.

   

863

     

203,064

   
Penumbra, Inc. *    

1,549

     

254,454

   
Redfin Corp. *    

12,451

     

263,214

   
Roku, Inc. *    

3,882

     

519,800

   
Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A *    

7,638

     

195,991

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
177



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 
Teladoc Health, Inc. *    

2,070

   

$

173,300

   
Tesla, Inc. *    

2,644

     

1,106,065

   
Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A *    

2,617

     

679,844

   

Watsco, Inc.

   

2,008

     

361,741

   
Wayfair, Inc., Class A *    

7,064

     

638,374

   
Yext, Inc. *    

10,221

     

147,387

   
Zillow Group, Inc., Class A *    

3,752

     

171,616

   
Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A *    

2,679

     

182,279

   
         

16,003,721

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.5%

 

(cost $14,640,804)

     

$

17,078,380

   

Other assets less liabilities — 1.5%

       

252,970

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

     

$

17,331,350

   

*  Non-income producing security.

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

17,078,380

   

$

   

$

   

$

17,078,380

   

Total

 

$

17,078,380

   

$

   

$

   

$

17,078,380

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
178



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $14,640,804)

 

$

17,078,380

   

Cash

   

284,202

   

Due from Investment Advisor

   

22,225

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

2,058

   

Prepaid assets

   

23,045

   

Total Assets

   

17,409,910

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

13,388

   

Administration & Supervisory fee payable

   

6,921

   

Trustee fee payable

   

148

   

Commitment fee payable

   

138

   

Accrued expenses

   

57,965

   

Total Liabilities

   

78,560

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

17,331,350

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

14,855,056

   

Total distributable earnings

   

2,476,294

   
   

$

17,331,350

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class K ($13,867,469 / 759,926 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

18.25

   
Institutional Class ($3,463,881 / 189,986 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

18.23

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
179



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

 

$

29,319

   

Interest

   

1,931

   

Total Investment Income

   

31,250

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

51,833

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Class K shares (Note B)

   

21,623

   

Administration & Supervisory fee — Institutional Class shares (Note B)

   

5,079

   

Transfer agency

   

37,286

   

Sub-transfer agency — Institutional Class shares

   

3,017

   

Fund accounting

   

81,416

   

Registration fees

   

35,957

   

Professional fees

   

23,503

   

Legal

   

4,600

   

Custody

   

2,574

   

Trustees' fees

   

724

   

Miscellaneous

   

5,183

   

Total Expenses

   

272,795

   

Fees waived

   

(167,682

)

 

Net Expenses

   

105,113

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(73,863

)

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments

   

378,374

   
     

378,374

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

 

Investments

   

3,471,672

   
     

3,471,672

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

3,850,046

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

3,776,183

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
180



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(73,863

)

 

$

(14,102

)

 

Net realized gain

   

378,374

     

165,158

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

3,471,672

     

(1,363,865

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

3,776,183

     

(1,212,809

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class K

   

(185,245

)

   

(208,858

)

 

Institutional Class

   

(46,343

)

   

(127

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(231,588

)

   

(208,985

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class K

   

117,664

     

10,302,009

   

Institutional Class

   

3,569,371

     

2,815,417

   

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class K

   

185,245

     

208,858

   

Institutional Class

   

46,343

     

127

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Institutional Class

   

(732,087

)

   

(2,653,931

)

 

Increase in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

3,186,536

     

10,672,480

   

Total Increase in Net Assets

   

6,731,131

     

9,250,686

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

10,600,219

     

1,349,533

   

End of year

 

$

17,331,350

   

$

10,600,219

   
   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
181



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
Selected data for a Class K share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.25

   

$

13.39

   

$

11.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.08

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

   

4.33

     

1.22

(c)

   

1.98

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.25

     

1.15

     

1.95

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

18.25

   

$

14.25

   

$

13.39

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

29.78

%

   

8.60

%

   

17.01

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

13,867

   

$

10,594

   

$

1,344

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.72

%

   

7.75

%

   

13.11

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.65

%

   

0.63

%

   

0.57

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.45

)%

   

(0.46

)%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

18

%

   

107

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
182



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
Selected data for an Institutional Class share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the Period
April 28,
2017(a)
through
December 31,
2017
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

14.21

   

$

13.39

   

$

11.49

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment loss(b)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.03

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

   

4.37

     

1.21

(c)

   

1.98

   

Net increase in net asset value from investment operations

   

4.27

     

1.11

     

1.95

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

 

From net realized gain on investments

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.25

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

18.23

   

$

14.21

   

$

13.39

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

30.01

%(e)

   

8.30

%

   

17.01

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

3,464

   

$

6

   

$

6

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, before waiver

   

1.82

%

   

6.69

%

   

13.11

%*  

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets, after waiver

   

0.75

%

   

0.78

%

   

0.72

%*  

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

   

(0.56

)%

   

(0.53

)%

   

(0.31

)%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

18

%

   

107

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(c)  Calculation of the net gain or loss per share (both realized and unrealized) may not correlate to the aggregate realized and unrealized losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of sales and repurchases of Class shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Excluding reimbursement received from the Manager, total return for the period is 29.72%. See Note D.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
183



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note A — Organization and Accounting Policies

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change

Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund (each, a "Fund", and collectively, the "Funds") are each a series of Baillie Gifford Funds (the "Trust"). The investment objective of each Fund is to achieve capital appreciation. For more detail on specific objectives of each Fund and description of each share class, please refer to the relevant prospectus. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of Massachusetts pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 27, 2017, as amended from time to time.

On November 25, 2019, the Funds changed names as noted below:

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund formerly known as The EAFE Pure Fund

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund formerly known as The EAFE Choice Fund

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund formerly known as The Emerging Markets Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund formerly known as The Global Alpha Equity Fund

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund formerly known as The Global Select Equity Fund

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund formerly known as The International Equity Fund

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund formerly known as The International Concentrated Growth Fund

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund formerly known as The EAFE Fund

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund formerly known as The International Smaller Companies Fund

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund formerly known as The Long Term Global Growth Equity Fund

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund formerly known as The Positive Change Equity Fund

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund formerly known as The U.S. Equity Growth Fund

The following table is a summary of classes of the Funds with shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019:

    Baillie
Gifford
China A
Shares
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Developed
EAFE
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
EAFE
Plus
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Emerging
Markets
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Alpha
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Stewardship
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Alpha
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Concentrated
Growth
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Smaller
Companies
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Long Term
Global
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Positive
Change
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
U.S.
Equity
Growth
Fund
 

Class 2

   

N/A

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 3

   

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 4

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class 5

   

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

X

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Class K

   

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

   
Institutional
Class
   

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

     

X

   


184



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

The Funds are investment companies that apply the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The financial statements of the Funds have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities for the Funds and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the Funds at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations for the Funds during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds:

Valuation of Investments

Equity securities listed on an established securities exchange are normally valued at their last sale price on the exchange where primarily traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Equity securities listed on an established securities exchange for which there is no reported sale during the day (and in the case of over-the-counter securities not so listed) are valued at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices. Other securities for which current market quotations are not readily available (or for which quotations are not believed to be reliable due to market changes that occur after the most recent available quotations are obtained, or for any other reason), and all other assets, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager"), pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"). The actual calculations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Board or by pricing services.

Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and such events may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. Occasionally, events affecting the value of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers not traded on a U.S. exchange may occur between the completion of substantial trading of such securities for the day and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and such events may not be reflected in the computation of a Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of the Funds' portfolio securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at their fair

value as determined in good faith by the Manager, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. The Funds utilize a third party pricing service which for all equity securities, except those traded on Canadian, Latin American or U.S. exchanges, subject to certain minimum confidence levels, applies a fair value adjustment that seeks to reflect changes in such securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. To the extent that securities are valued using this service, they will be classified as Level 2 securities in the fair value measurement framework described below.

Fair Value Measurement

GAAP provides guidance on fair value measurements and defines fair value as the price that a Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. It establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund's investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 —  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

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

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

For Level 1 inputs, the Funds use unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information as the most reliable evidence of fair value.

The Funds' Level 2 valuation techniques include inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for an asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. This includes when a fair value adjustment is applied which seeks to reflect changes in foreign securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. Level 2 observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially over time or among market participants. Inputs that are observable for the asset or liability in Level 2 include such


185



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

factors as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and default rates for similar liabilities.

For Level 3 valuation techniques, the Funds use unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would be expected to use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available and are developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In developing unobservable inputs, market participant assumptions are used if they are reasonably available without undue cost and effort.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value each Fund's investments at December 31, 2019 is disclosed at the end of each Fund's Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value.

Foreign Currency Translation

The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. For the Funds, 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 Funds do not isolate that portion of net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates from the impact arising from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds' books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income

The Funds' securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash income, if any, is included in investment income and is recorded at the fair market value of securities received.

Investment income, expenses (other than those specific to a particular class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of shares based upon their relative net asset value on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.

Federal Taxes

Each Fund intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and as such will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income (including any net realized capital gains) which is distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Code to the Funds' shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Investment income received from investments in foreign jurisdictions may be subject to foreign withholding tax. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Funds may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Whenever possible, the Funds will attempt to operate so as to qualify for reduced tax rates or tax exemptions in those countries with which the United States has a tax treaty. Foreign taxes, if any, net of any reclaims, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest.

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Funds may also be subject to capital gains tax in India and potentially other foreign jurisdictions, on gains realized upon the sale of securities, payable upon repatriation of sales proceeds. Any realized losses in excess of gains in India may be carried forward to offset future gains. Funds with exposure to Indian securities and potentially other foreign jurisdictions accrue a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss carryforwards


186



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of December 31, 2019, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund recorded a receivable for Indian capital gains tax refunds of $268,502 and $76,898, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, and Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund recorded a deferred liability for potential future Indian capital gains taxes of $11,408,772, $333,788, $1,369,366 and $366,530, respectively. The deferred liability accrued at December 31, 2019 includes a liability for tax payable on both short and long term gains, as required by the Indian tax authorities.

The Funds are subject to tax accounting standards that provide guidance for how certain and uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. These standards require the evaluation of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in the course of preparing the Funds' tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold would be recorded as a reduction in a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has evaluated the application of these standards and has determined no liabilities for income tax related expenses are required in the financial statements of the Funds. The previous three tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable, remain subject to examination.

At December 31, 2019 for federal income tax purposes, the following Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains through the years indicated. To the extent that these loss carryforwards are utilized, capital gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

Fund

  Short Term
Capital Losses
No Expiration
  Long Term
Capital Losses
No Expiration
  Capital Loss
Available
Total
 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 

$

(5,023,594

)

 

$

(5,128,994

)

 

$

(10,152,588

)

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

(2,534,594

)

   

(1,695,693

)

   

(4,230,287

)

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

(413,582

)

   

(3,823,418

)

   

(4,237,000

)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the following Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards:

Fund

 

Utilized

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 

$

28,298

   

Realized capital losses, currency losses and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October losses/Late-Year Specified") within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of each Fund's next taxable year. During the year or period ended December 31, 2019, the Funds shown below incurred and will elect to defer net post-October or late-year losses as indicated.


187



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

At December 31, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Fund

  Undistributed
Net Ordinary
Income
  Long Term
Capital
Gains
  Capital
Loss
Carryforwards
  Post October
Capital/Late
Year
Ordinary
Losses
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation on
Investments
and Foreign
Currencies, Net
of Foreign Taxes
  Distributable
Earnings/
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Baillie Gifford
China A Shares Fund
 

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

(1,436

)

 

$

30,304

   

$

28,868

   
Baillie Gifford Developed
EAFE All Cap Fund
   

2,929,659

     

     

(10,152,588

)

   

     

99,997,378

     

92,774,449

   
Baillie Gifford EAFE
Plus All Cap Fund
   

1,136,980

     

1,601,272

     

     

     

113,651,050

     

116,389,302

   
Baillie Gifford Emerging
Markets Equities Fund
   

4,908,361

     

     

     

(4,358,962

)

   

778,761,298

     

779,310,697

   
Baillie Gifford Global
Alpha Equities Fund
   

896,616

     

8,816,994

     

     

     

323,707,170

     

333,420,780

   
Baillie Gifford Global
Stewardship Equities
Fund
   

     

     

     

(583

)

   

494,570

     

493,987

   
Baillie Gifford
International Alpha Fund
   

4,970,749

     

2,530,696

     

     

(86,772

)

   

851,899,580

     

859,314,253

   
Baillie Gifford
International
Concentrated Growth
Equities Fund
   

     

     

(4,230,287

)

   

(6,492

)

   

12,872,438

     

8,635,659

   
Baillie Gifford
International
Growth Fund
   

     

19,757,836

     

     

(312,432

)

   

1,430,668,123

     

1,450,113,527

   
Baillie Gifford
International Smaller
Companies Fund
   

     

     

     

(6,265

)

   

236,297

     

230,032

   
Baillie Gifford Long
Term Global
Growth Fund
   

     

     

(4,237,000

)

   

     

113,837,485

     

109,600,485

   
Baillie Gifford Positive
Change Equities Fund
   

     

     

     

(202

)

   

3,562,401

     

3,562,199

   
Baillie Gifford U.S.
Equity Growth Fund
   

     

86,608

     

     

(13,342

)

   

2,403,028

     

2,476,294

   

The differences between the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to the differing book/tax treatment of realized losses on wash sales and mark to market income on securities categorized as PFICs.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the following reclassifications have been made on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a result of certain differences in the computation of net investment income and net realized capital gains under U.S. federal income tax rules and regulations versus GAAP, such as the treatment of foreign currency gains and losses, the redesignation of dividends, nondeductible expenses and net operating losses.


188



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund

  Total Distributable
Earnings
  Paid-in
Capital
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

264

   

$

(264

)

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

22

     

(22

)

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

1,120,271

     

(1,120,271

)

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

781

     

(781

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

The Funds intend to distribute each year, as dividends, substantially all net investment income and net capital gains realized. All such dividends or distributions are credited in the form of additional shares of the Funds at net asset value on the ex-dividend date unless the shareholder elects to receive dividends and distributions in

cash. Currently, the Funds' policies are to distribute net investment income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Such distributions are determined in conformity with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

For the years or periods ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the tax characters of the dividends paid were:

Fund

  Ordinary
Income
2019
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2019
  Return of
Capital
2019
  Ordinary
Income
2018
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2018
  Return of
Capital
2018
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE
All Cap Fund
   

6,581,515

     

     

     

1,275,454

     

2,237,108

     

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

8,616,780

     

7,464,348

     

     

2,192,756

     

5,239,864

     

   
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets
Equities Fund
   

116,158,167

     

25,854,368

     

     

27,024,123

     

161,152,594

     

   
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities
Fund
   

31,925,808

     

20,192,670

     

     

6,565,235

     

158,163,856

     

   
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship
Equities Fund
   

8,996

     

33,776

     

     

30,624

     

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

61,639,182

     

60,118,386

     

     

27,380,529

     

129,412,039

     

   
Baillie Gifford International
Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
   

177,122

     

     

     

     

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

32,396,205

     

3,452,711

     

     

10,502,158

     

196,134,992

     

4,657,927

   
Baillie Gifford International Smaller
Companies Fund
   

29,458

     

     

     

     

     

   
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global
Growth Fund
   

     

468,999

     

     

806,492

     

15,430,438

     

   
Baillie Gifford Positive Change
Equities Fund
   

71,477

     

34,542

     

     

     

     

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

40,789

     

190,799

     

     

9,266

     

199,719

     

   

For tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.


189



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

The Funds' cost of investments and gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at December 31, 2019 for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Fund

  Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Appreciation
  Gross
Depreciation
  Net
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

975,723

   

$

31,784

   

$

(1,480

)

 

$

30,304

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

462,419,277

     

124,299,343

     

(24,313,097

)

   

99,986,246

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

325,488,195

     

133,492,045

     

(19,836,666

)

   

113,655,379

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

2,919,397,530

     

952,621,927

     

(162,179,121

)

   

790,442,806

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

634,289,640

     

371,993,973

     

(47,946,322

)

   

324,047,651

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

3,033,432

     

699,609

     

(205,017

)

   

494,592

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

1,685,637,042

     

981,593,465

     

(128,340,517

)

   

853,252,948

   
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
   

78,105,944

     

16,264,914

     

(3,388,163

)

   

12,876,751

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

1,551,575,657

     

1,602,619,243

     

(171,504,548

)

   

1,431,114,695

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

1,031,596

     

333,304

     

(97,024

)

   

236,280

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

217,968,112

     

116,834,569

     

(3,002,357

)

   

113,832,212

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

22,810,845

     

4,854,331

     

(1,291,944

)

   

3,562,387

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

14,675,352

     

3,560,336

     

(1,157,308

)

   

2,403,028

   

Note B — Investment Management and Other Services

The Funds are advised and managed by the Manager. The Manager, an investment adviser registered with the

Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co.

Under an investment advisory agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the "Advisory Agreement"), each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee, in arrears.

The advisory fee paid by each Fund under the Advisory Agreement is calculated and accrued daily on the basis of the annual rate noted below and expressed as a percentage of that Fund's average daily net assets.

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.55%
0.51%
0.49%
 
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 
Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.55%
0.51%
0.49%
 
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.40%
0.36%
0.34%
 


190



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33%
0.29%
0.27%
 
Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.40%
0.36%
0.34%
 
Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

All assets

     

0.58%

   
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.45%
0.41%
0.39%
 
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33%
0.29%
0.27%
 
Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund
 
 
 

$

0 - $2
>$2 - $5
Above $5
  0.33%
0.29%
0.27%
 

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or bear expenses of the following Funds to the extent that such Fund's total annual operating expenses (excluding taxes, sub-accounting expenses and extraordinary expenses) exceed the following amounts:

Fund

 

Class

 

Expense Limitation

 

Expiration Date

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

Class K

   

0.87

%

 

April 30, 2021

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.87

%

 

April 30, 2021

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated
Growth Equities Fund
 

Class K

   

0.72

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.72

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
Baillie Gifford International Smaller
Companies Fund
 

Class K

   

0.90

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.90

%

 

April 30, 2020

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 

Class 2

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2020

 

 

Class 4

   

0.67

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Class K

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.77

%

 

April 30, 2020

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 

Class K

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 
   

Institutional Class

   

0.65

%

 

April 30, 2020

 


191



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Waived fees for all Funds are not subject to recoupment. These contractual agreements may only be terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, serves as the sole distributor and principal underwriter of the shares of the Funds.

Each Fund (other than Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies

Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund) has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan providing that the Fund may pay the Manager, or any other entity that acts from time to time as the shareholder servicing agent with respect to a class of Fund shares, for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with the provision of services provided to Fund investors and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. For these services, the Funds pay the Manager a fee at the annualized rate of the Funds' average daily net assets attributed to each class of shares as follows:

    Baillie
Gifford
Developed
EAFE
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
EAFE
Plus
All Cap
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Emerging
Markets
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Global
Alpha
Equities
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Alpha
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
International
Growth
Fund
  Baillie
Gifford
Long Term
Global
Growth
Fund
 

Class 2

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

   

0.17

%

 

Class 3

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

   

0.10

%

 

Class 4

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

   

0.07

%

 

Class 5

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

   

0.02

%

 

With respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares, the Manager is responsible for providing certain administrative services to Fund shareholders as well as coordinating, overseeing and supporting services provided to Fund shareholders by third parties, including financial intermediaries that hold accounts with the Funds, pursuant to an Administration and Supervisory Agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Each Fund has adopted an Administration, Supervisory and Sub-Accounting Services Plan with respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares of each Fund, which authorizes each Fund to pay the Manager an Administration and Supervisory Fee quarterly, in arrears, with respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares at an annual rate of 0.17% of such Fund's average net assets.

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Funds' administrator and custodian. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. serves as the Trust's transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent.

Note C — Investment Transactions

Purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short term securities) for the year or period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

Fund

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

$

975,724

   

$

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

129,301,908

     

87,611,595

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

80,176,189

     

40,593,756

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

1,460,544,262

     

427,481,813

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

156,232,251

     

140,543,392

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

686,236

     

707,824

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

515,950,129

     

280,974,435

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

12,603,744

     

2,848,821

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

199,373,154

     

163,462,057

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

308,852

     

123,263

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

83,896,462

     

13,024,698

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

10,126,441

     

1,307,140

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

5,522,962

     

2,749,314

   


192



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note D — Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

50,000

   

$

500,000

     

50,000

   

$

500,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

50,000

   

$

500,000

     

50,000

   

$

500,000

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

519

   

$

6,000

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

196,688

     

2,596,461

     

75,196

     

1,002,546

   

Shares redeemed

   

(794,863

)

   

(9,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(597,656

)

 

$

(6,397,539

)

   

75,196

   

$

1,002,546

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,978,804

   

$

73,243,343

     

587,848

   

$

7,084,206

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

199,149

     

2,624,780

     

8,164

     

107,514

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,529,710

)

   

(29,311,401

)

   

(80,919

)

   

(990,117

)

 

Net increase

   

3,648,243

   

$

46,556,722

     

515,093

   

$

6,201,603

   
   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

626

   

$

7,500

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

152,238

     

1,510,948

     

57,218

     

573,430

   

Shares redeemed

   

(408,017

)

   

(5,000,000

)

   

(509,108

)

   

(5,000,000

)

 

Net decrease

   

(255,153

)

 

$

(3,481,552

)

   

(451,890

)

 

$

(4,426,570

)

 


193



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

15,094,869

   

$

181,677,307

     

183,645

   

$

2,216,528

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

142,375

     

1,410,939

     

1,740

     

17,245

   

Shares redeemed

   

(36,492

)

   

(389,000

)

   

(60

)

   

(639

)

 

Net increase

   

15,200,752

   

$

182,699,246

     

185,325

   

$

2,233,134

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

178,140

   

$

2,723,300

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

660,317

     

11,089,493

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

(35,301

)

   

(528,300

)

   

     

   

Net increase

   

803,156

   

$

13,284,493

     

   

$

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,798,306

   

$

27,900,000

     

585,572

   

$

9,046,949

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

247,557

     

4,146,582

     

49,558

     

828,614

   

Shares redeemed

   

(90,034

)

   

(1,375,000

)

   

(51,426

)

   

(805,468

)

 

Net increase

   

1,955,829

   

$

30,671,582

     

583,704

   

$

9,070,095

   
   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,155,172

*

 

$

34,104,348

*

   

24,774

   

$

405,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

423,287

     

5,515,340

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,272,928

)

   

(37,450,000

)

   

(1,680,815

)**    

(27,282,248

)**  

Net increase (decrease)

   

305,531

   

$

2,169,688

     

(1,656,041

)

 

$

(26,877,248

)

 

*  1,628,163 shares and $26,122,249 converted into Class 2 from Class 3.

**  1,612,883 shares and $26,122,249 converted from Class 3 into Class 2.


194



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

4,845,396

   

$

67,194,504

     

791,484

   

$

12,355,055

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

126,970

     

1,650,610

     

20,293

     

263,403

   

Shares redeemed

   

(31,447

)

   

(500,000

)

   

(2,300

)

   

(38,023

)

 

Net increase

   

4,940,919

   

$

68,345,114

     

809,477

   

$

12,580,435

   
   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

345,334

   

$

7,306,000

     

5,731,888

*

 

$

106,960,476

*

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

202,888

     

4,430,516

     

588,293

     

12,961,322

   

Shares redeemed

   

(5,927,081

)**

   

(109,960,476

)**

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(5,378,859

)

 

$

(98,223,960

)

   

6,320,181

   

$

119,921,798

   

*  5,731,888 shares and $106,960,476 converted into Class 3 from Class 2.

**  5,781,084 shares and $106,960,476 converted from Class 2 into Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

339,491

   

$

7,000,000

     

39,089,342

***

 

$

797,388,161

***

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,195,036

     

49,677,405

     

1,848,743

     

40,228,644

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,680,402

)

   

(34,320,000

)

   

(7,957,791

)

   

(158,716,823

)

 

Net increase

   

854,125

   

$

22,357,405

     

32,980,294

   

$

678,899,982

   

***  6,907,896 shares and $144,490,534 converted into Class K from Institutional Class.


195



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Baillie Gifford Emerging
Markets Equities Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

25,316,056

   

$

498,938,452

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,129,370

     

24,574,424

   

Shares redeemed

   

(10,339,139

)*    

(213,958,164

)*  

Net increase

   

16,106,287

   

$

309,554,712

   

*  6,914,479 shares and $144,490,534 converted from Institutional Class into Class K.

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,204,419

**

 

$

44,256,131

**

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

899,999

     

15,711,644

     

873,732

     

15,383,534

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,183,370

)

   

(25,068,932

)

   

     

   

Net increase

   

1,921,048

   

$

34,898,843

     

873,732

   

$

15,383,534

   

**  681,658 shares and $15,248,631 converted into Class 2 from Class 5.

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,781,176

   

$

38,000,000

     

24,226,159

   

$

506,095,758

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

5,335,081

     

96,382,507

     

2,497,706

     

43,485,061

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,104,279

)***    

(25,368,631

)***    

(1,529,562

)

   

(29,860,792

)

 

Net increase

   

6,011,978

   

$

109,013,876

     

25,194,303

   

$

519,720,027

   

***  660,331 shares and $15,248,631 converted from Class 5 into Class 2.


196



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Baillie Gifford Emerging
Markets Equities Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

14,853,143

   

$

289,603,933

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

854,803

     

14,875,218

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,144,063

)

   

(21,776,659

)

 

Net increase

   

14,563,883

   

$

282,702,492

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

352,252

   

$

5,506,000

     

536,067

   

$

8,000,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

570,983

     

9,449,544

     

1,794,175

     

30,477,830

   

Shares redeemed

   

(253,860

)

   

(4,000,000

)

   

(2,060,990

)

   

(33,788,000

)

 

Net increase

   

669,375

   

$

10,955,544

     

269,252

   

$

4,689,830

   
   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

2,248,756

   

$

34,752,614

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

443,524

     

7,732,135

     

270,053

     

4,458,584

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(733,836

)

   

(11,265,988

)

 

Net increase

   

443,524

   

$

7,732,135

     

1,784,973

   

$

27,945,210

   


197



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Baillie Gifford Global
Alpha Equities Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

24

     

386

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

   

Net increase

   

24

   

$

386

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

150,284

   

$

3,007,500

     

365,651

   

$

7,500,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,281,267

     

29,638,221

     

7,585,731

     

101,000,978

   

Shares redeemed

   

(750,774

)

   

(14,500,000

)

   

(3,961,091

)

   

(79,500,000

)

 

Net increase

   

1,680,777

   

$

18,145,721

     

3,990,291

   

$

29,000,978

   
   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

336,570

   

$

6,673,503

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,792,025

     

24,453,077

     

690,189

     

8,951,758

   

Shares redeemed

   

(12,545,959

)

   

(261,700,383

)

   

(849,189

)

   

(16,990,416

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(10,753,934

)

 

$

(237,247,306

)

   

177,570

   

$

(1,365,155

)

 


198



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Baillie Gifford Global
Alpha Equities Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

94

     

1,223

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

   

Net increase

   

94

   

$

1,223

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,828

     

21,386

     

1,828

     

21,386

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

1,828

   

$

21,386

     

1,828

   

$

21,386

   
   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,707

     

15,312

     

1,707

     

15,312

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

1,707

   

$

15,312

     

1,707

   

$

15,312

   


199



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

8,507,431

*

 

$

107,216,862

*

   

15,916,592

***

 

$

202,113,924

***

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,793,560

     

24,482,634

     

2,288,958

     

31,689,022

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,555,835

)

   

(44,700,000

)

   

(25,793,251

)**    

(335,095,740

)**  

Net increase (decrease)

   

6,745,156

   

$

86,999,496

     

(7,587,701

)

 

$

(101,292,794

)

 

*  7,357,093 shares and $92,210,862 converted into Class 2 from Class 3.

**  7,259,326 shares and $92,210,862 converted from Class 3 into Class 2 and 15,604,447 shares and $204,511,879 converted from class 3 into Class 4.

***  15,604,447 shares and $198,213,924 converted into Class 3 from Class 4.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

15,348,444

*****

 

$

204,511,879

*****

   

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,939,766

     

27,316,172

     

341,248

     

4,893,497

   

Shares redeemed

   

(15,349,714

)****    

(198,213,924

)****    

     

   

Net increase

   

1,938,496

   

$

33,614,127

     

341,248

   

$

4,893,497

   

****  15,349,714 shares and $198,213,924 converted from Class 4 into Class 3.

*****  15,348,444 shares and $204,511,879 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

15,999,769

   

$

197,754,519

     

8,054,702

*******

 

$

100,370,867

*******

 
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends
and distributions
   

1,769,959

     

24,087,396

     

445,383

     

6,083,367

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,884,462

)******    

(36,825,366

)******    

(2,727,853

)

   

(33,820,482

)

 

Net increase

   

14,885,266

   

$

185,016,549

     

5,772,232

   

$

72,633,752

   

******  10,676 shares and $141,572 converted from Class K into Institutional Class.

*******  10,644 shares and $141,572 converted into Institutional Class from Class K.


200



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,055,353

*

 

$

71,126,175

*

   

983,331

   

$

13,500,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,793,954

     

29,796,122

     

5,032,227

     

54,378,248

   

Shares redeemed

   

(10,409,634

)

   

(142,859,137

)

   

(27,747,104

)**    

(402,752,824

)**  

Net decrease

   

(2,560,327

)

 

$

(41,936,840

)

   

(21,731,546

)

 

$

(334,874,576

)

 

*  4,908,230 shares and $69,118,676 converted into Class 2 from Class 3.

**  4,847,202 shares and $69,118,676 converted from Class 3 into Class 2.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

20,039,941

***

 

$

290,058,382

***

   

2,406,932

   

$

33,700,000

   

Purchase fees

   

     

     

     

   

Redemption fees

   

     

     

     

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,509,883

     

38,554,309

     

616,758

     

6,892,085

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(8,376,584

)

   

(124,055,871

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

23,549,824

   

$

328,612,691

     

(5,352,894

)

 

$

(83,463,786

)

 

**  14,200,330 shares and $210,058,382 converted from Class 3 into Class 4.

***  13,985,711 shares and $210,058,382 converted into Class 4 from Class 3.

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

18,119,132

****

 

$

245,988,676

****

   

7,384,373

   

$

100,149,976

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,319,754

     

24,652,444

     

210,238

     

2,245,341

   

Shares redeemed

   

(1,115,680

)

   

(14,813,373

)

   

(4,072,356

)*****    

(52,246,242

)*****  

Net increase

   

19,323,206

   

$

255,827,747

     

3,522,255

   

$

50,149,075

   

****  9,213 shares and $115,811 converted into Class K from Institutional Class.

*****  9,213 shares and $115,811 converted from Institutional Class into Class K.


201



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

1,622,013

   

$

20,684,000

     

16,086

   

$

176,417

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

13,687

     

175,602

     

111

     

1,431

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(1,567

)

   

(14,572

)

 

Net increase

   

1,635,700

   

$

20,859,602

     

14,630

   

$

163,276

   
    Baillie Gifford International
Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

6,329,524

   

$

70,001,500

     

884,618

   

$

9,396,765

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(879,978

)

   

(7,292,090

)

 

Net increase

   

6,329,524

   

$

70,001,500

     

4,640

   

$

2,104,675

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

5,107,421

   

$

64,526,000

     

819,205

   

$

9,300,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

660,349

     

9,691,346

     

435,063

     

6,398,737

   

Shares redeemed

   

(4,742,078

)

   

(63,189,038

)

   

(393,803

)

   

(5,000,000

)

 

Net increase

   

1,025,692

   

$

11,028,308

     

860,465

   

$

10,698,737

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

230,029

     

3,385,754

     

1,089,463

     

16,066,961

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

230,029

   

$

3,385,754

     

1,089,463

   

$

16,066,961

   


202



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

1,790,773

   

$

21,930,555

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

5

     

77

     

19,517

     

285,728

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(162,113

)

   

(2,123,738

)

 

Net increase

   

5

   

$

77

     

1,648,177

   

$

20,092,545

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

9,073,332

*

 

$

131,045,716

*

   

917,630

   

$

11,000,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

5,644,097

     

60,268,790

     

3,576,265

     

38,266,030

   

Shares redeemed

   

(7,703,896

)

   

(117,827,995

)

   

(9,687,422

)**    

(147,753,216

)**  

Net increase (decrease)

   

7,013,533

   

$

73,486,511

     

(5,193,527

)

 

$

(98,487,186

)

 

*  6,305,828 shares and $95,453,216 converted into Class 2 from Class 3.

**  6,292,153 shares and $95,453,216 converted from Class 3 into Class 2.

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

68,796

   

$

1,000,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,876,378

     

20,091,688

     

8,634,367

     

92,626,897

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,717,722

)

   

(55,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(1,841,344

)

 

$

(34,908,312

)

   

8,703,163

   

$

93,626,897

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

191,231

   

$

2,139,835

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

46

     

491

     

2,441

     

26,017

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

46

   

$

491

     

193,672

   

$

2,165,852

   


203



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,198

     

14,729

     

1,198

     

14,729

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

1,198

   

$

14,729

     

1,198

   

$

14,729

   
   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Period Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

50,000

   

$

500,000

     

50,000

   

$

500,000

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

50,000

   

$

500,000

     

50,000

   

$

500,000

   
   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

8,620

   

$

155,750

     

3,082,248

*

 

$

67,193,017

*

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

4,929

     

102,829

     

3,726

     

91,124

   

Shares redeemed

   

(54,170

)

   

(1,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(40,621

)

 

$

(741,421

)

   

3,085,974

   

$

67,284,141

   

*  3,082,248 shares and $67,193,017 converted into Class 4 from Class 5.


204



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

1,791,287

   

$

34,246,083

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

9,307

     

194,231

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,981,486

)**    

(69,693,017

)**    

(80,257

)

   

(1,500,000

)

 

Net increase (decrease)

   

(2,981,486

)

 

$

(69,693,017

)

   

1,720,337

   

$

32,940,314

   

**  2,872,319 shares and $67,193,017 converted from Class 5 into Class 4.

    Baillie Gifford Long Term
Global Growth Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,904,872

   

$

50,656,366

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,876

     

80,814

   

Shares redeemed

   

(172,633

)

   

(3,117,562

)

 

Net increase

   

2,736,115

   

$

47,619,618

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

4,994

   

$

95,125

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

325,212

     

5,003,161

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

(260,321

)

   

(5,059,742

)

   

(2,941,772

)*    

(61,984,598

)*  

Net increase (decrease)

   

69,885

   

$

38,544

     

(2,941,772

)

 

$

(61,984,598

)

 

*  2,941,772 shares and $61,984,598 converted from Class 4 into Class 5.


205



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

 
    Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,758,291

**

 

$

61,984,598

**

   

337,427

   

$

6,846,083

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

223,195

     

4,309,351

     

447,790

     

6,891,490

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

2,981,486

   

$

66,293,949

     

785,217

   

$

13,737,573

   

**  2,758,291 shares and $61,984,598 converted into Class 5 from Class 4.

    Baillie Gifford Long Term
Global Growth Fund
 
    Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

108,150

   

$

2,191,113

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

2,141

     

32,928

   

Shares redeemed

   

(87,699

)

   

(1,671,907

)

 

Net increase

   

22,592

   

$

552,134

   

 

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

712,396

   

$

8,086,054

     

72,635

   

$

884,224

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,416

     

18,677

     

3,087

     

40,744

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(861

)

   

(10,610

)

 

Net increase

   

713,812

   

$

8,104,731

     

74,861

   

$

914,358

   


206



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

448,553

   

$

5,015,042

     

691,660

   

$

8,061,290

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

     

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

     

   

Net increase

   

448,553

   

$

5,015,042

     

691,660

   

$

8,061,290

   
   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019*
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

6,450

   

$

117,664

     

228,252

   

$

3,569,371

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

10,024

     

185,245

     

2,510

     

46,343

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(41,228

)

   

(732,087

)

 

Net increase

   

16,474

   

$

302,909

     

189,534

   

$

2,883,627

   

*  Includes a reimbursement from the Manager of $8,698 plus interest as a result of errors in the application of contractual expense waivers and subsequent purchase and redemption activity in the period.

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 
    Class K Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Institutional Class Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

628,176

   

$

10,302,009

     

161,563

   

$

2,815,417

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

14,897

     

208,858

     

9

     

127

   

Shares redeemed

   

     

     

(161,557

)

   

(2,653,931

)

 

Net increase

   

643,073

   

$

10,510,867

     

15

   

$

161,613

   


207



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note E — Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership, either direct or indirect, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund creates a presumption of control under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2019, the following shareholders beneficially owned 25% or more of a Fund's voting securities:

Fund

 

Investor

 

Percentage

 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship
Equities Fund
 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 
Baillie Gifford International  The Master Pension Trust of
Concentrated Growth Equities Fund
 

CSX Corporation and Affiliated Companies

   

78.44

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 

Teachers' Retirement System of The State of Kentucky

   

42.88

%

 
Baillie Gifford International Smaller
Companies Fund
 

Baillie Gifford International LLC

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

 

Daytona Beach Police & Fire Retirement System

   

66.35

%

 

Purchase and redemption activity of these accounts may have a significant effect on the operation of each Fund.

At December 31, 2019, Baillie Gifford International LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Manager, owned 100% of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund and Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund and as a result may be deemed to control such Funds.

Note F — Commitments and Contingencies

Each of the Funds indemnifies the Trust's officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications.

The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.

Note G — Line of Credit

The Trust entered into a committed facility with Bank of New York Mellon on May 1, 2017, renewed April 23, 2019, and expiring April 21, 2020 which allows the certain series of the Trust to borrow up to $50 million in total subject to minimum asset coverage requirements set out in the Credit

Agreement. Each such series may borrow money under this credit facility for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions with respect to Class K and Institutional Class shares or for other temporary or emergency purposes.

In normal market conditions, borrowings are charged at an interest rate of 1.25% per annum plus the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the one-month LIBOR Rate. Pursuant to allocation procedures adopted by the Board, the classes borrowing pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall bear any expenses associated with the credit facility or borrowings thereunder.

Effective April 29, 2019 the commitment fee associated with the line of credit is payable on a pro-rata basis by Class K and Institutional Class of the Funds, in the series of the Trust, that are parties to the agreement.

On August 1, 2019, Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund borrowed $250,000 for one day at an interest rate of 3.49%.

The Funds had no outstanding loans at December 31, 2019.


208



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note H — Principal Risks (unaudited)

The below is a selection of the Funds' principal risks, the Fund's principal risks are further described within their respective prospectuses.

China A Shares Tax Risk

Investments in A Shares could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Chinese law imposes withholding taxes on dividends and interest paid to foreign investors by companies listed in China, as well as capital gains realized by such investors, subject to certain temporary exemptions applicable to capital gains realized from investments in A Shares. The application of the Chinese withholding taxes on dividends and interest and of China's value added tax is uncertain. Application of these rules, including as a result of revocation of any temporary exemptions, could result in tax liabilities for the Fund, which could negatively affect investment returns for shareholders. Any restrictions on repatriation could limit the Fund's ability to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Fund may be required to sell other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet such distribution requirements. If the Fund were unable to meet such distribution requirements, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the Fund level.

LIBOR Phaseout

The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), has announced plans to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future use of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. The transition process away from LIBOR may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR.

Further, the Funds' Credit Agreement in place with Bank of New York Mellon references LIBOR and as such a suitable replacement reference rate will be required ahead of the end of 2021.

The Manager has set up a LIBOR working group to consider and plan for LIBOR's discontinuation including considering the impact on the Funds' Credit Agreement. Actions are being taken to reduce or remove LIBOR references in advance of the December 2021 deadline.

Non-Diversification Risk

A non-diversified fund may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities, with larger positions in each security it holds, than many other mutual funds. To the extent a Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of the Fund's shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds. Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund are all non-diversified Funds.

Currency and Currency Hedging Risk

A Fund that invests in non-U.S. securities could lose value if it invests in foreign currencies or securities denominated in foreign currencies which decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or if it invests in products to reduce this exposure, and those products lose value. A Fund may realize a loss if it has exposure to a non-U.S. currency, and this non-U.S. currency declines in value, relative to the U.S. dollar. Similarly, a Fund may realize a loss if the Fund hedges exposure to a non-U.S. currency, and this non-U.S. currency increases in value, relative to the U.S. dollar. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains.

Non-U.S. Investment Risk

Non-U.S. securities and securities denominated in foreign currencies are subject to additional risks, including less liquidity, increased volatility, less transparency, withholding or other taxes, increased vulnerability to adverse changes in local and global economic conditions, less regulation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inability to convert proceeds into U.S. dollars, application of foreign tax laws, foreign investment restrictions, less publicly available information about foreign financial instruments, generally less government supervision of foreign securities markets and issuers and possible fluctuation in value due to adverse political conditions. Foreign portfolio transactions generally involve higher commission rates, transfer taxes, and custodial costs than similar transactions in the U.S.

For further information on risk please refer to each Fund's prospectus.


209



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note I — Legal Notice (unaudited)

MSCI

The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or re-disseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information.

Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com)

FTSE Russell (U.S. Equity Growth)

FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. Russell® is a trade mark of the relevant LSE Group companies and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. "TMX®" is a trade mark of TSX, Inc. and used by the LSE Group under license. All rights in the FTSE Russell indexes or data vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the index or the data. Neither LSE Group nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the indexes or data and no party may rely on any indexes or data contained in this communication. No further distribution of data from the LSE Group is permitted without the relevant LSE Group company's express written consent. The LSE Group does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication.

S&P (U.S. Equity Growth)

The S&P 500 and S&P Global Small Cap ("Index") is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates ("SPDJI"). Standard & Poor's® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global ("S&P"); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"). Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

Note J — Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the "Liquidity Rule") under the 1940 Act, the Funds have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"). The purpose of the Program is to outline the techniques, tools and arrangements employed for the management of liquidity risk within the Funds, and the terms, contents and frequency of reporting and escalation of any issues to the Board. Liquidity is managed taking account of the investment strategy, liquidity profile, and redemption policy and history of each Fund, with the objective of maintaining a level of liquidity that is appropriate in light of each Fund's obligations to its shareholders. The Program assesses liquidity risk under both normal and stressed market conditions.

During the reporting period, the Funds maintained a high level of liquidity and primarily held assets that are defined under the Liquidity Rule as "Highly Liquid Investments." As a result, the Funds, other than Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, have not adopted a Highly Liquid Investment minimum. Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund has adopted a Highly Liquid Investment minimum of 30% and complied with the Highly Liquid Investment minimum throughout the period. A Highly Liquid Investment is defined as cash and any investment reasonably expected to be convertible to cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment.


210



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

During the reporting period, there were no liquidity events that materially affected the performance of the Funds or their ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Manager, which has been designated by the Board to administer the Program, determined that, during the reporting period, the Program operated adequately and effectively to manage the Funds' liquidity risk. There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Further information on liquidity risks applicable to the Funds can be found in the Funds' prospectuses.

Note K — Subsequent Events

Events or transactions that occur after the financial statement date but before the financial statements are issued are categorized as recognized or non-recognized for financial statement purposes.

There were no subsequent events identified between December 31, 2019 and the issuance of the Financial Statements.


211



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2019

To the Shareholders of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund,
Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund,
Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund,
Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund,
Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund,
Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund,
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund,
and the Board of Trustees of Baillie Gifford Funds

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund, Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund (the "Funds"), each a series of Baillie Gifford Funds, as of December 31, 2019, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two periods in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three periods in the period then ended, including the related notes, for Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund, Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund, Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund, Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund, Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund, and Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two periods in the period then ended, including the related notes, for Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets and the financial highlights, including the related notes, for the period December 19, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019 for Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the each of the Funds as of December 31, 2019, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated above, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Funds' financial highlights for the years or periods ended December 31, 2016, and prior were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

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

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

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the


212



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2019

custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers or counterparties were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Funds' auditor since 2017.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio
February 27, 2020


213



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Federal Income Tax Information

Qualified dividend income was taxable to the Funds listed in the table below through December 31, 2019. The Funds intend to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

Fund

  Qualified
Dividend Income
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

63.03

%

 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

53.48

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

32.05

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

64.60

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

35.19

%

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

100.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

71.65

%

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions for the year/period ended December 31, 2019 for the corporate dividends-received deduction for each Fund is:

Fund

  Dividends-received
Deductions
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

8.27

%

 

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

69.51

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

0.08

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

1.42

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

0.00

%

 

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

20.91

%

 

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

71.88

%

 

In February 2020, certain U.S. shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the U.S. federal tax status of the distributions received in the calendar year 2019.


214



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Foreign Taxes Paid — The following Funds elect under the Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid to its shareholders. The total amounts of foreign taxes passed through to shareholders on a per share basis for the year ended December 31, 2019, are as follows:

Fund

  Foreign Taxes
Per Share
  Foreign Income
Per Share
 

Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

   

0.0197

     

0.2051

   

Baillie Gifford EAFE Plus All Cap Fund

   

0.0231

     

0.3749

   

Baillie Gifford Emerging Markets Equities Fund

   

0.0373

     

0.8229

   

Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities Fund

   

0.0101

     

0.4643

   

Baillie Gifford Global Stewardship Equities Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford International Alpha Fund

   

0.0245

     

0.3652

   

Baillie Gifford International Concentrated Growth Equities Fund

   

0.0128

     

0.1108

   

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

   

0.0239

     

0.2563

   

Baillie Gifford International Smaller Companies Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund

   

     

   

Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund

   

0.0116

     

0.1087

   

Baillie Gifford U.S. Equity Growth Fund

   

     

   


215



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Management of the Trust

The following tables set forth the Trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the past five years, and certain other information as of December 31, 2019.

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
  Principal Occupation and Other
Directorships Held During Past 5 Years(2)
  Number of Funds in
Fund Complex
overseen by
Trustee(3)
 

Independent Trustees

                 
Howard W. Chin
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2015

 

Retired. Formerly: Managing Director, Investments, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

16

 
Pamela M. J. Cox
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2017

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Associate (non-resident), CSIS (think-tank); Senior Vice President; Vice President East Asia, World Bank Group (international bank & financial services).

 

16

 
Bruce C. Long
1945
 

Trustee, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Since 2009

 

Global Financial Consultant.

 

16

 
Robert E. Rigsby
1949
 

Trustee, Chair of the Audit Oversight Committee

 

Since 2014

 

Retired. Formerly: President & COO, Delivery Business at Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric and gas energy company).

 

16

 

Interested Trustee

                 
David Salter(4)
1975
 

Trustee, Chair of the Board, and President

 

Since 2016 (Previously Vice President since 2014)

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); CEO & Chair, Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC (broker-dealer).

 

16

 

 

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             
Andrew Telfer
1967
 

Vice President

 

Since 2008

 

Managing Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Michael Stirling-Aird
1977
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Client Service Director, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 
Julie Paul
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Tim Campbell
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2014

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Manager, Baillie Gifford International LLC with oversight of marketing performed in North America.

 
Lindsay Cockburn
1978
 

Treasurer

 

Since 2015

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 


216



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             
Gareth Griffiths
1973
 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Secretary since 2015; Chief Legal Officer since 2017

 

Senior Legal Counsel for Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Graham Laybourn
1966
 

Vice President

 

Since 2018

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Suzanne Quinn
1979
 

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

 

Since 2018

 

Manager, Compliance Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Evan Delaney
1969
 

Chief Risk Officer

 

Since 2013

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Group Chief Risk Officer, Director of Business Risk and Internal Audit, Baillie Gifford Group (investment adviser).

 
Lesley-Anne Archibald
1988
 

Vice President

 

Since 2017

 

Assistant Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 

The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust is c/o Baillie Gifford Funds, Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3AN.

(1)  Length of time served relates to the relevant Trustee's or officer's service at the position listed under position(s) held with Trust. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees and a Trustee may serve until such Trustee reaches the age of 75 years. Thereafter, such Trustee offers to tender his or her resignation from the Board, and the Nominating and Governance Committee, at its discretion, makes a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject such resignation annually. The Chair of the Board and President of the Trust are elected annually by the Board of Trustees. Other officers may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.

(2)  Previous positions during the past five years with Baillie Gifford & Co., the Manager, and Baillie Gifford Group are omitted if not materially different from the positions listed.

(3)  The number of Funds in the Fund complex overseen by the Trustee includes Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund and Baillie Gifford Multi Asset Fund, whose reports are prepared separately, and Baillie Gifford Asia ex Japan Fund, a series of the Trust which has not yet commenced operations.

(4)  David Salter is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager due to his positions with the Manager and his role as an officer of the Trust.

Additional information regarding the Trustees is in each Fund's Statement of Additional Information and is available upon request, without charge, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

A description of each Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent

12-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge upon request by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or by accessing each Fund's Form N-PX on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Each of the Funds files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their Form N-PORT. The Funds' Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Funds' holdings can also be found at Baillie Gifford Funds' website: http://USmutualfund.bailliegifford.com.


217



BOARD CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING
NEW FUND ADVISORY AGREEMENT APPROVAL
BAILLIE GIFFORD CHINA A SHARES FUND (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

BAILLIE GIFFORD FUNDS

On December 17, 2019, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of Baillie Gifford Funds (the "Trust"), including those trustees who are not "interested persons" as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Independent Trustees"), approved the investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") between the Trust, on behalf of Baillie Gifford China A Shares Fund (the "Fund"), and Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager"). As part of the review process, the Independent Trustees met independently of Trust management and of the interested trustee of the Board to consider the approval of the Advisory Agreement. During the review process, the Independent Trustees were represented by independent legal counsel and advised by their independent legal counsel of their fiduciary duties pertaining to approval of investment advisory agreements and the factors that they should consider in evaluating such agreements. The Independent Trustees reviewed materials received from the Manager and Broadridge (an independent provider of mutual fund data, "Broadridge"). The Board determined that, given the totality of the information provided with respect to the Advisory Agreement, the Board had received sufficient information to approve the Advisory Agreement.

The Board concluded that it was in the best interests of the Fund to approve the Advisory Agreement. In reaching this conclusion for the Fund, the Board did not identify any single factor as determinative in its analysis, but rather the Board considered a variety of factors, including those discussed below. The Board did not allot a particular weight to any one factor or group of factors.

The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services expected to be provided by the Manager to the Fund. The Board noted that, pursuant to the Fund's Advisory Agreement, the Manager will provide portfolio management services to the Fund and will receive an advisory fee and, pursuant to a separate Administration, Supervisory and Sub-Accounting Services Plan and Administration and Supervisory Agreement, the Manager will receive an "administration and supervisory fee." The Board considered the background and qualifications of the investment, compliance and administrative personnel who would be involved in the management and oversight of the Fund and reviewed information regarding the Fund's advisory fee, administration and supervisory fee and estimated expense ratios compared to similar funds. The Board considered the proposed investment objective and investment philosophy and process for the Fund. With respect to performance, the Board considered that the Fund had not commenced operations. The Board noted that the Manager provides advisory services to other funds in the Trust and that the Board had also reviewed extensive information during the annual contract renewal process regarding the Manager and the nature, extent and quality of services provided to other funds in the Trust. In evaluating the advisory fee to be paid by the Fund, and in particular when assessing comparative data, the Board considered not only the advisory fee, but also the combination of the Fund's advisory fee and administration and supervisory fee. The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Manager to the Fund, pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, were expected to be satisfactory.

With respect to profitability, the Board considered that, because the Fund was not operational, the Manager did not provide estimated profitability. The Board considered other benefits to be derived by the Manager from its relationship to the Fund, including receipt of the administration and supervisory fee. The Board considered whether there were economies of scale with respect to management of the Fund and whether the Fund would benefit from any economies of scale. The Board considered that the Fund was not yet operational and had no assets and that certain limits on foreign ownership of Chinese companies may constrain the Fund's capacity. The Board also considered that the proposed advisory fee schedule includes breakpoints.

The Board reviewed the Fund's advisory fee (plus the administration and supervisory fee) and estimated total expense ratio for the Fund's Class K and Institutional Class, and compared them to the average management fees and expense ratios of an expense peer group and expense universe of funds based on data provided by Broadridge. The comparable fund information showed that the advisory fee (plus the administration and supervisory fee) for each share class was below the average management fee of both the expense peer group and the expense universe. The Board also reviewed the fee charged by the Manager to another fund with a similar investment mandate. The Board considered that the Manager has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or bear other expenses of Class K and Institutional Class shares of the Fund through April 30, 2021 and that the contractual agreement may only be terminated by the Board. The Board considered that the advisory fee (plus the administration and supervisory fee) for each share class was on the low end


218



BOARD CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING
NEW FUND ADVISORY AGREEMENT APPROVAL
BAILLIE GIFFORD CHINA A SHARES FUND (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

of the spectrum of the expense peer group. On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that the advisory fee was reasonable.

Based upon all the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the terms of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund.


219


Copyright © Baillie Gifford & Co 2015.



BAILLIE GIFFORD FUNDS

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019



Index

Page Number

     
 

01

   

Management Discussion

 
 

03

   

Fund Expenses

 
   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 
 

05

   

Industry Diversification Table

 
 

06

   

Portfolio of Investments

 
 

11

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

12

   

Statement of Operations

 
 

13

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 
   

Financial Highlights

 
 

14

   

Selected Data for Class 2

 
 

15

   

Selected Data for Class 3

 
 

16

   

Selected Data for Class 5

 
 

17

   

Notes to Financial Statements

 
 

25

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
   

Supplemental Information

 
 

26

   

Federal Income Tax Information

 
 

27

   

Management of the Trust

 

Source: © David Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo

This report is intended for shareholders of the fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund.

The statements and views expressed in this report are as of this report's period end and are subject to change at any time. All investments entail risk, including the possible loss of principal.



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Market Conditions and Review of Performance during 2019

2019 delivered a welcome rebound for equity investors. The MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) benchmark returned 22.13%, while Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund (the "Fund") Class 2 delivered 32.65%. Market concerns over the trade disputes between the US and China and worries around Brexit seemed to lessen, especially with a trade deal agreed (albeit not yet signed) and a Conservative majority behind Boris Johnson in Downing Street. While we are aware of and take an interest in macro-political events, we would like to take this opportunity to note that we do not believe that we can predict future governmental policy or the outcomes of them. We do believe, however, that we can deliver outperformance for clients through bottom-up stock selection as we search for the best international holdings for long term growth.

Given this approach, it is once again stock selection that led to outperformance this year, not thematic or sector views. In terms of sectors, your stocks in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology helped performance, whereas stocks in Financials and Energy detracted over the year.

In terms of stock specifics, Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce platform provider to businesses, was the largest contributor to performance. The share price close to tripled over the course of 2019 as excitement over its ability to facilitate direct online sales for millions of enterprises grew. Originally viewed as a tool for small merchants, it started to become clear that its proposition could be attractive to businesses of all sizes and that it offered an important alternative to selling through Amazon. It started a move into payment processing and fulfilment as it sought to become a complete infrastructure provider to its customers.

Zalando was also amongst the largest contributors. Normal business resumed for the online clothes retailer after a series of disappointments in 2018, and the share price reflected this. With only 10% of the online European apparel market (and only 15% of overall sales online) we remain optimistic that Zalando could maintain significant growth for years to come.

The Japanese endoscope and camera manufacturer Olympus also contributed to performance. Following on from a couple of subdued returns in the wake of endoscope hygiene concerns and slowing orders as customers waited

for the next generation of scopes, Olympus saw sales grow steadily in the year and the FDA released recommendations for reusable scopes with disposable caps to reduce infection risk. This was taken as a positive for Olympus (a reusable scope manufacturer) as this adaption will be easier for Olympus to add to their range than a single use device.

Turning to the detractors from performance, there were three Emerging Markets (EM) businesses that did not perform over the period — though we would note that EM holdings contributed in aggregate. Mahindra & Mahindra had a poor year, partly related to weak returns from Indian equities generally but also because of lackluster performance in the car business. We remain enthused by the tractor and agricultural equipment business that Mahindra has and believe that the demand for this part of the business will continue to grow. The Malaysian bank, Public Bank, also saw its shares fall. The bank didn't show much evidence of growth during the year, but loss ratios remained low and capital ratios remained secure. We believe this high-quality bank offers a good growth opportunity as the emerging middle class begin to bank their assets.

Baidu, the Chinese internet giant, saw its shares continue to fall. We ended the year hoping that the fall in revenues from the core search business had bottomed out and that we would start to see returns from its many nascent new business lines. We continue to assess the changes in management, but we believe that Baidu has a huge opportunity in the wealth of data and technology it has at its disposal.

Overall the Fund continues to hold a broad range of high-quality businesses that we believe can grow earnings over rolling five-year periods. We believe that there are significant tail-winds behind potential growth for your holdings: the rise of the emerging middle class, the huge steps being taken in technology and healthcare, and the work being undertaken to provide alternative energy solutions. With structural growth opportunities like these and positive economic indicators, we are excited to see what the next five years will deliver.

Investment Strategies used to manage the Fund

Baillie Gifford is a growth manager with a bottom-up approach to stock picking. Bottom-up investing is an investment approach that focuses on the analysis of individual stocks and deemphasizes the significance of economic cycles and market cycles. We aim to invest in companies that will generate sustainable earnings growth


01



Management Discussion (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

above the market over the long-term. In determining the potential of a company, we analyze industry background, competitive advantages, management capabilities, financial strength and valuation. From the outset, we also consider aspects which may derail the investment case and revisit the thesis for the Fund's holdings on a regular basis to ensure that our expectations are being met. The International All Cap Portfolio Construction Group is responsible for the overall strategy and stock selection process. It meets regularly to discuss both buy and sell ideas and the level of conviction for existing holdings. Ongoing monitoring of the long-term prospects for the Fund's holdings enables appropriate changes to be made where applicable.

Trading over the period

Our new buy and complete sale decisions, which are a result of our bottom up stock research are listed below:

New Buys:

Nemetschek, Nibe, Ping An Insurance, Prosus, Suzuki Motor, Sysmex, Techtronic, Trainline, Xero

Complete Sales:

Advantest, Clicks, Hon Hai, JD.com, Multichoice Group, Novo Nordisk, Puregold Price Club, Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance, Svenska Handelsbanken

Fund Performance for the periods ended 12/31/19 (Average Annual Total Returns)

   

One Year

  % p.a.
Five Year
  % p.a.
Since Inception
 

Inception Date

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 2*
   

32.65

%

   

8.22

%

   

8.11

%

 

09/24/12

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 3
   

32.74

%

   

8.30

%

   

8.16

%

 

05/01/13

 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund Class 5**
   

32.74

%

   

8.24

%

   

8.12

%

 

07/09/19

 

MSCI ACWI (ex U.S.) Index

   

22.13

%

   

6.01

%

   

6.33

%

 

09/24/12

 

*  Performance for Class 2 shares prior to their date of inception (April 9, 2013) is derived from the historical performance of Class 1 shares and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 2 shares. The returns are provided for all shares classes that had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

**  Performance for Class 5 shares prior to their date of inception (July 10, 2019) is derived from the historical performance of Class 2 shares and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 5 shares. Prior to the inception of Class 2 (April 9, 2013), Class 5 shares historical performance is derived from Class 1 shares and has not been adjusted for the lower shareholder servicing fees applicable to Class 5 shares.

Additional year-over-year returns for each class are available in the Financial Highlights section.

Comparison of the change in value of $10,000 Investment in the Fund's Class 2 share and the index.

Past performance does not predict future performance. The graph and the table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.


02



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

Actual Expenses

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

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of each table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed annual rate of return of 5% before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return.

The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds by comparing this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second line of the table labeled "Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)" is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


03



Fund Expenses (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Beginning
Account Value
7/01/19
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/19
  Annualized
Expense Ratios
Based on the Period
7/01/19 to 12/31/19
  Expenses Paid
During Period(1)
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 2

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,108.70

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.51

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,021.88

     

0.66

%

 

$

3.36

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 3

 

Actual

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,109.10

     

0.59

%

 

$

3.14

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.23

     

0.59

%

 

$

3.01

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund — Class 5

 

Actual*

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,081.20

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.54

   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

 

$

1,000

   

$

1,022.63

     

0.51

%

 

$

2.47

   

*  Recommencement of operations on July 10, 2019. Expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the ending value for the period, multiplied by 175/365 (to reflect recommencement of operation).

(1)  Unless otherwise indicated, expenses are calculated using the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the six-month period).

Expenses are calculated using the annualized expense ratio for the Fund, which represents the ongoing expenses as a percentage of net assets for the period end December 31, 2019. Expenses are calculated by multiplying the annualized expense ratio by the average account value for the period; then multiplying the result by the number of

days in the most recent fiscal half-year; and then dividing that result by the number of days in the calendar year. Expense ratios for the most recent period may differ from expense ratios based on the data in the financial highlights.


04



Industry Diversification Table

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Value

  % of Total
Net Assets
 

Apparel

 

$

12,273,555

     

2.7

%

 

Auto Manufacturers

   

7,150,862

     

1.5

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

3,269,754

     

0.7

   

Banks

   

11,181,832

     

2.4

   

Beverages

   

17,788,900

     

3.8

   

Building Materials

   

12,161,721

     

2.7

   

Chemicals

   

13,956,044

     

3.0

   

Commercial Services

   

5,846,676

     

1.3

   

Computers

   

8,349,493

     

1.8

   

Cosmetics / Personal Care

   

17,398,459

     

3.8

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

22,758,527

     

4.9

   

Electrical Components & Equipment

   

6,565,475

     

1.4

   

Electronics

   

27,842,450

     

6.0

   

Engineering & Construction

   

4,449,081

     

1.0

   

Food

   

7,560,304

     

1.7

   

Hand / Machine Tools

   

12,161,301

     

2.7

   

Healthcare — Products

   

22,263,887

     

4.8

   

Holding Companies-Diversified

   

2,882,551

     

0.6

   

Insurance

   

26,279,681

     

5.7

   

Internet

   

88,707,000

     

19.2

   

Investment Companies

   

6,763,683

     

1.5

   

Leisure Time

   

5,402,292

     

1.2

   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

   

5,048,875

     

1.1

   

Machinery — Diversified

   

30,302,077

     

6.5

   

Oil & Gas Services

   

2,509,657

     

0.5

   

Retail

   

35,925,937

     

7.8

   

Semiconductors

   

30,427,395

     

6.6

   

Software

   

6,725,402

     

1.4

   

Telecommunications

   

3,920,559

     

0.8

   

Total Value of Investments

   

457,873,430

     

99.1

   

Other assets less liabilities

   

4,367,413

     

0.9

   

Net Assets

 

$

462,240,843

     

100.0

%

 


05



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%

 

AUSTRALIA — 3.8%

 

Cochlear Ltd.

   

50,956

   

$

8,030,973

   

SEEK Ltd.

   

304,475

     

4,819,136

   

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

   

405,952

     

4,624,096

   
         

17,474,205

   

BRAZIL — 1.6%

 

Raia Drogasil SA*

   

265,000

     

7,354,414

   

CANADA — 3.2%

 

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

8,057

     

3,783,201

   
Shopify, Inc., Class A *    

27,687

     

11,007,797

   
         

14,790,998

   

CHINA — 7.9%

 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR *    

60,962

     

12,930,040

   
Baidu, Inc. ADR *    

28,589

     

3,613,650

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

   

461,500

     

5,461,145

   
Prosus NV *    

47,193

     

3,532,015

   
Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR *    

102,908

     

3,451,534

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H

   

1,130,057

     

7,591,904

   
         

36,580,288

   

DENMARK — 0.3%

 

Novozymes A/S, B Shares

   

25,950

     

1,269,872

   

FINLAND — 1.3%

 

Kone Oyj, B Shares

   

91,803

     

6,002,827

   

FRANCE — 1.4%

 

Legrand SA

   

80,396

     

6,565,475

   

GERMANY — 6.7%

 

adidas AG

   

22,653

     

7,363,813

   

Bechtle AG

   

59,797

     

8,349,493

   

Infineon Technologies AG

   

251,299

     

5,677,966

   

Nemetschek SE

   

22,730

     

1,497,424

   
Zalando SE *    

160,325

     

8,085,253

   
         

30,973,949

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
06



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

HONG KONG — 4.1%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

   

858,600

   

$

9,030,726

   

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

   

51,800

     

2,882,551

   

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

   

73,000

     

2,238,772

   

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

   

607,000

     

4,954,150

   
         

19,106,199

   

INDIA — 5.4%

 

Asian Paints Ltd.

   

320,892

     

8,026,264

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

   

274,898

     

9,294,976

   

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. GDR

   

386,009

     

2,918,228

   
MakeMyTrip Ltd. *    

75,532

     

1,729,683

   
United Spirits Ltd. *    

354,908

     

2,982,146

   
         

24,951,297

   

IRELAND — 1.5%

 

Kingspan Group PLC

   

109,858

     

6,709,779

   

JAPAN — 19.3%

 

Denso Corp.

   

72,400

     

3,269,754

   

Kakaku.com, Inc.

   

176,900

     

4,516,807

   

Kao Corp.

   

56,600

     

4,668,091

   

Keyence Corp.

   

14,200

     

4,986,168

   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

   

242,500

     

8,004,609

   

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

   

114,300

     

7,035,005

   

Nidec Corp.

   

44,500

     

6,077,979

   

Olympus Corp.

   

484,800

     

7,472,080

   

Pigeon Corp.

   

97,500

     

3,570,079

   

Shimano, Inc.

   

33,300

     

5,402,292

   

Shiseido Co., Ltd.

   

129,000

     

9,160,289

   

SMC Corp.

   

17,400

     

7,957,288

   

SoftBank Group Corp.

   

90,300

     

3,920,559

   

Sugi Holdings Co., Ltd.

   

42,700

     

2,252,624

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

   

101,400

     

4,232,634

   

Sysmex Corp.

   

99,300

     

6,760,835

   
         

89,287,093

   

MALAYSIA — 0.7%

 

Public Bank Bhd

   

723,500

     

3,441,065

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
07



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

MEXICO — 0.5%

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   

883,900

   

$

2,537,516

   

NETHERLANDS — 2.1%

 
ASML Holding NV    

32,198

     

9,532,472

   

NEW ZEALAND — 1.1%

 
Xero Ltd. *    

93,055

     

5,227,978

   

PORTUGAL — 1.1%

 

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

   

322,921

     

5,321,533

   

SINGAPORE — 1.7%

 

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   

393,599

     

7,740,767

   

SOUTH AFRICA — 1.7%

 

Naspers Ltd., N Shares

   

47,193

     

7,722,994

   

SOUTH KOREA — 0.6%

 
NAVER Corp. *    

18,570

     

2,987,819

   

SPAIN — 1.9%

 

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

   

247,108

     

8,732,960

   

SWEDEN — 5.6%

 

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   

4,093

     

163,375

   

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

   

237,717

     

8,253,782

   

Epiroc AB, B Shares

   

424,821

     

5,048,875

   

Investor AB, B Shares

   

123,891

     

6,763,683

   

Nibe Industrier AB, B Shares

   

314,244

     

5,451,942

   
         

25,681,657

   

SWITZERLAND — 3.3%

 

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   

89,099

     

6,963,169

   

Schindler Holding AG, Participating Certificates

   

28,341

     

7,207,151

   
u-blox Holding AG *    

10,826

     

1,094,010

   
         

15,264,330

   

TAIWAN — 3.1%

 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

   

243,080

     

14,122,948

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
08



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

Shares

 

Value

 

THAILAND — 0.6%

 

Thai Beverage PCL

   

3,912,700

   

$

2,590,755

   

UNITED KINGDOM — 14.3%

 
ASOS PLC *    

58,839

     

2,636,754

   

Auto Trader Group PLC

   

999,171

     

7,890,656

   

Burberry Group PLC

   

168,166

     

4,909,742

   

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

   

396,594

     

10,173,187

   

HomeServe PLC

   

265,727

     

4,449,081

   

Intertek Group PLC

   

75,452

     

5,846,676

   

John Wood Group PLC

   

473,186

     

2,509,657

   

Johnson Matthey PLC

   

117,196

     

4,659,906

   

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

   

605,870

     

3,290,364

   

Rightmove PLC

   

1,191,051

     

9,994,354

   
Trainline PLC *    

1,016,634

     

6,885,521

   

Weir Group PLC (The)

   

146,931

     

2,938,637

   
         

66,184,535

   

UNITED STATES — 2.8%

 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. *    

9,985

     

7,920,901

   
Spotify Technology SA *    

33,355

     

4,988,240

   
         

12,909,141

   

Total Common Stocks

 

(cost $312,745,429)

       

451,064,866

   

PREFERRED STOCKS — 1.5%

 

GERMANY — 1.5%

 

Sartorius AG 0.32% (cost $3,639,982)

   

31,851

     

6,808,564

   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.1%

 

(cost $316,385,411)

     

$

457,873,430

   

Other assets less liabilities — 0.9%

 

   

4,367,413

   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

 

 

$

462,240,843

   

*  Non-income producing security.

ADR  —  American Depositary Receipt

GDR  —  Global Depositary Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
09



Portfolio of Investments

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

Fair Value Measurement

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of December 31, 2019 in valuing the Fund's investments carried at fair value:

Investments in Securities

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 
Common Stocks **  

$

97,244,707

   

$

353,820,159

   

$

   

$

451,064,866

   
Preferred Stocks **    

     

6,808,564

     

     

6,808,564

   

Total

 

$

97,244,707

   

$

360,628,723

   

$

   

$

457,873,430

   

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for further detail.

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



Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Annual Report December 31, 2019

December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (cost $316,385,411)

 

$

457,873,430

   

Cash

   

4,743,364

   

Tax reclaims receivable

   

621,816

   

Dividends receivable

   

291,977

   

Receivable for investments sold

   

9,103

   

Total Assets

   

463,539,690

   

LIABILITIES

 

Advisory fee payable

   

383,372

   

Deferred Indian capital gains tax liability (Note A)

   

591,656

   

Servicing fee payable

   

144,032

   

Payable for investment purchased

   

10,562

   

Trustee fee payable

   

4,007

   

Accrued expenses

   

165,218

   

Total Liabilities

   

1,298,847

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

462,240,843

   

COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

328,933,064

   

Total distributable earnings

   

133,307,779

   

 

$

462,240,843

   

NET ASSET VALUE, PER SHARE

 
Class 2 ($258,859,892 / 16,362,929 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

15.82

   
Class 3 ($158,198,392 / 9,891,444 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

15.99

   
Class 5 ($45,182,559 / 2,766,639 shares outstanding), unlimited authorized, no par value  

$

16.33

   

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



Statement of Operations

Annual Report December 31, 2019

For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $720,575)

 

$

6,595,621

   

Non-cash dividends

   

4,294,167

   

Interest

   

23,629

   

Total Investment Income

   

10,913,417

   

EXPENSES

 

Advisory fee (Note B)

   

1,471,482

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 2 shares (Note B)

   

409,567

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 3 shares (Note B)

   

139,719

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 4 shares (Note B)

   

6,989

   

Shareholder Servicing fees — Class 5 shares (Note B)

   

5,982

   

Fund accounting

   

183,635

   

Legal

   

102,014

   

Professional fees

   

97,741

   

Custody

   

95,924

   

Transfer agency

   

51,644

   

Trustees' fees

   

16,526

   

Miscellaneous

   

11,475

   

Total Expenses

   

2,592,698

   

Net Investment Income

   

8,320,719

   
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments (net of Indian capital gains tax benefit of $17,959)

   

12,296,068

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(83,671

)

 
     

12,212,397

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments (net of deferred Indian capital gains tax liability of $392,457) (Note A)

   

99,031,575

   

Translation of net assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

   

(832

)

 

   

99,030,743

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

111,243,140

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

119,563,859

   

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



Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income

 

$

8,320,719

   

$

5,129,916

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

12,212,397

     

(7,210,249

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

99,030,743

     

(79,517,376

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   

119,563,859

     

(81,597,709

)

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Distributable earnings

 

Class 2

   

(7,024,708

)

   

(2,458,286

)

 

Class 3

   

(4,352,607

)

   

(1,310,386

)

 

Class 5

   

(1,252,272

)

   

(397,396

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(12,629,587

)

   

(4,166,068

)

 

TRANSACTIONS IN SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

Net proceeds from shares subscribed:

 

Class 4

   

39,464,199

*

   

   

Class 5

   

40,720,857

*

   

41,793,273

*

 

Dividends reinvested:

 

Class 2

   

7,024,708

     

2,458,286

   

Class 3

   

4,352,607

     

1,310,386

   

Class 5

   

1,252,272

     

397,396

   

Cost of shares redeemed:

 

Class 2

   

(52,832,371

)

   

(31,246,783

)

 

Class 4

   

(40,720,857

)*    

(41,793,273

)*  

Class 5

   

(39,464,199

)*    

   

Decrease in Net Assets from Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

(40,202,784

)

   

(27,080,715

)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

66,731,488

     

(112,844,492

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of year

   

395,509,355

     

508,353,847

   

End of year

 

$

462,240,843

   

$

395,509,355

   
   

 

 

 

 

*  See Note D for details of share class conversions.

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



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 2 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

12.26

   

$

14.85

   

$

11.44

   

$

11.53

   

$

11.51

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.27

     

0.15

     

0.14

     

0.17

     

0.16

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.73

     

(2.61

)

   

3.46

     

(0.11

)

   

0.03

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

4.00

     

(2.46

)

   

3.60

     

0.06

     

0.19

   
Dividends and Distributions to          
Shareholders
                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.17

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.13

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.17

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

15.82

   

$

12.26

   

$

14.85

   

$

11.44

   

$

11.53

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.65

%

   

(16.63

)%

   

31.45

%

   

0.54

%

   

1.56

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

258,860

   

$

242,317

   

$

324,764

   

$

219,300

   

$

217,720

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.65

%

   

0.64

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.63

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

1.92

%(d)

   

1.02

%

   

1.03

%

   

1.48

%

   

1.38

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

12

%

   

14

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

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



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 3 share outstanding throughout each year:

    For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2018
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2017
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
  For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

12.39

   

$

15.01

   

$

11.56

   

$

11.65

   

$

11.63

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(a)

   

0.30

     

0.16

     

0.15

     

0.18

     

0.18

   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments and foreign currency
   

3.75

     

(2.64

)

   

3.50

     

(0.12

)

   

0.02

   
Net increase (decrease) in net asset
value from investment operations
   

4.05

     

(2.48

)

   

3.65

     

0.06

     

0.20

   
Dividends and Distributions to          
Shareholders
                                         

From net investment income

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.18

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.18

)

 
Proceeds from Purchase Fees and
Redemption Fees(a)
   

     

     

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

   

0.00

(b)

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

15.99

   

$

12.39

   

$

15.01

   

$

11.56

   

$

11.65

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(c)

   

32.74

%

   

(16.57

)%

   

31.54

%

   

0.61

%

   

1.63

%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of each year (000's omitted)

 

$

158,198

   

$

119,176

   

$

142,844

   

$

108,594

   

$

107,936

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.58

%

   

0.57

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.58

%

   

0.56

%

 
Ratio of net investment income to average
net assets
   

2.04

%(d)

   

1.09

%

   

1.13

%

   

1.55

%

   

1.45

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

   

13

%

   

15

%

   

12

%

   

14

%

   

15

%

 

(a)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the year.

(b)  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the year, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the year.

(d)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(e)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

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



Financial Highlights

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
Selected data for a Class 5 share outstanding throughout each period:

    For the Period
July 10, 2019
through
December 31,
2019(b)
  For the Period
January 1, 2019
through
April 10, 2019(b)
  For the Period
January 10, 2018(a)
through
December 31,
2018
 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

15.14

   

$

12.64

   

$

15.72

   

From Investment Operations

 

Net investment income(c)

   

0.20

     

0.06

     

0.18

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

1.46

     

1.97

     

(3.11

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net asset value from investment operations

   

1.66

     

2.03

     

(2.93

)

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

                         

From net investment income

   

(0.47

)

   

     

(0.15

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(0.47

)

   

     

(0.15

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

16.33

   

$

14.67

   

$

12.64

   

Total Return

 

Total return based on net asset value(d)

   

10.95

%

   

16.02

%

   

(18.61

)%

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)

 

$

45,183

   

$

39,464

   

$

34,016

   

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets

   

0.50

%*    

0.49

%*    

0.49

%*  

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

   

2.66

%*(e)    

1.59

%*    

1.21

%*  

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

   

13

%

   

13

%

   

15

%

 

*  Annualized.

(a)  Commencement of investment operations.

(b)  Recommencement of investment operations. Class had no shareholders from April 11, 2019 to July 10, 2019. All shares of this class were redeemed on April 10, 2019 at $14.67. New shares were issued at $15.14 on July 10, 2019.

(c)  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding during the period.

(d)  Total investment return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any, at net asset value during the period, and redemption on the last day of the period. Total return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

(e)  Large increase due to non-cash income.

(f)  Portfolio turnover rate calculated at Fund level.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note A — Organization and Accounting Policies

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund, (the "Fund"), is a series of Baillie Gifford Funds (the "Trust"). The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital appreciation. For information on the specific investment strategies of the Fund and description of each share class, please refer to the Fund's Prospectus for Private Placement ("Prospectus"). The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of Massachusetts pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 27, 2017, as amended from time to time. Prior to November 25, 2019, the Fund was known as The International Choice Fund.

The Fund's Class 2, Class 3 and Class 5 had shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019.

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The financial statements of the Fund have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities for the Fund and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities for the Fund at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations for the Fund during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund:

Valuation of Investments

Equity securities listed on an established securities exchange are normally valued at their last sale price on the exchange where primarily traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Equity Securities listed on an established securities exchange for which there is no reported sale during the day (and in the case of over-the-counter securities not so listed) are valued at the mean between the last available bid and ask

prices. Other securities for which current market quotations are not readily available (or for which quotations are not believed to be reliable due to market changes that occur after the most recent available quotations are obtained, or for any other reason), and all other assets, are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (the "Manager"), pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board"). The actual calculations may be made by persons acting pursuant to the direction of the Board or by pricing services.

Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange and such events may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. Occasionally, events affecting the value of equity securities of non-U.S. issuers not traded on a U.S. exchange may occur between the completion of substantial trading of such securities for the day and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and such events may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting the value of the Fund's portfolio securities occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. The Fund utilizes a third party pricing service which for all equity securities, except those traded on Canadian, Latin American or U.S. exchanges, subject to certain minimum confidence levels, applies a fair value adjustment that seeks to reflect changes in such securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. To the extent that securities are valued using this service, they will be classified as Level 2 securities in the fair value measurement framework described below.

Fair Value Measurement

GAAP provides guidance on fair value measurements and defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. It establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund's investments, and requires additional disclosure


17



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

Level 1 —  unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

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

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

For Level 1 inputs, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information as the most reliable evidence of fair value.

The Fund's Level 2 valuation techniques include inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for an asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. This includes when a fair value adjustment is applied which seeks to reflect changes in foreign securities' market prices since the close of the market on which they are traded. Level 2 observable inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, or price quotations vary substantially over time or among market participants. Inputs that are observable for the asset or liability in Level 2 include such factors as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and default rates for similar liabilities.

For Level 3 valuation techniques, the Fund uses unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions market participants would be expected to use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available and are developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In developing unobservable inputs, market participant assumptions are used if they are reasonably available without undue cost and effort.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The hierarchy classification of inputs used to value the Fund's investments at December 31, 2019 is disclosed at the end of the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value.

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 applicable rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. For the Fund, 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 net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates from the impact arising from changes in market prices. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the differences between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income

The Fund's securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of identified cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Investment income, expenses (other than those specific to a particular class of shares), and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to the separate classes of shares based upon their relative net asset value on the date income is earned or expensed and realized and unrealized gains and losses are incurred.


18



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Federal Taxes

The Fund intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a "regulated investment company" under the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and as such will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income (including any net realized capital gains) which is distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Code to the Fund's shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Investment income received from investments in foreign jurisdictions may be subject to foreign withholding tax. Investment income is recorded net of any foreign withholding taxes, less any amounts reclaimable. The Fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Whenever possible, the Fund will attempt to operate so as to qualify for reduced tax rates or tax exemptions in those countries with which the United States has a tax treaty. Foreign taxes, if any, net of any reclaims, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests.

In addition to the requirements of the Code, the Fund may also be subject to capital gains tax in India and potentially other foreign jurisdictions, on gains realized upon the sale of securities, payable upon repatriation of sales proceeds. Any realized losses in excess of gains in India may be carried forward to offset future gains. Funds with exposure to Indian securities and potentially

other foreign jurisdictions accrue a deferred liability for unrealized gains in excess of available loss carryforwards based on existing tax rates and holding periods of the securities. As of December 31, 2019, the Fund recorded a deferred liability for potential future Indian capital gains taxes of $591,656. The deferred liability accrued at December 31, 2019 includes a liability for tax payable on both short and long term gains, as required by the Indian tax authorities.

The Fund is subject to tax accounting standards that provide guidance for how certain and uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. These standards require the evaluation of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in the course of preparing the Fund's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold would be recorded as a reduction in a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has evaluated the application of these standards and has determined no liabilities for income tax related expenses are required in the financial statements of the Fund. For the Fund, the tax periods 2017 through present remain subject to examination.

At December 31, 2019 for federal income tax purposes, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains through the years indicated. To the extent that these loss carryforwards are utilized, capital gains so offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

Fund

  Short Term
Capital Loss
No Expiration
  Long Term
Capital Loss
No Expiration
  Capital Loss
Available
Total
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

$

(1,771,239

)

 

$

   

$

(1,771,239

)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund utilized $11,073,063 in capital loss carryforwards.

Realized capital losses, currency losses and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") losses incurred after October 31 ("post-October losses/Late-Year

Specified") within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next taxable year. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund incurred and will elect to defer net post-October or late-year losses as indicated.


19



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

At December 31, 2019, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Fund

  Undistributed
Net Ordinary
Income
  Long Term
Capital
Gains
  Capital
Loss
Carryforwards
  Post October
Capital/
Late Year
Ordinary
Losses
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
on
Investments,
Foreign
Currencies and
Foreign Tax
  Total
Distributable
Earnings/
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund
 

$

1,489,512

   

$

   

$

(1,771,239

)

 

$

   

$

133,589,506

   

$

133,307,779

   

The differences between the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to the differing book/tax treatment of realized losses on wash sales and mark to market income on securities categorized as PFICs.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

The Fund intends to distribute each year, as dividends, substantially all net investment income and net capital gains realized. All such dividends or distributions are credited in the form of additional shares of the Fund at net asset value on the ex-dividend date unless the

shareholder elects to receive dividends and distributions in cash. Currently, the Fund's policy is to distribute net investment income and net capital gains on an annual basis. Such distributions are determined in conformity with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the tax characters of the dividends paid were:

Fund

  Ordinary
Income
2019
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2019
  Return of
Capital
2019
  Ordinary
Income
2018
  Long Term
Capital Gains
2018
  Return of
Capital
2018
 
Baillie Gifford International
All Cap Fund
 

$

12,629,587

   

$

   

$

   

$

4,166,068

   

$

   

$

   

For tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

The Fund's cost of investments and gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at December 31, 2019 for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Fund

  Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Appreciation
  Gross
Depreciation
  Net
Appreciation
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

$

323,697,941

   

$

168,456,973

   

$

(34,281,484

)

 

$

134,175,489

   

Note B — Investment Management and Other Services

The Fund is advised and managed by the Manager. The Manager, an investment adviser registered with the

Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co.

Under an investment advisory agreement between the Manager and the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the "Advisory Agreement"), the Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee, in arrears.


20



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

The advisory fee paid by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement is calculated and accrued daily on the basis of the annual rate noted below and expressed as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Fund

  Average Daily Net Assets
of the Fund (billions)
  Annual Rate at
Each Asset Level
 
Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund
 
 
  $0 - $2
> $2 - $5
Above $5
  0.35%
0.31%
0.29%
 

Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, serves as the sole distributor and principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund.

The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan providing that the Fund may pay the Manager, or any other entity that acts from time to time as the shareholder

servicing agent with respect to a class of Fund shares, for services rendered and expenses borne in connection with the provision of services provided to Fund investors and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. For these services, the Fund pays the Manager a fee at the annualized rate of the Fund's average daily net assets attributed to each class of shares as follows:

  Baillie Gifford
International
All Cap Fund
 

Class 2

   

0.17

%

 

Class 3

   

0.10

%

 

Class 5

   

0.02

%

 

The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Fund's administrator and custodian. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. serves as the Trust's transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent.

Note C — Investment Transactions

Purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding short-term securities) for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

Fund

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

$

52,994,942

   

$

98,555,263

   

Note D — Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 
    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

441,467

     

7,024,708

     

270,573

     

4,352,607

   

Shares redeemed

   

(3,848,699

)

   

(52,832,371

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(3,407,232

)

 

$

(45,807,663

)

   

270,573

   

$

4,352,607

   


21



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

2,718,276

*

 

$

39,464,199

*

   

2,690,403

****

 

$

40,720,857

****

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

76,236

     

1,252,272

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,718,276

)***

   

(40,720,857

)***

   

(2,690,460

)**

   

(39,464,199

)**

 

Net increase

   

   

$

(1,256,658

)

   

76,179

   

$

2,508,930

   

*  2,718,276 shares and $39,464,199 converted into Class 4 from Class 5.

**  2,690,460 shares and $39,464,199 converted from Class 5 into Class 4.

***  2,718,276 shares and $40,720,857 converted from Class 4 into Class 5.

****  2,690,403 shares and $40,720,857 converted into Class 5 from Class 4.

    Class 2 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 3 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

   

$

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

202,185

     

2,458,286

     

106,639

     

1,310,386

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,297,265

)

   

(31,246,783

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease)

   

(2,095,080

)

 

$

(28,788,497

)

   

106,639

   

$

1,310,386

   
    Class 4 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
  Class 5 Shares
For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
   

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares sold

   

   

$

     

2,658,774

**

 

$

41,793,273

**

 

Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

     

     

31,685

     

397,396

   

Shares redeemed

   

(2,686,099

)*    

(41,793,273

)*    

     

   

Net increase

   

(2,686,099

)

 

$

(41,793,273

)

   

2,690,459

   

$

42,190,669

   

*  2,686,099 shares and $41,793,273 converted from Class 4 into Class 5.

**  2,658,774 shares and $41,793,273 converted into Class 5 from Class 4.

Note E — Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership, either direct or indirect, of more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund creates a presumption of control under Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2019, the following shareholder beneficially owned 25% or more of the Fund's voting securities:

Fund

 

Investor

 

Percentage

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

The Municipal Fire & Police Retirement System of Iowa

   

34.22

%

 

Purchase and redemption activity of this account may have a significant effect on the operation of the Fund.


22



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Note F — Commitments and Contingencies

The Fund indemnifies the Trust's officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide 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 that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Note G — Principal Risks (unaudited)

The below is a selection of the Fund's principal risks, the Fund's principal risks are further described in its Prospectus.

Currency and Currency Hedging Risk

The Fund could lose value if it invests in foreign currencies or securities denominated in foreign currencies which decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or if it invests in products to reduce this exposure, and those products lose value. The Fund may realize a loss if it has exposure to a non-U.S. currency, and this non-U.S. currency declines in value, relative to the U.S. dollar. Similarly, the Fund may realize a loss if the Fund hedges exposure to a non-U.S. currency, and this non-U.S. currency increases in value, relative to the U.S. dollar. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains.

Non-U.S. Investment Risk

Non-U.S. securities and securities denominated in foreign currencies are subject to additional risks, including less liquidity, increased volatility, less transparency, withholding or other taxes, increased vulnerability to adverse changes in local and global economic conditions, less regulation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, inability to convert proceeds into U.S. dollars, application of foreign tax laws, foreign investment restrictions, less publicly available information about foreign financial instruments,

generally less government supervision of foreign securities markets and issuers and possible fluctuation in value due to adverse political conditions. Foreign portfolio transactions generally involve higher commission rates, transfer taxes, and custodial costs than similar transactions in the U.S.

For further information on risk please refer to the Prospectus.

Note H — Legal Notice (unaudited)

MSCI

The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or re-disseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an "as is" basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk of any use made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the "MSCI Parties") expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information.

Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages. (www.msci.com)

Note I — Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the "Liquidity Rule") under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"). The purpose of the Program is to outline the techniques, tools and arrangements employed for the


23



Notes to Financial Statements

Annual Report December 31, 2019

management of liquidity risk within the Fund, and the terms, contents and frequency of reporting and escalation of any issues to the Board. Liquidity is managed taking account of the investment strategy, liquidity profile, and redemption policy and history of the Fund, with the objective of maintaining a level of liquidity that is appropriate in light of the Fund's obligations to its shareholders. The Program assesses liquidity risk under both normal and stressed market conditions.

During the reporting period, the Fund maintained a high level of liquidity and primarily held assets that are defined under the Liquidity Rule as "Highly Liquid Investments." As a result, the Fund has not adopted a "Highly Liquid Investment Minimum," as defined under the Liquidity Rule. A Highly Liquid Investment is defined as cash and any investment reasonably expected to be convertible to cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion to cash significantly changing the market value of the investment.

During the reporting period, there were no liquidity events that materially affected the performance of the Fund or its ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The Manager, which has been designated by the Board to administer the Program, determined that, during the reporting period, the Program operated adequately and effectively to manage the Fund's liquidity risk. There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Further information on liquidity risks applicable to the Fund can be found in the Fund's Prospectus.

Note J — Subsequent Events

Events or transactions that occur after the financial statement date but before the financial statements are issued are categorized as recognized or non-recognized for financial statement purposes.

There were no subsequent events identified between December 31, 2019 and the issuance of the Financial Statements.


24



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Annual Report December 31, 2019

To the Shareholders of Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund and
Board of Trustees of Baillie Gifford Funds

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund (the "Fund"), a series of Baillie Gifford Funds, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Fund's financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2016, and prior were audited by other auditors, whose report dated February 28, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

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

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

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

We have served as the Fund's auditor since 2017.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

Cleveland, Ohio
February 27, 2020


25



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Federal Income Tax Information

Qualified dividend income was taxable to the Fund through December 31, 2019. The Fund intends to designate the maximum amount of dividends that qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

Fund

  Qualified
Dividend Income
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

46.41

%

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions for the year ended December 31, 2019 for the corporate dividends-received deduction is:

Fund

  Dividends-received
Deductions
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

0.00

%

 

In February 2020, certain U.S. shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the U.S. federal tax status of the distributions received in the calendar year 2019.

Foreign Taxes Paid — The Fund elects under the Code Section 853 to pass through foreign taxes paid to its shareholders. The total amounts of foreign taxes passed through to shareholders on a per share basis for the year ended December 31, 2019, are as follows:

Fund

  Foreign Taxes
Per Share
  Foreign Income
Per Share
 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

   

0.0208

     

0.4112

   


26



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Management of the Trust

The following tables set forth the Trustees and officers of the Trust, their principal occupations during the past five years, and certain other information as of December 31, 2019.

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
  Principal Occupation and Other
Directorships Held During Past 5 Years(2)
  Number of Funds in
Fund complex
overseen by
Trustee(3)
 

Independent Trustees

                 
Howard W. Chin
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2015

 

Retired. Formerly: Managing Director, Investments, Guardian Life Insurance (financial services).

 

16

 
Pamela M. J. Cox
1952
 

Trustee

 

Since 2017

 

Retired. Formerly: Senior Associate (non-resident), CSIS (think-tank); Senior Vice President; Vice President East Asia, World Bank Group (international bank & financial services).

 

16

 
Bruce C. Long
1945
  Trustee, Chair of the Nominating
and Governance Committee
 

Since 2009

 

Global Financial Consultant.

 

16

 
Robert E. Rigsby
1949
  Trustee, Chair of the Audit Oversight
Committee
 

Since 2014

 

Retired. Formerly: President & COO, Delivery Business at Dominion Energy, Inc. (electric and gas energy company).

 

16

 

Interested Trustee

                 
David Salter(4)
1975
 

Trustee, Chair of the Board, and President

  Since 2016
(Previously Vice President since 2014)
 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); CEO & Chair, Baillie Gifford Funds Services LLC (broker-dealer).

 

16

 

 

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             

 

Andrew Telfer
1967
 

Vice President

 

Since 2008

 

Managing Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Michael Stirling-Aird
1977
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Client Service Director, Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited (investment adviser).

 
Julie Paul
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2012

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Tim Campbell
1975
 

Vice President

 

Since 2014

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Manager, Baillie Gifford International LLC with oversight of marketing performed in North America.

 
Lindsay Cockburn
1978
 

Treasurer

 

Since 2015

 

Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 


27



Supplemental Information (unaudited)

Annual Report December 31, 2019

Name and Year of Birth

  Position(s)
Held with
Trust
  Length of
Time
Served(1)
 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years(2)

 

Officers (other than officers who are also Trustees)

             

 

Gareth Griffiths
1973
 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

  Secretary since 2015;
Chief Legal Officer
since 2017
 

Senior Legal Counsel for Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Graham Laybourn
1966
 

Vice President

 

Since 2018

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Suzanne Quinn
1979
 

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Office

 

Since 2018

 

Manager, Compliance Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 
Evan Delaney
1969
 

Chief Risk Officer

 

Since 2013

 

Partner, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser); Group Chief Risk Officer, Director of Business Risk and Internal Audit, Baillie Gifford Group (investment adviser).

 
Lesley-Anne Archibald
1988
 

Vice President

 

Since 2017

 

Assistant Manager, North American Funds Operations Department, Baillie Gifford & Co. (investment adviser).

 

The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust is c/o Baillie Gifford Funds, Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3AN.

(1)  Length of time served relates to the relevant Trustee's or officer's service at the position listed under position(s) held with Trust. There is no stated term of office for the Trustees and a Trustee may serve until such Trustee reaches the age of 75 years. Thereafter, such Trustee offers to tender his or her resignation from the Board, and the Nominating and Governance Committee, at its discretion, makes a recommendation to the Board whether to accept or reject such resignation annually. The Chair of the Board and President of the Trust are elected annually by the Board of Trustees. Other officers may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time.

(2)  Previous positions during the past five years with Baillie Gifford & Co., the Manager, and Baillie Gifford Group are omitted if not materially different from the positions listed.

(3)  The number of Funds in the Fund complex overseen by the Trustee includes series of the Trust not included in this shareholder report or which have not yet commenced investment operations as of the date hereof.

(4)  David Salter is an "interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust or the Manager due to his positions with the Manager and his role as an officer of the Trust.

Additional information regarding the Trustees is in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information and is available upon request, without charge, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures related to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available without charge upon request by calling Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited at 011-44-131-275-2000 or by accessing the Fund's Form N-PX on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may submit to the Trust claims for reimbursement of telephone charges incurred in placing such calls.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its Form N-PORT. The Fund's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.


28



Copyright © Baillie Gifford & Co 2015.


 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)Not applicable.

 

(c)There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

(d)The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

 

(e)Not applicable.

 

(f)The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as an exhibit.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

As of the end of the period covered by the report, the registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Mr. Robert E. Rigsby, is qualified to serve as an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit oversight committee and that he is “independent,” as defined by Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Audit Fees

 

(a)The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years are $284,200 for 2019 and $263,600 for 2018.

 

An additional payment of $6,838 was made for year 2019. This was an out of pocket expense in relation to the audit services provided.

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

(b)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item are $0 for 2019 and $0 for 2018.

 

Tax Fees

 

(c)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning are $84,000 for 2019 and $78,000 for 2018. These services are related to the review of federal and state income tax returns, excise tax returns, and the review of the distribution requirements for excise tax purposes.

 

All Other Fees

 

(d)The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item are $0 for 2019 and $10,105 for 2018.

 

These services are related to services rendered to the investment adviser for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice

 

(e)(1)          In order for the Trust’s accountant to remain independent, the following engagements must be approved in advance by the Trust’s Audit Oversight Committee or pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and Non-Audit Services, as adopted by the Trust’s Audit Oversight Committee:

 

(a)   any engagement of the accountant to provide audit services or non-audit services to the Trust; and

 

(b)  any engagement of the accountant to provide non-audit services to the Trust’s investment adviser, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Trust (“Service Providers”), if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trust.

 

(e)(2)           The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

 

(b) Audit Related Fees – Not Applicable

 

(c) Tax Fees – 100%

 

(d) All Other Fees – 100%

 

(f)Not applicable.

 

(g)The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant's accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant's investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant was $14,000 for 2019 and $10,105 for 2018.

 

 

 

 

The fees disclosed above relate to ad-hoc tax advice provided by the registrant’s accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser. An additional payment of $6,838 was made for year 2019. This was an out of pocket expense in relation to the non-audit services provided.

 

(h)Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)In accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has divested itself of the following securities since the filing of its last report or Form N-CSR.

 

Baillie Gifford International All Cap Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange Ticker Symbol  Security Identifier (CUSIP number/ISIN  Total Number of Shares Divested   Date Securities were Divested  Amount Held on Filing Date   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   9,296   07/16/2019   237,717   Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007

 

Baillie Gifford International Growth Fund

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange Ticker Symbol  Security Identifier (CUSIP number/ISIN  Total Number of Shares Divested   Date Securities were Divested  Amount Held on Filing Date   Statute
Atlas Copco A  ATCO A  SE0011166610   

20,470

 

10,235

 

37,436

 

188,809

  

10/14/2019

 

10/15/2019

 

10/16/2019

 

10/17/2019

   1,567,709   Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007

 

Baillie Gifford Developed EAFE All Cap Fund

 

 

 

 

Name of Issuer  Exchange Ticker Symbol  Security Identifier (CUSIP number/ISIN  Total Number of Shares Divested   Date Securities were Divested  Amount Held on Filing Date   Statute
Atlas Copco B  ATCO B  SE0011166628   8,904   12/20/2019   26,196   Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007

 

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 and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Code of ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

 

 

(a)(2)Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(a)(4)Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

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): Baillie Gifford Funds

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ David Salter
    David Salter, President
    (principal executive officer)
     
     
Date: March 3, 2020    

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

     
By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ David Salter
    David Salter, President
  (principal executive officer)
     
     
Date: March 3, 2020    
     
     
By (Signature and Title)*   /s/ Lindsay Cockburn
    Lindsay Cockburn, Treasurer
  (principal financial officer)
     
Date: March 3, 2020    

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.