N-CSR 1 d808506dncsr.htm 1290 FUNDS 1290 FUNDS

 

 

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 811-22959

 

 

1290 FUNDS

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

WILLIAM T. MACGREGOR ESQ.

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

MARK C. AMOROSI, ESQ.

K&L Gates LLP

1601 K Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 554-1234

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2019

 

 

 


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

The following is a copy of the report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1).


LOGO   

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

October 31, 2019

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the shareholder reports from the Funds or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the shareholder reports will be made available on the Funds’ website (www.1290Funds.com/literature.php), and you will be notified by mail each time a shareholder report is posted and provided with a website link to access the shareholder report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive the Funds’ shareholder reports and other communications electronically by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly with the Funds, by calling 1-888-310-0416 or by sending an e-mail request to 1290Funds@dfinsolutions.com.

Beginning on January 1, 2019, you may elect to receive all future shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Funds, you can call 1-888-310-0416 or send an e-mail request to 1290Funds@dfinsolutions.com to let the Funds know that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all 1290 Funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all 1290 Funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with the Funds.

 


1290 Funds

Annual Report

October 31, 2019

Table of Contents

 

Notes on Performance (Unaudited)

  3

Funds

 

1290 Convertible Securities

  4

1290 Diversified Bond

  15

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

  29

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

  47

1290 Global Talents

  59

1290 High Yield Bond

  69

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

  83

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

  88

1290 Retirement 2020

  96

1290 Retirement 2025

  103

1290 Retirement 2030

  109

1290 Retirement 2035

  115

1290 Retirement 2040

  121

1290 Retirement 2045

  127

1290 Retirement 2050

  132

1290 Retirement 2055

  138

1290 Retirement 2060

  144

1290 SmartBeta Equity

  149

Notes to Financial Statements

  164

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  184

Approvals of Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

  185

Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

  198

Management of the Trust (Unaudited)

  199

Proxy Voting Results

  207

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Unaudited)

  208

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings Information (Unaudited)

  208


Market Overview for the year ended October 31, 2019

Over the past year, early tax and regulatory reform optimism collided with headwinds from trade policy uncertainty, interest rate angst, and emerging market distress, creating a volatile trading environment. Amid signs of slowdown, central banks around the world took steps to stimulate their economies; despite relatively robust U.S. macroeconomic data, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates in both August and September, the first decreases since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.

Although the yield curve briefly steepened in response to the Fed’s meeting in the fourth quarter of 2018, driven by a fall in short-end yields, the past year has been characterized by a strong flattening of the Treasury curve. As 2019 began, the U.S. bond market rallied, with U.S. investment-grade corporate credit delivering strong returns, as did U.S. high yield. In the second quarter, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell to 2.01%, its lowest level since late 2016. The amount of negative-yielding debt in the world surged in June to a record of over 13 trillion U.S. dollars. During late summer, central banks around the world eased monetary policy, and yields fell — generating higher government bond returns than most investors expected. The market value of negative-yielding bonds swelled to around 17 trillion U.S. dollars. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, returned to historical lows during the third quarter, edging up slightly at the third quarter’s end. Headwinds from the U.S.-China trade conflict, as well as weaker-than-expected economic data, appeared to cause long-duration assets such as investment-grade corporate bonds and Treasuries to outperform shorter-duration sectors such as collateralized loan obligations and asset-backed securities. The most closely watched part of the U.S. yield curve — the gap between two- and 10-year yields — inverted temporarily in August, stoking fear that a recession may be coming.

The U.S. stock market started off the period exhibiting extreme volatility as December of 2018 was the worst month for equity markets since World War II. Economically sensitive industrial stocks, especially on the small- and mid-cap side, took the brunt of the market’s concern. The market recouped all of those December losses in the first quarter as U.S. stocks registered their best first quarter since 1998. This rally was fueled by a shift in Fed policy and renewed hopes of a trade deal with China. The second quarter was once again marked by volatility as investors were forced to weigh weaker economic data against the possibility of an upcoming July rate cut. Despite another volatile quarter, the market ended June sitting right around its all-time high. The U.S. entered the third quarter with the longest expansion on record for the economy, the lowest unemployment since the 1960s, household wealth at a record high, and solid housing growth, all while inflation remained tame. Despite a decelerating economy and rising geopolitical risks, the S&P 500 finished the third quarter only 1.5 percentage points below its all-time high. Stocks have continued to rally into November, setting record highs as a solid October jobs report, improving China trade talks, easy central bank monetary policies, and the December UK election date agreement all fuelled the advance.

Global equity markets rose in value in the year ended October 31, 2019, with the MSCI World Index gaining almost 13% in U.S. dollar terms. Stocks’ continued climb came in spite of increased volatility, with escalating U.S./China trade tensions — and growing concerns about their potential impact on global economic growth — intermittently affecting investor sentiment. In this context, less cyclical stocks and sectors generally led the market, with real estate delivering the strongest returns.

Source: AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC doing business as 1290 Asset Managers®. As of 10/31/19.

This information is provided for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual investor.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OP FUTURE RESULTS. No investment is risk-free. Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk so that when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds can decrease and the investor can lose principal value. High yield bonds are subject to a high degree of credit and market risk. International securities carry additional risks including currency exchange fluctuation and different government regulations, economic conditions or accounting standards. Smaller company stocks involve a greater risk than is customarily associated with more established companies. Index performance is referenced for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change. Please see the Portfolio of Investments for a complete list of fund holdings.

 

2


NOTES ON PERFORMANCE (Unaudited)

 

Total Returns

Performance of the 1290 Funds as shown on the following pages compares each Fund’s performance to that of a broad-based securities index and, with respect to certain Funds, customized composite benchmarks. Each Fund’s rates of return are net of investment advisory fees and expenses of the Fund. Each Fund has a separate investment objective it seeks to achieve by following a separate investment policy. There is no guarantee that these objectives will be attained. The objectives and policies of each Fund will affect its return and its risk. Keep in mind that past performance is not an indication of future results.

Benchmarks

60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a hypothetical combination of unmanaged indexes. The composite index combines the total return of the S&P 500® Index at a weighting of 60% and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index at a weighting of 40%.

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index covers the U.S. dollar denominated investment-grade, fixed-rate, taxable bond market of securities. The index includes bonds from the Treasury, government-related and corporate securities, agency fixed rate and hybrid adjustable mortgage pass through securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index measures the returns of negotiable debt obligations issued by the U.S. government and backed by its full faith and credit, having a maturity of three months.

ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index consists of U.S. dollar denominated investment grade and non-investment grade convertible securities sold into the U.S. market and publicly traded in the United States. The index constituents are market value weighted based on the convertible securities prices and outstanding shares, and the underlying index is rebalanced daily.

ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index tracks the performance of U.S. dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have at least 18 months to final maturity at the time of issuance, at least one year remaining term to final maturity as of the rebalancing date, a fixed coupon schedule and a minimum amount outstanding of $100 million. It is capitalization-weighted.

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ACWI (Net) Index (“MSCI ACWI (Net) Index”) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of 23 developed markets and 24 emerging markets. The index covers approximately 85% of the global investment opportunities.

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index (“MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index”) aims to reflect the performance characteristics of a minimum variance strategy applied to large and mid cap equities across 23 developed markets and 23 emerging markets countries. The index is calculated by optimizing the MSCI ACWI Index, its parent index, in USD for the lowest absolute risk (within a given set of constraints). Historically, the index has shown lower beta and volatility characteristics relative to the MSCI ACWI Index.

Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World (Net) Index (“MSCI World (Net) Index”) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. The index consists of 23 developed market country indexes.

Russell 2500™ Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 2500TM Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. It is market-capitalization weighted.

Standard & Poor’s 500® Composite Stock Price Index (“S&P 500® Index”) is a weighted index of common stocks of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy, capturing 75% coverage of U.S. equities. The index is capitalization weighted, thereby giving greater weight to companies with the largest market capitalizations.

The Standard & Poor’s Target Date Index Series (each, an “S&P Target Date Index”) comprises eleven multi-asset class indices, each corresponding to a particular target retirement date. The asset allocation for each index in the series is determined once a year through survey of large fund management companies that offer target date products. Each index is fully investable, with varying levels of exposure to equities, fixed income and commodities.

The CBOE Volatility Index (known as the VIX), is measure of constant, 30-day expected volatility of the U.S. stock market, derived from prices of the S&P 500 Index call and put options.

Glossary

Derivative is a financial instrument with a price that is dependent upon or derived from one or more underlying assets.

Diversified spread is the sale of multiple, diversified futures contracts and the purchase of other multiple, diversified offsetting futures contracts. A spread tracks the difference between a long and short position.

Mortgage backed security (MBS) is a type of asset-backed security that is secured by a mortgage or collection of mortgages.

Quantitative easing is the introduction of new money into the money supply by a central bank.

Shiller Barclays Cyclically Adjusted Price-to-Earnings (CAPE) Total Return Index aims to identify undervalued sectors in the large-cap equity market based on a modified CAPE® ratio, which is designed to assess longer term equity valuations by using an inflation adjusted earnings horizon.

Smart beta defines a set of investment strategies that emphasize the use of alternative index construction rules to traditional market capitalization based indices.

Swap is a derivative contract through which two parties exchange financial instruments.

 

3


1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

 

Ø  

Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       13.20     6.02
      with Sales Charge (a)       8.07       4.90  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      13.58       6.30  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      13.07       5.77  

ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index

      12.45       7.67  
 

*   Date of inception 7/6/15.

 

(a)  A 4.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Convertible Securities Fund and the ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index from 7/6/15 to 10/31/19. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of October 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.94%, 1.69% and 2.19%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.15%, 0.90% and 1.40%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2021. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.58% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofAML U.S. Convertibles Index, returned 12.45% over the same year.

Overview — Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C.

The Fund overcame a slow start to post strong performance over the past year. The sharp, sentiment-driven selloff that brought 2018 to a close did not carry into 2019, and as a result, many of the Fund’s early underperforming holdings rebounded and rallied strongly throughout the course of the year. Shrugging off China trade concerns and signs of slowing global growth, major U.S. equity market indexes finished the period near record highs, helping to drive convertible returns. Both credit and volatility were weaker but were offset by an accommodative Federal Reserve stance which pushed rates lower.

As the year progressed, the market did experience a change in sentiment as investors began to shift their focus towards value-oriented names and away from growth-oriented names. This rotation caused Value convertibles to outperform Growth convertibles over the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2019 for the first time in nearly 18 years. Despite the Fund’s general focus on Growth convertibles, the Fund was able to navigate this unusual weakness with strong security selection and still post robust returns for the period. In addition, the Fund’s positioning in outperforming larger capitalization names over underperforming smaller capitalization names was an additional tailwind for performance.

Given strong recent market returns and the prospect of an election year looming, we remain mindful of the risk side of the equation as much as the reward side. While the U.S. remains one of the most attractive markets in which to invest, the macro environment remains unsettled and the potential for heightened volatility remains. We continue to favor larger, more stable, and higher quality credit issuers to better navigate this uncertain environment. While Growth has underperformed Value recently, we believe this is a short-term phenomenon rather than a long-term secular shift that would warrant a change in our strategic bias towards Growth. Convertibles remain, in our view, an ideal asset class to help investors continue to participate in the strong equity market rally while providing downside support if volatility should ratchet higher in the coming year.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The Fund benefited from security selection in the technology sector, driven by a triple-digit return from Novellus Systems, Inc. 2.625%.

 

 

Outperformance in the financials and health care sectors was attributable to strong returns from LendingTree, Inc. 0.625% and Exact Sciences Corporation 1.000%, respectively.

 

4


1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Elsewhere, the Fund benefited from good security selection in the consumer discretionary sector where Mercadolibre, Inc. 2.000% posted a strong return, and from an underweight to the weak energy sector.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

The Fund was held back by unfavorable security selection in the industrials sector. Notably, Greenbrier Companies, Inc. 2.875% was an underperformer for the period.

 

 

An underweight exposure to the outperforming utilities sector and an overweight exposure to the underperforming transportation sector were also detractors from results relative to the benchmark.

 

 

Elsewhere, an overweight exposure to the health care sector, which did not keep pace with the overall benchmark return, weighed heavily on results.

 

   

Fund Characteristics

As of October 31, 2019

      

Weighted Average Life (Years)

    N/A  

Weighted Average Coupon (%)

    N/A  

Weighted Average Effective Duration (Years)*

    N/A  

Weighted Average Rating**

    BB  
 

*  Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of the Fund to interest rate movements, taking into account specific features of the securities in which it invests.

 

** Weighted Average Rating has been provided by the Investment Sub-Adviser. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations, including specific securities, money market instruments or other debts. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest); ratings are subject to change without notice.

   

  

 

   

Sector Weightings

as of October 31, 2019

 

% of

Net Assets

 

Information Technology

    37.0

Health Care

    24.2  

Financials

    9.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.0  

Industrials

    7.0  

Communication Services

    5.1  

Real Estate

    2.0  

Utilities

    1.5  

Materials

    0.9  

Energy

    0.9  

Consumer Staples

    0.5  

Investment Company

    0.5  

Cash and Other

    3.1  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A and Class R shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
    

Beginning

Account

Value

5/1/19

   

Ending

Account

Value

10/31/19

   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*

5/1/19 -

10/31/19

 

Class A

       

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,018.40       $6.27  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.99       6.28  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,020.50       5.01  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.25       5.01  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,018.40       7.54  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,017.73       7.54  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I and R shares annualized expense ratios of 1.23%, 0.98% and 1.48%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

5


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES:

   

Convertible Bonds (79.0%)

   

Communication Services (5.1%)

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.4%)

 

Vonage Holdings Corp.

   

1.750%, 6/1/24§

  $ 106,000     $ 102,506  
   

 

 

 

Entertainment (1.7%)

   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

   

2.500%, 3/15/23

    105,000       128,456  

Pandora Media LLC

   

1.750%, 12/1/23

    177,000       213,779  

Zynga, Inc.

   

0.250%, 6/1/24§

    99,000       101,213  
   

 

 

 
      443,448  
   

 

 

 

Interactive Media & Services (0.9%)

   

Momo, Inc.

   

1.250%, 7/1/25

    61,000       55,999  

Twitter, Inc.

   

0.250%, 6/15/24

    171,000       163,262  
   

 

 

 
      219,261  
   

 

 

 

Media (2.1%)

   

DISH Network Corp.

   

3.375%, 8/15/26

    395,000       369,349  

Liberty Interactive LLC

   

1.750%, 9/30/46§

    116,000       164,145  
   

 

 

 
      533,494  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      1,298,709  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (8.0%)

   

Diversified Consumer Services (1.1%)

   

Chegg, Inc.

   

0.125%, 3/15/25§

    299,000       279,804  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (1.0%)

   

Caesars Entertainment Corp.

   

5.000%, 10/1/24

    145,000       256,686  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (4.5%)

 

Booking Holdings, Inc.

   

0.350%, 6/15/20

    306,000       476,235  

Etsy, Inc.

   

(Zero Coupon), 3/1/23

    107,000       151,271  

0.125%, 10/1/26§

    106,000       95,736  

IAC Financeco 3, Inc.

   

2.000%, 1/15/30§

    300,000       333,665  

Wayfair, Inc.

   

0.375%, 9/1/22

    70,000       74,004  
   

 

 

 
      1,130,911  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.4%)

   

Guess?, Inc.

   

2.000%, 4/15/24§

    100,000       95,313  

RH

   

(Zero Coupon), 6/15/23

    228,000       257,357  
   

 

 

 
      352,670  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      2,020,071  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (0.5%)

   

Personal Products (0.5%)

   

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

   

2.625%, 3/15/24

  132,000     132,968  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      132,968  
   

 

 

 

Energy (0.9%)

   

Energy Equipment & Services (0.5%)

 

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.

   

3.250%, 5/15/30

    148,000       133,860  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.4%)

 

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

 

4.250%, 3/15/45

    120,000       94,050  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      227,910  
   

 

 

 

Financials (2.5%)

   

Capital Markets (0.8%)

   

New Mountain Finance Corp.

   

5.750%, 8/15/23

    199,000       208,313  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.7%)

   

Encore Capital Group, Inc.

   

3.250%, 10/1/25§

    72,000       74,170  

PRA Group, Inc.

   

3.500%, 6/1/23

    99,000       100,100  
   

 

 

 
      174,270  
   

 

 

 

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.3%)

 

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp. (REIT)

 

6.750%, 10/1/22

    60,000       60,817  
   

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.7%)

 

LendingTree, Inc.

   

0.625%, 6/1/22

    101,000       182,020  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      625,420  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (19.3%)

   

Biotechnology (8.4%)

   

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

   

1.500%, 10/15/20

    211,000       221,457  

Clovis Oncology, Inc.

   

2.500%, 9/15/21

    128,000       106,358  

Exact Sciences Corp.

   

1.000%, 1/15/25

    289,000       401,931  

Incyte Corp.

   

1.250%, 11/15/20

    75,000       122,903  

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   

6.500%, 3/1/24§

    66,000       46,035  

Insmed, Inc.

   

1.750%, 1/15/25

    175,000       149,398  

Invitae Corp.

   

2.000%, 9/1/24§

    22,000       19,924  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   

1.000%, 11/15/21

    81,000       89,179  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   

0.750%, 5/15/23

    315,000       273,062  

Medicines Co. (The)

   

2.500%, 1/15/22

    131,000       210,255  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

   

2.250%, 5/15/24

    150,000       218,914  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Repligen Corp.

   

0.375%, 7/15/24

  $ 67,000     $ 66,993  

Retrophin, Inc.

   

2.500%, 9/15/25

    58,000       43,489  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

   

1.500%, 11/15/24

    110,000       155,115  
   

 

 

 
      2,125,013  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (4.7%)

 

CONMED Corp.

   

2.625%, 2/1/24§

    144,000       197,608  

DexCom, Inc.

   

0.750%, 5/15/22

    117,000       190,723  

Insulet Corp.

   

1.375%, 11/15/24

    124,000       205,762  

0.375%, 9/1/26§

    67,000       64,027  

Nevro Corp.

   

1.750%, 6/1/21

    182,000       206,334  

NuVasive, Inc.

   

2.250%, 3/15/21

    71,000       89,083  

Wright Medical Group NV

   

2.250%, 11/15/21

    204,000       240,164  
   

 

 

 
      1,193,701  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.7%)

 

Anthem, Inc.

   

2.750%, 10/15/42

    54,000       204,084  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

   

1.125%, 1/15/20

    74,000       213,932  
   

 

 

 
      418,016  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (1.3%)

   

Evolent Health, Inc.

   

2.000%, 12/1/21

    124,000       108,879  

Teladoc Health, Inc.

   

3.000%, 12/15/22

    123,000       230,265  
   

 

 

 
      339,144  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (1.0%)

 

Illumina, Inc.

   

0.500%, 6/15/21

    148,000       192,407  

(Zero Coupon), 8/15/23

    66,000       71,343  
   

 

 

 
      263,750  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (2.2%)

   

Dermira, Inc.

   

3.000%, 5/15/22

    174,000       144,420  

Horizon Pharma Investment Ltd.

   

2.500%, 3/15/22

    91,000       109,057  

Jazz Investments I Ltd.

   

1.875%, 8/15/21

    241,000       240,395  

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   

4.750%, 5/1/24

    91,000       55,846  
   

 

 

 
      549,718  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      4,889,342  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (5.8%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (0.3%)

   

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.

   

2.250%, 12/15/23

    46,000       79,634  
   

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (1.2%)

   

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

   

1.875%, 6/1/24

  131,000     102,034  

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.

   

2.500%, 5/1/20

    200,000       198,048  
   

 

 

 
      300,082  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (1.4%)

 

Dycom Industries, Inc.

   

0.750%, 9/15/21

    179,000       169,043  

Tutor Perini Corp.

   

2.875%, 6/15/21

    209,000       198,410  
   

 

 

 
      367,453  
   

 

 

 

Machinery (2.2%)

   

Chart Industries, Inc.

   

1.000%, 11/15/24§

    88,000       105,698  

Fortive Corp.

   

0.875%, 2/15/22§

    331,000       326,557  

Greenbrier Cos., Inc. (The)

   

2.875%, 2/1/24

    124,000       118,969  
   

 

 

 
      551,224  
   

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.7%)

 

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.

   

2.000%, 10/1/23

    191,000       179,603  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      1,477,996  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (35.3%)

   

Communications Equipment (2.5%)

 

Infinera Corp.

   

2.125%, 9/1/24

    122,000       107,284  

InterDigital, Inc.

   

2.000%, 6/1/24§

    199,000       195,976  

Lumentum Holdings, Inc.

   

0.250%, 3/15/24

    253,000       319,258  
   

 

 

 
      622,518  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.8%)

 

Insight Enterprises, Inc.

   

0.750%, 2/15/25§

    67,000       72,928  

TTM Technologies, Inc.

   

1.750%, 12/15/20

    105,000       134,794  
   

 

 

 
      207,722  
   

 

 

 

IT Services (4.5%)

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

   

0.125%, 5/1/25

    215,000       240,800  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

   

0.750%, 3/15/49§

    126,000       143,292  

GDS Holdings Ltd.

   

2.000%, 6/1/25

    56,000       59,089  

KBR, Inc.

   

2.500%, 11/1/23§

    62,000       77,629  

Okta, Inc.

   

0.250%, 2/15/23

    23,000       53,125  

0.125%, 9/1/25§

    67,000       63,486  

Square, Inc.

   

0.500%, 5/15/23

    347,000       382,735  

Twilio, Inc.

   

0.250%, 6/1/23

    82,000       124,617  
   

 

 

 
      1,144,773  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

7


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (12.8%)

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

   

2.125%, 9/1/26

  $ 107,000     $ 464,476  

Inphi Corp.

   

1.125%, 12/1/20

    70,000       126,675  

Intel Corp.

   

3.250%, 8/1/39

    67,000       186,605  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

   

1.625%, 2/15/25

    259,000       499,708  

1.625%, 2/15/27

    485,000       634,906  

Micron Technology, Inc.

   

Series F

   

2.125%, 2/15/33

    19,000       82,402  

Novellus Systems, Inc.

   

2.625%, 5/15/41

    43,000       360,953  

ON Semiconductor Corp.

   

1.000%, 12/1/20

    199,000       240,820  

Rambus, Inc.

   

1.375%, 2/1/23

    91,000       92,444  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

   

1.375%, 3/1/22

    116,000       146,585  

Synaptics, Inc.

   

0.500%, 6/15/22

    174,000       164,213  

Teradyne, Inc.

   

1.250%, 12/15/23

    121,000       240,505  
   

 

 

 
      3,240,292  
   

 

 

 

Software (13.3%)

   

Blackline, Inc.

   

0.125%, 8/1/24§

    93,000       88,295  

Coupa Software, Inc.

   

0.125%, 6/15/25§

    178,000       201,267  

DocuSign, Inc.

   

0.500%, 9/15/23

    122,000       143,267  

FireEye, Inc.

   

0.875%, 6/1/24

    255,000       251,569  

Guidewire Software, Inc.

   

1.250%, 3/15/25

    167,000       199,180  

HubSpot, Inc.

   

0.250%, 6/1/22

    80,000       136,734  

New Relic, Inc.

   

0.500%, 5/1/23

    222,000       213,364  

Nutanix, Inc.

   

(Zero Coupon), 1/15/23

    181,000       173,407  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

   

0.750%, 7/1/23

    288,000       316,789  

Pluralsight, Inc.

   

0.375%, 3/1/24§

    116,000       101,782  

Proofpoint, Inc.

   

0.250%, 8/15/24§

    27,000       27,945  

Q2 Holdings, Inc.

   

0.750%, 6/1/26§

    104,000       109,800  

RealPage, Inc.

   

1.500%, 11/15/22

    93,000       142,219  

ServiceNow, Inc.

   

(Zero Coupon), 6/1/22

    119,000       222,920  

Splunk, Inc.

   

0.500%, 9/15/23

    397,000       431,032  

1.125%, 9/15/25

    61,000       67,527  

Verint Systems, Inc.

   

1.500%, 6/1/21

    188,000       191,525  

Workday, Inc.

   

0.250%, 10/1/22

  172,000     218,749  

Zendesk, Inc.

   

0.250%, 3/15/23

    90,000       116,967  
   

 

 

 
      3,354,338  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.4%)

 

Pure Storage, Inc.

   

0.125%, 4/15/23

    247,000       259,056  

Western Digital Corp.

   

1.500%, 2/1/24 (e)

    106,000       100,523  
   

 

 

 
      359,579  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      8,929,222  
   

 

 

 

Materials (0.5%)

   

Metals & Mining (0.5%)

   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

   

4.750%, 7/1/22

    42,000       67,496  

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc.

   

1.500%, 1/15/25

    61,000       66,961  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      134,457  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (1.1%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.7%)

 

Colony Capital, Inc. (REIT)

   

5.000%, 4/15/23

    111,000       108,237  

IH Merger Sub LLC (REIT)

   

3.500%, 1/15/22

    54,000       74,181  
   

 

 

 
      182,418  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.4%)

 

Redfin Corp.

   

1.750%, 7/15/23

    97,000       89,846  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      272,264  
   

 

 

 

Total Convertible Bonds

      20,008,359  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt Securities (79.0%)
(Cost $18,691,610)

      20,008,359  
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS:

 

Financials (6.8%)

   

Banks (5.5%)

   

Bank of America Corp.,

   

Series L

   

7.250%

    365       553,555  

Wells Fargo & Co.,

   

Series L

   

7.500%

    550       830,225  
   

 

 

 
      1,383,780  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (0.8%)

   

Assurant, Inc.,

   

Series D

   

6.500%

    1,583       197,828  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.5%)

   

New York Community Capital Trust V,

 

6.000%

    2,656     $ 134,792  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      1,716,400  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (4.9%)

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.6%)

 

Becton Dickinson and Co.,

   

Series A

   

6.125%

    9,652       595,335  

Danaher Corp.,

   

Series A

   

4.750%

    295       327,545  
   

 

 

 
      922,880  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (0.4%)

   

Change Healthcare, Inc.,

   

6.000%

    1,996       100,858  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.9%)

   

Avantor, Inc.,

   

Series A

   

6.250%

    4,314       224,371  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      1,248,109  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (1.2%)

   

Machinery (1.2%)

   

Fortive Corp.,

   

Series A

   

5.000%

    326       293,579  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      293,579  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (1.7%)

   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.7%)

 

Broadcom, Inc.,

   

Series A

   

8.000%*

    394       426,710  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      426,710  
   

 

 

 

Materials (0.4%)

 

Chemicals (0.4%)

   

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.,

 

 

6.000%

    2,191       102,473  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      102,473  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (0.9%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.9%)

 

Crown Castle International Corp. (REIT),

 

Series A

   

6.875%

    186       231,698  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      231,698  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (1.5%)

   

Electric Utilities (0.4%)

   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.,

   

6.125%

    1,990     109,430  
   

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (1.1%)

   

Sempra Energy,

   

Series A

   

6.000%

    2,313       268,378  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      377,808  
   

 

 

 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (17.4%)
(Cost $3,971,807)

      4,396,777  
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

   

Investment Company (0.5%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    132,021       132,074  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (0.5%)
(Cost $132,065)

      132,074  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (96.9%)
(Cost $22,795,482)

      24,537,210  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (3.1%)

      782,214  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 25,319,424  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

§

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $3,088,801 or 12.2% of net assets. Securities denoted with “§” but without “b” have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. To the extent any securities might provide a right to demand registration, such rights have not been relied upon when determining liquidity.

(e)

Step Bond - Coupon rate increases or decreases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of October 31, 2019. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

9


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

Convertible Bonds

       

Communication Services

  $     $ 1,298,709     $     $ 1,298,709  

Consumer Discretionary

          2,020,071             2,020,071  

Consumer Staples

          132,968             132,968  

Energy

          227,910             227,910  

Financials

          625,420             625,420  

Health Care

          4,889,342             4,889,342  

Industrials

          1,477,996             1,477,996  

Information Technology

          8,929,222             8,929,222  

Materials

          134,457             134,457  

Real Estate

          272,264             272,264  

Convertible Preferred Stocks

       

Financials

    1,716,400                   1,716,400  

Health Care

    1,248,109                   1,248,109  

Industrials

    293,579                   293,579  

Information Technology

    426,710                   426,710  

Materials

    102,473                   102,473  

Real Estate

    231,698                   231,698  

Utilities

    377,808                   377,808  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    132,074                   132,074  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $     4,528,851     $     20,008,359     $         —     $     24,537,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 4,528,851     $ 20,008,359     $     $ 24,537,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 10,931,921  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     11,859,909  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 2,638,560  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (1,067,970
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,570,590  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     22,966,620  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $22,795,482)

  $ 24,537,210  

Cash

    646,000  

Receivable for securities sold

    544,690  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    86,961  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    41,649  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    16,948  

Other assets

    445  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    25,873,903  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for securities purchased

    458,415  

Dividends and distributions payable

    27,536  

Transfer agent fees payable

    3,053  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,077  

Administrative fees payable

    198  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    115  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    62  

Accrued expenses

    64,023  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    554,479  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 25,319,424  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 22,563,478  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    2,755,946  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 25,319,424  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $572,402 / 50,952 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.23  

Maximum sales charge (4.50% of offering price)

    0.53  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 11.76  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $24,599,752 / 2,189,264 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.24  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $147,270 / 13,117 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.23  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

  $ 310,963  

Dividends

    195,390  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    506,353  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    168,090  

Professional fees

    84,056  

Administrative fees

    36,019  

Registration and filing fees

    33,938  

Transfer agent fees

    30,640  

Printing and mailing expenses

    29,738  

Custodian fees

    16,525  

Trustees’ fees

    2,144  

Distribution fees – Class A

    1,335  

Distribution fees – Class R

    694  

Miscellaneous

    16,268  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    419,447  

Less:  Voluntary waiver from investment adviser

    (29,400

         Waiver from investment adviser

    (149,972
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    240,075  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    266,278  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    1,172,228  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    1,554,811  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    2,727,039  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,993,317  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

11


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
  2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 266,278     $ 333,842  

Net realized gain (loss)

    1,172,228       1,094,133  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,554,811       (1,515,380
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    2,993,317       (87,405
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (29,152     (14,254

Class I

    (1,352,512     (777,213

Class R

    (7,315     (3,914
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1,388,979     (795,381
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 10,409 and 10,198 shares, respectively ]

    112,483       114,133  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 2,313 and 1,010 shares, respectively ]

    23,148       10,820  

Capital shares repurchased [ (10,505) and (2,118) shares, respectively ]

    (110,871     (23,402
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    24,760       101,551  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 60,599 and 82,739 shares, respectively ]

    662,358       914,895  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 11,004 and 4,466 shares, respectively ]

    110,649       47,979  

Capital shares repurchased [ (40,367) and (25,797) shares, respectively ]

    (429,627     (283,983
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    343,380       678,891  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 396 and 2,514 shares, respectively ]

    4,183       27,506  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 154 and 69 shares, respectively ]

    1,537       733  

Capital shares repurchased [ (9) and (17) shares, respectively ]

    (103     (185
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    5,617       28,054  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    373,757       808,496  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    1,978,095       (74,290

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    23,341,329       23,415,619  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 25,319,424     $ 23,341,329  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class A    2019      2018      2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.52      $ 10.91      $ 9.56      $ 9.56      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

              

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.09        0.13        0.16        0.14        0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.22        (0.18      1.43        0.04        (0.44
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.31        (0.05      1.59        0.18        (0.41
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

              

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.23      (0.23      (0.24      (0.18      (0.03

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.37      (0.11                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.60      (0.34      (0.24      (0.18      (0.03
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 11.23      $ 10.52      $ 10.91      $ 9.56      $ 9.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     13.20      (0.46 )%       16.82      1.97      (4.08 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

              

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 572      $ 512      $ 433      $ 374      $ 206  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.24      1.30      1.30      1.30      1.30

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.99      1.94      2.07      2.26      2.09

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

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.87      1.14      1.54      1.49      1.09 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.12      0.49      0.78      0.52      0.30 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     47      45      41      32      6
     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I    2019      2018      2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.52      $ 10.91      $ 9.56      $ 9.56      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

              

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.12        0.15        0.18        0.17        0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.23        (0.17      1.43        0.04        (0.44
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.35        (0.02      1.61        0.21        (0.40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

              

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.26      (0.26      (0.26      (0.21      (0.04

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.37      (0.11                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.63      (0.37      (0.26      (0.21      (0.04
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 11.24      $ 10.52      $ 10.91      $ 9.56      $ 9.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     13.58      (0.23 )%       17.11      2.23      (4.00 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

              

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     24,600      $     22,697      $     22,874      $     19,584      $     19,073  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.99      1.05      1.05      1.05      1.05

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.74      1.69      1.82      1.99      1.72

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

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.12      1.40      1.80      1.78      1.37 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.37      0.75      1.03      0.84      0.70 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     47      45      41      32      6

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

13


1290 FUNDS

1290 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class R    2019      2018      2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.51      $ 10.91      $ 9.56      $ 9.56      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

              

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.07        0.10        0.13        0.12        0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.23        (0.18      1.43        0.04        (0.45
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.30        (0.08      1.56        0.16        (0.42
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

              

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.21      (0.21      (0.21      (0.16      (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.37      (0.11                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.58      (0.32      (0.21      (0.16      (0.02
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     11.23      $     10.51      $     10.91      $      9.56      $      9.56  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     13.07      (0.78 )%       16.53      1.72      (4.16 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

              

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 147      $ 132      $ 109      $ 96      $ 96  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.49      1.55      1.55      1.55      1.55

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.24      2.19      2.32      2.49      2.22

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

              

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.62      0.90      1.30      1.28      0.87 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.13 )%       0.25      0.53      0.34      0.20 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     47      45      41      32      6
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14


1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS

 

Ø  

Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine Global)

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       13.08     3.96
      with Sales Charge (a     7.98       2.86  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      13.43       4.24  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      12.84       3.71  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

      11.51       3.52  
 

*   Date of inception 7/6/15.

 

(a)  A 4.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index from 7/6/15 to 10/31/19. The performance of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.69%, 1.38% and 1.93%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 0.75%, 0.50% and 1.00%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.43% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned 11.51% over the same year.

Overview — Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine Global)

Over the last year, we believe any large gains in developed market bond prices have likely run their course. However, we see potential in the emerging world. A major global policy easing cycle is underway, signaling that a potential turnaround in the current economic slump may be imminent. Deflationary pressures have encouraged emerging market monetary policy stimulus as well as developed market central bank intervention. We believe these efforts, along with lower bond yields, mortgage rates, and energy costs, are working to stabilize the global outlook, a view supported by some leading economic indicators. More interest rate cuts and stimulus measures may be in the pipeline. Specifically, we believe the Federal Reserve will cut rates further, Chinese policymakers will continue to offer stimulus, and a trade resolution — driven by political and economic self-preservation — will emerge. We believe these forces will drive the U.S. dollar lower. The main risk is that our optimism on the evolution of these three crucial factors is not realized: the trade war escalates; the Federal Reserve missteps; and/or, the Chinese fail to provide enough support. Under any of these conditions, the current slowdown could extend much longer.

Fund Highlights

The flexibility of the investment guidelines allowed the portfolio managers to nimbly position the Fund to take advantage of tactical opportunities and reallocate when risk on/risk off sentiment presented itself.

Portfolio Positioning:

 

 

U.S. Government/Investment Grade — At period end, we are slightly underweight U.S. treasury duration relative to the benchmark. We built U.S. Treasury duration to near all-time highs. As Treasury yields collapsed, we continuously took profit. Given the size of the recent move in Treasuries we are dubious of their valuation now, and thus underweight. We are largely neutral on investment grade credit.

 

 

Internal Sovereigns Developed Markets — At period end, we were short German Bunds as a relative-value trade versus the remaining U.S. Treasury holdings, and also as an overall duration hedge for the Fund.

 

 

Internal Sovereigns Emerging Markets — At period end, we were long select emerging markets that we believe exhibit attractive levels of high real yield and strong fundamental tailwinds.

 

15


1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Structured Credit — We added meaningfully to this segment of the Fund over the third quarter. Most notably, we built positions in agency pass throughs and high quality non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). This was based on our view that spreads have widened materially, and on the back of the recent collapse in yields we expect forward looking volatility in Treasury markets to limit prepayments, thus, allowing us to harvest the benefits of a high spread to Treasuries with what we believe will be a narrowing trend.

 

 

Currency — We built our U.S. dollar allocation over the recent months in anticipation of volatility we expect related to intensification of the trade war and challenged global growth data. Our view remains bearish U.S. dollar in the intermediate term, but we believe it prudent to be nimble in our non-dollar exposures in an effort to control volatility during periods of market uncertainty.

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The Fund’s ability to invest in non-U.S. dollar currencies added to Fund performance relative to the benchmark.

 

 

The majority of the return for the period can be attributed to U.S. Treasury duration and emerging markets exposure.

 

 

U.S. Government bonds and bond futures were additive to performance.

 

 

Select emerging markets added to performance including Mexico, Brazil and Peru.

 

 

Non-U.S. dollar currency positioning in select emerging markets, specifically in the Mexican Peso and South African Rand, added to performance.

 

 

Selectively maneuvering the duration of the Fund via U.S. Treasuries was additive.

 

 

The Fund was short German Bunds as a relative-value trade versus the remaining U.S. Treasury holdings, and also as an overall duration hedge for the Fund. The short German bond futures coupled with a long position in U.S. Bond futures added to performance.

 

 

While the Fund is predominately denominated in U.S. dollars, foreign currency forwards are used to hedge exposure to foreign securities, as well as add alpha. Currency forwards added to performance during the period.

 

 

The Fund held relatively modest exposure to select names within the high yield space, both through cash bonds and select credit default swaps (“CDS”), which added slightly to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While mortgages added to performance, a selection of non-agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) underperformed the benchmark’s agency MBS positions, and the Fund’s overall mortgage allocation was underweight relative to the benchmark.

 

 

An underweight to the benchmark in corporate investment grade bonds underperformed the benchmark’s allocation.

 

 

A position in Argentinian bonds hurt performance.

 

 

A position in Norwegian Krone hurt performance.

 

 

Fund Characteristics

As of October 31, 2019

 

Weighted Average Life (Years)

    9.08  

Weighted Average Coupon (%)

    4.99  

Weighted Average Effective Duration (Years)*

    4.17  

Weighted Average Rating**

    BBB+  
 

*  Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of the Fund to interest rate movements, taking into account specific features of the securities in which it invests.

 

** Weighted Average Rating has been provided by the Investment Sub-Adviser. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations, including specific securities, money market instruments or other debts. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest); ratings are subject to change without notice.

   

  

 

   

Sector Weightings

as of October 31, 2019

 

% of

Net Assets

 

Foreign Government Securities

    24.3

Mortgage-Backed Security

    11.8  

Financials

    11.1  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

    10.5  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

    8.2  

Information Technology

    6.1  

Energy

    5.2  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    5.1  

Asset-Backed Securities

    3.9  

Investment Company

    2.1  

Communication Services

    1.1  

Health Care

    1.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    0.8  

Real Estate

    0.7  

Materials

    0.6  

Industrials

    0.4  

Utilities

    0.3  

Cash and Other

    6.8  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A and Class R shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

16


1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,064.00       $3.90  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,021.42       3.82  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,065.20       2.60  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.68       2.55  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,062.80       5.20  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.17       5.09  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I and R shares annualized expense ratios of 0.75%, 0.50% and 1.00%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

17


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES:

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities (3.9%)

 

 

Aames Mortgage Investment Trust,

 

 

Series 2006-1 A4
2.383%, 4/25/36 (l)

  $ 1,278,290     $ 1,267,577  

Park Place Securities, Inc. Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates,

 

Series 2005-WHQ2 M2
2.513%, 5/25/35 (l)

    604,079       601,894  

Popular ABS Mortgage Pass-Through Trust,

 

Series 2005-5 MV1
2.263%, 11/25/35 (l)

    741,315       736,038  

Towd Point Mortgage Trust,

 

 

Series 2017-6 A1
2.750%, 10/25/57 (l)§

    724,457       730,022  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities

      3,335,531  
   

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (8.2%)

 

Angel Oak Mortgage Trust,

 

 

Series 2019-5 A2
2.716%, 10/25/49 (l)§

    3,203,000       3,206,814  

COLT Mortgage Loan Trust,

 

 

Series 2018-1 A1
2.930%, 2/25/48 (l)§

    375,276       375,556  

Series 2018-1 A3
3.084%, 2/25/48 (l)§

    819,788       820,477  

Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust,

 

 

Series 2018-R07 1M2
4.223%, 4/25/31 (l)§

    920,000       927,431  

FNMA,

   

Series 2018-C06 1M2
3.823%, 3/25/31 (l)

    860,000       861,513  

TDA CAM FTA,

   

Series 9 B
0.000%, 4/28/50 (l)(m)

  EUR 800,000       749,674  
   

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

      6,941,465  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (10.5%)

 

COMM Mortgage Trust,

   

Series 2014-CR14 AM
4.526%, 2/10/47 (l)

  $ 2,716,000       2,932,499  

FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates,

 

Series K722 X1
1.308%, 3/25/23 IO (l)

    13,089,704       457,162  

Series K727 A1
2.632%, 10/25/23

    772,035       782,071  

FREMF Mortgage Trust,

   

Series 2017-K61 C
3.683%, 12/25/49 (l)§

    1,305,000       1,331,197  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,

 

Series 2015-C32 C
4.666%, 11/15/48 (l)

    3,240,280       3,478,480  
   

 

 

 

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

      8,981,409  
   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (27.3%)

   

Communication Services (1.1%)

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.1%)

 

Sprint Corp.
7.250%, 9/15/21

  $ 870,000     $ 928,342  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      928,342  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (0.8%)

   

Specialty Retail (0.8%)

   

PetSmart, Inc.
5.875%, 6/1/25§

    710,000       698,555  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      698,555  
   

 

 

 

Energy (5.2%)

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (5.2%)

 

Petroleos Mexicanos

   

4.250%, 1/15/25

    1,015,000       1,012,056  

6.500%, 6/2/41

    665,000       658,350  

7.690%, 1/23/50§

    755,000       819,024  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.
4.375%, 4/16/49§

    1,785,000       1,941,188  
   

 

 

 
      4,430,618  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      4,430,618  
   

 

 

 

Financials (11.1%)

   

Banks (5.8%)

   

Bank of America Corp.
2.503%, 10/21/22

    705,000       711,510  

Series L
2.250%, 4/21/20

    610,000       610,983  

Citigroup, Inc.

   

3.875%, 10/25/23

    905,000       959,944  

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 3.349%, 7/1/26 (k)

    605,000       611,149  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

2.400%, 6/7/21

    605,000       608,805  

3.200%, 1/25/23

    680,000       704,017  

Wells Fargo & Co.
2.625%, 7/22/22

    695,000       704,230  
   

 

 

 
      4,910,638  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets (4.4%)

   

Ares Capital Corp.
4.250%, 3/1/25

    280,000       290,483  

FS KKR Capital Corp.

   

4.750%, 5/15/22

    287,000       295,999  

4.625%, 7/15/24

    150,000       154,145  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.75%), 2.898%, 2/23/23 (k)

    1,215,000       1,218,631  

Morgan Stanley
2.750%, 5/19/22

    645,000       654,840  

Owl Rock Capital Corp.
5.250%, 4/15/24

    645,000       685,011  

UBS Group AG
(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.22%), 3.368%, 5/23/23 (k)§

    450,000       455,007  
   

 

 

 
      3,754,116  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Consumer Finance (0.7%)

   

American Express Co.
2.650%, 12/2/22

  $ 610,000     $ 621,498  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (0.2%)

   

Markel Corp.

   

3.350%, 9/17/29

    165,000       167,486  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      9,453,738  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (1.0%)

   

Pharmaceuticals (1.0%)

   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

   

3.400%, 7/26/29§

    755,000       812,131  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      812,131  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (0.4%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (0.2%)

   

Boeing Co. (The)

   

2.700%, 5/1/22

    210,000       213,399  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.2%)

 

General Electric Co.

   

3.100%, 1/9/23

    135,000       137,153  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      350,552  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (6.1%)

   

IT Services (1.7%)

   

International Business Machines Corp.

 

 

4.250%, 5/15/49

    1,315,000       1,497,230  
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.3%)

 

Broadcom, Inc.

   

3.125%, 10/15/22§

    360,000       366,627  

3.625%, 10/15/24§

    340,000       349,336  

Qorvo, Inc.

   

5.500%, 7/15/26

    400,000       425,992  
   

 

 

 
      1,141,955  
   

 

 

 

Software (0.8%)

   

Symantec Corp.

   

5.000%, 4/15/25§

    635,000       650,239  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (2.3%)

 

Dell International LLC

   

7.125%, 6/15/24§

    485,000       512,887  

6.020%, 6/15/26§

    1,245,000       1,419,100  
   

 

 

 
      1,931,987  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      5,221,411  
   

 

 

 

Materials (0.6%)

   

Metals & Mining (0.6%)

   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

   

5.125%, 10/1/21

    520,000       521,976  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      521,976  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (0.7%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.7%)

 

American Tower Corp. (REIT)

   

2.800%, 6/1/20

    605,000       607,673  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      607,673  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (0.3%)

   

Electric Utilities (0.3%)

   

DPL, Inc.

   

7.250%, 10/15/21

  239,000     256,626  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      256,626  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds

      23,281,622  
   

 

 

 

Foreign Government Securities (24.3%)

 

Federative Republic of Brazil

 

 

10.000%, 1/1/21

  BRL 28,400,000     $ 7,521,430  

Republic of Argentina

   

2.500%, 7/22/21 TIPS (r)

  ARS 147,057,537       578,928  

Republic of Colombia

   

7.000%, 5/4/22

  COP 4,452,000,000       1,379,119  

Republic of Indonesia

   

9.000%, 3/15/29

  IDR 26,500,000,000       2,134,235  

Republic of South Africa

   

8.750%, 2/28/48

  ZAR 54,280,000       3,144,392  

United Mexican States

   

7.500%, 6/3/27

  MXN 9,700,000       526,010  

8.000%, 11/7/47

    94,600,000       5,377,415  
   

 

 

 

Total Foreign Government Securities

      20,661,529  
   

 

 

 

Mortgage-Backed Security (11.8%)

 

FNMA UMBS

   

3.000%, 9/1/49

  $ 9,913,781       10,079,030  
   

 

 

 

Total Mortgage-Backed Security

      10,079,030  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (5.1%)

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

3.375%, 11/15/48

    970,000       1,222,124  

U.S. Treasury Notes

   

(US Treasury 3 Month Bill Money Market Yield + 0.22%), 1.857%, 7/31/21 (k)

    2,445,000       2,444,470  

(US Treasury 3 Month Bill Money Market Yield + 0.30%), 1.937%, 10/31/21 (k)

    695,000       695,518  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations

      4,362,112  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt Securities (91.1%)
(Cost $77,798,644)

      77,642,698  
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Rights
    Value
(Note 1)
 

RIGHTS:

   

Communication Services (0.0%)

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.0%)

 

T-Mobile US, Inc., CVR*

    22,000       22,632  

T-Mobile USA, Inc., CVR (r)*

    32,000        
   

 

 

 

Total Rights (0.0%)
(Cost $—)

      22,632  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

 

Investment Company (2.1%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    1,798,678     $ 1,799,397  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (2.1%)
(Cost $1,799,372)

      1,799,397  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (93.2%)
(Cost $79,598,016)

      79,464,727  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (6.8%)

      5,777,195  
 

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 85,241,922  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

§

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $15,415,591 or 18.1% of net assets. Securities denoted with “§” but without “b” have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. To the extent any securities might provide a right to demand registration, such rights have not been relied upon when determining liquidity.

(k)

Variable or floating rate security, linked to the referenced benchmark. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2019.

(l)

Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2019.

(m)

Regulation S is an exemption for securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. Resale restrictions may apply for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $749,674 or 0.9% of net assets.

(r)

Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

Glossary:

  ARS

— Argentine Peso

  BRL

— Brazilian Real

  CHF

— Swiss Franc

  CLP

— Chilean Peso

  COP

— Colombian Peso

  CVR

— Contingent Value Rights

  CZK

— Czech Koruna

  EUR

— European Currency Unit

  FHLMC

— Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  FNMA

— Federal National Mortgage Association

  GBP

— British Pound

  HUF

— Hungarian Forint

  ICE

— Intercontinental Exchange

  IDR

— Indonesian Rupiah

  IO

— Interest Only

  JPY

— Japanese Yen

  LIBOR

— London Interbank Offered Rate

  MXN

— Mexican Peso

  NOK

— Norwegian Krone

  PHP

— Philippine Peso

  RUB

— Russian Ruble

  TIPS

— Treasury Inflation Protected Security

  UMBS

— Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

  USD

— United States Dollar

  ZAR

— South African Rand

 

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2019 (Note 1):

 

Description

  Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
   

Trading Currency

  Notional
Amount ($)
    Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) ($)
 

Long Contracts

 

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note

    226       12/2019     USD     26,939,906       (115,222

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

    18       12/2019     USD     3,415,500       (81,134
         

 

 

 
            (196,356
         

 

 

 

Short Contracts

 

Euro-Buxl

    (12     12/2019     EUR     (2,810,021     178,299  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note

    (217     12/2019     USD     (28,274,422     48,065  
         

 

 

 
            226,364  
         

 

 

 
            30,008  
         

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2019 (Note 1):

 

Currency Purchased

    Currency Sold    

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) ($)
 

RUB

       297,000,000     USD        4,490,360     Citibank NA**     11/8/2019       138,916  

MXN

       19,600,000     USD        981,283     Barclays Bank plc     11/19/2019       35,134  

USD

       3,212,063     ZAR        47,300,000     Citibank NA     12/11/2019       97,552  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Currency Purchased

    Currency Sold    

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) ($)
 

EUR

       1,300,000     USD        1,447,673     JPMorgan Chase Bank     12/12/2019       6,042  

EUR

       670,000     USD        737,432     National Australia Bank Ltd.     12/12/2019       11,791  

HUF

       711,000,000     USD        2,409,441     HSBC Bank plc     12/12/2019       8,834  

USD

       2,416,169     EUR        2,160,000     JPMorgan Chase Bank     12/12/2019       765  

USD

       1,424,800     CHF        1,400,000     HSBC Bank plc     12/13/2019       1,226  

JPY

       266,000,000     USD        2,474,890     Citibank NA     1/9/2020       90  

JPY

       265,000,000     USD        2,447,232     National Australia Bank Ltd.     1/9/2020       18,444  

USD

       1,439,871     JPY        153,000,000     Citibank NA     1/9/2020       16,293  

CZK

       160,600,000     USD        6,923,068     HSBC Bank plc     1/10/2020       105,962  
                 

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation

      441,049  
   

 

 

 

USD

       4,574,310     RUB        297,000,000     Citibank NA**     11/8/2019       (54,967

MXN

       5,300,000     USD        276,669     Goldman Sachs Bank USA     11/19/2019       (1,822

USD

       3,675,804     EUR        3,320,000     HSBC Bank plc     12/12/2019       (36,761

USD

       3,273,131     EUR        2,940,000     JPMorgan Chase Bank     12/12/2019       (14,502

USD

       1,433,627     CHF        1,410,000     Morgan Stanley     12/13/2019       (115

JPY

       153,000,000     USD        1,429,303     Morgan Stanley     1/9/2020       (5,724

USD

       3,294,991     BRL        13,320,000     HSBC Bank plc**     1/9/2020       (13,670

USD

       1,327,140     COP        4,600,000,000     JPMorgan Chase Bank**     1/10/2020       (30,136

USD

       2,093,105     IDR        29,900,000,000     JPMorgan Chase Bank**     1/29/2020       (17,925

USD

       3,506,721     PHP        180,000,000     HSBC Bank plc**     1/30/2020       (28,444

CLP

       1,750,000,000     USD        2,423,487     HSBC Bank plc**     1/31/2020       (57,977

NOK

       12,800,000     USD        1,400,139     HSBC Bank plc     2/19/2020       (7,649

GBP

       1,190,000     USD        1,551,225     HSBC Bank plc     2/24/2020       (4,385
                 

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation

      (274,077
   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

      166,972  
   

 

 

 

 

**

Non-deliverable forward.

Centrally Cleared Credit default swap contracts outstanding — sell protection as of October 31, 2019 (Note 1):

 

Reference
Obligation/Index

  Financing
Rate (Paid)/
Received by
the Fund (%)
    Frequency  of
Payments
Made/

Received
    Maturity
Date
    Implied
Credit
Spread (%)
    Notional
Amount
    Upfront
(Payments)
Receipts ($)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) ($)
    Value ($)  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)

    5.00       Quarterly       6/20/2022       0.81     USD   1,010,000       101,624       13,520       115,144  

Sprint Communications, Inc.

    5.00       Quarterly       6/20/2021       0.80     USD   1,020,000       60,337       15,130       75,467  

United States Steel Corp.

    5.00       Quarterly       6/20/2021       1.77     USD   520,000       33,839       (3,798     30,041  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
              195,800       24,852       220,652  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Asset-Backed Securities

  $     $ 3,335,531     $     $ 3,335,531  

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

          28,650             28,650  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

          6,941,465             6,941,465  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

          8,981,409             8,981,409  

Corporate Bonds

       

Communication Services

          928,342             928,342  

Consumer Discretionary

          698,555             698,555  

Energy

          4,430,618             4,430,618  

Financials

          9,453,738             9,453,738  

Health Care

          812,131             812,131  

Industrials

          350,552             350,552  

Information Technology

          5,221,411             5,221,411  

Materials

          521,976             521,976  

Real Estate

          607,673             607,673  

Utilities

          256,626             256,626  

Foreign Government Securities

          20,082,601       578,928       20,661,529  

Forward Currency Contracts

          441,049             441,049  

Futures

    226,364                   226,364  

Mortgage-Backed Security

          10,079,030             10,079,030  

Rights

       

Communication Services

          22,632       (a)      22,632  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    1,799,397                   1,799,397  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

          4,362,112             4,362,112  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 2,025,761     $ 77,556,101     $ 578,928     $ 80,160,790  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps

  $  —     $ (3,798   $     $ (3,798

Forward Currency Contracts

          (274,077           (274,077

Futures

    (196,356                 (196,356
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $ (196,356   $ (277,875   $     $ (474,231
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     1,829,405     $     77,278,226     $     578,928     $     79,686,559  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Value is zero.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2019:

 

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Derivatives Contracts^

 

Asset Derivatives

  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

  Receivables, Net assets –
Unrealized appreciation
  $ 226,364

Foreign exchange contracts

  Receivables     441,049  

Credit contracts

  Receivables     28,650  
   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 696,063  
   

 

 

 
    

Liability Derivatives

     

Interest rate contracts

  Payables, Net assets –
Unrealized depreciation
  $ (196,356 )* 

Foreign exchange contracts

  Payables     (274,077

Credit contracts

  Payables     (3,798
   

 

 

 

Total

    $     (474,231
   

 

 

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. Only variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets & Liabilities.

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2019:

 

Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income  

Derivatives Contracts^

  Futures     Forward
Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Swaps     Total  

Interest rate contracts

  $ 1,228,657     $     $     $ 1,228,657  

Foreign exchange contracts

          (221,798           (221,798

Credit contracts

                17,863       17,863  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     1,228,657     $     (221,798   $     17,863     $     1,024,722  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       
Amount of Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income  

Derivatives Contracts^

  Futures     Forward
Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Swaps     Total  

Interest rate contracts

  $ 232,333     $     $     $ 232,333  

Foreign exchange contracts

          405,991             405,991  

Credit contracts

                56,036       56,036  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 232,333     $ 405,991     $ 56,036     $ 694,360  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

^ The Fund held forward foreign currency contracts, futures and swaps contracts as a substitute for investing in conventional securities, hedging and in an attempt to enhance returns.

The Fund held swap contracts with an average notional balance of approximately $7,074,000 for eleven months, forward foreign currency contracts with an average settlement value of approximately $45,092,000 and futures contracts with an average notional balance of approximately $21,258,000 during the year ended October 31, 2019.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following table presents the Fund’s gross derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under netting arrangements and any related collateral received or pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2019:

 

Counterparty

  Gross Amount of
Derivative Assets
Presented in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities (a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Received
    Net Amount Due
from Counterparty
 

Barclays Bank plc

  $ 35,134     $     $     $ 35,134  

Citibank NA

    252,851       (54,967     (120,000     77,884  

HSBC Bank plc

    116,022       (116,022            

JPMorgan Chase Bank

    6,807       (6,807            

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    30,235                   30,235  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     441,049     $     (177,796   $     (120,000   $     143,253  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

  Gross Amount of
Derivative Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities (a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount Due
to Counterparty
 

Citibank NA

  $ 54,967     $ (54,967   $  —     $  —  

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

    1,822                   1,822  

HSBC Bank plc

    148,886       (116,022     (32,864     *  

JPMorgan Chase Bank

    62,563       (6,807     (50,000     5,756  

Morgan Stanley

    5,839                   5,839  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 274,077     $ (177,796   $ (82,864   $ 13,417  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

The table above does not include the additional collateral pledged to the counterparty. Total additional collateral pledged is $47,136.

(a)

For financial reporting purposes the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to master netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 78,123,235  

Long-term U.S. government debt securities

    60,326,836  
 

 

 

 
  $     138,450,071  
 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 26,650,368  

Long-term U.S. government debt securities

    66,579,375  
 

 

 

 
  $ 93,229,743  
 

 

 

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 2,387,796  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (2,527,726
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ (139,930
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     80,022,289  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $79,598,016)

  $ 79,464,727  

Cash

    821,437  

Cash held as collateral for forward foreign currency contracts

    130,000  

Foreign cash (Cost $51)

    51  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    2,775,807  

Variation Margin on Centrally Cleared Swaps

    1,135,098  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    866,374  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

    441,049  

Due from broker for futures variation margin

    225,100  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    23,182  

Receivable from investment adviser

    10,458  

Other assets

    829  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    85,894,112  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

    274,077  

Payable for return of cash collateral on forward foreign currency contracts

    120,000  

Dividends and distributions payable

    107,759  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    48,232  

Transfer agent fees payable

    5,909  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    777  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    61  

Accrued expenses

    95,375  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    652,190  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 85,241,922  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 82,197,029  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    3,044,893  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 85,241,922  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,848,040 / 372,026 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.34  

Maximum sales charge (4.50% of offering price)

    0.49  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 10.83  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $81,248,822 / 7,837,471 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.37  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $145,060 / 14,029 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.34  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

  $ 2,381,842  

Dividends

    28,446  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    2,410,288  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    312,602  

Professional fees

    119,522  

Administrative fees

    78,151  

Transfer agent fees

    45,700  

Printing and mailing expenses

    42,538  

Registration and filing fees

    39,534  

Custodian fees

    34,125  

Distribution fees – Class A

    5,064  

Trustees’ fees

    4,203  

Distribution fees – Class R

    554  

Miscellaneous

    20,746  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    702,739  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (390,753

         Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (45,810
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    266,176  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    2,144,112  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities

    1,740,763  

Futures contracts

    1,228,657  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    (221,798

Foreign currency transactions

    (25,751

Swaps

    17,863  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,739,734  
 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities

    470,699  

Futures contracts

    232,333  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    405,991  

Foreign currency translations

    5,589  

Swaps

    56,036  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,170,648  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    3,910,382  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 6,054,494  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

25


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 2,144,112     $ 1,486,877  

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,739,734       937,444  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,170,648       (2,697,799
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    6,054,494       (273,478
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (81,362     (5,071

Class I

    (2,130,998     (2,629,214

Class R

    (4,205     (4,106
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2,216,565     (2,638,391
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax return of capital:

   

Class A

          (336

Class I

          (174,340

Class R

          (272
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total tax return of capital

          (174,948
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 432,884 and 9,592 shares, respectively ]

    4,348,727       93,228  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 7,599 and 83 shares, respectively ]

    77,418       803  

Capital shares repurchased [ (88,427) and (709) shares, respectively ]

    (910,471     (7,010
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    3,515,674       87,021  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 5,191,046 and 247,326 shares, respectively ]

    52,777,026       2,430,045  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 87,879 and 5,368 shares, respectively ]

    899,213       52,506  

Capital shares repurchased [ (650,622) and (4,058,224) shares, respectively ]

    (6,704,718     (39,872,855
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    46,971,521       (37,390,304
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 3,873 and 113 shares, respectively ]

    39,837       1,100  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 48 and 2 shares, respectively ]

    490       16  

Capital shares repurchased [ (17) and 0 shares, respectively ]

    (166      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    40,161       1,116  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    50,527,356       (37,302,167
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    54,365,285       (40,388,984

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    30,876,637       71,265,621  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 85,241,922     $ 30,876,637  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31,  2015
 
Class A    2019     2018     2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.52     $ 10.12     $ 9.89      $ 9.82      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

            

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.41 **      0.26       0.19        0.16        0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.80       (0.40     0.23        0.17        (0.16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.21       (0.14     0.42        0.33        (0.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

            

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.39     (0.43     (0.19      (0.10      (0.03

Return of capital

           (0.03            (0.16       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.39     (0.46     (0.19      (0.26      (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.34     $ 9.52     $ 10.12      $ 9.89      $ 9.82  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     12.97     (1.44 )%      4.25      3.39      (1.54 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

            

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 3,848     $ 190     $ 111      $ 109      $ 98  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.75     1.05     1.30      1.40      1.40

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.55     1.85     1.76      1.84      1.62

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

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     4.00 %**      2.63     1.93      1.68      0.37 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     3.19 %**      1.83     1.48      1.24      0.15 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     194     139 %***      117      152      77
     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I    2019     2018     2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.53     $ 10.13     $ 9.89      $ 9.82      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

            

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.42 **      0.27       0.22        0.19        0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.84       (0.38     0.23        0.16        (0.17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.26       (0.11     0.45        0.35        (0.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

            

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.42     (0.46     (0.21      (0.11      (0.03

Return of capital

           (0.03            (0.17       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.42     (0.49     (0.21      (0.28      (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.37     $ 9.53     $ 10.13      $ 9.89      $ 9.82  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     13.43     (1.19 )%      4.58      3.63      (1.49 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

            

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     81,249     $     30,590     $     71,053      $     69,321      $     68,572  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.50     0.91     1.05      1.15      1.15

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.34     1.54     1.51      1.58      1.36

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

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     4.12 %**      2.70     2.18      1.92      0.68 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     3.28 %**      2.06     1.73      1.49      0.47 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     194     139 %***      117      152      77

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

27


1290 FUNDS

1290 DIVERSIFIED BOND FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      July 6, 2015* to
October 31,  2015
 
Class R    2019     2018     2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.51     $ 10.11     $ 9.88      $ 9.82      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

            

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.35 **      0.23       0.17        0.14       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.85       (0.39     0.23        0.15        (0.16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.20       (0.16     0.40        0.29        (0.16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

            

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.37     (0.41     (0.17      (0.09      (0.02

Return of capital

           (0.03            (0.14       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.37     (0.44     (0.17      (0.23      (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     10.34     $      9.51     $     10.11      $     9.88      $      9.82  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     12.84     (1.69 )%      4.04      3.05      (1.60 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

            

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 145     $ 96     $ 101      $ 99      $ 98  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.00     1.32     1.55      1.65      1.65

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.88     2.09     2.01      2.08      1.88

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

            

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     3.51 %**      2.34     1.68      1.42      0.12 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.63 %**      1.57     1.23      0.99      (0.11 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     194     139 %***      117      152      77
*

Commencement of Operations.

**

Includes accretion, interest and inflation adjustments on Argentine TIPS Bonds. Without this income, the per share income for each class would have been $0.07 lower and the ratios for each class would have been 0.65% lower.

***

The portfolio turnover rate calculation includes purchases and sales made as a result of the replacement of the sub-adviser. Excluding such transactions, the portfolio turnover rate would have been 64%.

#

Per share amount is less than $0.005.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

28


1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

Ø  

DoubleLine Capital LP

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       10.73     7.26
      with Sales Charge (a     4.62       5.61  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      10.90       7.52  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      10.46       7.00  

60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

      13.64       10.13  

S&P 500® Index

      14.33       14.37  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

      11.51       3.59  
 

*   Date of inception 3/7/16.

 

(a)  A 5.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund and the 60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index from 3/7/16 to 10/31/19. The performance of each of the 60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the 60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.71%, 1.46% and 1.96%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.20%, 0.95% and 1.45%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 10.90% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmarks, the 60% S&P 500® Index/40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned 13.64%, 14.33% and 11.51%, respectively over the same year.

Overview — DoubleLine Capital LP

As the period began, the Federal Reserve (Fed) was in the midst of simultaneously shrinking their balance sheet (Quantitative Tightening, or QT) and raising the federal funds rate. This double-barreled restrictive monetary policy combined with the on-going trade war was already impacting risk markets by late October 2018. Implied equity volatility, as measured by the VIX, had spiked from the summer 2018 levels and the S&P 500® Index had already fallen 7.5% from its all-time high in late September. This market action culminated in late December with the S&P 500® Index almost reaching “bear market” territory (down 20% from its high) and the VIX spiking above 36%. Mere days after raising rates, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell rushed to calm the market by first indicating the Fed might not raise rates further and then indicating QT might be close to an end.

Risk assets started 2019 on a rebound. The remaining ten months of the period under review would see risk assets rally and fall back depending upon expectations of Fed policy and the to-and-fro of the trade war. Late in the period the yield curve inverted, raising the specter of a recession, followed by the first Fed rate cuts in ten years. Through all of this, the S&P 500® Index reached a succession of new highs (ending October 2019 within one day and less than one-half percent of an all-time high) and the VIX settled back to levels in the mid-teens.

The period saw a sharp deterioration in corporate earnings. At the beginning of the period, consensus estimates (according to FactSet) were predicting that in calendar year 2019 the companies of the S&P 500® Index would grow revenues and earnings by 5.4% and 9.4%, respectively, compared to 2018. By the end of October 2019 and

 

29


1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND (Unaudited)

 

with the third quarter earnings season drawing to a close, it looked as though the third quarter would be the third in a row to see earnings fall below 2018 levels. At the end of the period, consensus expectations for 2019 revenue and earnings growth stood at 4.0% and 0.3%, respectively. In retrospect, it appears corporate margins may have peaked, at least for the time being, late in calendar year 2018.

Fund Highlights

The Fund’s allocation to U.S. equities was achieved using two sources of equity market return: First, exposure to the Shiller Barclays CAPE U.S. Sector Index (CAPE Index), which utilizes a systematic sector rotation strategy based upon the relative CAPE ratio; and second, an actively managed U.S. large cap equity portfolio. The Fund achieves exposure to the CAPE Index through the use of swap agreements. The Fund’s fixed income allocation is achieved with an actively managed multi-sector fixed income portfolio.

During the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2019, the CAPE Index was exposed to seven of the eleven sectors of the S&P 500 Index: communication services, consumer staples, energy, health care, industrials, materials and technology. Every sector except for energy contributed positively to returns during the twelve months. The sectors making the most positive contribution to returns were technology, industrials, and communications services. Although the returns from the health care and materials sectors were positive, they were, along with energy, the weakest sectors while constituents of the CAPE Index. The Fund’s exposure to the CAPE Index outperformed the S&P 500® Index during the twelve months. The Fund obtained all of its exposure to the CAPE Index through the use of swap agreements.

The active equity portfolio underperformed the S&P 500® Index during the twelve months. Relative to the S&P 500® Index benchmark, the portfolio benefited from strong security selection in the health care and communications services sectors as well as an overweight allocation to the technology sector. The portfolio’s investments in the energy sector were a drag on relative returns, owing to both security selection and the portfolio’s overweight allocation to that sector. The portfolio’s allocation to cash and security selection in the financial sector also hurt relative returns.

The total return of the fixed income allocation of the Fund trailed that of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The fixed income allocations with the best returns were investment grade corporates, agency mortgage backed securities, and high yield — all three sectors delivered double digit returns over the twelve months. Bank loans, non-agency mortgage backed securities, and global bonds delivered the weakest returns among the Fund’s allocations during the twelve months. All fixed income sectors delivered positive returns over the twelve months.

Throughout the twelve months ended October 31, 2019, the Fund’s allocation to equities was below the 60% benchmark allocation. This conservative positioning contributed to the Fund’s underperformance relative to the blended benchmark.

 

 

Fund Characteristics

As of October 31, 2019

 

Weighted Average Life (Years)

    6.34  

Weighted Average Coupon (%)

    3.57  

Weighted Average Effective Duration (Years)*

    4.54  

Weighted Average Rating**

    A3  
 

*  Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of the Fund to interest rate movements, taking into account specific features of the securities in which it invests.

 

** Weighted Average Rating has been provided by the Investment Sub-Adviser. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations, including specific securities, money market instruments or other debts. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest); ratings are subject to change without notice.

   

  

 

   

Sector Weightings

as of October 31, 2019

 

% of

Net Assets

 

Investment Companies

    19.3

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    14.7  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

    10.3  

Financials

    7.0  

Information Technology

    7.0  

Health Care

    5.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    5.3  

Industrials

    4.5  

Communication Services

    4.2  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

    3.7  

Asset-Backed Securities

    3.4  

Energy

    3.0  

Consumer Staples

    2.7  

Real Estate

    1.8  

Utilities

    1.1  

Materials

    0.6  

Cash and Other

    5.6  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A and Class R shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

 

30


1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND (Unaudited)

 

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*
5/1/19 -

10/31/19

 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,036.90       $5.93  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,019.39       5.88  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,037.80       4.65  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.64       4.61  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,036.00       7.21  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.12       7.15  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I and R shares annualized expense ratios of 1.15%, 0.90% and 1.40%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

 

31


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES:

 

Asset-Backed Securities (3.4%)

   

CSMC Trust,

   

Series 2018-RPL8 A1

   

4.125%, 7/25/58 (l)§

  $ 258,740     $ 260,856  

Series 2019-JR1 A1

   

4.095%, 9/27/66 (l)§

    649,810       654,141  

GSAA Home Equity Trust,

   

Series 2007-9 A2A

   

6.500%, 8/25/47

    426,253       316,685  

Pretium Mortgage Credit Partners I LLC,

 

Series 2019-NPL2 A1

   

3.844%, 12/25/58 (e)§

    421,069       423,436  

PRPM LLC,

   

Series 2019-2A A1

   

3.967%, 4/25/24 (e)§

    460,722       465,203  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities

      2,120,321  
   

 

 

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (10.3%)

 

Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust,

 

Series 2006-5 CB14

   

6.000%, 6/25/46 (l)

    245,867       244,701  

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust,

 

Series 2006-20 1A33

   

6.000%, 2/25/37

    654,037       525,076  

Series 2006-OA5 2A1

   

2.023%, 4/25/46 (l)

    793,030       705,417  

FHLMC,

   

Series 3998 AZ

   

4.000%, 2/15/42

    1,358,195       1,518,435  

FNMA,

   

Series 2013-5 EZ

   

2.000%, 8/25/42

    833,602       789,061  

Series 2017-4 CH

   

3.000%, 6/25/42

    153,713       155,544  

Series 2018-21

   

(Zero Coupon), 4/25/48 PO

    430,860       368,334  

HarborView Mortgage Loan Trust,

   

Series 2005-8 1A2A

   

2.506%, 9/19/35 (l)

    614,952       554,811  

JP Morgan Mortgage Trust,

   

Series 2018-7FRB A2

   

2.768%, 4/25/46 (l)§

    251,716       251,715  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust,

 

Series 2016-1A A1

   

3.750%, 3/25/56 (l)§

    405,984       420,678  

RALI Trust,

   

Series 2006-QS4 A10

   

6.000%, 4/25/36

    575,542       557,155  

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust,

 

Series 2007-7 A1

   

6.000%, 6/25/37

    323,071       325,701  
   

 

 

 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

      6,416,628  
   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds (16.9%)

   

Communication Services (2.4%)

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.8%)

 

AT&T, Inc.

   

5.250%, 3/1/37

    75,000       88,057  

CCO Holdings LLC

   

5.750%, 2/15/26§

    30,000       31,642  

5.000%, 2/1/28§

    35,000       36,519  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.

   

7.000%, 7/15/24§

  15,000     13,595  

Frontier Communications Corp.

   

8.000%, 4/1/27§

    45,000       47,137  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.

   

5.375%, 1/15/24

    50,000       50,938  

4.625%, 9/15/27§

    40,000       40,700  

Sprint Capital Corp.

   

6.875%, 11/15/28

    50,000       54,297  

Telesat Canada

   

6.500%, 10/15/27§

    25,000       26,039  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

4.272%, 1/15/36

    80,000       90,316  
   

 

 

 
      479,240  
   

 

 

 

Entertainment (0.2%)

   

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC

   

6.375%, 2/1/24§

    45,000       43,313  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

   

4.750%, 10/15/27§

    45,000       46,917  

Netflix, Inc.

   

4.875%, 6/15/30§

    50,000       50,550  
   

 

 

 
      140,780  
   

 

 

 

Media (1.1%)

   

Cengage Learning, Inc.

   

9.500%, 6/15/24§

    35,000       31,281  

Charter Communications Operating LLC

 

4.908%, 7/23/25

    110,000       121,187  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

 

5.125%, 8/15/27§

    35,000       36,389  

Comcast Corp.

   

3.700%, 4/15/24

    85,000       91,153  

CSC Holdings LLC

   

5.250%, 6/1/24

    90,000       96,750  

Diamond Sports Group LLC

   

5.375%, 8/15/26§

    25,000       26,063  

Gray Television, Inc.

   

7.000%, 5/15/27§

    50,000       54,625  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.

   

6.375%, 5/1/26

    10,000       10,725  

8.375%, 5/1/27

    5,000       5,363  

5.250%, 8/15/27§

    25,000       25,761  

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The)

   

4.650%, 10/1/28

    50,000       55,892  

5.400%, 10/1/48

    55,000       66,701  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.

   

5.375%, 7/15/26§

    55,000       57,881  

5.500%, 7/1/29§

    25,000       26,992  
   

 

 

 
      706,763  
   

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%)

 

Gogo Intermediate Holdings LLC

   

9.875%, 5/1/24§

    35,000       36,748  

Sprint Corp.

   

7.125%, 6/15/24

    45,000       48,713  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

   

4.500%, 2/1/26

    70,000       72,012  
   

 

 

 
      157,473  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      1,484,256  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

32


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Consumer Discretionary (1.5%)

   

Auto Components (0.2%)

   

Icahn Enterprises LP

   

6.375%, 12/15/25

  $ 25,000     $ 26,345  

6.250%, 5/15/26

    45,000       47,700  

Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP

   

6.250%, 5/15/26§

    35,000       36,958  
   

 

 

 
      111,003  
   

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.1%)

   

Ford Motor Co.

   

7.450%, 7/16/31

    25,000       29,185  

General Motors Co.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.80%), 3.009%, 8/7/20 (k)

    20,000       20,018  
   

 

 

 
      49,203  
   

 

 

 

Distributors (0.0%)

   

Performance Food Group, Inc.

   

5.500%, 10/15/27§

    35,000       37,100  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.4%)

 

1011778 BC ULC

   

5.000%, 10/15/25§

    40,000       41,200  

Caesars Resort Collection LLC

   

5.250%, 10/15/25§

    35,000       35,744  

Cedar Fair LP

   

5.250%, 7/15/29§

    30,000       31,999  

Eldorado Resorts, Inc.

   

6.000%, 4/1/25

    30,000       31,537  

Golden Nugget, Inc.

   

6.750%, 10/15/24§

    60,000       61,731  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

   

3.700%, 3/15/28

    50,000       51,564  

Viking Cruises Ltd.

   

5.875%, 9/15/27§

    40,000       42,550  
   

 

 

 
      296,325  
   

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.1%)

   

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.

   

5.500%, 6/15/26

    49,000       51,021  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.1%)

 

Expedia Group, Inc.

   

3.250%, 2/15/30§

    60,000       59,790  
   

 

 

 

Leisure Products (0.1%)

   

Hasbro, Inc.

   

3.500%, 9/15/27

    60,000       61,513  
   

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.2%)

   

Dollar Tree, Inc.

   

4.000%, 5/15/25

    110,000       118,337  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.3%)

   

Carvana Co.

   

8.875%, 10/1/23§

    25,000       25,813  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

   

3.900%, 6/15/47

    55,000       62,989  

PetSmart, Inc.

   

7.125%, 3/15/23§

    25,000       23,187  

5.875%, 6/1/25§

    17,000       16,726  

Staples, Inc.

   

7.500%, 4/15/26§

    45,000       46,753  
   

 

 

 
      175,468  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      959,760  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (1.3%)

   

Beverages (0.4%)

   

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC

   

4.900%, 2/1/46

  50,000     59,810  

Constellation Brands, Inc.

   

3.150%, 8/1/29

    120,000       122,507  

Cott Holdings, Inc.

   

5.500%, 4/1/25§

    30,000       31,238  
   

 

 

 
      213,555  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%)

   

Albertsons Cos., Inc.

   

5.875%, 2/15/28§

    50,000       53,444  
   

 

 

 

Food Products (0.7%)

   

B&G Foods, Inc.

   

5.250%, 4/1/25

    45,000       45,956  

5.250%, 9/15/27

    25,000       24,938  

JBS USA Lux SA

   

5.875%, 7/15/24§

    10,000       10,350  

5.750%, 6/15/25§

    5,000       5,209  

6.750%, 2/15/28§

    78,000       86,044  

6.500%, 4/15/29§

    20,000       22,325  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

   

5.750%, 3/15/25§

    60,000       62,100  

Post Holdings, Inc.

   

5.500%, 3/1/25§

    55,000       57,549  

5.500%, 12/15/29§

    15,000       15,782  

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

   

4.250%, 2/1/27§

    115,000       119,034  
   

 

 

 
      449,287  
   

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.1%)

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

5.950%, 2/14/49

    55,000       64,750  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      781,036  
   

 

 

 

Energy (1.6%)

   

Energy Equipment & Services (0.3%)

 

Tervita Corp.

   

7.625%, 12/1/21§

    45,000       44,887  

Transocean Poseidon Ltd.

   

6.875%, 2/1/27§

    30,000       30,188  

Transocean, Inc.

   

7.250%, 11/1/25§

    25,000       22,063  

USA Compression Partners LP

   

6.875%, 9/1/27§

    65,000       65,325  
   

 

 

 
      162,463  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.3%)

 

Antero Midstream Partners LP

   

5.750%, 3/1/27§

    16,000       11,900  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

   

5.400%, 6/15/47

    55,000       61,601  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP

   

5.250%, 10/1/25

    60,000       62,025  

5.625%, 10/1/26

    25,000       26,406  

Energy Transfer Operating LP

   

4.750%, 1/15/26

    45,000       48,767  

4.200%, 4/15/27

    5,000       5,263  

Gulfport Energy Corp.

   

6.375%, 5/15/25

    40,000       24,200  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

33


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Hess Infrastructure Partners LP

   

5.625%, 2/15/26§

  $ 75,000     $ 78,187  

Hilcorp Energy I LP

   

6.250%, 11/1/28§

    25,000       22,187  

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

   

6.875%, 2/15/26§

    15,000       13,725  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

   

6.950%, 1/15/38

    50,000       64,404  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

5.125%, 12/15/26

    55,000       62,829  

NGL Energy Partners LP

   

7.500%, 4/15/26§

    15,000       14,272  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.

   

6.875%, 3/15/22

    45,000       39,375  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

   

2.900%, 8/15/24

    55,000       55,533  

Parkland Fuel Corp.

   

5.875%, 7/15/27§

    30,000       31,762  

Parsley Energy LLC

   

5.625%, 10/15/27§

    45,000       46,519  

Peabody Energy Corp.

   

6.000%, 3/31/22§

    30,000       27,750  

QEP Resources, Inc.

   

5.625%, 3/1/26

    35,000       31,500  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC

   

5.000%, 3/15/27

    55,000       60,340  

Sunoco LP

   

5.500%, 2/15/26

    25,000       25,815  

6.000%, 4/15/27

    15,000       15,844  
   

 

 

 
      830,204  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      992,667  
   

 

 

 

Financials (4.0%)

   

Banks (1.1%)

 

Bank of America Corp.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.21%), 3.974%, 2/7/30 (k)

    55,000       59,968  

Bank of Montreal

   

(USD Swap Semi 5 Year + 1.43%), 3.803%, 12/15/32 (k)

    65,000       67,697  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The)

   

3.400%, 2/11/24

    120,000       125,662  

Citigroup, Inc.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%), 3.224%, 5/17/24 (k)

    115,000       116,203  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

   

3.900%, 7/12/47§

    60,000       67,059  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.74%), 2.878%, 3/2/23 (k)

    125,000       124,832  

Santander Holdings USA, Inc.

   

3.400%, 1/18/23

    120,000       122,835  

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.17%), 2.879%, 10/30/30 (k)

    30,000       30,061  
   

 

 

 
      714,317  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.4%)

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

 

3.625%, 2/20/24

    110,000       115,693  

Morgan Stanley

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.85%), 3.737%, 4/24/24 (k)

  115,000     120,240  
   

 

 

 
      235,933  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.5%)

 

American Express Co.

   

3.400%, 2/22/24

    125,000       130,962  

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd.

   

5.250%, 5/15/24§

    30,000       32,904  

3.950%, 7/1/24§

    115,000       119,592  

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.72%), 2.656%, 1/30/23 (k)

    180,000       179,839  

Discover Financial Services

   

4.100%, 2/9/27

    85,000       91,093  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.99%), 3.033%, 1/5/23 (k)

    140,000       137,858  

3.950%, 4/13/24

    15,000       15,527  

John Deere Capital Corp.

   

3.450%, 1/10/24

    75,000       79,312  

2.600%, 3/7/24

    65,000       66,557  

Springleaf Finance Corp.

   

6.625%, 1/15/28

    30,000       33,225  

Synchrony Financial

   

3.950%, 12/1/27

    60,000       62,178  
   

 

 

 
      949,047  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.3%)

 

Allied Universal Holdco LLC

   

6.625%, 7/15/26§

    40,000       42,600  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC

   

7.125%, 6/1/24§

    45,000       41,571  

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.

   

6.250%, 5/15/26§

    65,000       70,606  

Verscend Escrow Corp.

   

9.750%, 8/15/26§

    47,000       49,938  
   

 

 

 
      204,715  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (0.6%)

 

Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC

   

6.750%, 10/15/27§

    20,000       20,802  

Athene Global Funding

   

3.000%, 7/1/22§

    120,000       121,888  

Liberty Mutual Group, Inc.

   

3.951%, 10/15/50§

    60,000       61,175  

NFP Corp.

   

6.875%, 7/15/25§

    45,000       44,156  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   

3.905%, 12/7/47

    55,000       59,456  

Willis North America, Inc.

   

4.500%, 9/15/28

    55,000       61,138  
   

 

 

 
      368,615  
   

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.1%)

 

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

   

8.125%, 7/15/23§

    35,000       37,056  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      2,509,683  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

34


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Health Care (1.3%)

 

Biotechnology (0.1%)

 

AbbVie, Inc.

   

4.700%, 5/14/45

  $ 60,000     $ 64,259  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (0.9%)

 

Anthem, Inc.

   

2.375%, 1/15/25

    30,000       30,004  

Centene Corp.

   

4.750%, 1/15/25

    39,000       40,297  

5.375%, 6/1/26§

    5,000       5,280  

Cigna Corp.

   

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.89%), 2.891%, 7/15/23 (k)

    85,000       85,312  

4.900%, 12/15/48

    85,000       98,801  

CVS Health Corp.

   

5.050%, 3/25/48

    80,000       92,125  

HCA, Inc.

   

5.375%, 9/1/26

    35,000       38,128  

4.125%, 6/15/29

    60,000       63,385  

Select Medical Corp.

   

6.250%, 8/15/26§

    40,000       42,600  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

   

5.125%, 11/1/27§

    45,000       46,913  

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

   

5.375%, 8/15/26§

    40,000       42,600  

West Street Merger Sub, Inc.

   

6.375%, 9/1/25§

    20,000       18,950  
   

 

 

 
      604,395  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1%)

 

Avantor, Inc.

   

9.000%, 10/1/25§

    45,000       50,218  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (0.2%)

 

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.

   

7.000%, 3/15/24§

    20,000       20,898  

5.750%, 8/15/27§

    25,000       27,117  

7.000%, 1/15/28§

    30,000       32,325  

7.250%, 5/30/29§

    30,000       33,000  
   

 

 

 
      113,340  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      832,212  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (2.0%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (0.4%)

 

BBA US Holdings, Inc.

   

4.000%, 3/1/28§

    5,000       4,963  

Bombardier, Inc.

   

6.000%, 10/15/22§

    40,000       38,950  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

   

4.700%, 5/15/46

    100,000       127,059  

TransDigm, Inc.

   

6.250%, 3/15/26§

    55,000       58,781  

6.375%, 6/15/26

    15,000       15,591  

5.500%, 11/15/27§

    30,000       29,964  
   

 

 

 
      275,308  
   

 

 

 

Airlines (0.2%)

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

   

3.625%, 3/15/22

    115,000       117,588  
   

 

 

 

Building Products (0.2%)

 

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

   

5.625%, 9/1/24§

    39,000       40,560  

Owens Corning

   

4.400%, 1/30/48

  70,000     64,434  
   

 

 

 
      104,994  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (0.3%)

 

Aramark Services, Inc.

   

5.000%, 4/1/25§

    30,000       31,162  

Clean Harbors, Inc.

   

4.875%, 7/15/27§

    30,000       31,198  

Garda World Security Corp.

   

8.750%, 5/15/25§

    35,000       35,088  

GFL Environmental, Inc.

   

8.500%, 5/1/27§

    20,000       21,950  

Waste Management, Inc.

   

4.000%, 7/15/39

    55,000       62,235  
   

 

 

 
      181,633  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.1%)

 

AECOM

   

5.125%, 3/15/27

    45,000       47,405  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.1%)

 

General Electric Co.

   

5.875%, 1/14/38

    55,000       65,897  
   

 

 

 

Machinery (0.0%)

 

Colfax Corp.

   

6.000%, 2/15/24§

    25,000       26,534  

6.375%, 2/15/26§

    10,000       10,825  
   

 

 

 
      37,359  
   

 

 

 

Professional Services (0.1%)

 

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)

   

6.875%, 8/15/26§

    35,000       38,160  
   

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.2%)

 

CSX Corp.

   

3.800%, 11/1/46

    55,000       57,649  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP

   

4.200%, 4/1/27§

    55,000       58,666  

Uber Technologies, Inc.

   

7.500%, 9/15/27§

    25,000       24,625  
   

 

 

 
      140,940  
   

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (0.4%)

 

Air Lease Corp.

   

3.250%, 3/1/25

    115,000       118,184  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

   

4.875%, 11/1/25§

    60,000       58,950  

United Rentals North America, Inc.

   

6.500%, 12/15/26

    40,000       43,300  

3.875%, 11/15/27

    20,000       20,155  

5.250%, 1/15/30

    25,000       26,250  
   

 

 

 
      266,839  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      1,276,123  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (0.6%)

   

Communications Equipment (0.1%)

 

CommScope, Inc.

   

5.500%, 3/1/24§

    5,000       5,062  

6.000%, 3/1/26§

    25,000       25,633  
   

 

 

 
      30,695  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

35


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

IT Services (0.1%)

 

GTT Communications, Inc.

   

7.875%, 12/31/24§

  $ 20,000     $ 11,700  

Tempo Acquisition LLC

   

6.750%, 6/1/25§

    55,000       56,650  
   

 

 

 
      68,350  
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.1%)

 

NXP BV

   

3.875%, 6/18/26§

    60,000       62,979  
   

 

 

 

Software (0.3%)

 

CDK Global, Inc.

   

5.250%, 5/15/29§

    15,000       15,919  

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.

 

10.000%, 11/30/24§

    40,000       43,200  

Informatica LLC

   

7.125%, 7/15/23§

    70,000       71,225  

SS&C Technologies, Inc.

   

5.500%, 9/30/27§

    50,000       53,235  
   

 

 

 
      183,579  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      345,603  
   

 

 

 

Materials (0.6%)

   

Chemicals (0.3%)

 

Mosaic Co. (The)

   

4.050%, 11/15/27

    120,000       126,120  

Nutrien Ltd.

   

4.200%, 4/1/29

    60,000       66,444  
   

 

 

 
      192,564  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.2%)

 

Berry Global, Inc.

   

5.625%, 7/15/27§

    45,000       47,531  

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc.

   

6.875%, 1/15/25§

    25,000       23,563  

WRKCo, Inc.

   

3.750%, 3/15/25

    50,000       52,673  
   

 

 

 
      123,767  
   

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

 

SunCoke Energy Partners LP

   

7.500%, 6/15/25§

    40,000       34,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      350,331  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (1.1%)

 

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.1%)

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (REIT)

 

4.000%, 1/15/24

    110,000       117,485  

4.850%, 4/15/49

    25,000       31,001  

American Tower Corp. (REIT)

   

3.950%, 3/15/29

    55,000       59,104  

Crown Castle International Corp. (REIT)

 

3.650%, 9/1/27

    55,000       58,088  

3.800%, 2/15/28

    50,000       53,225  

ESH Hospitality, Inc. (REIT)

 

5.250%, 5/1/25§

    50,000       51,322  

4.625%, 10/1/27§

    20,000       20,027  

Iron Mountain, Inc. (REIT)

   

4.875%, 9/15/29§

    35,000       35,689  

MPT Operating Partnership LP (REIT)

 

5.250%, 8/1/26

  45,000     47,250  

4.625%, 8/1/29

    25,000       26,079  

Public Storage (REIT)

   

3.385%, 5/1/29

    60,000       64,566  

Simon Property Group LP (REIT)

   

2.450%, 9/13/29

    30,000       29,713  

Welltower, Inc. (REIT)

   

3.950%, 9/1/23

    110,000       116,821  
   

 

 

 
      710,370  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      710,370  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (0.5%)

   

Electric Utilities (0.3%)

   

Georgia Power Co.

   

Series A
2.200%, 9/15/24

    60,000       59,992  

Monongahela Power Co.

   

5.400%, 12/15/43§

    70,000       93,022  

Southern California Edison Co.

   

4.000%, 4/1/47

    30,000       30,953  
   

 

 

 
      183,967  
   

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.1%)

   

Brooklyn Union Gas Co. (The)

   

4.487%, 3/4/49§

    60,000       72,397  
   

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.1%)

 

Calpine Corp.

   

5.250%, 6/1/26§

    45,000       46,800  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      303,164  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds

      10,545,205  
   

 

 

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities (3.7%)

   

FHLMC

   

3.000%, 3/1/46

    666,288       684,045  

3.500%, 5/1/46

    660,177       677,695  

4.000%, 10/1/48

    80,872       84,208  

FNMA UMBS

   

3.500%, 7/1/42

    301,000       316,324  

3.500%, 6/1/48

    534,939       551,641  
   

 

 

 

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities

      2,313,913  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (11.0%)

   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

   

3.125%, 2/15/43

    220,000       259,256  

3.625%, 8/15/43

    180,000       229,388  

3.750%, 11/15/43

    180,000       234,049  

2.750%, 11/15/47

    230,000       257,591  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bonds

 

1.000%, 2/15/46 TIPS

    335,662       372,105  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Notes

 

0.875%, 1/15/29 TIPS

    172,730       183,675  

U.S. Treasury Notes

 

2.750%, 8/15/21

    210,000       214,315  

2.875%, 10/15/21

    490,000       502,322  

1.750%, 11/30/21

    500,000       502,051  

2.500%, 1/15/22

    190,000       193,911  

2.625%, 2/28/23

    410,000       424,598  

2.500%, 3/31/23

    340,000       351,010  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

36


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

2.750%, 4/30/23

  $ 330,000     $ 343,716  

1.625%, 5/31/23

    270,000       270,944  

1.875%, 8/31/24

    140,000       142,190  

2.125%, 9/30/24

    350,000       359,618  

2.250%, 10/31/24

    350,000       361,833  

2.750%, 2/28/25

    180,000       190,958  

3.000%, 9/30/25

    250,000       269,893  

2.375%, 5/15/27

    410,000       432,286  

2.250%, 8/15/27

    350,000       366,078  

2.250%, 11/15/27

    350,000       366,269  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations

      6,828,056  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt Securities (45.3%)
(Cost $27,289,431)

      28,224,123  
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMON STOCKS:

   

Communication Services (1.8%)

   

Interactive Media & Services (1.8%)

 

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

    507       638,212  

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

    2,740       525,121  
   

 

 

 
      1,163,333  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      1,163,333  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (3.8%)

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.5%)

 

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    1,061       288,189  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (1.7%)

 

Amazon.com, Inc.*

    445       790,614  

Booking Holdings, Inc.*

    139       284,779  
   

 

 

 
      1,075,393  
   

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (1.1%)

 

Dollar General Corp.

    2,317       371,508  

Target Corp.

    2,819       301,379  
   

 

 

 
      672,887  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.5%)

 

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

    713       310,518  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      2,346,987  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (1.4%)

   

Beverages (0.3%)

 

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    782       148,838  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.3%)

 

Sysco Corp.

    2,291       182,982  
   

 

 

 

Tobacco (0.8%)

 

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    6,393       520,646  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      852,466  
   

 

 

 

Energy (1.4%)

   

Energy Equipment & Services (0.4%)

 

Halliburton Co.

    7,384       142,142  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    9,301       77,385  
   

 

 

 
      219,527  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.0%)

 

Continental Resources, Inc.*

    4,938     145,523  

Devon Energy Corp.

    8,631       175,037  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    2,633       323,911  
   

 

 

 
      644,471  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      863,998  
   

 

 

 

Financials (3.0%)

   

Banks (1.4%)

 

Citigroup, Inc.

    6,527       469,030  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    7,719       398,532  
   

 

 

 
      867,562  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets (0.9%)

 

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    6,171       251,221  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    3,093       291,732  
   

 

 

 
      542,953  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (0.7%)

 

Aflac, Inc.

    5,355       284,672  

Willis Towers Watson plc

    947       176,994  
   

 

 

 
      461,666  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      1,872,181  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (4.5%)

   

Biotechnology (0.2%)

 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

    1,664       121,821  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (1.4%)

 

Abbott Laboratories

    4,089       341,881  

Alcon, Inc.*

    2,481       147,049  

Boston Scientific Corp.*

    8,452       352,449  
   

 

 

 
      841,379  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.2%)

 

Anthem, Inc.

    1,156       311,056  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    1,845       466,232  
   

 

 

 
      777,288  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (1.7%)

 

AstraZeneca plc (ADR)

    9,060       444,212  

Novartis AG (ADR)

    3,663       320,293  

Zoetis, Inc.

    2,259       288,971  
   

 

 

 
      1,053,476  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      2,793,964  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (2.5%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (1.6%)

 

Boeing Co. (The)

    1,277       434,065  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    755       284,393  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    806       284,099  
   

 

 

 
      1,002,557  
   

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.3%)

 

FedEx Corp.

    1,303       198,916  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (0.6%)

 

Honeywell International, Inc.

    2,005       346,324  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      1,547,797  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

37


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Information Technology (6.4%)

   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.4%)

 

Corning, Inc.

    8,431     $ 249,811  
   

 

 

 

IT Services (1.8%)

 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    4,170       254,120  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

    3,217       334,890  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    2,869       513,149  
   

 

 

 
      1,102,159  
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.9%)

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

    2,718       289,820  

Lam Research Corp.

    1,154       312,780  
   

 

 

 
      602,600  
   

 

 

 

Software (2.7%)

 

Adobe, Inc.*

    1,364       379,096  

Microsoft Corp.

    7,727       1,107,819  

Splunk, Inc.*

    1,506       180,660  
   

 

 

 
      1,667,575  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.6%)

 

Apple, Inc.

    1,582       393,538  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      4,015,683  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (0.7%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.7%)

 

American Tower Corp. (REIT)

    2,031       442,921  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      442,921  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (0.6%)

   

Electric Utilities (0.6%)

 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    1,536       366,090  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      366,090  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (26.1%)
(Cost $14,357,312)

      16,265,420  
   

 

 

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES:

   

Fixed Income (6.6%)

   

DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund, Class I‡

    177,241       1,682,018  

DoubleLine Global Bond Fund, Class I‡

    228,313       2,383,588  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies (6.6%)
(Cost $4,067,746)

      4,065,606  
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

   

Investment Company (12.7%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    7,872,512       7,875,661  
   

 

 

 
     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

U.S. Treasury Obligations (3.7%)

   

U.S. Treasury Bills

   

1.52%, 2/6/20 (p)

  $ 2,000,000     1,991,742  

1.53%, 9/10/20 (p)

    340,000       335,523  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations

      2,327,265  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (16.4%)
(Cost $10,199,546)

      10,202,926  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (94.4%)
(Cost $55,914,035)

      58,758,075  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (5.6%)

      3,488,935  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 62,247,010  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

All, or a portion, of the security is an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

§

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $6,749,150 or 10.8% of net assets. Securities denoted with “§” but without “b” have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. To the extent any securities might provide a right to demand registration, such rights have not been relied upon when determining liquidity.

(e)

Step Bond – Coupon rate increases or decreases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of October 31, 2019. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

(k)

Variable or floating rate security, linked to the referenced benchmark. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2019.

(l)

Variable or floating rate security, the interest rate of which adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2019.

(p)

Yield to maturity.

Glossary:

  ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

  CAPE

— Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings

  FHLMC

— Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.

  FNMA

— Federal National Mortgage Association

  ICE

— Intercontinental Exchange

  LIBOR

— London Interbank Offered Rate

  OTC

— Over-the-counter

  PO

— Principal Only

  TIPS

— Treasury Inflation Protected Security

  UMBS

— Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

  USD

— United States Dollar

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

38


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

 

Investments in companies which were affiliates for the year ended October 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

Security Description

  Shares at
October 31,
2019
    Market Value
October 31,
2018 ($)
    Purchases
at Cost ($)
    Proceeds
from
Sales ($)
    Net
Realized
Gain
(Loss) ($)
    Change
in Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
    Market Value
October 31,
2019 ($)
    Dividend/
Interest
Income
($)
    Capital Gain
Distributions
($)
 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES:

                 

Fixed Income

                 

DoubleLine Floating Rate Fund, Class I

    177,241       2,769,359             (1,000,000     (7,254     (80,087     1,682,018       140,787        

DoubleLine Global Bond Fund, Class I

    228,313       1,633,717       650,000                   99,871       2,383,588       19,875        
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      4,403,076       650,000       (1,000,000     (7,254     19,784       4,065,606       160,662           —  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTC Total return swap contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2019 (Note 1):

 

Reference Entity

 

Payments Made
by Fund

 

Payments Received
by Fund

 

Frequency of
Payments
Made/Received

 

Counterparty

  Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amount
    Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
($)
 

Shiller Barclays CAPE US Sector II ER USD Index

  0.40% and decrease in total return of index   Increase in total return of index   At maturity   Barclays Bank plc     6/22/2020     USD   9,000,000       520,756  
             

 

 

 
                520,756  
             

 

 

 

Shiller Barclays CAPE US Sector ER USD Index

  0.47% and decrease in total return of index   Increase in total return of index   At maturity   Barclays Bank plc     12/9/2019     USD   1,700,000       (4,361
             

 

 

 
                (4,361
             

 

 

 
                516,395  
             

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

39


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Asset-Backed Securities

  $     $ 2,120,321     $     $ 2,120,321  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

          6,416,628             6,416,628  

Common Stocks

       

Communication Services

    1,163,333                   1,163,333  

Consumer Discretionary

    2,346,987                   2,346,987  

Consumer Staples

    852,466                   852,466  

Energy

    863,998                   863,998  

Financials

    1,872,181                   1,872,181  

Health Care

    2,793,964                   2,793,964  

Industrials

    1,547,797                   1,547,797  

Information Technology

    4,015,683                   4,015,683  

Real Estate

    442,921                   442,921  

Utilities

    366,090                   366,090  

Corporate Bonds

       

Communication Services

          1,484,256             1,484,256  

Consumer Discretionary

          959,760             959,760  

Consumer Staples

          781,036             781,036  

Energy

          992,667             992,667  

Financials

          2,509,683             2,509,683  

Health Care

          832,212             832,212  

Industrials

          1,276,123             1,276,123  

Information Technology

          345,603             345,603  

Materials

          350,331             350,331  

Real Estate

          710,370             710,370  

Utilities

          303,164             303,164  

Investment Companies

    4,065,606                   4,065,606  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

          2,313,913             2,313,913  

Short-Term Investments

       

Investment Company

    7,875,661                   7,875,661  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

          2,327,265             2,327,265  

Total Return Swaps

          520,756             520,756  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

          6,828,056             6,828,056  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 28,206,687     $ 31,072,144     $     $ 59,278,831  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Total Return Swaps

  $     $ (4,361   $     $ (4,361
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $ (4,361   $     $ (4,361
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     28,206,687     $     31,067,783     $         —     $     59,274,470  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

40


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2019:

 

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Derivatives Contracts^

 

Asset Derivatives

  Fair Value  

Equity contracts

 

Receivables, Net assets –

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 520,756  
   

 

 

 

Total

    $     520,756  
   

 

 

 
    

Liability Derivatives

     

Equity contracts

 

Payables, Net assets –

Unrealized depreciation

  $ (4,361
   

 

 

 

Total

    $ (4,361
   

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2019:

 

Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income  

Derivatives Contracts^

  Swaps     Total  

Equity contracts

  $ 1,350,102     $ 1,350,102  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     1,350,102     $     1,350,102  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   
Amount of Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income  

Derivatives Contracts^

  Swaps     Total  

Equity contracts

  $ 235,246     $ 235,246  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 235,246     $ 235,246  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

^ The Fund held swaps contracts as a substitute for investing in conventional securities.

The Fund held swap contracts with an average notional value of approximately $11,915,000 during the year ended October 31, 2019.

The following table presents the Fund’s gross derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under netting arrangements and any related collateral received or pledged by the Fund as of October 31, 2019:

 

Counterparty

  Gross Amount of
Derivative Assets
Presented in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities (a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Received
    Net Amount Due
from Counterparty
 

Barclays Bank plc

  $ 520,756     $ (4,361   $     (449,262   $ 67,133  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     520,756     $     (4,361   $ (449,262   $     67,133  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Counterparty

  Gross Amount of
Derivative Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities (a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount Due
to Counterparty
 

Barclays Bank plc

  $ 4,361     $ (4,361   $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 4,361     $ (4,361   $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

For financial reporting purposes the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities subject to master netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

41


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 21,345,227  

Long-term U.S. government debt securities

    10,471,741  
 

 

 

 
  $ 31,816,968  
 

 

 

 

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 19,255,759  

Long-term U.S. government debt securities

    9,054,431  
 

 

 

 
  $     28,310,190  
 

 

 

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 4,333,855  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (1,031,004
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 3,302,851  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     55,971,619  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

42


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value:

 

Affiliated Issuers (Cost $4,067,746)

  $ 4,065,606  

Unaffiliated Issuers (Cost $51,846,289)

    54,692,469  

Cash

    2,815,199  

Market value on OTC swap contracts

    520,756  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    205,191  

Receivable for securities sold

    94,601  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    11,534  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    9,511  

Other assets

    728  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    62,415,595  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for securities purchased

    55,000  

Investment advisory fees payable

    18,626  

Administrative fees payable

    7,835  

Market value on OTC swap contracts

    4,361  

Transfer agent fees payable

    3,384  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    431  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    71  

Accrued expenses

    78,877  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    168,585  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 62,247,010  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 55,727,999  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    6,519,011  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 62,247,010  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $2,081,224 / 185,357 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.23  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.65  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 11.88  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $59,997,379 / 5,331,700 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.25  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $168,407 / 15,026 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.21  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

  $ 1,304,217  

Dividends ($160,662 of dividend income received from affiliates)

    384,714  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    1,688,931  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    444,349  

Professional fees

    123,272  

Administrative fees

    88,870  

Printing and mailing expenses

    46,747  

Registration and filing fees

    42,291  

Transfer agent fees

    38,420  

Custodian fees

    19,325  

Trustees’ fees

    5,305  

Distribution fees – Class A

    5,045  

Distribution fees – Class R

    799  

Miscellaneous

    30,194  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    844,617  

Less:  Voluntary waiver from investment adviser

    (72,912

         Waiver from investment adviser

    (229,925
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    541,780  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    1,147,151  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities ($(7,254) of realized gain (loss) from affiliates)

    884,508  

Swaps

    1,350,102  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,234,610  
 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities ($19,784 of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from affiliates)

    2,505,890  

Swaps

    235,246  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,741,136  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    4,975,746  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 6,122,897  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

43


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 1,147,151     $ 964,904  

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,234,610       1,692,724  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,741,136       (1,814,177
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    6,122,897       843,451  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (83,828     (83,272

Class I

    (2,637,668     (4,227,949

Class R

    (6,450     (7,506
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2,727,946     (4,318,727
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 55,587 and 157,314 shares, respectively ]

    596,061       1,679,813  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 7,863 and 7,082 shares, respectively ]

    79,177       75,498  

Capital shares repurchased [ (108,047) and (47,392) shares, respectively ]

    (1,145,133     (515,495
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    (469,895     1,239,816  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 54,826 and 161,547 shares, respectively ]

    587,053       1,758,509  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 18,482 and 20,595 shares, respectively ]

    186,113       219,547  

Capital shares repurchased [ (113,792) and (51,690) shares, respectively ]

    (1,175,255     (554,783
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    (402,089     1,423,273  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 145 and 4,880 shares, respectively ]

    1,462       51,331  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 205 and 1 shares, respectively ]

    2,068       7  

Capital shares repurchased [ (17) and (197) shares, respectively ]

    (181     (2,083
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    3,349       49,255  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    (868,635     2,712,344  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    2,526,316       (762,932

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    59,720,694       60,483,626  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 62,247,010     $ 59,720,694  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

44


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      March 7, 2016* to
October 31, 2016
 
Class A    2019     2018     2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.61     $ 11.25     $ 10.53      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.18       0.15       0.11        0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.91       (0.01     0.87        0.47  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.09       0.14       0.98        0.53  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.17     (0.13     (0.09       

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.30     (0.65     (0.17       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.47     (0.78     (0.26       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 11.23     $ 10.61     $ 11.25      $ 10.53  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     10.73     1.19     9.46      5.30
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 2,081     $ 2,440     $ 1,271      $ 356  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers (a)(f)

     1.15 %(j)      1.20 %(k)      1.21      1.22

Before waivers (a)(f)

     1.67     1.66     1.75      1.85

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

         

After waivers (a)(f)(x)

     1.70     1.39     1.02      0.89 %(l) 

Before waivers (a)(f)(x)

     1.19     0.93     0.48      0.26 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     63     79     86      56
     Year Ended October 31,      March 7, 2016* to
October 31, 2016
 
Class I    2019     2018     2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.63     $ 11.27     $ 10.55      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.21       0.18       0.14        0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.91       (0.01     0.86        0.47  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.12       0.17       1.00        0.55  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.20     (0.16     (0.11       

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.30     (0.65     (0.17       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.50     (0.81     (0.28       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 11.25     $ 10.63     $ 11.27      $ 10.55  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     11.00     1.44     9.68      5.50
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     59,997     $     57,126     $     59,101      $     53,478  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers (a)(f)

     0.90 %(j)      0.95 %(k)      0.96      0.97

Before waivers (a)(f)

     1.42     1.41     1.50      1.55

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

         

After waivers (a)(f)(x)

     1.95     1.62     1.27      1.12 %(l) 

Before waivers (a)(f)(x)

     1.43     1.16     0.72      0.55 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     63     79     86      56

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

45


1290 FUNDS

1290 DOUBLELINE DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      March 7, 2016* to
October 31, 2016
 
Class R    2019     2018     2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.59     $ 11.23     $ 10.52      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.15       0.12       0.08        0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.91       (0.01     0.87        0.48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.06       0.11       0.95        0.52  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.14     (0.10     (0.07       

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.30     (0.65     (0.17       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.44     (0.75     (0.24       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     11.21     $     10.59     $     11.23      $     10.52  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     10.46     0.93     9.15      5.20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 168     $ 156     $ 112      $ 105  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers (a)(f)

     1.40 %(j)      1.45 %(k)      1.46      1.47

Before waivers (a)(f)

     1.92     1.91     2.01      2.05

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

         

After waivers (a)(f)(x)

     1.44     1.13     0.77      0.62 %(l) 

Before waivers (a)(f)(x)

     0.93     0.67     0.22      0.05 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     63     79     86      56
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 1.20% for Class A, 0.95% for Class I and 1.45% for Class R.

(k)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 1.25% for Class A, 1.00% for Class I and 1.50% for Class R.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

46


1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

Ø  

GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       2.29     6.28
      with Sales Charge (a     (3.36     5.08  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      2.57       6.56  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      2.02       6.02  

Fund – Class T Shares*†

    without Sales Charge       2.57       6.56  
      with Sales Charge (b     (0.02     6.01  

Russell 2500TM Value Index

      6.10       6.21  
 

*   Date of inception 11/12/14.

 

†   Class T Shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

(a)  A 5.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

(b)  A 2.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

    

   

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund and the Russell 2500TM Value Index from 11/12/14 to 10/31/19. The performance of the Russell 2500TM Value Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the Russell 2500TM Value Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 1.80%, 1.52%, 2.06% and 1.81%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 1.25%, 1.00%, 1.50% and 1.25%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 2.57% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2500TM Value Index, returned 6.10% over the same year.

Overview — GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.

The market started off the period exhibiting extreme volatility, with December of 2018 the worst month for equity markets since World War II. Economically sensitive industrial stocks, especially on the small and mid-cap side, took the brunt of the market’s concern. The market recouped all of those December losses in the first quarter as U.S. stocks registered their best first quarter since 1998. This rally was fueled by a shift in Federal Reserve (Fed) policy and renewed hopes of a trade deal with China. The second quarter was once again marked by volatility as investors were forced to weigh weaker economic data against the possibility of an upcoming July rate cut. Despite another volatile quarter, the market ended June sitting right around its all-time high. The third quarter began with the longest expansion on record for the U.S. economy, the lowest unemployment since the 1960s, household wealth at a record high, and solid housing growth, all while inflation remained tame. Despite a decelerating economy and rising geopolitical risks, the S&P 500® Index finished the third quarter only 1.5% below its all-time high.

Fund Highlights

We buy businesses we believe are selling at a discount to their Private Market Value (the price an informed industrialist would pay for the entire company), with a catalyst in place that could potentially surface values. Industry consolidation, financial engineering (e.g., spin-offs), changes in management and changes in regulation are just a few catalysts in which the Fund is rich. Our philosophy and process focus on fundamental company research and individual stock selection.

We believe we are generally well-positioned for almost any economic environment. Our holdings have tended to be domestically focused with strong franchises and often pricing power. We have never been top-down allocators, trying to chase every trend. Rather, we rely on fundamental bottom-up research informed by our view of the shifting political and economic tides.

The Fund trailed the Russell 2500TM Value Index during this period. As you know, the Fund looks quite different from the index and occasionally we have seen periods where returns differ significantly. The Fund’s higher weighting in communication services and lower weighting in technology were relative detractors to performance for this period.

 

47


1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND (Unaudited)

 

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

We saw several takeover announcements in the last twelve months that positively impacted performance. Avon Products, Tribune Media and El Paso Electric all were up over 16% for the period. We expect to see continued industry consolidation as a positive catalyst for the Fund moving forward as interest rates remain very low after being cut three times during the period.

 

 

The Fund’s overweight to industrials over the period had the largest positive impact on performance. Several names, such as Griffon Corp., Herc Holdings, Inc. and CIRCOR International, Inc., surged despite volatility caused by uncertainty over trade negotiations and supply chains.

 

 

Federated Investors, Inc. and Legg Mason, Inc. rose on strong fundamentals despite a challenging industry backdrop.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

A larger position in communication services companies, an area in which our firm has built deep knowledge over many years, was one of the largest detractors to performance for the period. The Viacom-CBS deal unites the companies for the first time since they split in 2005. Many Viacom shareholders were unhappy with the terms of the transaction. The companies have addressed initial concerns and their combined more than 20% share of viewing will be far more powerful than each as a standalone, putting the combined company in a better position to negotiate some of the digital changes the industry is going through.

 

 

The Fund’s underweighting in real estate and technology also detracted from performance on a relative basis as the benchmark’s allocation to technology was more than three times that of the Fund.

 

 

RPC, Inc., which provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment for oil and gas companies, pulled back sharply over the last twelve months as the U.S. land rig count continued to decline and overcapacity persisted in the pressure pumping industry.

 

   
Sector Weightings
as of October 31, 2019
  % of
Net Assets
 

Industrials

    37.5

Communication Services

    14.4  

Consumer Staples

    10.9  

Materials

    8.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.7  

Investment Company

    4.1  

Health Care

    4.0  

Financials

    3.7  

Information Technology

    2.6  

Real Estate

    2.0  

Utilities

    2.0  

Energy

    1.0  

Cash and Other

    0.3  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A, Class R and Class T shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

48


1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND (Unaudited)

 

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $949.00       $6.11  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.94       6.33  

Class I

 

Actual

    1,000.00       950.50       4.89  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.20       5.06  

Class R

 

Actual

    1,000.00       947.20       7.33  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,017.67       7.60  

Class T**

 

Actual

    1,000.00       949.80       4.89  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.19       5.06  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I, R and T shares annualized expense ratios of 1.24%, 0.99%, 1.49% and 0.99%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

** Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

   

  

 

49


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMON STOCKS:

   

Communication Services (14.4%)

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.8%)

 

Intelsat SA*

    30,000     $ 761,700  
   

 

 

 

Entertainment (4.2%)

   

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Class A

    40,000       374,800  

Entertainment One Ltd.

    90,000       648,776  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Braves, Class A*

    3,500       103,320  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Braves, Class C*

    20,000       588,200  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B*

    1,000       7,490  

Madison Square Garden Co. (The), Class A*

    2,501       667,567  

Viacom, Inc., Class B

    87,000       1,875,720  
   

 

 

 
      4,265,873  
   

 

 

 

Media (7.6%)

   

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*

    9,500       413,725  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.*

    370,963       864,344  

comScore, Inc.*

    49,000       113,190  

Corus Entertainment, Inc., Class B

    190,000       729,937  

DISH Network Corp., Class A*

    376       12,927  

EW Scripps Co. (The), Class A

    45,000       604,575  

Grupo Televisa SAB (ADR)

    65,000       718,250  

JCDecaux SA

    21,000       573,822  

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.*

    9,400       375,906  

Meredith Corp.

    43,000       1,621,100  

MSG Networks, Inc., Class A*

    45,000       729,450  

Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.

    34,560       232,243  

TEGNA, Inc.

    30,000       450,900  

WideOpenWest, Inc.*

    38,000       241,300  
   

 

 

 
      7,681,669  
   

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.8%)

 

Gogo, Inc.*

    35,000       215,250  

Millicom International Cellular SA

    9,000       406,530  

Millicom International Cellular SA (SDR)

    9,000       410,120  

United States Cellular Corp.*

    20,000       744,400  
   

 

 

 
      1,776,300  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      14,485,542  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (8.7%)

   

Auto Components (0.7%)

   

Dana, Inc.

    36,000       584,280  

Lear Corp.

    600       70,662  
   

 

 

 
      654,942  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.6%)

 

H&R Block, Inc.

    12,000       299,880  

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.*

    6,000       242,280  

Universal Technical Institute, Inc.*

    12,000       71,040  
   

 

 

 
      613,200  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.7%)

 

Cheesecake Factory, Inc. (The)

    11,000     459,690  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

    2,900       376,971  

Dover Motorsports, Inc.

    15,000       28,950  

Eldorado Resorts, Inc.*

    6,000       268,620  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.*

    37,000       535,760  

Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

    7,500       570,750  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

    4,000       485,360  
   

 

 

 
      2,726,101  
   

 

 

 

Household Durables (1.2%)

   

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

    42,500       648,125  

Hunter Douglas NV

    3,000       192,054  

Lennar Corp., Class B

    8,000       376,160  
   

 

 

 
      1,216,339  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.3%)

 

Lands’ End, Inc.*

    14,000       168,980  

Stamps.com, Inc.*

    2,000       168,860  
   

 

 

 
      337,840  
   

 

 

 

Leisure Products (3.0%)

   

Brunswick Corp.

    37,000       2,154,880  

Mattel, Inc.*

    27,000       322,380  

Polaris, Inc.

    5,200       512,980  
   

 

 

 
      2,990,240  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (0.2%)

   

Carvana Co.*

    1,500       121,620  

Tractor Supply Co.

    1,000       95,020  
   

 

 

 
      216,640  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      8,755,302  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (10.9%)

   

Beverages (2.4%)

   

Cott Corp.

    12,000       154,200  

Davide Campari-Milano SpA

    33,000       302,352  

National Beverage Corp.

    11,300       496,748  

Remy Cointreau SA

    11,000       1,470,969  
   

 

 

 
      2,424,269  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (0.8%)

   

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

    2,500       427,025  

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

    9,500       374,585  
   

 

 

 
      801,610  
   

 

 

 

Food Products (5.3%)

   

Bunge Ltd.

    25,000       1,350,000  

Farmer Brothers Co.*

    32,200       413,126  

Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (The)*

    84,000       1,985,760  

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    10,000       1,056,800  

Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.

    12,000       209,278  

McCormick & Co., Inc.

    1,800       289,152  
   

 

 

 
      5,304,116  
   

 

 

 

Household Products (1.6%)

   

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

    32,000       1,359,680  

Oil-Dri Corp. of America

    7,000       245,070  
   

 

 

 
      1,604,750  
   

 

 

 

Personal Products (0.8%)

   

Edgewell Personal Care Co.*

    23,000       805,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      10,939,745  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

50


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Energy (1.0%)

   

Energy Equipment & Services (1.0%)

 

 

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

    12,000     $ 492,240  

RPC, Inc.

    130,000       538,200  

Weatherford International plc*

    145,000       3,915  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      1,034,355  
   

 

 

 

Financials (3.7%)

   

Banks (1.5%)

   

Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

    14,000       261,100  

Cadence Bancorp

    10,997       169,134  

Flushing Financial Corp.

    16,154       349,573  

Synovus Financial Corp.

    22,005       745,309  
   

 

 

 
      1,525,116  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets (2.2%)

   

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B

    35,000       1,117,900  

Legg Mason, Inc.

    25,000       931,500  

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A

    7,000       115,920  
   

 

 

 
      2,165,320  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      3,690,436  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (4.0%)

 

Biotechnology (0.4%)

   

Clovis Oncology, Inc.*

    14,000       44,380  

Spark Therapeutics, Inc.*

    3,000       327,510  
   

 

 

 
      371,890  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.5%)

 

Cutera, Inc.*

    16,000       504,000  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.1%)

 

Option Care Health, Inc.*

    90,009       318,632  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    46,000       787,980  
   

 

 

 
      1,106,612  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Technology (1.9%)

   

Evolent Health, Inc., Class A*

    50,000       381,000  

Teladoc Health, Inc.*

    20,000       1,532,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,913,000  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1%)

 

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A*

    300       99,486  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      3,994,988  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (37.5%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (3.8%)

   

AAR Corp.

    16,000       668,000  

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*

    25,500       1,102,365  

Moog, Inc., Class A

    10,500       878,955  

Moog, Inc., Class B

    700       58,205  

Textron, Inc.

    25,000       1,152,250  
   

 

 

 
      3,859,775  
   

 

 

 

Building Products (2.9%)

   

Armstrong Flooring, Inc.*

    50,000       307,000  

Griffon Corp.

    120,000       2,557,200  
   

 

 

 
      2,864,200  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (2.7%)

 

IAA, Inc.*

    8,688     331,447  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    8,688       215,984  

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    43,000       1,590,140  

Team, Inc.*

    30,000       544,800  
   

 

 

 
      2,682,371  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.5%)

 

 

Arcosa, Inc.

    14,000       537,740  
   

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.6%)

   

AZZ, Inc.

    14,600       566,334  
   

 

 

 

Machinery (21.4%)

   

Astec Industries, Inc.

    63,500       2,228,215  

CIRCOR International, Inc.*

    78,500       3,005,765  

CNH Industrial NV

    30,000       327,300  

Donaldson Co., Inc.

    300       15,822  

Eastern Co. (The)

    15,000       413,850  

EnPro Industries, Inc.

    41,000       2,851,550  

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.*

    58,000       1,007,460  

Flowserve Corp.

    34,000       1,660,560  

Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.*

    40,000       1,273,200  

Graco, Inc.

    4,500       203,400  

ITT, Inc.

    3,500       208,075  

Kennametal, Inc.

    37,000       1,145,150  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    40,000       1,230,800  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    34,000       397,800  

Navistar International Corp.*

    22,070       690,350  

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

    21,000       645,960  

Toro Co. (The)

    6,000       462,780  

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    86,000       1,701,080  

Twin Disc, Inc.*

    65,074       700,196  

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

    12,000       1,119,000  

Welbilt, Inc.*

    12,500       237,000  
   

 

 

 
      21,525,313  
   

 

 

 

Road & Rail (0.7%)

   

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*

    50,648       684,254  
   

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (3.8%)

 

Ashtead Group plc

    2,000       60,830  

GATX Corp.

    8,000       636,400  

Herc Holdings, Inc.*

    50,000       2,213,000  

Kaman Corp.

    15,000       880,050  
   

 

 

 
      3,790,280  
   

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (1.1%)

 

Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.

    26,500       1,143,210  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      37,653,477  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (2.6%)

   

Communications Equipment (0.2%)

 

Communications Systems, Inc.

    20,000       119,000  

EchoStar Corp., Class A*

    1,600       62,400  
   

 

 

 
      181,400  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.8%)

 

KEMET Corp.

    11,000       239,140  

Landis+Gyr Group AG*

    6,000       556,209  
   

 

 

 
      795,349  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

51


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

IT Services (0.3%)

   

Internap Corp.*

    70,000     $ 166,600  

MoneyGram International, Inc.*

    30,000       118,800  
   

 

 

 
      285,400  
   

 

 

 

Software (0.3%)

   

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A*

    500       8,420  

FireEye, Inc.*

    10,000       158,400  

Zuora, Inc., Class A*

    15,000       213,750  
   

 

 

 
      380,570  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%)

 

Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.*

    141,000       987,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      2,629,719  
   

 

 

 

Materials (8.8%)

   

Chemicals (6.7%)

   

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.*

    7,000       206,430  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    1,200       92,112  

Core Molding Technologies, Inc.*

    60,000       342,600  

Element Solutions, Inc.*

    130,000       1,411,800  

Ferro Corp.*

    90,000       1,001,700  

GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.*

    88,000       1,818,080  

HB Fuller Co.

    7,000       341,600  

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The)

    7,000       702,730  

Tredegar Corp.

    15,000       298,200  

Valvoline, Inc.

    26,000       554,840  
   

 

 

 
      6,770,092  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (1.6%)

   

Greif, Inc., Class A

    30,000       1,175,100  

Myers Industries, Inc.

    25,000       423,250  
   

 

 

 
      1,598,350  
   

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.5%)

   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.*

    27,000       104,760  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    10,000       98,200  

TimkenSteel Corp.*

    52,000       292,240  
   

 

 

 
      495,200  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      8,863,642  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (2.0%)

 

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.5%)

 

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (REIT)

    6,000       505,020  

Seritage Growth Properties (REIT), Class A

    23,000       1,000,270  
   

 

 

 
      1,505,290  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.5%)

 

St Joe Co. (The)*

    28,000       519,400  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      2,024,690  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (2.0%)

   

Gas Utilities (1.0%)

   

National Fuel Gas Co.

    22,000       996,820  
   

 

 

 

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (1.0%)

 

AES Corp.

    60,000       1,023,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      2,019,820  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (95.6%)
(Cost $99,167,921)

      96,091,716  
   

 

 

 
     Number of
Warrants
    Value
(Note 1)
 

WARRANTS:

   

Health Care (0.0%)

   

Health Care Providers & Services (0.0%)

 

 

Option Care Health, Inc., expiring 6/30/25 (r)*

    22     8  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      8  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants (0.0%)
(Cost $—)

      8  
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

   

Investment Company (4.1%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    4,166,882       4,168,549  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (4.1%)
(Cost $4,168,164)

      4,168,549  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.7%)
(Cost $103,336,085)

      100,260,273  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.3%)

      275,796  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 100,536,069  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

(r)

Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

Glossary:

  ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

  SDR

— Swedish Depositary Receipt

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

52


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

       

Communication Services

  $ 12,852,824     $ 1,632,718     $     $ 14,485,542  

Consumer Discretionary

    7,892,508       862,794             8,755,302  

Consumer Staples

    8,632,202       2,307,543             10,939,745  

Energy

    1,034,355                   1,034,355  

Financials

    3,690,436                   3,690,436  

Health Care

    3,994,988                   3,994,988  

Industrials

    37,534,442       119,035             37,653,477  

Information Technology

    2,073,510       556,209             2,629,719  

Materials

    8,428,930       434,712             8,863,642  

Real Estate

    2,024,690                   2,024,690  

Utilities

    2,019,820                   2,019,820  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    4,168,549                   4,168,549  

Warrants

       

Health Care

                8       8  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 94,347,254     $ 5,913,011     $ 8     $     100,260,273  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $         —     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     94,347,254     $     5,913,011     $ 8     $ 100,260,273  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     41,216,178  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 34,818,314  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 7,771,267  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (11,860,214
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (4,088,947
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     104,349,220  
 

 

 

 

For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund incurred approximately $14,428 as brokerage commissions with G. Research, an affiliated broker/dealer.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

53


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $103,336,085)

  $ 100,260,273  

Cash

    331,000  

Foreign cash (Cost $7,264)

    7,302  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    196,938  

Receivable for securities sold

    35,348  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    25,804  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    25,108  

Other assets

    1,163  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    100,882,936  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    138,818  

Payable for securities purchased

    69,905  

Investment advisory fees payable

    22,554  

Transfer agent fees payable

    16,423  

Administrative fees payable

    12,521  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    813  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    378  

Accrued expenses

    85,455  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    346,867  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 100,536,069  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 102,989,288  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (2,453,219
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 100,536,069  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,895,970 / 312,633 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.46  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.73  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 13.19  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $95,600,713 / 7,655,897 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.49  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $912,258 / 73,666 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.38  
 

 

 

 

Class T**

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $127,128 / 10,179 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.49  

Maximum sales charge (2.50% of offering price)

    0.32  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 12.81  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of $20,536 foreign withholding tax)

  $ 1,585,702  

Interest

    7,073  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    1,592,775  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    731,267  

Professional fees

    153,149  

Administrative fees

    146,254  

Transfer agent fees

    134,850  

Printing and mailing expenses

    71,540  

Registration and filing fees

    53,910  

Custodian fees

    22,075  

Distribution fees – Class A

    9,506  

Trustees’ fees

    8,720  

Distribution fees – Class R

    4,393  

Distribution fees – Class T**

    316  

Miscellaneous

    54,280  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    1,390,260  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (407,167

        Waiver from distributor

    (316
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    982,777  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    609,998  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities

    342,149  

Foreign currency transactions

    (1,490
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    340,659  
 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities

    1,060,291  

Foreign currency translations

    118  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,060,409  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    1,401,068  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,011,066  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

54


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
  2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 609,998     $ 293,327  

Net realized gain (loss)

    340,659       803,616  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,060,409       (6,520,592
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    2,011,066       (5,423,649
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (42,434     (45,934

Class I

    (1,255,738     (549,863

Class R

    (7,956     (12,578

Class T**

    (1,787     (3,105
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1,307,915     (611,480
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 70,453 and 166,645 shares, respectively ]

    886,229       2,189,545  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 3,493 and 3,358 shares, respectively ]

    40,904       43,044  

Capital shares repurchased [ (53,218) and (38,937) shares, respectively ]

    (654,905     (513,240
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    272,228       1,719,349  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 1,868,998 and 5,718,892 shares, respectively ]

    23,316,263       75,982,055  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 59,543 and 37,602 shares, respectively ]

    697,247       482,439  

Capital shares repurchased [ (1,297,404) and (389,765) shares, respectively ]

    (15,901,713     (5,160,624
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    8,111,797       71,303,870  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 21,731 and 71,062 shares, respectively ]

    268,538       928,020  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 575 and 782 shares, respectively ]

    6,698       9,998  

Capital shares repurchased [ (13,939) and (32,549) shares, respectively ]

    (167,220     (428,019
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    108,016       509,999  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    8,492,041       73,533,218  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    9,195,192       67,498,089  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    91,340,877       23,842,788  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 100,536,069     $ 91,340,877  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

**  Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

55


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class A   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.33     $ 12.83     $ 10.28     $ 10.25     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.05       0.03       0.06 ##      0.05       (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.22       (0.25     2.67       0.25       0.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.27       (0.22     2.73       0.30       0.32  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.02     (0.03     (0.02         (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.12     (0.25     (0.16     (0.27      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.14     (0.28     (0.18     (0.27     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.46     $ 12.33     $ 12.83     $     10.28     $     10.25  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    2.29     (1.84 )%      26.72     3.08     3.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     3,896     $     3,599     $     2,063     $ 591     $ 997  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.24 %(j)      1.24 %(j)      1.27     1.35     1.35

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.66     1.79     2.72     4.38     9.28

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.39     0.26     0.48 %(aa)      0.49     (0.10 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    (0.03 )%      (0.28 )%      (0.97 )%(aa)      (2.53 )%      (8.03 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    37     49     88     76     95
    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.36     $ 12.86     $ 10.30     $ 10.27     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.08       0.07       0.08 ##      0.05       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.23       (0.26     2.68       0.28       0.32  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.31       (0.19     2.76       0.33       0.34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.06     (0.06     (0.04     (0.03     (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.12     (0.25     (0.16     (0.27      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.18     (0.31     (0.20     (0.30     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.49     $ 12.36     $ 12.86     $ 10.30     $ 10.27  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    2.57     (1.60 )%      27.09     3.34     3.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     95,601     $     86,815     $     21,317     $     6,041     $ 2,416  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.99 %(j)      0.99 %(j)      1.02     1.10     1.10

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.41     1.51     2.47     4.09     8.56

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.64     0.54     0.69 %(aa)      0.49     0.16 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.22     0.03     (0.76 )%(aa)      (2.51 )%      (7.30 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    37     49     88     76     95

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

56


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class R   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.26     $ 12.76     $ 10.23     $ 10.23     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.02           0.03 ##      0.04       (0.04

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.22       (0.25     2.66       0.23       0.34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.24       (0.25     2.69       0.27       0.30  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

                            (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.12     (0.25     (0.16     (0.27      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.12     (0.25     (0.16     (0.27     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $     12.38     $     12.26     $     12.76     $     10.23     $     10.23  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    2.02     (2.07 )%      26.49     2.77     2.96
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 912     $ 801     $ 332     $ 168     $ 777  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.49 %(j)      1.49 %(j)      1.53     1.60     1.60

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.91     2.05     3.00     4.65     9.73

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.14     0.02     0.27 %(aa)      0.42     (0.35 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    (0.28 )%      (0.54 )%      (1.21 )%(aa)      (2.64 )%      (8.49 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    37     49     88     76     95
    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class T**   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.36     $ 12.86     $ 10.30     $ 10.27     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.08       0.07       0.11 ##      0.08       0.01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.23       (0.26     2.65       0.25       0.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.31       (0.19     2.76       0.33       0.34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.06     (0.06     (0.04     (0.03     (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.12     (0.25     (0.16     (0.27      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.18     (0.31     (0.20     (0.30     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.49     $ 12.36     $ 12.86     $ 10.30     $ 10.27  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    2.57     (1.60 )%      27.09     3.34     3.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 127     $ 126     $ 131     $ 105     $ 259  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.99 %(j)      0.99 %(j)      1.03     1.10     1.10

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.66     1.80     3.02     5.11     10.23

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.64     0.50     0.89 %(aa)      0.77     0.15 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    (0.02 )%      (0.31 )%      (1.10 )%(aa)      (3.23 )%      (8.98 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    37     49     88     76     95

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

57


1290 FUNDS

1290 GAMCO SMALL/MID CAP VALUE FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

#

Per share amount is less than $0.005.

##

Includes income resulting from a special dividend. Without this dividend, the per share income amounts would be $0.02, $0.04, $(0.01) and $0.07 for Class A, Class I, Class R and Class T, respectively.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 1.25% for Class A, 1.00% for Class I, 1.50% for Class R and 1.00% for Class T.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

(aa)

Includes income resulting from a special dividend. Without this dividend, the ratios for each class would have been 0.34% lower.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

58


1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

Ø  

AXA Investment Managers, Inc.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       6.49     7.65
      with Sales Charge (a)       0.61       5.96  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      6.72       7.92  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      6.18       7.39  

MSCI ACWI (Net) Index

      12.59       11.15  
 

*   Date of inception 4/11/16.

 

(a)  A 5.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Global Talents Fund and the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index from 4/11/16 to 10/31/19. The performance of the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.94%, 1.69% and 2.19%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.25%, 1.00% and 1.50%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 6.72% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index, returned 12.59% over the same year.

Overview — AXA Investment Managers, Inc.

Over the last twelve months, global equity markets have risen double-digits but seen tremendous volatility in a context of macro-economic uncertainty. The U.S.-China conflict further escalated, which surprised most investors which had pinned their hopes on a partial resolution. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) backtracked by not only halting quantitative tightening but delivering three consecutive interest rates cuts. This led a number of other central banks to follow suit. Manufacturing weakness spread across regions from China to Germany and the United States. Conflicts and mass protests erupted, notably in Hong Kong, but also in the Middle East and in South America, with in some cases stark economic impact. The UK postponed several times its exit from the European Union, maintaining the uncertainty.

Global equity markets experienced a sharp sell-off at the end of 2018, which was immediately followed by an equally sharp rebound at the start of 2019. Market volatility continued but markets rose as deep pessimism left the floor to cautious optimism. September witnessed a market rotation into value names and away from momentum growth names. In addition, we have also seen a rebound lately in cyclical names. From a sector perspective, interest rate sensitive sectors such as real estate and utilities were clear winners. Information technology continued on its secular growth path. Cyclical sectors such as consumer discretionary (in a context of resilient consumer demand) and industrials (on the premise that manufacturing weakness may be bottoming out) did relatively well. The big laggard was energy, which was down over the period, pressured by both cyclical and structural factors.

Any resolution of the geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts and political uncertainty would be positive for equities markets. If the world continues on its path of modest economic growth, as is our base case scenario, rather than enter a deep recession, as many market participants fear, we would expect equities to continue to move higher.

Fund Highlights

Entrepreneurial and family owned businesses share some common attributes: their leaders have ‘skin in the game’, they remain in control of their destiny (not dependent on banks for example), they take a long-term perspective when managing their businesses, and they tend to focus on areas where they have developed an expertise. As a result, they tend to focus less on meeting short term targets and/or near-term market expectations (which means more volatile

 

59


1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND (Unaudited)

 

earnings versus companies which manage their earnings). They tend to see difficult times as transitory; as such, they continue to invest for the long term. This means that their performance can be more volatile than the rest of the market.

The Fund is undergoing a period of underperformance versus its benchmark which can be partly explained by the reasons mentioned above. We believe that we continue to retain in the Fund good quality companies, with solid management teams and leaders, exposed to the long-term structural trends that are reshaping the global economy. However, a number of these companies are being caught in the trade wars, current political uncertainty and general macro-economic slowdown. We have made some adjustments to the Fund over the last twelve months: exiting some underperforming names, reducing the exposure to the most volatile names, adding new more defensive family/entrepreneurial names to the Fund and increasing our cash levels.

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

Prologis, Inc., which was added during the period, was a stellar performer, with its growing exposure to e-commerce continuing to pay off.

 

 

In the health care space, long-held holdings Stryker Corp. and Roche Holding AG delivered, in the first case solid and accelerating growth trajectory, and in the second case reassuring and solid outlook (despite persistent biosimilar threat).

 

 

Ecolab, Inc. continued to deliver steady growth on the back of recurring revenue stream, consistent execution and a diversified portfolio.

 

 

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., which was added during the period, continued to benefit from solid U.S. government spending, solid execution and an effective hiring strategy.

 

 

Facebook, Inc.’s share price appreciated in view of its continued stronghold in global advertising and despite heavy ongoing regulatory scrutiny

 

 

In technology, Dassault Systemes SE and Proofpoint, Inc. delivered strong revenue growth while QUALCOMM, Inc. proved resilient by reaching resolution in a context of various disputes and appears well positioned for the 5G opportunity.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

We have seen weakness in our energy holdings, which are concentrated in the Permian basin: Concho Resources, Inc. and EOG Resources, Inc. The macro-economic slowdown has hurt oil prices, with the outlook further muddled by structure pressure (renewables, electric vehicles, etc.) and the issues have been compounded for these U.S. shale oil players by pipeline capacity constraints and drilling problems.

 

 

FedEx Corp. share price has fallen on the back of the macro-economic slow-down and the U.S.-China trade war; it has also decided to pull out from servicing Amazon, focusing instead on longer term contracts with other retail players, which will be a near-term headwind.

 

 

SoftBank Group Corp. share price was hurt by the declining value of its investments in the Vision Fund, primarily the fall in Uber Technologies shares and the aborted initial public offering (IPO) and ensuing lower valuation in WeWork.

 

 

The Charles Schwab Corp. share price fell as the tailwind of higher interest rates faded while price competition in the industry continued to intensify.

 

 

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc came under pressure as political rhetoric over U.S. health care reform and drug pricing continues unabated and it is facing increased competitive pressure.

 

 

In some cases, we decided to exit underperforming holdings: ZOZO, Inc. after launching a big innovation which failed and dented profitability considerably, a recently announced new innovation failed to convince us; Henkel decided to reinvest aggressively in its digital and marketing capabilities but we believe its larger and more digital-savvy competitors will stay ahead for a sustainable period; Fresenius SE & Co. lowered its outlook for the next couple of years as it faces sluggish growth in its domestic hospital division as well as rising labor and legal costs.

 

     
Sector Weightings
as of October 31, 2019
  Market Value     % of
Net Assets
 

Information Technology

    $6,116,454       22.3

Financials

    3,853,397       14.1  

Health Care

    3,615,682       13.2  

Communication Services

    3,414,893       12.5  

Consumer Staples

    2,751,092       10.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    2,100,760       7.7  

Industrials

    2,002,205       7.3  

Materials

    1,177,197       4.3  

Real Estate

    718,403       2.6  

Energy

    578,881       2.1  

Investment Company

    378,032       1.4  

Cash and Other

    662,497       2.4  
     

 

 

 
        100.0
     

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A and Class R shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

 

60


1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND (Unaudited)

 

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
    

Beginning

Account

Value
5/1/19

    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*
5/1/19 -

10/31/19

 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $970.80       $6.21  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.90       6.36  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       971.80       4.97  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.16       5.09  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       969.80       7.45  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,017.64       7.63  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I and R shares annualized expense ratios of 1.25%, 1.00% and 1.50%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

61


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMON STOCKS:

   

Belgium (3.1%)

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    10,626     $ 853,759  
   

 

 

 

China (4.9%)

   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (ADR)*

    3,990       704,913  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    15,700       642,751  
   

 

 

 
      1,347,664  
   

 

 

 

Finland (1.6%)

   

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    10,420       426,971  
   

 

 

 

France (4.8%)

   

Dassault Systemes SE

    5,742       871,271  

Financiere de L’Odet SA

    506       446,959  
   

 

 

 
      1,318,230  
   

 

 

 

Israel (2.4%)

   

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*

    5,878       660,746  
   

 

 

 

Japan (7.9%)

   

Kose Corp.

    3,800       679,137  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    19,200       744,958  

Unicharm Corp.

    22,000       751,532  
   

 

 

 
      2,175,627  
   

 

 

 

Mexico (1.7%)

   

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    52,500       466,664  
   

 

 

 

Peru (2.4%)

   

Credicorp Ltd.

    3,007       643,618  
   

 

 

 

Spain (1.7%)

   

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    14,742       459,547  
   

 

 

 

Sweden (2.3%)

   

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    26,870       637,264  
   

 

 

 

Switzerland (3.6%)

   

Roche Holding AG

    3,251       978,101  
   

 

 

 

United States (59.8%)

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

    858       1,080,050  

Amazon.com, Inc.*

    527       936,300  

Apple, Inc.

    5,145       1,279,870  

Bank OZK

    18,113       508,251  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

    5,566       1,183,220  

BlackRock, Inc.

    1,262       582,665  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    8,607       605,675  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    12,495       508,672  

Cognex Corp.

    7,880       405,741  

Concho Resources, Inc.

    3,638       245,638  

DexCom, Inc.*

    4,456       687,293  

Ecolab, Inc.

    6,129       1,177,197  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    4,808       333,243  

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

    4,942       947,134  

FedEx Corp.

    4,147       633,081  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    5,680       748,397  

Fortive Corp.

    4,129       284,901  

IPG Photonics Corp.*

    3,335       447,824  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc*

    4,198       527,395  

Prologis, Inc. (REIT)

    8,186     718,403  

Proofpoint, Inc.*

    5,229       603,270  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    6,137       493,660  

Stryker Corp.

    3,137       678,439  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    2,946       744,454  
   

 

 

 
      16,360,773  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (96.2%)
(Cost $21,738,495)

      26,328,964  
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

 

Investment Company (1.4%)

 

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    377,881       378,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (1.4%)
(Cost $378,010)

      378,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (97.6%)
(Cost $22,116,505)

      26,706,996  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (2.4%)

      662,497  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 27,369,493  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

Glossary:

  ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

  REIT

— Real Estate Investment Trust

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

62


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair

value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

       

Belgium

  $     $ 853,759     $     $ 853,759  

China

    704,913       642,751             1,347,664  

Finland

          426,971             426,971  

France

          1,318,230             1,318,230  

Israel

    660,746                   660,746  

Japan

          2,175,627             2,175,627  

Mexico

    466,664                   466,664  

Peru

    643,618                   643,618  

Spain

          459,547             459,547  

Sweden

          637,264             637,264  

Switzerland

          978,101             978,101  

United States

    16,360,773                   16,360,773  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    378,032                   378,032  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 19,214,746     $ 7,492,250     $     $ 26,706,996  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     19,214,746     $     7,492,250     $         —     $     26,706,996  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2019:

 

Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income  

Derivatives Contracts^

  Forward
Foreign
Currency
Contracts
    Total  

Foreign exchange contracts

  $ (332   $ (332
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     (332   $     (332
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

^ The Fund held forward foreign currency contracts for hedging.

The Fund held forward foreign currency contracts with an average settlement value of approximately $73,000 for three days during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 5,041,716  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     5,995,365  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

63


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 5,702,023  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (1,118,556
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 4,583,467  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     22,123,529  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

64


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $22,116,505)

  $ 26,706,996  

Cash

    666,000  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    51,196  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    11,440  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    80  

Other assets

    486  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    27,436,198  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Administrative fees payable

    3,438  

Transfer agent fees payable

    2,396  

Investment advisory fees payable

    1,541  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    310  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    55  

Accrued expenses

    58,965  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    66,705  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 27,369,493  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 22,621,553  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    4,747,940  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 27,369,493  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $1,448,039 / 117,537 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.32  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.72  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 13.04  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $25,798,915 / 2,080,040 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.40  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $122,539 / 10,035 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.21  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of $20,107 foreign withholding tax)

  $ 312,286  

Interest

    12,442  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    324,728  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    214,037  

Professional fees

    78,393  

Administrative fees

    40,132  

Registration and filing fees

    39,601  

Printing and mailing expenses

    30,833  

Transfer agent fees

    30,250  

Custodian fees

    19,325  

Distribution fees – Class A

    3,502  

Trustees’ fees

    2,412  

Distribution fees – Class R

    625  

Miscellaneous

    23,369  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    482,479  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (210,795
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    271,684  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    53,044  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities

    97,748  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    (332

Foreign currency transactions

    (229
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    97,187  
 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities

    1,534,381  

Foreign currency translations

    166  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,534,547  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    1,631,734  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,684,778  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

65


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 53,044     $ 32,506  

Net realized gain (loss)

    97,187       1,334,825  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,534,547       (2,041,685
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    1,684,778       (674,354
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (59,488      

Class I

    (1,215,312     (33,488

Class R

    (5,857      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1,280,657     (33,488
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 28,983 and 49,492 shares, respectively ]

    348,443       660,562  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 4,796 and 0 shares, respectively ]

    53,769        

Capital shares repurchased [ (20,615) and (9,676) shares, respectively ]

    (249,226     (130,124
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    152,986       530,438  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 20,818 and 86,207 shares, respectively ]

    242,976       1,178,073  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 5,591 and 33 shares, respectively ]

    62,951       422  

Capital shares repurchased [ (33,603) and (2,640) shares, respectively ]

    (394,874     (35,891
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    (88,947     1,142,604  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 628 and 120 shares, respectively ]

    7,467       1,599  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 12 and 0 shares, respectively ]

    137        

Capital shares repurchased [ (734) and 0# shares, respectively ]

    (8,933     (2
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    (1,329     1,597  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    62,710       1,674,639  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    466,831       966,797  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    26,902,662       25,935,865  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 27,369,493     $ 26,902,662  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

66


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      April 11, 2016* to
October 31,  2016
 
Class A    2019      2018      2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.16      $ 12.44      $ 10.33      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income (loss) (e)

          (0.02      (0.03      (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.73        (0.26      2.18        0.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.73        (0.28      2.15        0.33  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

           

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.57             (0.04       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 12.32      $ 12.16      $ 12.44      $ 10.33  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     6.49      (2.25 )%       20.89      3.30
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 1,448      $ 1,270      $ 803      $ 103  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.25      1.25      1.27      1.40

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.04      1.94      2.13      2.31

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

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.02 )%       (0.13 )%       (0.25 )%       (0.19 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.81 )%       (0.82 )%       (1.11 )%       (1.10 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     20      26      18      11
     Year Ended October 31,      April 11, 2016* to
October 31,  2016
 
Class I    2019      2018      2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.22      $ 12.48      $ 10.34      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.03        0.02        0.01       

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.73        (0.26      2.18        0.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.76        (0.24      2.19        0.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.01      (0.02      (0.01       

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.57             (0.04       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.58      (0.02      (0.05       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 12.40      $ 12.22      $ 12.48      $ 10.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     6.72      (1.95 )%       21.23      3.40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     25,799      $     25,511      $     25,009      $     20,479  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.00      1.00      1.05      1.15

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.79      1.69      1.92      2.06

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

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.21      0.13      0.09      0.06 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.57 )%       (0.56 )%       (0.79 )%       (0.85 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     20      26      18      11

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

67


1290 FUNDS

1290 GLOBAL TALENTS FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,      April 11, 2016* to
October 31,  2016
 
Class R    2019      2018      2017  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.09      $ 12.39      $ 10.31      $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     (0.03      (0.05      (0.05      (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.72        (0.25      2.17        0.34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.69        (0.30      2.12        0.31  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less distributions:

           

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.57             (0.04       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     12.21      $     12.09      $     12.39      $     10.31  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     6.18      (2.42 )%       20.64      3.10
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 123      $ 122      $ 124      $ 103  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.50      1.50      1.55      1.65

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.29      2.19      2.42      2.56

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

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.29 )%       (0.37 )%       (0.41 )%       (0.44 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (1.08 )%       (1.06 )%       (1.29 )%       (1.35 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     20      26      18      11
*

Commencement of Operations.

#

Per share amount is less than $0.005.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

68


1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

 

Ø  

AXA Investment Managers, Inc.

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       6.97     4.05
      with Sales Charge (a     2.16       3.09  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      7.12       4.30  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      6.59       3.78  

Fund – Class T Shares*†

    without Sales Charge       7.24       4.31  
      with Sales Charge (b     4.55       3.77  

ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index

      8.32       5.23  
 

*   Date of inception 11/12/14.

 

†   Class T Shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

(a)  A 4.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

(b)  A 2.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

    

   

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 High Yield Bond Fund and the ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index from 11/12/14 to 10/31/19. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 1.77%, 1.52%, 2.02% and 1.77%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 1.00%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 1.00%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 7.12% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index, returned 8.32% over the same year.

Overview — AXA Investment Managers, Inc.

The high yield market posted a positive return in the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2019. Returns in the period were driven by continued economic growth in the U.S., stable credit fundamentals and softer-than-usual new issue volume which supported secondary trading levels, partially offset by volatility in the stock market, ongoing global growth uncertainty and recessionary expectations. Flows in the high yield market were modestly positive for the period, with $5.7 billion of inflows. The high yield new issue market priced $236.2 billion of new issues during the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2019, which is modestly higher than the $228 billion priced during the prior twelve-month period. The period saw $30.7 billion of high yield default volume, modestly higher than the $26.2 billion of high yield default volume in the prior twelve-month period. The par weighted high yield default rate ended the period at 2.54%, up from 2.04% in October 2018.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

Positive security selection benefited the Fund, particularly within the higher yielding segment of the market.

 

 

The top contributors to return during the period were debt positions in Staples, Inc., JBS USA Lux SA and Charter Communications Operating LLC. Staples (Arch Merger) is a business-to-business distributor serving mainly the United States and Canada. The Staples 8.5% due 2025 bond was a top contributor due to this bond being called at the make whole premium price as part of a larger refinancing transaction. JBS USA is a processor of proteins. The JBS USA 6.75% due 2028 bond was a top performer as the company benefited from rising meat prices due to African Swine Flu in addition to a credit rating upgrade by S&P. Charter Communications (CCO Holdings) is the second largest cable television and internet provider in the U.S. The Charter Communications 5.875% due 2027 bond was a top contributor due to the company’s positive operating performance and resilient cash flow dynamics.

 

69


1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

From a sector perspective, the Fund benefited from significantly from positive security selection within the energy sector.

 

 

Fund performance benefited from participation in multiple new issues during the period which performed well post pricing.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

The Fund experienced negative security selection within the telecommunications and retail sectors. The Fund’s underweight within the banking sector had a negative impact on relative performance during the period.

 

 

The bottom contributors to return during the period were debt positions in Exela Technologies, GTT Communications, Inc. and Envision Healthcare Corp. Exela Technologies is a provider of business process outsourcing and automation. The Exela Technologies bonds performed poorly during the period due to the company reporting weaker than expected earnings and reducing guidance for fiscal year 2019. The Exela bond was also downgraded by both Moody’s and S&P. GTT Communications is a global alternative fiber operator, with most of its operations in North America and Europe. The GTT Communications bond was a bottom contributor during the period as the company experienced significant headwinds integrating a large acquisition, resulting in deteriorating top-line performance and increasing leverage metrics. Envision Healthcare (Enterprise Merger Sub) provides outsourced physician staffing and operates ambulatory surgery centers. The bond was a bottom performer due to legislation moving through Congress that could potentially reduce Envision’s reimbursement for emergency room physician services.

 

 

The Fund’s macro risk positioning had a negative impact on relative performance driven by the Fund’s underweight within the higher quality, longer duration portion of the market.

 

   

Fund Characteristics

As of October 31, 2019

      

Weighted Average Life (Years)

    4.98  

Weighted Average Coupon (%)

    6.81  

Weighted Average Effective Duration (Years)*

    2.38  

Weighted Average Rating**

    B2  
 

*  Effective duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of the Fund to interest rate movements, taking into account specific features of the securities in which it invests.

 

** Weighted Average Rating has been provided by the Investment Sub-Adviser. A credit rating is an assessment provided by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) of the creditworthiness of an issuer with respect to debt obligations, including specific securities, money market instruments or other debts. Ratings are measured on a scale that generally ranges from AAA (highest) to D (lowest); ratings are subject to change without notice.

   

  

 

   

Sector Weightings

as of October 31, 2019

 

% of

Net Assets

 

Communication Services

    14.8

Industrials

    13.0  

Energy

    11.9  

Information Technology

    11.7  

Materials

    11.5  

Health Care

    9.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.6  

Consumer Staples

    5.4  

Financials

    5.0  

Real Estate

    2.5  

Investment Company

    2.5  

Utilities

    0.2  

Cash and Other

    3.1  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A, Class R and Class T shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

 

70


1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND (Unaudited)

 

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,018.50       $5.09  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.16       5.09  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,018.70       3.82  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,021.42       3.82  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,016.10       6.35  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.90       6.36  

Class T**

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,018.70       3.82  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,021.42       3.82  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I, R and T shares annualized expense ratios of 1.00%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 0.75%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

** Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

   

  

 

71


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

LONG-TERM DEBT SECURITIES:

 

Corporate Bonds (94.4%)

   

Communication Services (14.8%)

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (5.1%)

 

CCO Holdings LLC

   

5.250%, 9/30/22

  $ 245,000     $ 247,144  

5.125%, 5/1/23§

    136,000       139,060  

5.750%, 1/15/24

    29,000       29,716  

5.750%, 2/15/26§

    132,000       139,227  

5.875%, 5/1/27§

    140,000       148,575  

4.750%, 3/1/30§

    110,000       112,167  

CenturyLink, Inc.

   

Series G

   

6.875%, 1/15/28

    128,000       134,720  

Series W

   

6.750%, 12/1/23

    150,000       166,687  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.

   

7.000%, 7/15/24§

    249,000       225,684  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.

   

5.375%, 8/15/22

    237,000       237,593  

Level 3 Parent LLC

   

5.750%, 12/1/22

    68,000       68,085  

Sprint Capital Corp.

   

8.750%, 3/15/32

    204,000       248,625  
   

 

 

 
      1,897,283  
   

 

 

 

Entertainment (1.1%)

   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.

   

4.875%, 11/1/24§

    306,000       316,710  

Netflix, Inc.

   

4.875%, 6/15/30§

    83,000       83,913  
   

 

 

 
      400,623  
   

 

 

 

Interactive Media & Services (1.0%)

 

Match Group, Inc.

   

6.375%, 6/1/24

    149,000       156,822  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc.

   

8.625%, 11/15/24§

    231,000       210,210  
   

 

 

 
      367,032  
   

 

 

 

Media (6.1%)

   

Diamond Sports Group LLC

   

5.375%, 8/15/26§

    198,000       206,415  

6.625%, 8/15/27§

    198,000       203,445  

DISH DBS Corp.

   

5.875%, 7/15/22

    112,000       116,711  

Getty Images, Inc.

   

9.750%, 3/1/27§

    96,000       96,840  

Lamar Media Corp.

   

5.375%, 1/15/24

    74,000       75,743  

McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings LLC

 

7.875%, 5/15/24§

    184,000       154,100  

Meredith Corp.

   

6.875%, 2/1/26

    180,000       186,196  

National CineMedia LLC

   

6.000%, 4/15/22

    260,000       262,600  

5.875%, 4/15/28§

    61,000       64,117  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

   

5.625%, 8/1/24§

    46,000       47,840  

Quebecor Media, Inc.

   

5.750%, 1/15/23

    59,000       63,850  

Sinclair Television Group, Inc.

   

6.125%, 10/1/22

    70,000       70,875  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.

   

4.625%, 7/15/24§

  130,000     135,889  

5.500%, 7/1/29§

    52,000       56,144  

TEGNA, Inc.

   

5.500%, 9/15/24§

    150,000       154,687  

Univision Communications, Inc.

 

6.750%, 9/15/22§

    186,000       188,558  

Ziggo BV

   

5.500%, 1/15/27§

    200,000       210,250  
   

 

 

 
      2,294,260  
   

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (1.5%)

 

Sprint Communications, Inc.

   

7.000%, 8/15/20

    50,000       51,508  

Sprint Corp.

   

7.875%, 9/15/23

    140,000       154,252  

7.125%, 6/15/24

    66,000       71,445  

7.625%, 3/1/26

    114,000       126,113  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.

   

6.000%, 3/1/23

    101,000       102,894  

6.000%, 4/15/24

    64,000       66,240  
   

 

 

 
      572,452  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      5,531,650  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (8.6%)

 

Auto Components (0.4%)

   

Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP

   

8.500%, 5/15/27§

    134,000       134,670  
   

 

 

 

Distributors (0.9%)

   

Performance Food Group, Inc.

   

5.500%, 10/15/27§

    50,000       53,000  

Univar USA, Inc.

   

6.750%, 7/15/23§

    265,000       268,313  
   

 

 

 
      321,313  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services (0.7%)

 

GEMS MENASA Cayman Ltd.

   

7.125%, 7/31/26§

    200,000       207,875  

Service Corp. International

   

5.375%, 5/15/24

    36,000       37,102  
   

 

 

 
      244,977  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (4.8%)

 

1011778 BC ULC

   

4.250%, 5/15/24§

    36,000       36,945  

5.000%, 10/15/25§

    174,000       179,220  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

   

5.500%, 4/1/27§

    170,000       179,988  

Eldorado Resorts, Inc.

   

7.000%, 8/1/23

    200,000       208,750  

6.000%, 9/15/26

    100,000       109,625  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.

   

7.625%, 4/15/26§

    138,000       144,900  

LTF Merger Sub, Inc.

   

8.500%, 6/15/23§

    212,000       217,300  

MGM Resorts International

   

6.625%, 12/15/21

    25,000       27,031  

Scientific Games International, Inc.

   

10.000%, 12/1/22

    239,000       245,871  

Silversea Cruise Finance Ltd.

   

7.250%, 2/1/25§

    247,000       261,820  

Stars Group Holdings BV

   

7.000%, 7/15/26§

    102,000       109,553  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

72


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Yum! Brands, Inc.

   

4.750%, 1/15/30§

  $ 74,000     $ 77,608  
   

 

 

 
      1,798,611  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.4%)

 

Photo Holdings Merger Sub, Inc.

   

8.500%, 10/1/26§

    192,000       168,985  
   

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.1%)

   

Cumberland Farms, Inc.

   

6.750%, 5/1/25§

    53,000       56,837  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (1.3%)

   

eG Global Finance plc

   

8.500%, 10/30/25§

    200,000       209,500  

KGA Escrow LLC

   

7.500%, 8/15/23§

    144,000       153,000  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

   

5.750%, 10/1/22

    78,000       78,877  

Staples, Inc.

   

10.750%, 4/15/27§

    60,000       62,250  
   

 

 

 
      503,627  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      3,229,020  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (5.4%)

   

Food Products (3.1%)

   

B&G Foods, Inc.

   

5.250%, 4/1/25

    101,000       103,146  

5.250%, 9/15/27

    74,000       73,815  

Clearwater Seafoods, Inc.

   

6.875%, 5/1/25§

    83,000       85,490  

JBS USA Lux SA

   

6.750%, 2/15/28§

    200,000       220,625  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

   

4.625%, 11/1/24§

    22,000       23,127  

4.875%, 11/1/26§

    137,000       144,193  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

   

5.875%, 9/30/27§

    136,000       145,452  

Post Holdings, Inc.

   

5.750%, 3/1/27§

    156,000       165,498  

Sigma Holdco BV

   

7.875%, 5/15/26§

    200,000       193,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,154,346  
   

 

 

 

Household Products (1.3%)

   

Central Garden & Pet Co.

   

6.125%, 11/15/23

    121,000       125,083  

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

   

5.500%, 6/15/25§

    36,000       37,260  

7.750%, 1/15/27§

    99,000       109,395  

Kronos Acquisition Holdings, Inc.

   

9.000%, 8/15/23§

    189,000       164,194  

Spectrum Brands, Inc.

   

6.625%, 11/15/22

    68,000       68,751  
   

 

 

 
      504,683  
   

 

 

 

Personal Products (1.0%)

   

Prestige Brands, Inc.

   

5.375%, 12/15/21§

    138,000       138,276  

6.375%, 3/1/24§

    221,000       230,669  
   

 

 

 
      368,945  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      2,027,974  
   

 

 

 

Energy (11.9%)

   

Energy Equipment & Services (0.5%)

 

Precision Drilling Corp.

   

7.750%, 12/15/23

  106,000     99,110  

7.125%, 1/15/26§

    105,000       90,825  
   

 

 

 
      189,935  
   

 

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (11.4%)

 

American Midstream Partners LP

   

9.500%, 12/15/21 (e)§

    270,000       251,944  

Antero Resources Corp.

   

5.375%, 11/1/21

    68,000       60,690  

5.625%, 6/1/23

    117,000       82,046  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC

   

10.000%, 4/1/22§

    142,000       134,020  

7.000%, 11/1/26§

    144,000       110,160  

Berry Petroleum Co. LLC

   

7.000%, 2/15/26§

    75,000       70,120  

Blue Racer Midstream LLC

   

6.125%, 11/15/22§

    246,000       242,437  

6.625%, 7/15/26§

    150,000       140,737  

Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP

 

11.000%, 4/15/25§

    122,000       122,915  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

   

7.000%, 10/1/24

    114,000       77,520  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP

 

6.250%, 4/1/23 (e)

    164,000       166,616  

CrownRock LP

   

5.625%, 10/15/25§

    228,000       222,590  

Delek Logistics Partners LP

   

6.750%, 5/15/25

    195,000       195,975  

Genesis Energy LP

   

5.625%, 6/15/24

    186,000       175,305  

6.500%, 10/1/25

    124,000       117,800  

Gulfport Energy Corp.

   

6.375%, 1/15/26

    146,000       87,600  

Hilcorp Energy I LP

   

6.250%, 11/1/28§

    178,000       157,975  

Holly Energy Partners LP

   

6.000%, 8/1/24§

    74,000       77,145  

Indigo Natural Resources LLC

   

6.875%, 2/15/26§

    58,000       53,070  

Parsley Energy LLC

   

6.250%, 6/1/24§

    196,000       203,595  

PBF Holding Co. LLC

   

7.000%, 11/15/23

    94,000       97,407  

PBF Logistics LP

   

6.875%, 5/15/23

    220,000       225,771  

SemGroup Corp.

   

5.625%, 7/15/22

    154,000       155,578  

5.625%, 11/15/23

    100,000       101,875  

SM Energy Co.

   

6.750%, 9/15/26

    98,000       84,035  

Southern Star Central Corp.

   

5.125%, 7/15/22§

    330,000       332,775  

Southwestern Energy Co.

   

7.750%, 10/1/27

    97,000       83,420  

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC

   

5.500%, 8/15/22

    202,000       180,790  

Targa Resources Partners LP

   

6.750%, 3/15/24

    207,000       214,425  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

73


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

   

6.625%, 1/15/26

  $ 64,000     $ 39,680  
   

 

 

 
      4,266,016  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      4,455,951  
   

 

 

 

Financials (5.0%)

   

Capital Markets (0.7%)

   

MSCI, Inc.

   

5.250%, 11/15/24§

    258,000       265,095  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.1%)

   

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd.

   

5.250%, 5/15/24§

    67,000       73,486  

Curo Group Holdings Corp.

   

8.250%, 9/1/25§

    144,000       126,886  

Enova International, Inc.

   

8.500%, 9/1/24§

    154,000       145,530  

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd.

   

5.500%, 2/15/24§

    62,000       68,363  
   

 

 

 
      414,265  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (1.5%)

 

Allied Universal Holdco LLC

   

9.750%, 7/15/27§

    74,000       77,687  

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.

   

6.250%, 5/15/26§

    238,000       258,527  

8.250%, 11/15/26§

    74,000       82,880  

Verscend Escrow Corp.

   

9.750%, 8/15/26§

    120,000       127,500  
   

 

 

 
      546,594  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (1.0%)

   

Acrisure LLC

   

8.125%, 2/15/24§

    350,000       371,333  
   

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.7%)

   

Freedom Mortgage Corp.

   

8.250%, 4/15/25§

    276,000       259,440  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      1,856,727  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (9.8%)

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.5%)

 

Sotera Health Holdings LLC

   

6.500%, 5/15/23§

    194,000       196,425  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (6.9%)

 

Centene Corp.

   

6.125%, 2/15/24

    258,000       267,755  

Eagle Holding Co. II LLC

   

7.625%, 5/15/22 PIK§

    164,000       166,050  

7.750%, 5/15/22 PIK§

    210,000       213,150  

Envision Healthcare Corp.

   

8.750%, 10/15/26§

    142,000       81,650  

Hadrian Merger Sub, Inc.

   

8.500%, 5/1/26§

    67,000       65,827  

HCA, Inc.

   

7.500%, 2/15/22

    247,000       274,046  

7.690%, 6/15/25

    91,000       109,655  

NVA Holdings, Inc.

   

6.875%, 4/1/26§

    258,000       275,738  

Polaris Intermediate Corp.

   

8.500%, 12/1/22 PIK§

    234,000       195,975  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.

   

6.750%, 7/1/25§

  147,000     135,975  

10.000%, 4/15/27§

    177,000       178,770  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

   

5.125%, 5/1/25

    97,000       99,061  

4.875%, 1/1/26§

    260,000       268,775  

Vizient, Inc.

   

6.250%, 5/15/27§

    33,000       35,516  

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

   

5.375%, 8/15/26§

    118,000       125,670  

West Street Merger Sub, Inc.

   

6.375%, 9/1/25§

    98,000       92,855  
   

 

 

 
      2,586,468  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.2%)

 

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

 

5.500%, 4/1/26§

    76,000       81,320  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (2.2%)

   

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.

   

9.250%, 4/1/26§

    172,000       194,441  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.

   

7.000%, 3/15/24§

    340,000       355,274  

5.500%, 11/1/25§

    126,000       131,160  

5.750%, 8/15/27§

    54,000       58,573  

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.

   

4.875%, 1/15/26§

    39,000       40,268  

5.000%, 7/15/27§

    47,000       49,056  
   

 

 

 
      828,772  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      3,692,985  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (13.0%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (1.1%)

 

Bombardier, Inc.

   

8.750%, 12/1/21§

    185,000       195,637  

7.875%, 4/15/27§

    180,000       169,650  

Triumph Group, Inc.

   

6.250%, 9/15/24§

    41,000       43,050  
   

 

 

 
      408,337  
   

 

 

 

Building Products (1.8%)

   

Standard Industries, Inc.

   

5.500%, 2/15/23§

    236,000       241,239  

6.000%, 10/15/25§

    132,000       138,497  

Summit Materials LLC

   

6.125%, 7/15/23

    272,000       277,440  
   

 

 

 
      657,176  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (3.7%)

 

ACCO Brands Corp.

   

5.250%, 12/15/24§

    138,000       142,830  

ADT Security Corp. (The)

   

4.125%, 6/15/23

    74,000       75,202  

Aramark Services, Inc.

   

5.000%, 4/1/25§

    88,000       91,410  

GFL Environmental, Inc.

   

7.000%, 6/1/26§

    114,000       121,410  

GW B-CR Security Corp.

   

9.500%, 11/1/27§

    52,000       53,430  

Matthews International Corp.

   

5.250%, 12/1/25§

    85,000       79,687  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

74


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg Sarl (The)

 

5.500%, 10/1/21§

  $ 58,000     $ 58,000  

Nielsen Finance LLC

   

5.000%, 4/15/22§

    170,000       170,641  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC

 

9.250%, 5/15/23§

    253,000       265,524  

Sotera Health Topco, Inc.

   

8.125%, 11/1/21 PIK§

    327,000       324,548  
   

 

 

 
      1,382,682  
   

 

 

 

Construction & Engineering (0.7%)

 

AECOM Global II LLC

   

5.000%, 4/1/22 (e)

    95,000       97,375  

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.

 

6.250%, 3/15/26§

    173,000       180,353  
   

 

 

 
      277,728  
   

 

 

 

Machinery (0.9%)

   

Mueller Water Products, Inc.

   

5.500%, 6/15/26§

    52,000       54,600  

Welbilt, Inc.

   

9.500%, 2/15/24

    272,000       290,496  
   

 

 

 
      345,096  
   

 

 

 

Professional Services (1.9%)

   

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)

   

6.875%, 8/15/26§

    116,000       126,475  

10.250%, 2/15/27§

    168,000       183,963  

IHS Markit Ltd.

   

5.000%, 11/1/22§

    41,000       43,743  

Jaguar Holding Co. II

   

6.375%, 8/1/23§

    356,000       368,460  
   

 

 

 
      722,641  
   

 

 

 

Road & Rail (2.9%)

   

Capitol Investment Merger Sub 2 LLC

 

10.000%, 8/1/24§

    101,000       104,030  

DAE Funding LLC

   

5.250%, 11/15/21§

    100,000       104,167  

5.000%, 8/1/24§

    102,000       106,620  

Kenan Advantage Group, Inc. (The)

   

7.875%, 7/31/23§

    395,000       358,956  

Watco Cos. LLC

   

6.375%, 4/1/23§

    406,000       413,105  
   

 

 

 
      1,086,878  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      4,880,538  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (11.7%)

   

Communications Equipment (1.2%)

   

CommScope, Inc.

   

5.000%, 6/15/21§

    13,000       13,000  

5.500%, 3/1/24§

    128,000       129,568  

6.000%, 3/1/26§

    214,000       219,421  

8.250%, 3/1/27§

    74,000       70,095  
   

 

 

 
      432,084  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.2%)

 

Itron, Inc.

   

5.000%, 1/15/26§

    88,000       91,080  
   

 

 

 

IT Services (2.2%)

   

Exela Intermediate LLC

   

10.000%, 7/15/23§

  283,000     134,956  

Gartner, Inc.

   

5.125%, 4/1/25§

    152,000       159,022  

GTT Communications, Inc.

   

7.875%, 12/31/24§

    176,000       102,960  

Unisys Corp.

   

10.750%, 4/15/22§

    83,000       89,640  

Zayo Group LLC

   

6.000%, 4/1/23

    145,000       149,134  

5.750%, 1/15/27§

    184,000       186,668  
   

 

 

 
      822,380  
   

 

 

 

Software (6.4%)

   

ACI Worldwide, Inc.

   

5.750%, 8/15/26§

    135,000       143,100  

Ascend Learning LLC

   

6.875%, 8/1/25§

    170,000       177,650  

6.875%, 8/1/25§

    114,000       118,987  

Camelot Finance SA

   

4.500%, 11/1/26§

    216,000       218,246  

CDK Global, Inc.

   

5.875%, 6/15/26

    66,000       70,455  

Change Healthcare Holdings LLC

   

5.750%, 3/1/25§

    324,000       331,517  

Granite Merger Sub 2, Inc.

   

11.000%, 7/15/27§

    149,000       146,765  

HNA Ecotech Panorama Cayman Co. Ltd.

 

8.000%, 4/15/21§

    120,000       107,023  

Informatica LLC

   

7.125%, 7/15/23§

    116,000       118,030  

Solera LLC

   

10.500%, 3/1/24§

    400,000       416,940  

Sophia LP

   

9.000%, 9/30/23§

    373,000       383,258  

SS&C Technologies, Inc.

   

5.500%, 9/30/27§

    169,000       179,934  
   

 

 

 
      2,411,905  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.7%)

 

Dell International LLC

   

5.875%, 6/15/21§

    211,000       214,429  

7.125%, 6/15/24§

    171,000       180,832  

Everi Payments, Inc.

   

7.500%, 12/15/25§

    120,000       126,114  

NCR Corp.

   

5.875%, 12/15/21

    107,000       107,401  
   

 

 

 
      628,776  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      4,386,225  
   

 

 

 

Materials (11.5%)

   

Chemicals (4.6%)

   

Axalta Coating Systems LLC

   

4.875%, 8/15/24§

    150,000       155,250  

Blue Cube Spinco LLC

   

10.000%, 10/15/25

    226,000       252,837  

INEOS Group Holdings SA

   

5.625%, 8/1/24§

    200,000       204,750  

Koppers, Inc.

   

6.000%, 2/15/25§

    78,000       77,763  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

75


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Principal
Amount
    Value
(Note 1)
 

NOVA Chemicals Corp.

   

4.875%, 6/1/24§

  $ 104,000     $ 105,820  

Nufarm Australia Ltd.

   

5.750%, 4/30/26§

    159,000       160,292  

PQ Corp.

   

6.750%, 11/15/22§

    191,000       196,969  

5.750%, 12/15/25§

    136,000       140,080  

Rayonier AM Products, Inc.

   

5.500%, 6/1/24§

    214,000       148,195  

Starfruit Finco BV

   

8.000%, 10/1/26§

    150,000       150,000  

WR Grace & Co.-Conn

   

5.125%, 10/1/21§

    110,000       113,740  
   

 

 

 
      1,705,696  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (6.8%)

   

Berry Global, Inc.

   

5.500%, 5/15/22

    136,000       137,870  

5.125%, 7/15/23

    174,000       178,350  

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc.

   

7.875%, 7/15/26§

    197,000       185,919  

LABL Escrow Issuer LLC

   

6.750%, 7/15/26§

    225,000       234,562  

10.500%, 7/15/27§

    126,000       127,260  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.

 

5.500%, 4/15/24§

    186,000       191,115  

7.250%, 4/15/25§

    362,000       345,710  

OI European Group BV

   

4.000%, 3/15/23§

    150,000       149,062  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.

 

5.000%, 1/15/22§

    110,000       113,597  

5.875%, 8/15/23§

    100,000       105,375  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.

   

5.750%, 10/15/20

    147,305       147,261  

(ICE LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.50%), 5.501%, 7/15/21 (k)§

    326,000       326,815  

Sealed Air Corp.

   

4.875%, 12/1/22§

    102,000       107,483  

Trivium Packaging Finance BV

   

5.500%, 8/15/26 (e)§

    200,000       209,500  
   

 

 

 
      2,559,879  
   

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

   

Novelis Corp.

   

6.250%, 8/15/24§

    29,000       30,341  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      4,295,916  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (2.5%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (1.1%)

 

Equinix, Inc. (REIT)

   

5.375%, 4/1/23

    82,000       83,419  

5.875%, 1/15/26

    90,000       95,512  

Iron Mountain, Inc. (REIT)

   

6.000%, 8/15/23

    106,000       108,385  

SBA Communications Corp. (REIT)

 

4.875%, 9/1/24

    120,000       124,650  
   

 

 

 
      411,966  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (1.4%)

 

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC

 

5.750%, 12/1/25§

    223,000       231,920  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The)

   

5.375%, 3/15/25§

  166,000     171,395  

Realogy Group LLC

   

9.375%, 4/1/27§

    140,000       137,550  
   

 

 

 
      540,865  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      952,831  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (0.2%)

   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.2%)

 

AES Corp.

   

4.875%, 5/15/23

    86,000       87,398  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      87,398  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds

      35,397,215  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt Securities (94.4%)
(Cost $35,632,973)

      35,397,215  
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Rights
    Value
(Note 1)
 

RIGHTS:

   

Communication Services (0.0%)

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.0%)

 

 

T-Mobile USA, Inc., CVR (r)*
(Cost $—)

    329,000        
   

 

 

 
     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

   

Investment Company (2.5%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    933,320       933,693  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (2.5%)
(Cost $933,652)

      933,693  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (96.9%)
(Cost $36,566,625)

      36,330,908  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (3.1%)

      1,180,646  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 37,511,554  
   

 

 

 
*

Non-income producing.

§

Securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $26,402,000 or 70.4% of net assets. Securities denoted with “§” but without “b” have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. To the extent any securities might provide a right to demand registration, such rights have not been relied upon when determining liquidity.

(e)

Step Bond – Coupon rate increases or decreases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of October 31, 2019. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

(k)

Variable or floating rate security, linked to the referenced benchmark. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of October 31, 2019.

(r)

Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

76


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Glossary:

  CVR

— Contingent Value Rights

  ICE

— Intercontinental Exchange

  LIBOR

— London Interbank Offered Rate

  PIK

— Payment-in Kind Security

  USD

— United States Dollar

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets  for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted  prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s  own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Corporate Bonds

       

Communication Services

  $     $ 5,531,650     $     $ 5,531,650  

Consumer Discretionary

          3,229,020             3,229,020  

Consumer Staples

          2,027,974             2,027,974  

Energy

          4,455,951             4,455,951  

Financials

          1,856,727             1,856,727  

Health Care

          3,692,985             3,692,985  

Industrials

          4,880,538             4,880,538  

Information Technology

          4,386,225             4,386,225  

Materials

          4,295,916             4,295,916  

Real Estate

          952,831             952,831  

Utilities

          87,398             87,398  

Rights

       

Communication Services

                (a)      (a) 

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    933,693                   933,693  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 933,693     $ 35,397,215     $     $ 36,330,908  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     933,693     $     35,397,215     $         —     $     36,330,908  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Value is zero.

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     20,755,479  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 17,737,199  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 753,016  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (990,065
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (237,049
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     36,567,957  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

77


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $36,566,625)

  $ 36,330,908  

Cash

    895,000  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    599,570  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    123,482  

Receivable for securities sold

    45,870  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    23,258  

Other assets

    378  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    38,018,466  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for securities purchased

    282,105  

Dividends and distributions payable

    128,786  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    18,238  

Transfer agent fees payable

    4,110  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    345  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    134  

Administrative fees payable

    82  

Accrued expenses

    73,112  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    506,912  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 37,511,554  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 40,307,640  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (2,796,086
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 37,511,554  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $1,622,501 / 179,170 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 9.06  

Maximum sales charge (4.50% of offering price)

    0.43  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 9.49  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $35,453,390 / 3,912,978 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 9.06  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $307,102 / 33,928 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 9.05  
 

 

 

 

Class T**

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $128,561 / 14,192 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 9.06  

Maximum sales charge (2.50% of offering price)

    0.23  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 9.29  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Interest

  $ 2,156,666  

Dividends

    15,570  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    2,172,236  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    208,582  

Professional fees

    101,443  

Administrative fees

    52,145  

Registration and filing fees

    46,453  

Transfer agent fees

    44,300  

Printing and mailing expenses

    36,622  

Custodian fees

    16,775  

Distribution fees – Class A

    5,287  

Trustees’ fees

    3,088  

Distribution fees – Class R

    1,515  

Distribution fees – Class T**

    320  

Miscellaneous

    23,915  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    540,445  

Less:  Voluntary waiver from investment adviser

    (44,745

         Waiver from investment adviser

    (215,982

         Waiver from distributor

    (320

         Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (11,855
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    267,543  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    1,904,693  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    (25,701

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    503,655  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    477,954  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,382,647  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

78


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 1,904,693     $ 1,812,872  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (25,701     (192,330

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    503,655       (1,266,344
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    2,382,647       354,198  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (108,202     (112,357

Class I

    (1,764,776     (1,686,328

Class R

    (15,017     (12,914

Class T**

    (6,981     (7,105
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1,894,976     (1,818,704
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return of capital:

   

Class A

    (2,254      

Class I

    (34,332      

Class R

    (323      

Class T**

    (136      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total tax return of capital

    (37,045      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 31,260 and 211,921 shares, respectively ]

    285,024       1,960,500  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 11,087 and 11,169 shares, respectively ]

    99,880       101,781  

Capital shares repurchased [ (143,061) and (19,204) shares, respectively ]

    (1,297,523     (176,438
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    (912,619     1,885,843  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 569,065 and 230,876 shares, respectively ]

    5,164,420       2,137,440  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 33,563 and 21,171 shares, respectively ]

    303,346       193,221  

Capital shares repurchased [ (90,055) and (84,844) shares, respectively ]

    (809,784     (777,869
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    4,657,982       1,552,792  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 2,702 and 9,078 shares, respectively ]

    24,313       82,888  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 609 and 333 shares, respectively ]

    5,496       3,029  

Capital shares repurchased [ (1,517) and (641) shares, respectively ]

    (13,763     (5,830
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    16,046       80,087  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    3,761,409       3,518,722  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    4,212,035       2,054,216  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    33,299,519       31,245,303  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 37,511,554     $ 33,299,519  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

**  Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

79


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class A   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.47       0.48       0.49       0.61       0.59  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.14       (0.40     0.32       (0.09     (0.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.61       0.08       0.81       0.52       (0.25
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.47     (0.48     (0.48     (0.65     (0.60

Return of capital

    (0.01           (0.01     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.48     (0.48     (0.49     (0.66     (0.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.06     $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    6.97     0.86     9.20     6.17     (2.62 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 1,623     $ 2,500     $ 709     $ 355     $ 8,372  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.00     1.04     1.06     1.06     1.05

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.79     1.77     1.84     1.81     2.45

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    5.27     5.20     5.26     7.06     6.39 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.48     4.47     4.48     6.31     4.99 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    54     45     54     79     57
    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.94     $ 9.34     $ 9.01     $ 9.15     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.50       0.50       0.52       0.58       0.62  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.12       (0.40     0.33       (0.04     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.62       0.10       0.85       0.54       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.49     (0.50     (0.51     (0.67     (0.62

Return of capital

    (0.01           (0.01     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.50     (0.50     (0.52     (0.68     (0.62
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.06     $ 8.94     $ 9.34     $ 9.01     $ 9.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    7.12     1.09     9.58     6.44     (2.39 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     35,453     $     30,386     $     30,185     $     27,710     $     8,395  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.75     0.80     0.82     0.84     0.80

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.53     1.52     1.58     1.53     2.20

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    5.50     5.47     5.55     6.62     6.64 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.71     4.74     4.79     5.94     5.24 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    54     45     54     79     57

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

80


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class R   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.45       0.45       0.47       0.59       0.57  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.13       (0.39     0.32       (0.10     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.58       0.06       0.79       0.49       (0.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.45     (0.46     (0.46     (0.62     (0.57

Return of capital

    (0.01           (0.01     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.46     (0.46     (0.47     (0.63     (0.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.05     $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    6.59     0.63     8.95     5.91     (2.86 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 307     $ 287     $ 218     $ 195     $     8,339  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

        1.25         1.30         1.32         1.31     1.30

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    2.03     2.02     2.08     2.06     2.70

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    5.00     4.96     5.05     6.83     6.14 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.22     4.23     4.28     6.08     4.74 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    54     45     54     79     57
    Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class T**   2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

         

Net investment income (loss) (e)

    0.50       0.50       0.52       0.63       0.62  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.13       (0.40     0.32       (0.09     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.63       0.10       0.84       0.54       (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.49     (0.50     (0.51     (0.67     (0.62

Return of capital

    (0.01           (0.01     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.50     (0.50     (0.52     (0.68     (0.62
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.06     $ 8.93     $ 9.33     $ 9.01     $ 9.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    7.24     1.09     9.46     6.44     (2.39 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

         

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 129     $ 127     $ 132     $ 128     $ 2,783  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.75     0.80     0.82     0.81     0.80

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.78     1.77     2.08     2.56     3.20

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

         

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    5.50     5.46     5.56     7.30     6.64 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.47     4.49     4.30     5.55     4.24 %(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    54     45     54     79     57

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

81


1290 FUNDS

1290 HIGH YIELD BOND FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

82


1290 LOW VOLATILITY GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    14.74     9.23

MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index

    16.39       10.67  

MSCI ACWI (Net) Index

    12.59       9.25  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

                 

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund and the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index and MSCI ACWI (Net) Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of each of the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index and MSCI ACWI (Net) Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index and MSCI ACWI (Net) Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 5.28%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 14.74% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmarks, the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index and the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index, returned 16.39% and 12.59%, respectively over the same year.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

Low volatility outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark for both U.S. and developed equities for the period.

 

 

Relative to the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index, stock selection within domestic and developed equities contributed to positive performance. On a sector basis, an overweight to the real estate and utilities sectors and an underweight to the energy sector benefited relative performance. Stock selection within materials also added to relative performance.

 

 

On a sector basis relative to the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index, both an underweight position and stock selection within health care contributed to performance. An overweight to real estate also added to relative to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

Stock selection within emerging markets was the largest detractor to performance relative to both the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) and MSCI ACWI (Net) Indices.

 

 

Relative to the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index, stock selection in materials, consumer staples and real estate were the top detractors from performance.

 

 

Relative to the MSCI ACWI (Net) Index, an underweight position and stock selection within information technology hurt performance.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

Equity

     100.0

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
 
As of October 31, 2019  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Global ETF

     27.5

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     13.2  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     12.8  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     6.7  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

     6.0  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

     6.0  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     5.7  

Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF

     5.7  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     5.7  

SPDR SSGA US Large Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

     4.0  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

 

83


1290 LOW VOLATILITY GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (Unaudited)

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
      Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19

 

Class I

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,052.50     $ 2.23  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00       1,023.04       2.19  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.43%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

84


1290 FUNDS

1290 LOW VOLATILITY GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Equity (100.2%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF

    4,830     $ 204,695  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    3,560       204,949  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    9,360       216,497  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    13,370       462,201  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    4,500       240,075  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    2,420       121,484  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    6,310       473,566  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    3,690       215,348  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Global ETF

    10,330     988,168  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    3,190       204,001  

SPDR SSGA US Large Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,300       144,651  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,210       117,987  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (100.2%)
(Cost $3,101,266)

      3,593,622  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (-0.2%)

      (8,257
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 3,585,365  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

       

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 3,593,622     $     $     $ 3,593,622  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 3,593,622     $     $     $ 3,593,622  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     3,593,622     $         —     $         —     $     3,593,622  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 442,402  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     118,595  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 492,356  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 492,356  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     3,101,266  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

85


1290 FUNDS

1290 LOW VOLATILITY GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $3,101,266)

  $ 3,593,622  

Cash

    17,199  

Receivable from investment adviser

    7,123  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,527  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    3,400  

Other assets

    37  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,625,908  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,148  

Transfer agent fees payable

    1,035  

Accrued expenses

    8,360  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    40,543  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,585,365  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 3,035,314  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    550,051  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,585,365  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,585,365 / 298,038 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.03  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 89,032  

Interest

    427  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    89,459  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    40,911  

Administrative fees

    30,003  

Registration and filing fees

    20,835  

Printing and mailing expenses

    20,570  

Investment advisory fees

    16,026  

Transfer agent fees

    9,545  

Custodian fees

    3,000  

Trustees’ fees

    281  

Miscellaneous

    5,624  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    146,795  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (46,029

         Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (87,010
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    13,756  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    75,703  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    16,504  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    342,520  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    359,024  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 434,727  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 75,703     $ 65,544  

Net realized gain (loss)

    16,504       16,354  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    342,520       (56,925
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    434,727       24,973  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (88,452     (59,429
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 30,470 and 13,323 shares, respectively ]

    346,770       146,974  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 560 and 223 shares, respectively ]

    5,952       2,429  

Capital shares repurchased [ (975) and (4,888) shares, respectively ]

    (11,138     (53,199
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    341,584       96,204  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    687,859       61,748  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    2,897,506       2,835,758  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 3,585,365     $ 2,897,506  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

86


1290 FUNDS

1290 LOW VOLATILITY GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31,  2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.81     $ 10.94     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.27       0.25       0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.28       (0.16     0.82  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.55       0.09       0.94  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.27     (0.22      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.06          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.33     (0.22      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.03     $ 10.81     $ 10.94  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    14.74     0.88     9.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     3,585     $     2,898     $     2,836  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.43 %(j)      0.43 %(j)      0.43 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.58     5.15     4.87

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    2.36     2.24     1.66 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (1.79 )%      (2.49 )%      (2.78 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    4     4     0 %‡ 
*

Commencement of Operations.

Less than 0.5%.

#

Per share amount is less than $0.005.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

87


1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       3.98     1.30
      with Sales Charge (a     (1.71     (0.02

Fund – Class I Shares*

      4.25       1.55  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      3.74       1.04  

ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

      2.40       1.18  
 

*   Date of inception 7/6/15.

 

(a)  A 5.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund and the ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index from 7/6/15 to 10/31/19. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 2.41%, 2.16% and 2.64%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I and R shares were 1.65%, 1.40% and 1.90%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 4.25% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofAML U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index, returned 2.40% over the same year.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year*?

 

 

Real estate was the top contributor to performance as yields appeared more attractive in the low to negative interest rate environment. Domestic and global real estate investment trusts (REITs) were up about 24% and 20%, respectively, on an absolute basis for the period.

 

 

Precious metals had strong performance for the period, with silver and gold up about 27% and 25%, respectively.

 

 

While convertible securities lagged the equity markets for the period, the strategy still had strong performance.

What hurt performance during the year*?

 

 

Commodities were the top detractor to performance, largely driven by poor performance in energy prices.

 

 

Positioning within corn and energy were the main drivers of underperformance for the managed futures strategy.

 

 

The value tilt within the long/short equity strategy negatively impacted performance as growth continued to outperform value.

 

*

The Fund does not hold a position in any single security directly but has exposure through ETFs.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
   
As of October 31, 2019        

Alternatives

     45.8

Fixed Income

     18.0  

Commodity

     16.4  

Equity

     10.5  

Specialty

     9.3  

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
 
As of October 31, 2019  

JPMorgan Diversified Alternatives ETF

     9.6

ProShares Hedge Replication ETF

     9.4  

IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF

     9.4  

Invesco DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund

     9.3  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF

     9.1  

WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund

     8.9  

Invesco DB Gold Fund

     6.5  

iShares Core US REIT ETF

     4.5  

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF

     4.5  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     4.5  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

 

88


1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND (Unaudited)

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A and Class R shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,011.80       $5.20  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.04       5.22  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,013.70       3.93  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,021.30       3.95  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,010.80       6.46  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.78       6.48  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I and R shares annualized expense ratios of 1.02%, 0.77% and 1.27%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

 

89


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
   

Value

(Note 1)

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Alternatives (45.6%)

   

IQ Merger Arbitrage ETF*

    53,360     $ 1,739,003  

JPMorgan Diversified Alternatives ETF*

    70,820       1,766,959  

JPMorgan Long/Short ETF*

    34,700       764,375  

ProShares Hedge Replication ETF

    37,960       1,740,105  

ProShares RAFI Long/Short‡

    23,000       798,675  

WisdomTree Managed Futures Strategy Fund

    43,630       1,640,488  
   

 

 

 

Total Alternatives

      8,449,605  
   

 

 

 

Commodity (16.3%)

   

Invesco DB Base Metals Fund

    17,600       268,752  

Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund

    50,780       778,457  

Invesco DB Gold Fund

    26,070       1,200,784  

Invesco DB Precious Metals Fund

    2,860       120,692  

Invesco DB Silver Fund

    4,020       106,180  

iShares Commodities Select Strategy ETF

    17,470       555,197  
   

 

 

 

Total Commodity

      3,030,062  
   

 

 

 

Equity (10.5%)

   

iShares Core US REIT ETF

    14,940       841,869  

iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers ETF

    9,870       273,158  

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF

    13,660     831,894  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      1,946,921  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (17.9%)

   

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    7,090       822,865  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Convertible Securities ETF

    31,470       1,675,778  

Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF

    16,550       813,929  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      3,312,572  
   

 

 

 

Specialty (9.3%)

   

Invesco DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund‡

    70,890       1,714,829  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.6%)
(Cost $17,827,410)

      18,453,989  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.4%)

      72,173  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 18,526,162  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

All, or a portion, of the security is an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Glossary:

  TIPS

— Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

 

Investments in companies which were affiliates for the year ended October 31, 2019, were as follows:

 

Security Description

  Shares at
October 31,
2019
    Market Value
October 31,
2018 ($)
    Purchases
at Cost ($)
    Proceeds
from
Sales ($)
    Net
Realized
Gain
(Loss) ($)
    Change
in Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
($)
    Market Value
October 31,
2019 ($)
    Dividend/
Interest
Income
($)
    Capital Gain
Distributions
($)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Specialty

                 

Invesco DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund

    70,890       1,772,352             (36,591     1,449       (22,381     1,714,829       19,549        

Alternatives

                 

ProShares RAFI Long/Short

    23,000       1,713,241             (834,425     (135,408     55,267       798,675       28,951        
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      3,485,593             (871,016     (133,959     32,886       2,513,504       48,500        
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

90


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $     18,453,989     $         —     $         —     $     18,453,989  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 18,453,989     $     $     $ 18,453,989  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 18,453,989     $     $     $ 18,453,989  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     1,462,833  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 2,584,068  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,021,002  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (335,854
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 685,148  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     17,768,841  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

91


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value:

 

Affiliated Issuers (Cost $2,573,144)

  $ 2,513,504  

Unaffiliated Issuers (Cost $15,254,266)

    15,940,485  

Cash

    111,407  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    15,166  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    50  

Other assets

    300  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    18,580,912  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    4,825  

Transfer agent fees payable

    4,021  

Administrative fees payable

    1,005  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    133  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    48  

Accrued expenses

    44,718  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    54,750  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 18,526,162  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 17,878,370  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    647,792  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 18,526,162  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $627,178 / 60,757 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.32  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.60  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 10.92  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $17,783,453 / 1,719,769 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.34  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $115,531 / 11,248 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 10.27  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends ($48,500 of dividend income received from affiliates)

  $ 396,859  

Interest

    1,693  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    398,552  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    93,151  

Professional fees

    57,549  

Transfer agent fees

    36,900  

Registration and filing fees

    34,287  

Administrative fees

    30,004  

Printing and mailing expenses

    28,401  

Custodian fees

    2,600  

Distribution fees – Class A

    1,812  

Trustees’ fees

    1,687  

Distribution fees – Class R

    544  

Miscellaneous

    19,706  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    306,641  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (123,155

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (28,971
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    154,515  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    244,037  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities ($(133,959) of realized gain (loss) from affiliates)

    (50,597

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities ($32,886 of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from affiliates)

    583,673  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    533,076  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 777,113  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

92


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
  2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 244,037     $ 118,683  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (50,597     (452

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    583,673       (379,307
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    777,113       (261,076
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (7,113     (2,431

Class I

    (217,148     (102,929

Class R

    (740     (2,024
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (225,001     (107,384
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 5,825 and 24,928 shares, respectively ]

    59,103       254,309  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 623 and 201 shares, respectively ]

    6,163       2,048  

Capital shares repurchased [ (28,247) and (7,078) shares, respectively ]

    (286,221     (72,391
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    (220,955     183,966  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 178,038 and 320,848 shares, respectively ]

    1,799,614       3,286,660  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 9,966 and 4,035 shares, respectively ]

    98,568       40,993  

Capital shares repurchased [ (276,662) and (115,451) shares, respectively ]

    (2,793,490     (1,179,390
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    (895,308     2,148,263  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 703 and 44,922 shares, respectively ]

    7,121       456,502  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 4 and 162 shares, respectively ]

    40       1,641  

Capital shares repurchased [ (22) and (44,791) shares, respectively ]

    (223     (460,156
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    6,938       (2,013
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    (1,109,325     2,330,216  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    (557,213     1,961,756  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    19,083,375       17,121,619  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 18,526,162     $ 19,083,375  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

93


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,     July 6, 2015* to
October 31,  2015
 
Class A    2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.02     $ 10.21     $ 9.97     $ 9.70     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

          

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.11       0.04       0.02       0.01       (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.28       (0.19     0.26       0.33       (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.39       (0.15     0.28       0.34       (0.30
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.04           (0.01     (0.05      

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.05     (0.04     (0.03            

Return of capital

                       (0.02      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.09     (0.04     (0.04     (0.07      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.32     $ 10.02     $ 10.21     $ 9.97     $ 9.70  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     3.98     (1.49 )%      2.78     3.53     (3.00 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

          

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 627     $ 827     $ 659     $ 410     $ 112  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.07 %**(j)      1.03 %(k)      1.00 %(k)      0.98 %(k)      0.96 %(k) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.89     1.79     2.08     2.62     2.26

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

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     1.12     0.39     0.20     0.10     (0.25 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     0.30     (0.37 )%      (0.88 )%      (1.55 )%      (1.55 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     8     5     13     2     0
     Year Ended October 31,     July 6, 2015* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I    2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.04     $ 10.23     $ 9.99     $ 9.71     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

          

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.13       0.07       0.05       0.05      

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.29       (0.20     0.25       0.31       (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.42       (0.13     0.30       0.36       (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.07     (0.02     (0.03     (0.05      

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.05     (0.04     (0.03            

Return of capital

                       (0.03      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.12     (0.06     (0.06     (0.08      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.34     $ 10.04     $ 10.23     $ 9.99     $ 9.71  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     4.25     (1.25 )%      3.04     3.76     (2.90 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

          

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     17,783     $     18,151     $     16,358     $     12,233     $     9,591  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.82 %**(j)      0.78 %(k)      0.75 %(k)      0.73 %(k)      0.72 %(k) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.63     1.54     1.82     2.24     1.97

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

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     1.32     0.66     0.45     0.50     (0.03 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     0.50     (0.11 )%      (0.62 )%      (1.02 )%      (1.29 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     8     5     13     2     0

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

94


1290 FUNDS

1290 MULTI-ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,     July 6, 2015* to
October 31,  2015
 
Class R    2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 9.97     $     10.19     $ 9.95     $ 9.69     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

          

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.08       0.03               (0.02

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.29       (0.21     0.27       0.32       (0.29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     0.37       (0.18     0.27       0.32       (0.31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

          

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.02                 (0.04      

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.05     (0.04     (0.03            

Return of capital

                       (0.02      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.07     (0.04     (0.03     (0.06      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     10.27     $ 9.97     $     10.19     $ 9.95     $ 9.69  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     3.74     (1.79 )%      2.53     3.30     (3.10 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

          

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 116     $ 105     $ 105     $ 101     $ 97  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.32 %**(j)          1.26 %(k)      1.25 %(k)          1.22 %(k)          1.21 %(k) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.13     2.02     2.32     2.73     2.47

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

          

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     0.78     0.27     (0.02 )%      0.02     (0.53 )%(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     (0.04 )%      (0.49 )%      (1.08 )%      (1.50 )%      (1.78 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     8     5     13     2     0
*

Commencement of Operations.

**

Includes excise tax expense of 0.04%.

#

Per share amount is less than $0.005.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 1.69% for Class A, 1.44% for Class I and 1.94% for Class R.

(k)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 1.65% for Class A, 1.40% for Class I and 1.90% for Class R.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

95


1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    12.37     7.08

S&P Target Date 2020 Index

    10.57       6.54  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2020 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2020 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2020 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2020 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 3.98%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 12.37% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2020 Index, returned 10.57% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Within fixed income, an overweight to intermediate bonds and an underweight to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark added to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

Equity

     53.5

Fixed Income

     46.5  

 

96


1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     29.0

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     18.4  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     6.8  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     6.4  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     6.1  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     6.0  

Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF

     4.1  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     3.4  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     3.3  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF

     3.3  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
      Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,045.20     $ 2.76  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00       1,022.51       2.73  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.54%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

97


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (53.4%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    11,460     $ 659,752  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    3,540       81,880  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    9,880       341,552  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    6,760       360,646  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,580       179,716  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    10,890       688,575  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    3,760       192,399  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    28,990           1,986,975  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    4,840       363,242  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    1,420       82,871  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    10,190       651,650  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,780       173,568  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      5,762,826  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (46.5%)

   
   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    27,590     3,121,808  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    6,350       736,981  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF

    3,326       359,840  

Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF

    5,450       441,287  

Vanguard Total International Bond ETF

    6,130       358,544  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      5,018,460  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.9%)
(Cost $10,076,812)

      10,781,286  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.1%)

      9,314  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $   10,790,600  
   

 

 

 

Glossary:

  TIPS

— Treasury Inflation Protected Security

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

 

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 10,781,286     $     $     $ 10,781,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 10,781,286     $     $     $ 10,781,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     10,781,286     $         —     $         —     $     10,781,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     3,930,342  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 1,675,005  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

98


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 699,905  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (3,299
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 696,606  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     10,084,680  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

99


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $10,076,812)

  $ 10,781,286  

Cash

    35,873  

Receivable from investment adviser

    10,766  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,966  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    571  

Other assets

    192  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    10,833,654  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Transfer agent fees payable

    873  

Accrued expenses

    42,181  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    43,054  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 10,790,600  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 9,793,548  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    997,052  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 10,790,600  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $10,790,600 / 933,014 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.57  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 250,424  

Interest

    1,051  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    251,475  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    47,602  

Professional fees

    47,436  

Administrative fees

    30,005  

Printing and mailing expenses

    28,947  

Registration and filing fees

    21,440  

Transfer agent fees

    9,300  

Custodian fees

    4,800  

Trustees’ fees

    814  

Miscellaneous

    8,985  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    199,329  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (77,607

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (70,515
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    51,207  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    200,268  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    144,290  

Net distributions of realized gain received from underlying funds

    71  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    144,361  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    762,470  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    906,831  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,107,099  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

100


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
  2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 200,268     $ 76,935  

Net realized gain (loss)

    144,361       29,108  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    762,470       (190,498
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    1,107,099       (84,455
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (142,418     (49,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 364,955 and 511,333 shares, respectively ]

    3,974,381       5,469,555  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 9,100 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    93,918       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (170,980) and (31,404) shares, respectively ]

    (1,901,097     (342,217
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    2,167,202       5,127,340  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    3,131,883       4,993,383  

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of year

    7,658,717       2,665,334  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 10,790,600     $ 7,658,717  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

101


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2020 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.49     $ 10.66     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.23       0.20       0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.05       (0.17     0.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.28       0.03       0.66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.15     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.05     (0.02      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.20     (0.20      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.57     $ 10.49     $ 10.66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    12.37     0.24     6.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     10,791     $     7,659     $     2,665  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.54 %(j)      0.53 %(j)      0.53 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    2.09     3.93     5.32

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    2.10     1.88     1.66 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    0.55     (1.52 )%      (3.13 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    18     8     2
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

102


1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    12.99     7.78

S&P Target Date 2025 Index

    10.95       7.07  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2025 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2025 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2025 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2025 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 3.30%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 12.99% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2025 Index, returned 10.95% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Within fixed income, an overweight to intermediate bonds and an underweight to short duration bonds relative to the Fund benchmark added to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 

Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

Equity

     62.8

Fixed Income

     37.2  

 

103


1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     26.8

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     21.6  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     8.0  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     7.0  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     7.0  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     5.6  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     4.0  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     3.9  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     3.8  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     1.9  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
      Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,046.10     $ 2.77  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00       1,022.50       2.74  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.54%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

104


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
   

Value

(Note 1)

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Equity (62.8%)

 

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    23,220     $ 1,336,775  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    7,970       184,346  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    21,240       734,267  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    14,410       768,773  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    7,250       363,950  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    24,320       1,537,754  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    7,030       359,725  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    60,670       4,158,322  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    9,940       745,997  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    2,960       172,746  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    21,110       1,349,984  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    3,600     351,036  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      12,063,675  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (37.3%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    45,520       5,150,588  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    9,300       1,079,358  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF

    2,726       294,926  

Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF

    4,450       360,317  

Vanguard Total International Bond ETF

    4,570       267,299  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      7,152,488  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (100.1%)
(Cost $18,013,339)

      19,216,163  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (-0.1%)

      (13,778
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 19,202,385  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

 

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 19,216,163     $         —     $         —     $ 19,216,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 19,216,163     $     $     $ 19,216,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     19,216,163     $     $     $     19,216,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     10,938,238  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 3,629,674  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

105


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,186,330  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (6,128
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 1,180,202  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     18,035,961  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

106


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $18,013,339)

  $ 19,216,163  

Cash

    8,347  

Receivable from investment adviser

    13,370  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    5,352  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    3,545  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    224  

Other assets

    392  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    19,247,393  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Transfer agent fees payable

    913  

Accrued expenses

    44,095  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    45,008  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 19,202,385  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 17,425,923  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    1,776,462  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 19,202,385  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $19,202,385 / 1,625,687 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.81  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 398,258  

Interest

    1,278  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    399,536  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    79,095  

Professional fees

    53,937  

Printing and mailing expenses

    36,609  

Administrative fees

    30,008  

Registration and filing fees

    21,837  

Transfer agent fees

    9,340  

Custodian fees

    5,400  

Trustees’ fees

    1,324  

Miscellaneous

    11,924  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    249,474  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (109,103

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (55,016
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    85,355  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    314,181  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    326,586  

Net distributions of realized gain received from underlying funds

    71  
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    326,657  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    1,336,178  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    1,662,835  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 1,977,016  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 314,181     $ 99,645  

Net realized gain (loss)

    326,657       25,293  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    1,336,178       (289,343
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    1,977,016       (164,405
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (176,541     (49,002
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 1,042,196 and 736,783 shares, respectively ]

    11,528,327       8,015,082  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 12,850 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    134,540       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (397,479) and (18,673) shares, respectively ]

    (4,546,482     (204,206
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    7,116,385       7,810,878  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    8,916,860       7,597,471  

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of year

    10,285,525       2,688,054  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 19,202,385     $ 10,285,525  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

107


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2025 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.62     $ 10.75     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.21       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.14       (0.14     0.64  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.36       0.07       0.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.14     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.03     (0.02      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.17     (0.20      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.81     $ 10.62     $ 10.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    12.99     0.60     7.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     19,202     $     10,286     $     2,688  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.54 %(j)      0.54 %(j)      0.53 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    1.58     3.23     5.30

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.99     1.91     1.62 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    0.95     (0.79 )%      (3.15 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    23     4     2
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

108


1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    13.56     8.21

S&P Target Date 2030 Index

    11.27       7.55  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2030 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2030 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2030 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 4.76%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.56% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2030 Index, returned 11.27% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

109


1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a  percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

Equity

     71.5

Fixed Income

     28.5  

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     24.5

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     24.4  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     9.2  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     7.9  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     7.9  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     4.6  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     4.6  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     4.5  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     4.1  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     2.1  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*
5/1/19 -

10/31/19

 

Class I

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,047.60       $2.78  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.49       2.74  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.54%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

110


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (71.1%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    9,200     $ 529,644  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    3,110       71,934  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    8,910       308,019  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    5,610       299,294  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    2,860       143,572  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    9,700       613,331  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    2,770       141,741  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    23,860       1,635,364  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    4,110       308,455  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    1,070     62,445  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    8,250       527,588  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,420       138,464  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      4,779,851  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (28.3%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    14,420       1,631,623  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    2,350       272,741  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      1,904,364  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.4%)
(Cost $6,071,368)

      6,684,215  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.6%)

      40,020  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 6,724,235  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 6,684,215     $     $     $ 6,684,215  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 6,684,215     $     $     $ 6,684,215  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     6,684,215     $         —     $         —     $     6,684,215  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     2,112,981  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 259,884  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

111


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 612,529  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (334
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 612,195  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     6,072,020  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

112


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $6,071,368)

  $ 6,684,215  

Cash

    65,556  

Receivable from investment adviser

    10,042  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,696  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,590  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    31  

Other assets

    106  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    6,766,236  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Transfer agent fees payable

    913  

Accrued expenses

    41,088  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    42,001  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 6,724,235  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 6,020,357  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    703,878  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 6,724,235  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $6,724,235 / 565,680 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 11.89  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 132,737  

Interest

    730  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    133,467  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    43,113  

Administrative fees

    30,013  

Investment advisory fees

    26,513  

Printing and mailing expenses

    24,810  

Registration and filing fees

    21,160  

Transfer agent fees

    9,340  

Custodian fees

    4,400  

Trustees’ fees

    451  

Miscellaneous

    6,679  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    166,479  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (56,526

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (81,454
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    28,499  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    104,968  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    19,025  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    544,946  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    563,971  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 668,939  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019      2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 104,968      $ 58,197  

Net realized gain (loss)

    19,025        13,651  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    544,946        (103,899
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    668,939        (32,051
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class I

    (88,204      (46,752
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I

    

Capital shares sold [ 189,006 and 154,723 shares, respectively ]

    2,128,791        1,706,177  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 3,168 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    33,204        2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (26,204) and (5,023) shares, respectively ]

    (291,050      (56,090
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    1,870,945        1,650,089  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    2,451,680        1,571,286  

NET ASSETS:

    

Beginning of year

    4,272,555        2,701,269  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 6,724,235      $ 4,272,555  

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

    

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

113


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2030 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.69     $ 10.80     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.20       (0.12     0.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.42       0.08       0.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.18     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.04     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.22     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.89     $ 10.69     $ 10.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    13.56     0.70     8.00
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     6,724     $     4,273     $     2,701  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.54 %(j)      0.54 %(j)      0.53 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    3.14     4.74     5.27

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.98     1.78     1.59 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (0.62 )%      (2.41 )%      (3.15 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    5     3     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

114


1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    13.61     8.49

S&P Target Date 2035 Index

    11.52       7.98  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2035 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2035 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2035 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2035 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 4.00%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.61% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2035 Index, returned 11.52% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 

Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

Equity

     76.4

Fixed Income

     23.6  

 

115


1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     26.4

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     20.1  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     9.7  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     8.6  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     8.3  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     4.9  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     4.8  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     4.8  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     3.6  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

     2.2  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
      Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,047.00     $ 2.75  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00       1,022.51       2.72  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.53%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

 

116


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (75.9%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    12,020     $ 691,991  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    3,540       81,880  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    11,630       402,049  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    7,470       398,525  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,650       183,230  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    12,800       809,344  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    3,600       184,212  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    32,030       2,195,336  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    5,420       406,771  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    1,650       96,294  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    11,180       714,961  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,910     186,244  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      6,350,837  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (23.5%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    14,750       1,668,962  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    2,560       297,114  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      1,966,076  
   

 

 

 

Total Exchange Traded Funds (99.4%)
(Cost $7,607,235)

      8,316,913  
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

   

Investment Company (0.0%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market Fund, IM Shares

    2,730       2,732  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (0.0%)
(Cost $2,732)

      2,732  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.4%)
(Cost $7,609,967)

      8,319,645  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.6%)

      49,828  
 

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 8,369,473  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 8,316,913     $     $     $ 8,316,913  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    2,732                   2,732  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 8,319,645     $     $     $ 8,319,645  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     8,319,645     $         —     $         —     $     8,319,645  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     1,906,041  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 951,074  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

117


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 710,987  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (2,839
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 708,148  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     7,611,497  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

118


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $7,609,967)

  $ 8,319,645  

Cash

    75,000  

Receivable from investment adviser

    10,241  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,831  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    2,019  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    38  

Other assets

    143  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    8,411,917  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Transfer agent fees payable

    913  

Accrued expenses

    41,531  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    42,444  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,369,473  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 7,494,473  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    875,000  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 8,369,473  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $8,369,473 / 695,906 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.03  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 182,150  

Interest

    1,036  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    183,186  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    45,203  

Investment advisory fees

    36,342  

Administrative fees

    30,019  

Printing and mailing expenses

    26,732  

Registration and filing fees

    21,378  

Transfer agent fees

    9,340  

Custodian fees

    4,375  

Trustees’ fees

    635  

Miscellaneous

    8,100  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    182,124  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (66,361

      Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (76,803
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    38,960  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    144,226  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    63,099  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    696,566  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    759,665  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 903,891  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

   

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 144,226     $ 70,735  

Net realized gain (loss)

    63,099       10,917  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    696,566       (169,314
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    903,891       (87,662
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (107,092     (46,752
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 166,637 and 372,084 shares, respectively ]

    1,919,697       4,119,218  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 6,075 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    64,342       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (98,499) and (401) shares, respectively ]

    (1,103,345     (4,509
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    880,694       4,114,711  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    1,677,493       3,980,297  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    6,691,980       2,711,683  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 8,369,473     $ 6,691,980  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

119


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2035 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.76     $ 10.85     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.19       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.23       (0.09     0.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.45       0.10       0.85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.16     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.02     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.18     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.03     $ 10.76     $ 10.85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    13.61     0.88     8.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     8,369     $     6,692     $     2,712  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.54 %(j)      0.53 %(j)      0.53 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    2.50     3.95     5.28

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.98     1.73     1.58 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    0.01     (1.68 )%      (3.17 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    13     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

120


1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    13.79     8.86

S&P Target Date 2040 Index

    11.69       8.28  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2040 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2040 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2040 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2040 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 5.31%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.79% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2040 Index, returned 11.69% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
   
As of October 31, 2019        

Equity

     81.3

Fixed Income

     18.7  

 

121


1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
   
As of October 31, 2019        

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     28.4

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     15.9  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     10.2  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     9.3  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     9.2  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     5.1  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     5.0  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     5.0  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

     2.8  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     2.3  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
   

Expenses

Paid

During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19

 

Class I

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,046.00       $2.74  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.53       2.71  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.53%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

 

122


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
    

Number of

Shares

   

Value

(Note 1)

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (81.6%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    6,450     $ 371,327  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    1,980       45,797  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    5,840       201,889  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,760       200,596  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    1,850       92,870  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    6,470       409,098  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    1,750       89,548  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    16,640       1,140,506  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    2,720       204,136  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    810     47,272  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    5,850       374,107  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    940       91,659  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      3,268,805  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (18.8%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    5,660       640,429  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    970       112,578  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      753,007  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (100.4%)
(Cost $3,511,813)

      4,021,812  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (-0.4%)

      (16,377
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $   4,005,435  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 4,021,812     $     $     $ 4,021,812  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 4,021,812     $     $     $ 4,021,812  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     4,021,812     $         —     $         —     $     4,021,812  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     837,617  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 94,930  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

123


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 509,834  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 509,834  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     3,511,978  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

124


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $3,511,813)

  $ 4,021,812  

Cash

    9,223  

Receivable from investment adviser

    9,413  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,570  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,173  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    12  

Other assets

    40  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,046,243  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,205  

Transfer agent fees payable

    909  

Accrued expenses

    8,694  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    40,808  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,005,435  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 3,446,829  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    558,606  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 4,005,435  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $4,005,435 / 332,367 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.05  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 81,587  

Interest

    472  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    82,059  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    40,989  

Administrative fees

    30,011  

Printing and mailing expenses

    22,406  

Registration and filing fees

    21,017  

Investment advisory fees

    16,445  

Transfer agent fees

    9,440  

Custodian fees

    4,270  

Trustees’ fees

    285  

Miscellaneous

    5,623  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    150,486  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (46,456

      Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (86,559
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    17,471  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    64,588  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    6,331  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    351,616  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    357,947  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 422,535  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS     Year Ended October 31,    
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 64,588     $ 51,108  

Net realized gain (loss)

    6,331       12,319  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    351,616       (34,838
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    422,535       28,589  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (68,399     (47,002
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 71,724 and 18,938 shares, respectively ]

    832,237       211,909  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 557 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    5,899       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (8,837) and (25) shares, respectively ]

    (102,332     (286
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    735,804       211,625  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    1,089,940       193,212  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    2,915,495       2,722,283  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 4,005,435     $ 2,915,495  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

125


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2040 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

Class I

   Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.84     $ 10.89     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

      

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

     0.22       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.24       (0.06     0.78  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.46       0.14       0.89  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

      

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.20     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.05     (0.01      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.25     (0.19      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     12.05     $     10.84     $     10.89  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     13.79     1.26     8.90
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

      

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $ 4,005     $ 2,915     $ 2,722  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

      

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.53 %(j)      0.53 %(j)      0.53 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     4.57     5.31     5.28

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

      

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     1.96     1.80     1.57 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

     (2.08 )%      (2.99 )%      (3.18 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     3     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

126


1290 RETIREMENT 2045 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

 
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19  
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    13.85     9.14

S&P Target Date 2045 Index

    11.79       8.43  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2045 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2045 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2045 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2045 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 4.95%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 13.85% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2045 Index, returned 11.79% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
 
As of October 31, 2019  

Equity

     86.2

Fixed Income

     13.8  

 

127


1290 RETIREMENT 2045 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)  
   
As of October 31, 2019        

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     30.2

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     11.7  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     10.7  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     9.9  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     9.8  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     5.3  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     5.3  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     5.2  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     2.5  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     2.5  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
    

Beginning

Account

Value

5/1/19

   

Ending

Account

Value

10/31/19

   

Expenses

Paid

During

Period*

5/1/19 -

10/31/19

 

Class I

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,045.50       $2.72  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.54       2.69  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.53%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

128


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2045 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
    

Number of

Shares

    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Equity (85.1%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    9,600     $ 552,672  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    2,860       66,152  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    8,550       295,574  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    5,450       290,758  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    2,740       137,548  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    9,440       596,891  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    2,720       139,182  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    24,510       1,679,915  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    3,890       291,944  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    1,160     67,698  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    8,490       542,935  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    1,360       132,614  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      4,793,883  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (13.6%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    5,770       652,876  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    990       114,899  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      767,775  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (98.7%)
(Cost $4,912,012)

      5,561,658  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (1.3%)

      73,206  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 5,634,864  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
   

Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,

interest rates,

prepayment speeds,

credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the

Fund’s own

assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)

    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 5,561,658     $         —     $         —     $ 5,561,658  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 5,561,658     $         —     $         —     $ 5,561,658  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $         —     $         —     $         —  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     5,561,658     $         —     $         —     $     5,561,658  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     1,265,523  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 32,651  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 649,967  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (767
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 649,200  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     4,912,458  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

129


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2045 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $4,912,012)

  $ 5,561,658  

Cash

    32,161  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    67,735  

Receivable from investment adviser

    9,879  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,649  

Other assets

    71  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,676,153  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,526  

Transfer agent fees payable

    798  

Accrued expenses

    8,965  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    41,289  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 5,634,864  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 4,919,860  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    715,004  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 5,634,864  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $5,634,864 / 462,585 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.18  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 114,182  

Interest

    744  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    114,926  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    42,383  

Administrative fees

    30,005  

Printing and mailing expenses

    24,445  

Investment advisory fees

    23,006  

Registration and filing fees

    21,116  

Transfer agent fees

    9,350  

Custodian fees

    4,530  

Trustees’ fees

    396  

Miscellaneous

    6,276  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    161,507  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (53,011

      Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (84,152
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    24,344  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    90,582  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    422  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    506,810  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    507,232  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 597,814  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019      2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 90,582      $ 55,392  

Net realized gain (loss)

    422        11,861  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    506,810        (61,892
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    597,814        5,361  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

    

Class I

    (75,322      (47,142
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I

    

Capital shares sold [ 117,575 and 100,702 shares, respectively ]

    1,356,581        1,134,558  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 2,113 and 13 shares, respectively ]

    22,572        143  

Capital shares repurchased [ (8,569) and (9) shares, respectively ]

    (100,710      (101
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    1,278,443        1,134,600  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    1,800,935        1,092,819  

NET ASSETS:

    

Beginning of year

    3,833,929        2,741,110  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 5,634,864      $ 3,833,929  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

130


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2045 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.91     $ 10.93     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.23       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.25       (0.03     0.82  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.48       0.17       0.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.18     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.03     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.21     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.18     $ 10.91     $ 10.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    13.85     1.53     9.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     5,635     $     3,834     $     2,741  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.53 %(j)      0.53 %(j)      0.52 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    3.51     4.91     5.29

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.97     1.76     1.55 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (1.01 )%      (2.62 )%      (3.22 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    1     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

131


1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    14.18     9.48

S&P Target Date 2050 Index

    11.77       8.53  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2050 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2050 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2050 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2050 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 5.21%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 14.18% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2050 Index, returned 11.77% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in
Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

Equity

     91.2

Fixed Income

     8.8  

 

132


1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     32.0

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     11.3  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     10.6  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     10.4  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     7.6  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     5.6  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     5.6  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     5.6  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     2.6  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

     2.5  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,045.30       $2.71  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.56       2.68  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.52%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

133


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (91.0%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    6,770     $ 389,749  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    1,990       46,029  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    6,030       208,457  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,920       209,132  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    1,850       92,870  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    6,710       424,273  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    1,900       97,223  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    17,470       1,197,394  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    2,770       207,888  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    810     47,272  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    6,170       394,571  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    970       94,585  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      3,409,443  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (8.8%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    2,510       284,007  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    400       46,424  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      330,431  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.8%) (Cost $3,180,657)

      3,739,874  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.2%)

      6,775  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 3,746,649  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 3,739,874     $     $     $ 3,739,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 3,739,874     $     $     $ 3,739,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     3,739,874     $         —     $         —     $     3,739,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     371,773  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 77,070  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

134


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 559,217  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 559,217  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     3,180,657  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

135


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $3,180,657)

  $ 3,739,874  

Cash

    32,293  

Receivable from investment adviser

    9,562  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,564  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,118  

Other assets

    40  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,787,451  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,139  

Transfer agent fees payable

    915  

Accrued expenses

    8,748  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    40,802  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,746,649  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 3,139,768  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    606,881  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,746,649  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,746,649 / 306,153 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.24  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 82,403  

Interest

    498  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    82,901  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    41,056  

Administrative fees

    30,004  

Printing and mailing expenses

    22,557  

Registration and filing fees

    21,039  

Investment advisory fees

    16,692  

Transfer agent fees

    9,140  

Custodian fees

    4,175  

Trustees’ fees

    294  

Miscellaneous

    5,821  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    150,778  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (46,696

      Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (86,568
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    17,514  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    65,387  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    6,188  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    370,029  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    376,217  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 441,604  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 65,387     $ 51,919  

Net realized gain (loss)

    6,188       12,718  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    370,029       (26,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    441,604       38,604  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (70,591     (47,252
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 29,945 and 29,754 shares, respectively ]

    343,550       335,197  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 756 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    8,091       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (4,097) and (214) shares, respectively ]

    (44,001     (2,461
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    307,640       332,738  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    678,653       324,090  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    3,067,996       2,743,906  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 3,746,649     $ 3,067,996  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

136


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2050 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $     10.97     $     10.98     $     10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.30       (0.02     0.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.52       0.18       0.98  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.20     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.05     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.25     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.24     $ 10.97     $ 10.98  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    14.18     1.63     9.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     3,747     $ 3,068     $ 2,744  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.52     5.20     5.26

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.96     1.77     1.54 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (2.03 )%      (2.90 )%      (3.20 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    2     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

137


1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    14.29     9.78

S&P Target Date 2055 Index

    11.82       8.60  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2055 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2055 Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2055 Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2055 Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 5.28%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 14.29% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2055 Index, returned 11.82% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 

Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)

As of October 31, 2019

 

Equity

     96.4

Fixed Income

     3.6  

 

138


1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     33.9

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     11.9  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     11.2  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     10.9  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     6.0  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     5.9  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     5.8  

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

     3.0  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     2.8  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     2.7  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
      Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,045.00     $ 2.69  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

     1,000.00       1,022.58       2.66  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.52%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

 

139


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

Equity (96.4%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    6,880     $ 396,082  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    2,130       49,267  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    5,930       205,000  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,970       211,800  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    1,920       96,384  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    6,680       422,376  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    1,920       98,246  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    17,540       1,202,192  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    2,780       208,639  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    790     46,104  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    6,050       386,897  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    970       94,585  
   

 

 

 

Total Equity

      3,417,572  
   

 

 

 

Fixed Income (3.6%)

   

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    940       106,361  

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    180       20,891  
   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

      127,252  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (100.0%)
(Cost $2,978,558)

      3,544,824  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.0%)

      462  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 3,545,286  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 3,544,824     $     $     $ 3,544,824  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 3,544,824     $     $     $ 3,544,824  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     3,544,824     $         —     $         —     $         3,544,824  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     321,455  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 53,674  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

140


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 565,980  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 565,980  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     2,978,844  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

141


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $2,978,558)

  $ 3,544,824  

Cash

    25,727  

Receivable from investment adviser

    9,404  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,555  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,430  

Other assets

    35  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,585,975  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,135  

Transfer agent fees payable

    913  

Trustees’ fees payable

    3  

Accrued expenses

    8,638  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    40,689  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,545,286  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 2,937,400  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    607,886  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,545,286  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,545,286 / 287,785 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.32  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 77,404  

Interest

    463  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    77,867  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    40,858  

Administrative fees

    30,003  

Printing and mailing expenses

    22,348  

Registration and filing fees

    21,068  

Investment advisory fees

    15,741  

Transfer agent fees

    9,340  

Custodian fees

    4,175  

Trustees’ fees

    278  

Miscellaneous

    5,522  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    149,333  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (45,744

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (87,183
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    16,406  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    61,461  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    3,941  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    355,603  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    359,544  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 421,005  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS   Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 61,461     $ 49,960  

Net realized gain (loss)

    3,941       13,439  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    355,603       (15,674
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    421,005       47,725  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class I

    (69,041     (47,252
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 23,882 and 14,321 shares, respectively ]

    280,169       163,155  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 376 and 0# shares, respectively ]

    4,042       2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (777) and (26) shares, respectively ]

    (9,079     (281
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    275,132       162,876  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    627,096       163,349  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    2,918,190       2,754,841  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 3,545,286     $ 2,918,190  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

142


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2055 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31, 2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $     11.04     $     11.02     $     10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.32       0.01 †      0.91  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.54       0.21       1.02  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.05     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.26     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $     12.32     $     11.04     $     11.02  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    14.29     1.90     10.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 3,545     $ 2,918     $ 2,755  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.74     5.27     5.25

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.95     1.73     1.53 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (2.27 )%      (3.02 )%      (3.21 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    2     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the aggregate net income and/or gain on investments for that period because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments in the Fund.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

143


1290 RETIREMENT 2060 FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19            
   
     1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class I Shares*

    14.43     9.94

S&P Target Date 2060+ Index

    11.85       8.72  
 

*  Date of inception 2/27/17.

 

    Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

   

    

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund and the S&P Target Date 2060+ Index from 2/27/17 to 10/31/19. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2060+ Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the S&P Target Date 2060+ Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratio for Class I shares was 5.28%. The net expense ratio for Class I shares was 0.65%. The net expense ratio reflects the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 14.43% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Target Date 2060+ Index, returned 11.85% over the same year.

Overview

Each 1290 Retirement Fund’s (as defined in the Notes to the Financial Statements) performance will reflect the performance of the underlying asset classes and depends upon their percentage weighting within the Fund. Here’s why: The 1290 Retirement Funds are managed to target a specific year of planned retirement. The asset mix will become more conservative each year, until about 10 years after the target retirement year, when it will become relatively stable. The 1290 Retirement Funds balance the need for appreciation with the need for income as retirement approaches and focus on supporting an income stream over a long-term retirement withdrawal horizon. To achieve its asset class exposure, each 1290 Retirement Fund invests in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) representing various equity and bond asset classes. Because of this, each of the 1290 Retirement Fund’s performance will be a function of the asset class performance and the percentage weighting of each asset class in the 1290 Retirement Fund. Current target and actual allocations, as well as performance, are available in a separate quarterly Fund Fact Sheet.

Fund Highlights

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The primary driver of outperformance was the fact that the low volatility tilt of the Fund outperformed the market cap weighted benchmark within both domestic and developed markets equities.

 

 

Having no exposure to short duration bonds relative to the benchmark contributed to performance.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

While low volatility benefited domestic and developed markets equities, it was not beneficial within the emerging markets equities as market cap outperformed in that segment of the benchmark.

 

 

Within domestic equities, a higher allocation to small cap equities relative to the benchmark detracted from performance as large cap equities were the best performer for the period.

 

 

Having no dedicated position in real estate hurt performance, as the sector was up over 24% for the period.

 

 
Table by Asset Class (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

Equity

     100.0

 

144


1290 RETIREMENT 2060 FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 
Top 10 Holdings (as a percentage of Total Investments in Securities)
As of October 31, 2019
 

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

     35.0

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

     12.4  

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

     11.9  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

     11.7  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

     6.1  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

     6.0  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

     5.8  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

     2.9  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     2.8  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

     2.8  

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

        

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class I

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,044.70       $2.67  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,022.59       2.65  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class I shares annualized expense ratio of 0.52%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

   

    

 

145


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2060 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
   

Value

(Note 1)

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETF):

 

 

Equity (99.9%)

   

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

    7,200     $ 414,504  

Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Low Volatility ETF

    1,900       43,947  

Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF

    5,890       203,617  

Invesco S&P MidCap Low Volatility ETF

    3,990       212,867  

Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF

    2,010       100,902  

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

    6,860       433,758  

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    1,930       98,758  

iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF

    17,800     1,220,012  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF

    2,790       209,389  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets ETF

    780       45,521  

iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF

    6,370       407,361  

SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF

    990       96,535  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.9%)
(Cost $2,913,553)

      3,487,171  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.1%)

      2,985  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 3,490,156  
   

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Exchange Traded Funds

       

Exchange Traded Funds

  $ 3,487,171     $     $     $ 3,487,171  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 3,487,171     $     $     $ 3,487,171  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     3,487,171     $         —     $         —     $     3,487,171  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     308,081  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 52,690  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 573,618  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

     
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 573,618  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     2,913,553  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

146


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2060 FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $2,913,553)

  $ 3,487,171  

Cash

    27,626  

Receivable from investment adviser

    10,347  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    4,552  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    1,039  

Other assets

    35  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,530,770  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Accrued professional fees

    31,141  

Transfer agent fees payable

    907  

Trustees’ fees payable

    1  

Accrued expenses

    8,565  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    40,614  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,490,156  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 2,873,896  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    616,260  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,490,156  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $3,490,156 / 281,951 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 12.38  
 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends

  $ 75,271  

Interest

    416  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    75,687  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Professional fees

    40,799  

Administrative fees

    30,003  

Printing and mailing expenses

    23,115  

Registration and filing fees

    21,020  

Investment advisory fees

    15,480  

Transfer agent fees

    9,440  

Custodian fees

    4,050  

Trustees’ fees

    272  

Miscellaneous

    5,520  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    149,699  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (45,483

        Reimbursement from investment adviser

    (88,153
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    16,063  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    59,624  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on investments in securities

    5,740  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in securities

    352,798  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    358,538  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 418,162  
 

 

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 59,624      $ 49,725  

Net realized gain (loss)

     5,740        11,078  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     352,798        (8,835
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

     418,162        51,968  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

     

Class I

     (65,105      (47,502
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

     

Class I

     

Capital shares sold [ 24,271 and 9,241 shares, respectively ]

     286,685        106,171  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 242 and 0# shares, respectively ]

     2,604        2  

Capital shares repurchased [ (1,648) and (164) shares, respectively ]

     (19,043      (1,908
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     270,246        104,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     623,303        108,731  

NET ASSETS:

     

Beginning of year

     2,866,853        2,758,122  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 3,490,156      $ 2,866,853  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

#  Number of shares is less than 0.5.

     

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

147


1290 FUNDS

1290 RETIREMENT 2060 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

    Year Ended October 31,     February 27, 2017* to
October 31,  2017
 
Class I   2019     2018  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $     11.07     $     11.03     $     10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

     

Net investment income (loss) (e)(x)

    0.22       0.20       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.34       0.03       0.92  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.56       0.23       1.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21     (0.18      

Distributions from net realized gains

    (0.04     (0.01      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

    (0.25     (0.19      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.38     $ 11.07     $ 11.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

    14.43     2.09     10.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

     

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $     3,490     $     2,867     $     2,758  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j)      0.52 %(j) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

    4.83     5.27     5.25

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

     

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    1.93     1.73     1.52 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)(x)

    (2.39 )%      (3.02 )%      (3.21 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

    2     2     1
*

Commencement of Operations.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(j)

Including direct and indirect expenses, the net expense ratio after waivers and reimbursements would be 0.65%.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(x)

Recognition of net investment income is affected by the timing of dividend declarations by the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

148


1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Ø  

1290 Asset Managers®

INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

 

Ø  

AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC

PERFORMANCE RESULTS

 

 

LOGO

 

     
Annualized Total Returns as of 10/31/19              
   
           1
Year
    Since
Incept.
 

Fund – Class A Shares*

    without Sales Charge       15.81     8.22
      with Sales Charge (a     9.47       7.00  

Fund – Class I Shares*

      16.16       8.49  

Fund – Class R Shares*

      15.55       7.95  

Fund – Class T Shares*†

    without Sales Charge       16.16       8.49  
      with Sales Charge (b     13.27       7.93  

MSCI World (Net) Index

      12.69       7.53  
 

*   Date of inception 11/12/14.

 

†   Class T Shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

(a)  A 5.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

(b)  A 2.50% front-end sales charge was deducted.

 

     Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

    

    

   

   

     

The performance quoted is past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Mutual funds are subject to certain market risks. Investment returns and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data shown. For the most current month-end performance data please call 1-888-310-0416 or visit www.1290Funds.com.

The graph illustrates comparative performance for $10,000 invested in the Class I Shares of the 1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund and the MSCI World (Net) Index from 11/12/14 to 10/31/19. The performance of the MSCI World (Net) Index reflects an initial investment at the end of the month closest to the Fund’s inception. The performance of the Fund assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and does not include a sales charge. The performance of the MSCI World (Net) Index does not reflect the deduction of expenses or a sales charge associated with a mutual fund and has been adjusted to reflect reinvestment of all dividends, capital gain distributions, and interest of the securities included in the benchmark.

As of March 1, 2019, the gross expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 2.42%, 2.16%, 2.66% and 2.41%, respectively. The net expense ratios for Class A, I, R and T shares were 1.15%, 0.90%, 1.40% and 1.15%, respectively. The net expense ratios reflect the Adviser’s decision to contractually limit expenses through April 30, 2020. Fund Performance may also reflect the waiver of the Fund’s fees and reimbursement of expenses for certain periods since the inception date. Without these waivers and reimbursements, performance would have been lower.

In addition, performance shown in this section does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

The Fund’s Class I shares returned 16.16% for the year ended October 31, 2019. The Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World (Net) Index, returned 12.69% over the same year.

Overview — AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC

Global equity markets rose in value for the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2019. Stocks continued to climb in spite of increased volatility, with escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China — and growing concerns about their potential impact on global economic growth — intermittently affecting investor sentiment. Amid signs of a slowdown, central banks around the world took steps to stimulate their economies; despite relatively robust U.S. macroeconomic data, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates in both August and September, the first decreases since the Global Financial Crisis. In this context, less cyclical stocks and sectors generally led the market, with real estate delivering the strongest returns.

After several years of low volatility, the recent fluctuations in global stock markets have served as a reminder of the potential benefits of a more defensive approach to equity investing. Given the considerable uncertainty in the global economic and geopolitical outlook, we believe a conservative focus could continue to be rewarded. The shift towards monetary policy easing around the world may serve as an additional tailwind for this type of strategy in the short term. Nonetheless, a thoughtful approach to low volatility investing is required, especially as valuations in some parts of the market have become more demanding.

Fund Highlights

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund delivered on its objective during the period, outperforming the capitalization weighted index with less risk. In line with our long-term expectations, the strategy achieved the bulk of its excess returns in the more challenging market conditions seen in the fourth quarter of 2018 and in May and August this year.

What helped performance during the year?

 

 

The Fund’s high-quality profile enabled it to participate in the market’s gains during the year, while the emphasis on less volatile companies provided considerable defensiveness during bouts of market volatility.

 

149


1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Greater-than-benchmark exposures to less cyclical areas of the market, such as consumer staples and utilities, added value, as did an underweight exposure to energy stocks, which badly lagged the broader market.

 

 

At an individual stock level, several of the top contributors to returns reflected this broader market backdrop, with an overweight to Procter & Gamble and not holding Royal Dutch Shell adding to excess returns.

What hurt performance during the year?

 

 

The strategy’s less-than-benchmark exposure to information technology held back relative returns given the sector’s ongoing ascendancy.

 

 

While offset by positive selection in other areas, underweight positions in large, high momentum stocks such as Microsoft Corp., Facebook, Inc. and Apple, Inc. were a drag on relative returns.

 

   

Sector Weightings

as of October 31, 2019

  % of
Net Assets
 

Financials

    19.4

Industrials

    14.3  

Consumer Staples

    13.1  

Information Technology

    12.9  

Health Care

    11.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    8.2  

Communication Services

    5.9  

Utilities

    4.9  

Real Estate

    4.3  

Materials

    3.0  

Energy

    1.6  

Investment Company

    0.1  

Cash and Other

    0.7  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

Holdings are subject to change without notice.

       

UNDERSTANDING YOUR EXPENSES:

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs:

(1) transaction costs, including applicable sales charges and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including investment advisory fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (in the case of Class A, Class R and Class T shares of the Fund), and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period ended October 31, 2019 and held for the entire six-month period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the following 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 your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

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

 

150


1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND (Unaudited)

 

EXAMPLE

 

       
     Beginning
Account
Value
5/1/19
    Ending
Account
Value
10/31/19
    Expenses
Paid
During
Period*
5/1/19 -
10/31/19
 

Class A

 

Actual

    $1,000.00       $1,054.50       $5.96  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,019.41       5.85  

Class I

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,056.10       4.66  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.67       4.58  

Class R

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,053.00       7.24  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,018.15       7.12  

Class T**

       

Actual

    1,000.00       1,056.10       4.66  

Hypothetical (5% average annual return before expenses)

    1,000.00       1,020.67       4.58  
 

*  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s Class A, I, R and T shares annualized expense ratios of 1.15%, 0.90%, 1.40% and 0.90%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, and multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

** Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

   

  

 

151


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

COMMON STOCKS:

   

Communication Services (5.9%)

   

Diversified Telecommunication Services (3.7%)

 

AT&T, Inc.

    5,937     $ 228,515  

BCE, Inc.

    1,200       56,925  

Deutsche Telekom AG (Registered)

    7,200       126,620  

Elisa OYJ

    600       32,770  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    900       44,804  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    39,200       95,086  

Swisscom AG (Registered)

    120       61,308  

Telefonica SA

    3,355       25,725  

Telenor ASA

    1,900       35,568  

Telia Co. AB

    4,000       17,585  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    3,900       235,833  
   

 

 

 
      960,739  
   

 

 

 

Interactive Media & Services (0.7%)

   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A*

    146       183,785  
   

 

 

 

Media (0.7%)

   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,870       83,813  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    800       61,752  

Quebecor, Inc., Class B

    2,000       46,496  
   

 

 

 
      192,061  
   

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.8%)

 

KDDI Corp.

    2,000       55,542  

NTT DOCOMO, Inc.

    2,700       74,382  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    1,700       80,037  
   

 

 

 
      209,961  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      1,546,546  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (8.2%)

   

Auto Components (0.1%)

   

Bridgestone Corp.

    600       25,130  
   

 

 

 

Automobiles (0.4%)

   

General Motors Co.

    1,700       63,172  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    700       48,888  
   

 

 

 
      112,060  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (2.0%)

   

Compass Group plc

    1,923       51,214  

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    200       22,454  

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    100       27,162  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

    300       29,088  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    200       25,310  

McDonald’s Corp.

    300       59,010  

Restaurant Brands International, Inc.

    500       32,712  

Starbucks Corp.

    2,000       169,120  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    1,100       111,881  
   

 

 

 
      527,951  
   

 

 

 

Household Durables (0.6%)

   

NVR, Inc.*

    10       36,366  

Panasonic Corp.

    3,900       33,113  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    2,000     35,170  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    3,000       65,062  
   

 

 

 
      169,711  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.1%)

 

eBay, Inc.

    700       24,675  
   

 

 

 

Multiline Retail (0.8%)

   

Dollar General Corp.

    500       80,170  

Target Corp.

    800       85,528  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    1,800       49,335  
   

 

 

 
      215,033  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail (2.7%)

   

AutoZone, Inc.*

    100       114,438  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    900       211,122  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    2,000       62,345  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    100       15,289  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

    200       87,102  

Ross Stores, Inc.

    700       76,769  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    2,400       138,360  
   

 

 

 
      705,425  
   

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (1.5%)

 

adidas AG

    360       111,158  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

    800       20,439  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    200       85,320  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

    1,200       107,460  

VF Corp.

    700       57,603  
   

 

 

 
      381,980  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      2,161,965  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Staples (13.1%)

   

Beverages (3.4%)

   

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    700       35,198  

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

    500       32,760  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    200       28,136  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    5,100       277,593  

Diageo plc

    2,400       98,379  

Heineken NV

    800       81,604  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,000       21,345  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    2,030       278,455  

Pernod Ricard SA

    200       36,917  
   

 

 

 
      890,387  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing (2.2%)

   

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., Class B

    1,400       41,986  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    700       207,977  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    800       19,919  

Loblaw Cos. Ltd.

    800       42,664  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    900       34,170  

Sysco Corp.

    1,200       95,844  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    1,000       54,780  

Walmart, Inc.

    200       23,452  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

    2,200       56,598  
   

 

 

 
      577,390  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

152


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Food Products (3.1%)

   

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG (Registered)

    1     $ 81,906  

Danone SA

    651       53,990  

General Mills, Inc.

    1,600       81,376  

Hershey Co. (The)

    600       88,122  

Kellogg Co.

    900       57,177  

McCormick & Co., Inc. (Non-Voting)

    300       48,207  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    3,300       173,085  

Mowi ASA

    700       17,066  

Nestle SA (Registered)

    1,700       181,494  

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

    400       33,116  
   

 

 

 
      815,539  
   

 

 

 

Household Products (2.6%)

   

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

    1,000       69,940  

Clorox Co. (The)

    300       44,307  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    1,000       68,600  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference)(q)

    420       43,648  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    1,000       132,880  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    2,500       311,275  
   

 

 

 
      670,650  
   

 

 

 

Personal Products (1.8%)

   

Beiersdorf AG

    180       21,310  

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

    600       111,762  

Kao Corp.

    500       40,485  

L’Oreal SA

    270       78,836  

Unilever NV

    2,600       153,543  

Unilever plc

    1,300       77,841  
   

 

 

 
      483,777  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      3,437,743  
   

 

 

 

Energy (1.6%)

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (1.6%)

 

Chevron Corp.

    200       23,228  

ConocoPhillips

    500       27,600  

Enbridge, Inc.

    800       29,137  

Eni SpA

    1,400       21,188  

Equinor ASA

    1,600       29,595  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    2,000       135,140  

Neste OYJ

    1,200       43,309  

Repsol SA

    1,802       29,544  

TOTAL SA

    1,400       73,598  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      412,339  
   

 

 

 

Financials (19.4%)

   

Banks (6.3%)

   

Bank Hapoalim BM

    4,000       31,994  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM

    3,000       21,842  

Bank of America Corp.

    3,600       112,572  

Bank of Montreal

    1,100       81,429  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The)

    1,300       74,559  

Bankinter SA

    2,000       13,830  

BB&T Corp.

    800       42,440  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    500       42,635  

Citigroup, Inc.

    1,100     79,046  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    600       21,096  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    511       27,709  

DNB ASA

    900       16,354  

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

    1,400       29,265  

ING Groep NV

    2,700       30,499  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    500       62,460  

KBC Group NV

    200       14,026  

M&T Bank Corp.

    200       31,306  

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.

    1,800       44,637  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    1,400       27,611  

National Bank of Canada

    1,400       72,301  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    3,000       24,168  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    700       102,690  

Royal Bank of Canada

    2,000       161,324  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    6,000       57,491  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    700       47,838  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    4,000       40,043  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    2,600       36,365  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

    3,400       194,149  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    1,000       19,721  

US Bancorp

    1,800       102,636  
   

 

 

 
      1,664,036  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets (3.7%)

   

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

    300       45,267  

ASX Ltd.

    400       22,699  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    1,500       70,125  

BlackRock, Inc.

    300       138,510  

CME Group, Inc.

    500       102,875  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    400       61,988  

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

    100       25,352  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    700       21,886  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    1,400       132,048  

Moody’s Corp.

    200       44,138  

MSCI, Inc.

    300       70,368  

Northern Trust Corp.

    400       39,872  

S&P Global, Inc.

    500       128,995  

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

    500       57,900  
   

 

 

 
      962,023  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (0.7%)

   

American Express Co.

    900       105,552  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    600       55,950  

Discover Financial Services

    400       32,104  
   

 

 

 
      193,606  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (0.8%)

   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

    1,000       212,580  
   

 

 

 

Insurance (7.9%)

   

Aflac, Inc.

    1,600       85,056  

Allianz SE (Registered)

    628       153,389  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    1,100       117,062  

American Financial Group, Inc.

    400       41,616  

Aon plc

    800       154,528  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

153


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Arch Capital Group Ltd.*

    600     $ 25,056  

Chubb Ltd.

    1,200       182,904  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    300       33,963  

Great-West Lifeco, Inc.

    1,200       29,182  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    800       45,664  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    7,676       42,014  

Intact Financial Corp.

    500       51,591  

Legal & General Group plc

    8,000       27,327  

Loews Corp.

    1,100       53,900  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    3,400       63,323  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    1,600       165,792  

Medibank Pvt Ltd.

    8,700       20,271  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen (Registered)

    452       125,525  

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

    500       26,690  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    1,600       111,520  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    1,600       65,562  

Sun Life Financial, Inc.

    2,500       112,159  

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    500       27,169  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    900       117,954  

Willis Towers Watson plc

    400       74,760  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    280       109,417  
   

 

 

 
      2,063,394  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      5,095,639  
   

 

 

 

Health Care (11.6%)

   

Biotechnology (0.7%)

   

Amgen, Inc.

    664       141,598  

CSL Ltd.

    200       35,299  
   

 

 

 
      176,897  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (3.5%)

 

Abbott Laboratories

    1,000       83,610  

Baxter International, Inc.

    800       61,360  

Cochlear Ltd.

    200       29,165  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    400       48,200  

Danaher Corp.

    700       96,474  

Hoya Corp.

    400       35,570  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*

    200       57,002  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

    100       55,295  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    614       26,892  

Medtronic plc

    2,200       239,580  

STERIS plc

    200       28,314  

Stryker Corp.

    600       129,762  

Terumo Corp.

    900       29,586  
   

 

 

 
      920,810  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (1.6%)

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    200       17,076  

Anthem, Inc.

    200       53,816  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    400       53,416  

Henry Schein, Inc.*

    400       25,034  

Humana, Inc.

    100       29,420  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    900       227,430  
   

 

 

 
      406,192  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.8%)

 

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    500       37,875  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*

    100       70,494  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    300     90,594  

Waters Corp.*

    100       21,162  
   

 

 

 
      220,125  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (5.0%)

   

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    3,000       51,630  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    400       33,892  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    1,300       148,135  

GlaxoSmithKline plc

    2,000       45,819  

Johnson & Johnson

    1,200       158,448  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    2,200       190,652  

Merck KGaA

    200       23,845  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    861       75,138  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    1,700       92,844  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    400       16,809  

Pfizer, Inc.

    5,100       195,687  

Roche Holding AG

    520       156,448  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    300       18,107  

Zoetis, Inc.

    900       115,128  
   

 

 

 
      1,322,582  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      3,046,606  
   

 

 

 

Industrials (14.3%)

   

Aerospace & Defense (2.6%)

   

Airbus SE

    270       38,671  

CAE, Inc.

    1,000       25,078  

General Dynamics Corp.

    500       88,400  

HEICO Corp.

    200       24,668  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    400       82,524  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    400       150,672  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    100       26,700  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    400       140,992  

Thales SA

    200       19,549  

United Technologies Corp.

    500       71,790  
   

 

 

 
      669,044  
   

 

 

 

Air Freight & Logistics (0.7%)

   

DSV Panalpina A/S

    300       29,110  

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.

    800       58,352  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    900       103,653  
   

 

 

 
      191,115  
   

 

 

 

Building Products (0.9%)

   

Allegion plc

    200       23,208  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    1,200       28,460  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    200       28,206  

Geberit AG (Registered)

    140       71,043  

Johnson Controls International plc

    1,200       51,996  

Lennox International, Inc.

    100       24,736  
   

 

 

 
      227,649  
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (1.1%)

 

Cintas Corp.

    200       53,734  

Copart, Inc.*

    300       24,792  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    1,000       26,929  

Republic Services, Inc.

    400       35,004  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    700       65,242  

Waste Management, Inc.

    800       89,768  
   

 

 

 
      295,469  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

154


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Construction & Engineering (0.8%)

 

HOCHTIEF AG

    120     $ 14,963  

Kajima Corp.

    2,000       27,706  

Obayashi Corp.

    2,000       20,743  

Shimizu Corp.

    3,000       28,169  

Taisei Corp.

    800       31,855  

Vinci SA

    500       56,099  

WSP Global, Inc.

    400       24,958  
   

 

 

 
      204,493  
   

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment (0.4%)

   

Legrand SA

    300       23,414  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    2,000       28,827  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    200       34,398  

Schneider Electric SE

    300       27,858  
   

 

 

 
      114,497  
   

 

 

 

Industrial Conglomerates (1.7%)

   

3M Co.

    900       148,491  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    800       138,184  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

    200       67,392  

Siemens AG (Registered)

    822       94,776  
   

 

 

 
      448,843  
   

 

 

 

Machinery (1.6%)

   

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    1,500       52,989  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    500       68,900  

Cummins, Inc.

    300       51,744  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    500       84,290  

Ingersoll-Rand plc

    700       88,823  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    600       38,170  

Sandvik AB

    2,000       35,285  
   

 

 

 
      420,201  
   

 

 

 

Marine (0.1%)

   

Kuehne + Nagel International AG (Registered)

    180       29,076  
   

 

 

 

Professional Services (1.3%)

   

CoStar Group, Inc.*

    100       54,952  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    800       26,751  

SGS SA (Registered)

    17       44,253  

TransUnion

    300       24,786  

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

    400       57,880  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    1,635       120,389  
   

 

 

 
      329,011  
   

 

 

 

Road & Rail (1.8%)

   

Canadian National Railway Co.

    1,000       89,439  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

    200       45,480  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    200       41,291  

East Japan Railway Co.

    1,000       91,203  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.

    1,000       40,282  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,000       54,727  

MTR Corp. Ltd.

    4,000       22,971  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    2,000       48,949  

Union Pacific Corp.

    300       49,638  
   

 

 

 
      483,980  
   

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.0%)

 

Brenntag AG

    400       20,075  

Bunzl plc

    600       15,606  

Fastenal Co.

    1,000       35,940  

Ferguson plc

    473     40,353  

ITOCHU Corp.

    1,500       31,545  

Marubeni Corp.

    3,000       21,274  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    1,200       30,714  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    1,900       32,857  

Sumitomo Corp.

    2,300       37,549  
   

 

 

 
      265,913  
   

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure (0.3%)

   

Aena SME SA(m)

    270       49,536  

Kamigumi Co. Ltd.

    1,400       31,814  
   

 

 

 
      81,350  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      3,760,641  
   

 

 

 

Information Technology (12.9%)

   

Communications Equipment (0.6%)

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3,271       155,405  

F5 Networks, Inc.*

    100       14,408  
   

 

 

 
      169,813  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (1.0%)

 

Amphenol Corp., Class A

    600       60,198  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    300       15,314  

Hitachi Ltd.

    600       22,608  

Keyence Corp.

    100       63,728  

Kyocera Corp.

    400       26,454  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    700       62,650  
   

 

 

 
      250,952  
   

 

 

 

IT Services (5.2%)

   

Accenture plc, Class A

    1,200       222,504  

Amadeus IT Group SA

    700       51,792  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    1,100       178,453  

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

    200       25,044  

CGI, Inc.*

    1,000       77,731  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    800       48,752  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    500       65,880  

Fiserv, Inc.*

    1,000       106,140  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    400       35,637  

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

    300       42,468  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    600       166,086  

Paychex, Inc.

    1,100       92,004  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    1,400       250,404  
   

 

 

 
      1,362,895  
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (1.4%)

 

ASML Holding NV

    390       102,217  

Intel Corp.

    2,400       135,672  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    1,100       129,789  
   

 

 

 
      367,678  
   

 

 

 

Software (3.7%)

   

Adobe, Inc.*

    500       138,965  

ANSYS, Inc.*

    100       22,015  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

    400       26,140  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

    200       21,772  

Dassault Systemes SE

    175       26,554  

Intuit, Inc.

    500       128,750  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

155


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

Microsoft Corp.

    2,128     $ 305,091  

Oracle Corp.

    2,200       119,878  

SAP SE

    1,100       145,748  

Synopsys, Inc.*

    200       27,150  
   

 

 

 
      962,063  
   

 

 

 

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (1.0%)

 

Apple, Inc.

    800       199,008  

Canon, Inc.

    1,300       35,657  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    700       30,985  
   

 

 

 
      265,650  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      3,379,051  
   

 

 

 

Materials (3.0%)

   

Chemicals (2.5%)

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    300       63,978  

Akzo Nobel NV

    670       61,686  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    200       15,352  

Ecolab, Inc.

    900       172,863  

Givaudan SA (Registered)

    33       96,909  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    312       36,972  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    400       18,833  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    500       62,560  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    100       57,232  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    300       33,781  

Symrise AG

    300       28,869  
   

 

 

 
      649,035  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging (0.2%)

   

Ball Corp.

    800       55,976  
   

 

 

 

Metals & Mining (0.2%)

   

BHP Group Ltd.

    1,243       30,804  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    411       25,748  
   

 

 

 
      56,552  
   

 

 

 

Paper & Forest Products (0.1%)

   

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    600       19,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      781,063  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate (4.3%)

   

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (3.5%)

 

Ascendas REIT (REIT)

    12,000       27,961  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)

    500       108,830  

CapitaLand Mall Trust (REIT)

    19,000       35,474  

Dexus (REIT)

    4,200       34,657  

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (REIT)

    1,000       69,940  

Equity Residential (REIT)

    900       79,794  

Goodman Group (REIT)

    3,500       34,719  

GPT Group (The) (REIT)

    19,392       79,539  

H&R REIT (REIT)

    1,400       23,682  

Japan Retail Fund Investment Corp. (REIT)

    9       21,002  

Link REIT (REIT)

    2,000       21,810  

Mirvac Group (REIT)

    13,600       30,094  

Prologis, Inc. (REIT)

    1,200       105,312  

Public Storage (REIT)

    300       66,858  

Regency Centers Corp. (REIT)

    300       20,172  

Simon Property Group, Inc. (REIT)

    600     90,408  

United Urban Investment Corp. (REIT)

    30       60,561  

Vornado Realty Trust (REIT)

    200       13,126  
   

 

 

 
      923,939  
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.8%)

 

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*

    600       32,130  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    1,000       34,587  

First Capital Realty, Inc. (REIT)

    2,200       36,413  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    1,000       19,516  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    1,000       25,752  

Swiss Prime Site AG (Registered)*

    583       60,043  
   

 

 

 
      208,441  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      1,132,380  
   

 

 

 

Utilities (4.9%)

   

Electric Utilities (1.6%)

   

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.

    3,100       46,662  

Enel SpA

    12,000       92,882  

Eversource Energy

    1,300       108,862  

Orsted A/S(m)

    643       56,402  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    2,000       40,263  

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

    13,465       88,964  
   

 

 

 
      434,035  
   

 

 

 

Gas Utilities (0.7%)

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

    500       56,240  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

    17,303       33,608  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    800       21,780  

Snam SpA

    6,000       30,782  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    2,000       49,004  
   

 

 

 
      191,414  
   

 

 

 

Multi-Utilities (2.1%)

   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    2,200       63,954  

CMS Energy Corp.

    1,200       76,704  

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

    1,300       119,886  

E.ON SE

    7,606       76,661  

National Grid plc

    1,400       16,345  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    1,300       82,303  

Sempra Energy

    800       115,608  
   

 

 

 
      551,461  
   

 

 

 

Water Utilities (0.5%)

   

American Water Works Co., Inc.

    700       86,289  

Severn Trent plc

    1,200       35,052  
   

 

 

 
      121,341  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      1,298,251  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (99.2%)
(Cost $21,949,004)

      26,052,224  
   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

156


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

     
     Number of
Shares
    Value
(Note 1)
 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT:

   

Investment Company (0.1%)

   

JPMorgan Prime Money Market
Fund, IM Shares

    24,118     $ 24,127  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investment (0.1%)
(Cost $24,127)

      24,127  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities (99.3%)
(Cost $21,973,131)

      26,076,351  

Other Assets Less Liabilities (0.7%)

      185,147  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

    $ 26,261,498  
   

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing.

(m)

Regulation S is an exemption for securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. Resale restrictions may apply for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933. At October 31, 2019, the market value of these securities amounted to $105,938 or 0.4% of net assets.

(q)

Preference Shares are a special type of equity investment that shares in the earnings of the company, has limited voting rights, and receives a greater dividend than applicable Common Shares.

 

 

Country Diversification

As a Percentage of Total Net Assets

 

Australia

    2.1

Belgium

    0.0

Canada

    5.9

Denmark

    1.1

Finland

    0.7

France

    2.0

Germany

    4.1

Hong Kong

    0.5

Israel

    0.4

Italy

    0.9

Japan

    7.6

Netherlands

    1.8

Norway

    0.4

Singapore

    0.8

Spain

    1.1

Sweden

    1.1

Switzerland

    3.7  

United Kingdom

    2.0

United States

    63.1

Cash and Other

    0.7  
   

 

 

 
      100.0
   

 

 

 

 

#

Percent shown is less than 0.05%.

 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019:

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

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

         
Investment Type   Level 1
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Securities
    Level 2
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(including quoted prices
for similar securities,
interest rates,
prepayment speeds,
credit risk, etc.)
    Level 3
Significant Unobservable
Inputs (including the
Fund’s own
assumptions in
determining the fair
value of investments)
    Total  

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

       

Communication Services

  $ 977,156     $ 569,390     $     $ 1,546,546  

Consumer Discretionary

    1,579,941       582,024             2,161,965  

Consumer Staples

    2,275,358       1,162,385             3,437,743  

Energy

    215,105       197,234             412,339  

Financials

    3,982,837       1,112,802             5,095,639  

Health Care

    2,327,362       719,244             3,046,606  

Industrials

    2,114,662       1,645,979             3,760,641  

Information Technology

    2,822,357       556,694             3,379,051  

Materials

    412,609       368,454             781,063  

Real Estate

    646,665       485,715             1,132,380  

Utilities

    709,846       588,405             1,298,251  

Short-Term Investment

       

Investment Company

    24,127                   24,127  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

  $ 18,088,025     $ 7,988,326     $     $ 26,076,351  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  $     $     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $     18,088,025     $     7,988,326     $         —     $     26,076,351  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

157


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The Fund held no derivatives contracts during the year ended October 31, 2019.

Investment security transactions for the year ended October 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Cost of Purchases:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $     12,166,433  

Net Proceeds of Sales and Redemptions:

 

Long-term investments other than U.S. government debt securities

  $ 6,519,902  

As of October 31, 2019, the gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments based on the aggregate cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable, for Federal income tax purposes was as follows:

 

Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 4,437,763  

Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation

    (370,125
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 4,067,638  
 

 

 

 

Federal income tax cost of investments in securities and derivative instruments, if applicable

  $     22,008,713  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

158


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

October 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

 

Investments in Securities, at value (Cost $21,973,131)

  $ 26,076,351  

Cash

    383,000  

Foreign cash (Cost $42,476)

    42,694  

Receivable for securities sold

    207,507  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    123,490  

Dividends, interest and other receivables

    57,945  

Prepaid registration and filing fees

    19,899  

Receivable from investment adviser

    7,699  

Other assets

    229  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    26,918,814  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payable for securities purchased

    592,838  

Transfer agent fees payable

    3,775  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    2,206  

Distribution fees payable – Class A

    419  

Distribution fees payable – Class R

    63  

Accrued expenses

    58,015  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    657,316  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 26,261,498  
 

 

 

 

Net assets were comprised of:

 

Paid in capital

  $ 21,620,098  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    4,641,400  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 26,261,498  
 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $2,014,069 / 150,979 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 13.34  

Maximum sales charge (5.50% of offering price)

    0.78  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 14.12  
 

 

 

 

Class I

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $23,958,738 / 1,791,799 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 13.37  
 

 

 

 

Class R

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $150,578 / 11,313 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 13.31  
 

 

 

 

Class T**

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share, $138,113 / 10,332 shares outstanding (unlimited amount authorized: $0.001 par value)

  $ 13.37  

Maximum sales charge (2.50% of offering price)

    0.34  
 

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share

  $ 13.71  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends (net of $31,408 foreign withholding tax)

  $ 501,182  

Interest

    3,258  
 

 

 

 

Total income

    504,440  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    148,021  

Professional fees

    71,134  

Transfer agent fees

    48,650  

Registration and filing fees

    43,387  

Printing and mailing expenses

    32,163  

Administrative fees

    31,719  

Custodian fees

    28,175  

Distribution fees – Class A

    3,522  

Trustees’ fees

    1,812  

Distribution fees – Class R

    703  

Distribution fees – Class T**

    321  

Miscellaneous

    21,561  
 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

    431,168  

Less:  Waiver from investment adviser

    (179,740

           Waiverfrom distributor

    (321

           Reimbursementfrom investment adviser

    (56,512
 

 

 

 

           Netexpenses

    194,595  
 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

    309,845  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in securities

    299,003  

Foreign currency transactions

    (1,830
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    297,173  
 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in securities

    2,510,608  

Foreign currency translations

    656  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,511,264  
 

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

    2,808,437  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 3,118,282  
 

 

 

 

 

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

159


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
    2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 309,845     $ 239,589  

Net realized gain (loss)

    297,173       636,892  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,511,264       (657,820
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    3,118,282       218,661  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

   

Class A

    (49,479     (16,661

Class I

    (823,783     (426,857

Class R

    (6,108     (3,515

Class T**

    (6,200     (3,823
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (885,570     (450,856
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES TRANSACTIONS:

   

Class A

   

Capital shares sold [ 94,431 and 51,694 shares, respectively ]

    1,199,186       633,484  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 3,763 and 1,060 shares, respectively ]

    43,270       12,925  

Capital shares repurchased [ (40,087) and (15,913) shares, respectively ]

    (494,261     (196,268
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class A transactions

    748,195       450,141  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class I

   

Capital shares sold [ 503,495 and 218,679 shares, respectively ]

    6,334,750       2,716,062  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 21,002 and 5,562 shares, respectively ]

    241,529       67,799  

Capital shares repurchased [ (81,503) and (30,974) shares, respectively ]

    (1,019,728     (385,697
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class I transactions

    5,556,551       2,398,164  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

   

Capital shares sold [ 127 and 72 shares, respectively ]

    1,616       888  

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends [ 25 and 12 shares, respectively ]

    283       139  

Capital shares repurchased [ (143) and (3) shares, respectively ]

    (1,887     (31
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Class R transactions

    12       996  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    6,304,758       2,849,301  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    8,537,470       2,617,106  

NET ASSETS:

   

Beginning of year

    17,724,028       15,106,922  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 26,261,498     $ 17,724,028  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

**  Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

160


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class A    2019      2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.09      $ 12.23     $ 10.25     $ 10.24     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.15        0.15       0.13       0.12 ##      0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.67        0.06 †      1.96       0.04       0.16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.82        0.21       2.09       0.16       0.27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.14      (0.15     (0.11     (0.15     (0.03

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.43      (0.20                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.57      (0.35     (0.11     (0.15     (0.03
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 13.34      $ 12.09     $ 12.23     $ 10.25     $ 10.24  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     15.81      1.64     20.58     1.58     2.70
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     2,014      $     1,123     $     685     $     269     $     3,111  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.15      1.15     1.20     1.35     1.35

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.26      2.42     2.77     2.76     4.21

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

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.19      1.21     1.17     1.23 %(aa)      1.14 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.08      (0.06 )%      (0.41 )%      (0.18 )%(aa)      (1.73 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     31      49     41     27     29
     Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class I    2019      2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.11      $ 12.25     $ 10.27     $ 10.26     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

           

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.19        0.18       0.17       0.15 ##      0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.67        0.06 †      1.95       0.03       0.15  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.86        0.24       2.12       0.18       0.29  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.17      (0.18     (0.14     (0.17     (0.03

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.43      (0.20                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.60      (0.38     (0.14     (0.17     (0.03
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 13.37      $ 12.11     $ 12.25     $ 10.27     $ 10.26  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     16.16      1.86     20.85     1.84     2.94
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     23,959      $     16,340     $     14,158     $     10,838     $     3,218  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.90      0.90     0.96     1.10     1.10

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.02      2.16     2.49     2.51     3.96

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

           

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.49      1.47     1.48     1.44 %(aa)      1.38 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.37      0.21     (0.05 )%      0.04 %(aa)      (1.48 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     31      49     41     27     29

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

161


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

     Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class R    2019      2018      2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.06      $ 12.20      $ 10.23      $ 10.22     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

             

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.12        0.12        0.11        0.10 ##      0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.67        0.06 †       1.94        0.03       0.16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.79        0.18        2.05        0.13       0.25  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

             

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.11      (0.12      (0.08      (0.12     (0.03

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.43      (0.20                    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.54      (0.32      (0.08      (0.12     (0.03
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 13.31      $ 12.06      $ 12.20      $ 10.23     $ 10.22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     15.55      1.39      20.21      1.32     2.47
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     151      $     136      $     137      $     115     $     3,073  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

             

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.40      1.40      1.46      1.60     1.60

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.52      2.66      2.98      3.01     4.46

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

             

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.00      0.98      0.98      0.98 %(aa)      0.89 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     (0.12 )%       (0.29 )%       (0.54 )%       (0.43 )%(aa)      (1.98 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     31      49      41      27     29
     Year Ended October 31,     November 12, 2014* to
October 31, 2015
 
Class T**    2019      2018      2017      2016  

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 12.11      $ 12.25      $ 10.27      $ 10.26     $ 10.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

             

Net investment income (loss) (e)

     0.19        0.18        0.17        0.15 ##      0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.67        0.06 †       1.95        0.03       0.15  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

     1.86        0.24        2.12        0.18       0.29  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions:

             

Dividends from net investment income

     (0.17      (0.18      (0.14      (0.17     (0.03

Distributions from net realized gains

     (0.43      (0.20                    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions

     (0.60      (0.38      (0.14      (0.17     (0.03
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $     13.37      $     12.11      $     12.25      $     10.27     $ 10.26  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return (b)

     16.16      1.86      20.85      1.84     2.94
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

             

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

   $     138      $     125      $     127      $     106     $     1,029  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets:

             

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.90      0.90      0.96      1.10     1.10

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     2.27      2.41      2.96      3.51     4.96

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

             

After waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     1.50      1.47      1.48      1.48 %(aa)      1.39 %(l) 

Before waivers and reimbursements (a)(f)

     0.13      (0.04 )%       (0.52 )%       (0.93 )%(aa)      (2.48 )%(l) 

Portfolio turnover rate (z)^

     31      49      41      27     29

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

162


1290 FUNDS

1290 SMARTBETA EQUITY FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)

 

 

 

 

*

Commencement of Operations.

**

Class T shares currently are not offered for sale. Class T shares were formerly known as Class C shares.

The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the aggregate net income and/or gain on investments for that period because of the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments in the Fund.

##

Includes income resulting from a special dividend. Without this dividend, the per share income amounts would be $0.08, $0.11, $0.06 and $0.11 for Class A, Class I, Class R and Class T, respectively.

^

Portfolio turnover rate excludes derivatives, if any.

(a)

Ratios for periods less than one year are annualized. Certain non-recurring expenses incurred by the Fund are not annualized for periods less than one year.

(b)

Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.

(e)

Net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding.

(f)

Expenses do not include the expenses of the underlying funds (“indirect expenses”), if applicable.

(l)

The annualized ratio of net investment income to average net assets may not be indicative of operating results for a full year.

(z)

Portfolio turnover rate for periods less than one year is not annualized.

(aa)

Includes income resulting from a special dividend. Without this dividend, the ratios for each class would have been 0.37% lower.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

163


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 31, 2019

 

Note  1

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

1290 Funds (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 1, 2013 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company with eighteen diversified funds in operation (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The investment adviser to each Fund is AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC d/b/a 1290 Asset Managers® (“1290 Asset Managers” or “FMG LLC” or the “Adviser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”).

On June 8, 2018 and June 13, 2018, FMG LLC redeemed capital out of the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund in the amount of $20,000,000 and $19,591,184, respectively, for Class I shares. On June 8, 2018 and June 13, 2018, FMG LLC contributed capital into the 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund in the amount of $20,000,000 and $19,591,184, respectively, for Class I shares.

On September 10, 2019, FMG LLC redeemed capital out of the 1290 Retirement 2025 Fund in the amount of $2,905,000 for Class I shares.

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

Each of the investment sub-advisers (each a “Sub-Adviser”) independently chooses and maintains a portfolio of securities for their respective Fund.

The 1290 Retirement 2020 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2025 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2035 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2040 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2045 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2050 Fund, 1290 Retirement 2055 Fund and the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund (each, a “1290 Retirement Fund” and together, the “1290 Retirement Funds”) as well as 1290 Multi- Alternative Strategies Fund and 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund are types of mutual funds often described as “fund-of-funds.” These Funds pursue their investment objectives by investing exclusively in other unaffiliated investment companies or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The underlying funds’ financial statements are publicly available through the SEC’s EDGAR database (https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html).

The Trust has authorized four classes of shares, Class A, Class I, Class R and Class T on behalf of each of the eighteen Funds. Class T shares are currently not offered for sale. Additionally, 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund and each 1290 Retirement Fund currently only offer Class I shares for sale.

The Class A, Class R and Class T shares are subject to distribution fees imposed under distribution plans (“Distribution Plans”) adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Trust’s multiple-class distribution system, all four classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, other than the payment of distribution fees under the applicable Distribution Plan.

Additionally, Class A shares are sold at a maximum front-end sales charge of up to 4.50% for 1290 Convertible Securities Fund, 1290 Diversified Bond Fund and 1290 High Yield Bond Fund, and up to 5.50% for 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund, 1290 GAMCO Small/ Mid Cap Value Fund, 1290 Global Talents Fund, 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund, 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund, 1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund and each 1290 Retirement Fund. Class A shares sold without a front-end sales charge are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1% of the lesser of the original net asset value (“NAV”) of the redeemed shares at the time of purchase or the aggregate NAV of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption, if redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class T shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales charge of up to 2.50%.

 

164


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The investment objectives of each Fund are as follows:

1290 Convertible Securities Fund (sub-advised by Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C.) — Seeks a high level of total return.

1290 Diversified Bond Fund (sub-advised by Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine Global”)) — Seeks to maximize total return consisting of income and capital appreciation.

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund (sub-advised by DoubleLine Capital LP) — Seeks to achieve total return from long-term capital appreciation and income.

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund (sub-advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc.) — Seeks to maximize capital appreciation.

1290 Global Talents Fund (sub-advised by AXA Investment Managers, Inc. (“AXA IM”)) — Seeks to provide long-term capital growth.

1290 High Yield Bond Fund (sub-advised by AXA IM) — Seeks to maximize current income.

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund — Seeks long-term capital appreciation while managing portfolio volatility.

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund — Seeks long-term growth of capital.

1290 Retirement 2020 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2025 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2030 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2035 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2040 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2045 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2050 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2055 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 Retirement 2060 Fund — Seeks the highest total return over time consistent with its asset mix while managing portfolio volatility. Total return includes capital growth and income.

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund (sub-advised by AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC) — Seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation.

The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies of the Trust:

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Funds are investment companies and, accordingly, follow the

 

165


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Investment Company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 — Investment Companies, which is part of U.S. GAAP.

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2017-08, “Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities, held at a premium, to be amortized to the earliest call date rather than the contractual maturity date. The Funds will adopt and apply ASU 2017-08 on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment as of November 1, 2019. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-08, as of November 1, 2019, for each Fund with in-scope securities, the amortized cost basis of investments will be reduced and unrealized appreciation of investments will be increased, but there will be no impact on net assets or overall results from operations.

Valuation:

Equity securities (including securities issued by ETFs) listed on national securities exchanges are generally valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the date of valuation or, if there is no sale or official closing price, at the latest available bid price. Securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market will be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Generally, the NOCP will be the last sale price unless the reported trade for the security is outside the range of the bid/ask price. In such cases, the NOCP will be normalized to the nearer of the bid or ask price. Other unlisted stocks are generally valued at their last sale price or official closing price, or if there is no such price, at a bid price estimated by a broker.

Corporate and municipal bonds and notes are generally valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The pricing services may utilize many inputs that are observable in making evaluations which may include, but are not limited to, trading activity for similar securities, issuer details, yields, default rates, credit spreads, quoted prices and any developments related to the specific securities. However, when such prices are not available, such bonds and notes are generally valued at a bid price estimated by a broker.

Convertible preferred stocks listed on national securities exchanges are generally valued as of their last sale price or, if there is no sale, at the latest available bid price. Convertible bonds and unlisted convertible preferred stocks are generally valued using prices obtained from a pricing service for such investments or, if a pricing service price is not available, at bid prices obtained from one or more of the major dealers in such bonds or stocks. Where there is a discrepancy between dealers, values may be adjusted based on recent premium spreads to the underlying common stocks. Convertible bonds may be matrix-priced based upon the conversion value to the underlying common stocks and market premiums.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are generally valued at evaluated prices obtained from a pricing service where available, or at a bid price obtained from one or more of the major dealers in such securities. The pricing service may utilize data such as issuer type, coupon, cash flows, collateral performance, mortgage prepayment projection tables and Adjustable Rate Mortgage evaluations that incorporate index data, periodic and life caps, the next coupon reset date and the convertibility of the bond in making evaluations. If a quoted price is unavailable, an equivalent yield or yield spread quotes may be obtained from a broker and converted to a price.

Options that are traded on an exchange are generally valued at their last sale price or official closing price on the date of valuation. Options not traded on an exchange or actively traded are valued according to fair value methods. The market value of a put or call option will usually reflect, among other factors, the market price of the underlying security.

 

166


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

U.S. Treasury securities and other obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, are generally valued at prices obtained from a bond pricing service where available. The pricing service may utilize data received from active market makers and broker-dealers, yield curves and the spread over comparable U.S. Treasury issues in making evaluations.

Foreign securities, including foreign government securities, not traded directly in the U.S., or traded in American Depositary Receipts (“ADR”) or similar form, are generally valued at representative quoted prices from the primary exchange in the currency of the country of origin. Foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollar equivalent at current exchange rates.

Investments in shares of open-end investment companies (other than ETFs) held by a Fund are generally valued at the NAV of the shares of such funds as described in the underlying funds’ prospectuses.

Futures contracts are generally valued at their last settlement price or, if there is no sale, at the latest available bid price.

Forward foreign currency contracts are generally valued by interpolating between the forward and spot currency rates as quoted by a pricing service as of a designated hour on the valuation date. The pricing service may utilize data such as actual trading information and foreign currency rates gathered from leading market makers and foreign currency trading centers throughout the world in making evaluations. Forward foreign currency contracts may be settled with the counterparty in U.S. dollars without the delivery of foreign currency.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. Swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon values from third party vendors, which may include a clearing counterparty, registered exchange, or quotations from market makers to the extent available. In the event that market quotes are not readily available and the swap cannot be valued pursuant to one of the valuation methods, the value of the swap will be determined in good faith by the Committee. Changes in market value, if any, are reflected as a component of net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statements of Operations. Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable for the change in value as appropriate (“variation margin”) on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. There is potential for swaps to be illiquid. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as such on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and represent premiums paid or received upon entering into the swap agreement to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). These upfront premiums are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations upon termination or maturity of the swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the swap is recorded as realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by a Fund are included as part of realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations.

Total return swap agreements involve commitments where cash flows are exchanged based on the price of an underlying reference and based on a fixed or variable rate. Total return swap agreements may involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return. One counterparty pays out the total return of a specific reference asset, which may include an underlying equity, index, or bond, and in return receives a fixed or variable rate. At the maturity date, a net cash flow is exchanged where the total return is equivalent to the return of the underlying reference less a financing rate, if any. As a receiver, the Fund would receive payments based on any positive total return and would owe payments in the event of a negative total return. As the payer, the Fund would owe payments on any net positive total return, and would receive payment in the event of a negative total return. In connection with total return

 

167


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

swap agreements, securities or cash may be identified as collateral or margin in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency.

Currency swaps involve the exchange by one party with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. Therefore, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. In addition, a Fund may enter into currency swaps that involve an agreement to pay interest streams in one currency based on a specified index in exchange for receiving interest streams denominated in another currency. Currency swaps may involve initial and final exchanges that correspond to the agreed upon notional amount.

Interest rate swaps involve the exchange between two parties of payments calculated by reference to specified interest rates (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments). The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. Caps and floors may be less liquid than swaps. In addition, the value of interest rate transactions will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates.

Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. A Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the seller, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” is intended to ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and limit any potential leveraging of the Fund. Such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss. To the extent that credit default swaps are entered into for hedging purposes or are covered as described above, the Adviser believes such obligations do not constitute “senior securities” under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being subject to the Fund’s senior security and borrowing restrictions.

In the case of a credit default swap sold by a Fund (i.e., where the Fund is selling credit default protection), the Fund may value the credit default swap at its notional amount in applying certain of the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, but may value the credit default swap at market value for purposes of applying certain of the Fund’s other investment policies and restrictions.

 

168


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

An option on a swap agreement, also called a “swaption,” is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based “premium.” A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A purchaser of a swaption risks losing only the amount of the premium they have paid should they decide to let the option expire, whereas the seller of a swaption is subject to the risk that they will become obligated if the option is exercised. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.

During the year ended October 31, 2019, certain Funds held forward foreign currency contracts to either gain exposure to certain currencies, or enter into an economic hedge against changes in the values of securities held in the Fund, that do not qualify for hedge accounting under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815. The Statement of Operations for each Fund reflects realized gains or losses, if any, in forward currency transactions and change in unrealized gains or losses in forward foreign currency transactions. Further information on the impact of these positions on the Funds’ financial statements can be found in the Statement of Operations and Portfolio of Investments for each Fund.

If market quotations are not readily available for a security or other financial instrument, such security and instrument shall be referred to the Trust’s Valuation Committee (“Committee”), which will value the asset in good faith pursuant to procedures (“Pricing Procedures”) adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”).

The Board is responsible for ensuring that appropriate valuation methods are used to price securities for the Funds. The Board has delegated the responsibility of calculating the NAVs of each of the Funds and classes pursuant to these Pricing Procedures to the Trust’s administrator, FMG LLC (in its capacity as administrator, the “Administrator”). The Administrator has entered into a sub-administration agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Sub-Administrator”), which assists in performing certain of the duties described herein. The Committee, established by the Board, determines the value of the Trust’s securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which valuation cannot otherwise be provided in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. The Committee is comprised of senior employees from FMG LLC.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such securities, the fair value may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for such securities existed.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Trust’s assets or liabilities carried at fair value. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels below:

 

   

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

   

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

   

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

A summary of inputs used to value each Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of October 31, 2019, is included in the Portfolio of Investments for each Fund. Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an investment’s assigned level.

Transfers into and transfers out of Level 3 are included in the Level 3 reconciliation following the Portfolio of Investments for each Fund, if any. Transfers between levels may be due to a decline, or an increase, in market activity (e.g., frequency of trades), which may result in a lack of, or increase in, available observable market inputs to determine price.

 

169


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The inputs or methodology used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. An investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input, both individually and in the aggregate, that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Committee has the ability to meet and review reports based on the valuation techniques used to value Level 3 securities. As part of a review, the Committee would consider obtaining updates from its pricing vendors and Sub-Advisers for fair valued securities. For example, with respect to model driven prices, the Committee could receive reports regarding a review and recalculation of pricing models and related discounts. For those securities which are valued based on broker quotes, the Committee may evaluate variances between existing broker quotes and any alternative broker quotes provided by a Sub-Adviser or other pricing source.

To substantiate unobservable inputs used in a fair valuation, the Secretary of the Committee can perform an independent verification as well as additional research for fair value notifications received from the pricing agents. Among other factors, particular areas of focus may include: description of security, historical pricing, intra-day price movement, last trade information, corporate actions, related securities, any available company news and announcements, any available trade data or other information. The Committee also notes the materiality of holdings and price changes on a Fund’s NAV.

The Committee reviews and considers changes in value for all fair valued securities that have occurred since the last review.

Pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, events or circumstances affecting the values of Fund securities that occur between the closing of their principal markets and the time the NAV is determined may be reflected in the Trust’s calculation of a NAV for each applicable Fund when the Adviser deems that the particular event or circumstance would materially affect such Fund’s NAV. At October 31, 2019, none of the Funds applied these procedures.

Security Transactions and Investment Income:

Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date net of brokerage fees, commissions, and transfer fees. Dividend income (net of withholding taxes) and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities, if any, are recognized as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the asset received. Interest income (including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on long-term securities using the effective yield method) and interest expense are accrued daily. The Trust records paydown gains and losses realized on prepayments received on mortgage-backed securities as an adjustment to interest income.

The Funds record distributions received in excess of income from underlying investments as a reduction of cost of investments and/or realized gain. Such amounts are based on estimates if actual amounts are not available and actual amounts of income, realized gain and return of capital may differ from the estimated amounts. The Funds adjust the estimated amounts of components of distributions (and consequently its net investment income) as necessary once the issuers provide information about the actual composition of the distributions.

Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are computed on the basis of the specific identified cost of the investments sold. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, if any, is presented net of deferred taxes on unrealized appreciation in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

170


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Allocation of Expenses and Income:

Expenses attributable to a single Fund or class are charged to that Fund or class. Expenses of the Trust not attributable to a single Fund or class are charged to each Fund or class in proportion to the average net assets of each Fund or other appropriate allocation methods.

All income earned and expenses incurred by each Fund are borne on a pro-rata basis by each outstanding class of shares, based on the proportionate interest in the Fund represented by the daily net assets of such class, except for distribution fees which are charged on a class-specific basis.

Foreign Currency Valuation:

The books and records of the Trust are kept in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates at the following dates:

(i) Market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the valuation date.

(ii) Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the date of such transactions.

The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Reported realized foreign currency gains and losses arise from the disposition of foreign currency, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on each Fund’s books on the transaction date and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. These reported realized foreign currency gains and losses are included in Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions on the Statements of Operations. Unrealized foreign currency gains and losses arise from changes (due to changes in exchange rates) in the value of foreign currency and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, which are held at period end and are included in Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency translations on the Statements of Operations.

Taxes:

Each Fund intends to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders of each Fund. Therefore, no Federal, State and local income tax provisions are required.

The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, the Funds’ conclusions may be subject to future review based on changes in, or the interpretation of, the accounting standards or tax laws and regulations. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2019 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state and local taxing authorities.

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and distributed at least annually for all Funds (1290 Convertible Securities Fund, 1290 Diversified Bond Fund and 1290 High Yield Bond Fund declare and distribute monthly). Dividends to shareholders of a Fund to which

 

171


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

such gains are attributable from net realized short-term and long-term capital gains are declared and distributed at least annually. All distributions are calculated on a tax basis and, as such, the amounts may differ from financial statement investment income and realized gains. Short-term capital gains and foreign currency gains are treated as capital gains for U.S. GAAP purposes but are considered ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions for the years ended October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018 and the tax composition of undistributed ordinary income and undistributed long term gains at October 31, 2019 are presented in the following table. For the Funds, the cumulative timing differences related to the tax composition of undistributed ordinary income and long term gains are primarily due to wash sale loss deferrals (1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value) and capital loss carryover (1290 High Yield Bond and 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies).

 

   

Year Ended October 31, 2019

    As of October 31, 2019    

Year Ended October 31, 2018

 

Funds:

  Distributed
Ordinary
Income
    Distributed
Long Term
Gains
    Accumulated
Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
    Accumulated
Undistributed
Long Term
Gains
    Distributed
Ordinary
Income
    Distributed
Long Term
Gains
 

1290 Convertible Securities

  $ 568,167     $ 820,812     $ 471,472     $ 741,420     $ 550,306     $ 245,075  

1290 Diversified Bond

    2,216,565             2,516,863       1,134,557       2,638,391        

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    1,100,643       1,627,303       2,285,165       930,995       1,554,308       2,764,419  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    1,094,928       212,987       951,714       684,088       369,101       242,379  

1290 Global Talents

    20,882       1,259,775       47,352       117,541       33,488        

1290 High Yield Bond

    1,894,976                         1,818,704        

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    83,091       5,361       42,885       14,810       59,429        

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    203,361       21,640       194,450             38,183       69,201  

1290 Retirement 2020

    120,395       22,023       153,589       146,857       49,252       250  

1290 Retirement 2025

    161,829       14,712       249,117       347,143       49,002        

1290 Retirement 2030

    84,195       4,009       73,287       18,396       46,752        

1290 Retirement 2035

    105,840       1,252       102,650       64,202       46,752        

1290 Retirement 2040

    65,663       2,736       44,182       4,590       47,002        

1290 Retirement 2045

    73,894       1,428       65,471       333       47,142        

1290 Retirement 2050

    67,767       2,824       43,378       4,286       47,252        

1290 Retirement 2055

    66,386       2,655       39,356       2,550       47,252        

1290 Retirement 2060

    62,501       2,604       38,412       4,230       47,502        

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    248,559       637,011       276,406       297,433       290,538       160,318  

Ordinary losses incurred after December 31st and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of a Fund’s next taxable year. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund elected to defer late year losses, in the amount listed below:

 

Fund:

  Deferred Late Year Losses  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

  $ 1,381  

The following Fund had a Return of Capital during the year ended October 31, 2019:

 

Fund:

  Return of Capital  

1290 High Yield Bond

  $ 37,045  

The following Fund had a Return of Capital during the year ended October 31, 2018:

 

Fund:

  Return of Capital  

1290 Diversified Bond

  $ 174,948  

 

172


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Permanent book and tax differences relating to shareholder distributions resulted in reclassifications to undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income (loss), accumulated net realized gain (loss) and paid-in-capital at October 31, 2019 as follows:

 

Funds:

  Undistributed
Net Investment
Income (Loss) (a)
    Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
    Paid In
Capital
 

1290 Convertible Securities

  $ 397,548     $ (397,547   $ (1

1290 Diversified Bond

    (99,489     94,645       4,844  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    62,584       (62,584      

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    (19,867     19,867        

1290 Global Talents

    (4,499     4,499        

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    (1,695     1,695        

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    (3,146     10,844       (7,698

1290 Retirement 2020

    (331     536       (205

1290 Retirement 2025

    (615     987       (372

1290 Retirement 2030

    (3,403     3,403        

1290 Retirement 2035

    (942     1,084       (142

1290 Retirement 2040

    (1,973     1,973        

1290 Retirement 2045

    (584     625       (41

1290 Retirement 2050

    (2,271     2,271        

1290 Retirement 2055

    (832     832        

1290 Retirement 2060

    (1,078     1,078        

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    (3,942     3,942        

 

(a)

These components of net assets are included in Total Distributable Earnings (Loss) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The significant permanent book and tax difference related to the adjustments above is investments in contingent payment debt instruments (1290 Convertible Securities).

Net capital losses recognized by the Funds may get carried forward indefinitely, and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses. A portion of 1290 High Yield Bond’s capital loss carryforward is subject to an annual limitation under the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The following Funds have capital losses incurred that will be carried forward as follows:

 

    Utilized     Losses Carried Forward  

Funds:

  Short Term     Long Term     Short Term     Long Term  

1290 Diversified Bond

  $ 29,675     $         —     $     $  

1290 High Yield Bond

    89,979             661,104       1,769,147  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

                81,786       148,639  

Accounting for Derivative Instruments:

Following is a description of how and why the Funds use derivative instruments, the type of derivatives utilized by the Funds during the reporting period, as well as the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. Derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments must be disclosed separately from those that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Even though the Funds may use derivatives in an attempt to achieve an economic hedge, the Fund’s derivatives are not accounted for as hedging instruments because the Funds account for their derivatives at fair value and record any changes in fair value in current period earnings in the Statements of Operations. All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on each respective Fund’s Portfolio of Investments. The volume of derivative activity, based on month- end notional amounts during the period is also noted in each respective Fund’s Portfolio of Investments. Portfolio securities are reserved and/or pledged with the custodian for current or potential derivative holdings as necessary throughout the year.

 

173


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Options:

Certain Funds may write (sell) covered options as a hedge to provide protection against adverse movements in the price of securities in the Fund or to enhance investment performance. Certain Funds purchase and sell exchange traded options on foreign currencies. When a Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted on a daily basis to the current market price of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are recognized as gains on the expiration date. Premiums received from writing options that are exercised or are cancelled in closing purchase transactions are offset against the cost of any securities purchased or added to the proceeds or netted against the amount paid on the transaction to determine the realized gain or loss. In writing options, a Fund must assume that the option may be exercised at any time prior to the expiration of its obligation as a writer, and that in such circumstances the net proceeds of the sale (or cost of) purchase of the underlying securities and currencies pursuant to the call or put option may be substantially below or above the prevailing market price. A Fund also has the additional risk of not being able to enter into a closing purchase transaction if a liquid secondary market does not exist and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the financial instruments underlying the options.

Certain Funds may purchase put options on securities to increase the Fund’s total investment return or to protect its holdings against a substantial decline in market value. The purchase of put options on securities will enable a Fund to preserve, at least partially, unrealized gains in an appreciated security in its Fund without actually selling the security. In addition, the Funds will continue to receive interest or dividend income on the security. The Funds may also purchase call options on securities to protect against substantial increases in prices of securities that Funds intend to purchase pending their ability to invest in an orderly manner in those securities. The Funds may sell put or call options they have previously purchased, which could result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction costs paid on the put or call option which was bought.

Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Contracts:

The futures contracts used by the Funds are agreements to buy or sell a financial instrument for a set price in the future. Options on futures contracts used by the Funds are rights to buy, or sell a futures contract for a set price in the future. Certain Funds buy or sell futures contracts for the purpose of protecting their Fund securities against future changes in interest rates and indices which might adversely affect the value of the Funds’ securities or the price of securities that they intend to purchase at a later date. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be in cash, certain money market instruments, treasury securities or other liquid, high grade debt securities. During the period the futures contracts are open, changes in the market price of the contracts are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by “marking-to-market” at the end of each trading day. Variation margin payments on futures contracts are received or made, depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from or cost of the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Should interest rates or indices move unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may incur a loss. The use of futures contracts transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. Use of long futures contracts subjects the Funds to risk of loss in excess of the amounts shown on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contracts. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Funds to unlimited risk of loss. The Funds enter into futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade. The exchange or board of trade acts as the counterparty to each futures transaction; therefore, a Fund’s credit risk is limited to failure of the exchange or board of trade.

 

174


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The Funds may be exposed to foreign currency risks associated with Fund investments. Certain Funds may purchase foreign currency on a spot (or cash) basis. In addition, certain Funds enter into contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date (“forward contracts”). A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Daily fluctuations in the value of such contracts are recognized as unrealized appreciation or depreciation by “marking-to-market”. The gain or loss arising from the difference between the original contracts and the closing of such contracts is included in realized gains or losses from foreign currency transactions in the Statements of Operations of the Funds. The Funds may engage in these forward contracts to protect against uncertainty in the level of future rates in connection with the purchase and sale of Fund securities (“transaction hedging”) and to protect the value of specific Fund positions (“position hedging”). The Funds also buy forward foreign currency contracts to gain exposure to currencies. The Funds are subject to off-balance sheet risk to the extent of the value of the contracts for purchase of foreign currency and in an unlimited amount for sales of foreign currency.

Forward Settling Transactions:

Certain Funds make contracts to purchase or sell securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (“forward settling transactions”). Funds may designate the segregation, either on their records or with the Trust’s custodian, of cash or other liquid securities in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price, or may enter into offsetting contracts for the forward sale of other securities they own. These commitments are reported at market value in the financial statements. Forward settling transactions may be considered securities in themselves and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date, which is a risk in addition to the risk of decline in value of the Funds’ other assets. Where such purchases or sales are made through dealers, a Fund relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealer’s failure to do so may result in the loss to a Fund of an advantageous yield or price. Market risk exists on these commitments to the same extent as if the securities were owned on a settled basis and gains and losses are recorded and reported in the same manner. However, during the commitment period, these investments earn no interest or dividends. The use of forward settling transaction may result in market risk to the Funds that is greater than if the Funds had engaged solely in transactions that settle in the customary time.

Certain Funds may enter into to-be-announced purchase or sale commitments (“TBA transactions”), pursuant to which it agrees to purchase or sell, respectively, mortgage backed securities for a fixed unit price, with payment and delivery at a scheduled future date beyond the customary settlement period for such securities. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be received or delivered by a Fund are not identified at the trade date; however, the securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate, and mortgage term, and be within industry accepted “good delivery” standards. Funds may enter into TBA transactions with the intention of taking possession of or relinquishing the underlying securities, may elect to extend the settlement by “rolling” the transaction, and/or may use TBA transactions to gain or reduce interim exposure to underlying securities. Until settlement, a Fund maintains liquid assets sufficient to settle its commitment to purchase a TBA or, in the case of a sale commitment, a Fund maintains an entitlement to the security to be sold.

Master netting arrangements and collateral:

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) govern bilateral OTC derivative transactions entered into by the Sub-Advisors on behalf of the Funds with select counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to

 

175


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement. Any election to terminate early could be material to the financial statements. In limited circumstances, the ISDA Master Agreement may contain additional provisions that add counterparty protection beyond coverage of existing daily exposure if the counterparty has a decline in credit quality below a predefined level. These amounts, if any, may be segregated with a third-party custodian. The market value of OTC financial derivative instruments, collateral received or pledged, and net exposure by counterparty as of period end are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“Master Forward Agreements”) govern certain forward settling transactions, such as TBA transactions, delayed-delivery or sale buybacks by and between the Sub-Advisors on behalf of the Funds and select counterparties. The Master Forward Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, transaction initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral. The market value of forward settling transactions, collateral pledged and/or received, and the net exposure by counterparty as of period end is disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

ISDA Master Agreements and Master Forward Agreements are intended to reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that is intended to improve legal certainty. Under most ISDA Master Agreements and Master Forward Agreements, collateral is routinely pledged if the total net exposure to certain transactions (net of existing collateral already in place) governed under the relevant master agreement with a counterparty in a given account exceeds a specified threshold, which typically ranges from zero to $250,000 (on a per counterparty basis) depending on the counterparty and the type of master agreement.

Collateral on OTC derivatives and centrally cleared derivatives may be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies or foreign governments. Cash pledged as collateral by a Fund is reflected as cash held as collateral at the broker in the accompanying financial statements and generally is restricted from withdrawal by the Fund; securities pledged by a Fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the Fund’s assets. Securities received as collateral by counterparties are not included in the Fund’s assets because the Fund does not obtain effective control over those securities. The obligation to return cash collateral received from counterparties is included as a liability in the accompanying financial statements. Collateral posted or received by the Fund may be held in a segregated account at the respective counterparty or Fund’s custodian. For OTC derivatives, collateral posted or received by the Fund is held in a segregated account at the respective counterparty or Fund’s custodian. As of October 31, 2019, collateral pledged by counterparties to 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation for OTC derivatives consisted of $449,262 in the form of a U.S. Treasury Bond and a U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Bond.

Market and Credit Risk:

A Fund’s investments in financial instruments expose the Fund to various risks such as, but not limited to, interest rate, foreign currency, foreign securities, forward settling transactions and equity risks.

Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed income securities will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. When nominal interest rates decline, the value of certain fixed-income securities held by a Fund generally rises. Conversely, when nominal interest rates rise, the value of certain fixed income securities held by a Fund generally decreases. A nominal interest rate can be described as the sum of a real interest rate and an expected inflation rate. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and a Fund may lose money if these changes are not anticipated by Fund management. A Fund may not be able to hedge against changes in interest rates or may choose not to do so for cost or other reasons. In addition, any hedges may not work as intended. Fixed income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Duration is useful primarily as a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s market price to interest rate (i.e., yield) movements. As of

 

176


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

October 31, 2019, interest rates are near historic lows in the United States, and below zero in other parts of the world, including certain European countries and Japan. A Fund is subject to greater risk of rising interest rates due to these market conditions. A significant or rapid rise in interest rates could result in losses to the Fund.

Many debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments utilize the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as the reference or benchmark rate for variable interest rate calculations. In July 2017, the UK Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it will cease its active encouragement of UK banks to provide quotations needed to sustain LIBOR, suggesting that LIBOR may cease to be published after that time. Financial industry groups have begun planning for a transition to the use of a different benchmark, but there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on the LIBOR to determine interest rates, a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments, and reduced effectiveness of certain hedging strategies, which may adversely affect a Portfolio’s performance or net asset value. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2021. In addition, the alternative reference or benchmark rate may be an ineffective substitute resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for a Portfolio.

If a Fund invests directly in foreign currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign currencies, or in financial derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the base currency of the Fund, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the Fund’s base currency will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the Fund’s returns.

Foreign (non-U.S.) securities in this report are classified by the country of risk of a holding. Investments in foreign securities, including depositary receipts, involve risks not associated with investment in U.S. securities. Foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile and subject to less government supervision and regulation than U.S. markets. Differences between U.S. and foreign legal, political and economic systems, regulatory regimes and market practices also may impact security values, and it may take more time to clear and settle trades involving foreign securities. In addition, foreign operations or holding can involve risks relating to conditions in foreign countries.

Forward settling transactions and forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of both market and credit risk in excess of the amounts reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. They are executed directly with the counterparty and not through an exchange and can be terminated only by agreement of both parties to such contracts. With respect to such transactions there is no daily margin settlement. There is also the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligations. If this occurs, the Fund may lose both the investment opportunity for its assets if set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security.

The market values of the Fund’s investments may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company or issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Equity securities and equity related investments generally have greater market price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. Credit ratings downgrades may also negatively affect securities held by a Fund. Even when markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held by a Fund will increase in value along with the broader market. In addition, market risk includes the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt the economy on a national or global level.

 

177


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

A Fund will be exposed to credit risk to parties with whom it trades and will also bear the risk of settlement default. A Fund seeks to minimize concentrations of credit risk by undertaking transactions with a large number of counterparties on recognized and reputable exchanges, where applicable. A Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security, or the counterparty of a financial derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or a loan of portfolio securities or other transactions, is unable or unwilling, or is perceived (whether by market participants, rating agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or otherwise honor its obligations. Securities are subject to varying degrees of credit risk, which are often reflected in credit ratings.

Certain Funds may invest in below investment grade high-yield securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). These securities are considered to be high risk investments. Securities rated below investment grade are speculative in nature, involve greater risk of default by the issuing entity and may be subject to greater market fluctuations than higher rated fixed income securities because such securities are generally unsecured and subordinated to other creditors’ claims. The retail secondary market for these “junk bonds” may be less liquid than that of higher rated securities and adverse economic conditions could make it difficult to sell certain securities or could result in lower prices than those used in calculating the Fund’s NAV.

Because certain Funds invest in affiliated mutual funds, unaffiliated investment companies or ETFs, the Funds indirectly bear a portion of the fees and expenses incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs. As a result, the cost of investing in the Funds may be higher than the cost of investing in a Fund that exclusively invests directly in individual stocks and bonds. The Fund’s net asset value is subject to fluctuations in the net asset values of the underlying funds and the market values of the ETFs. The Funds are also subject to certain risks related to the underlying funds’ and ETFs’ investments in securities and financial instruments (such as fixed income securities, including high yield, asset-backed and mortgage-related securities, equity securities, foreign and emerging markets securities, commodities and real estate securities) and the ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective will directly depend on the ability of the underlying fund or ETF to meet its investment objective. With respect to the Fund’s investments in ETFs, there is also the risk that an ETF’s performance may not match that of the relevant index. It is also possible that an active trading market for an ETF may not develop or be maintained, in which case the liquidity and value of the Fund’s investments in the ETF could be substantially and adversely affected. The extent to which the investment performance and risks associated with the Fund correlate to those of a particular underlying fund or ETF will depend upon the extent to which the Fund’s assets are allocated from time to time for investment in the underlying fund or ETF, which will vary.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities:

The Funds may be subject to various netting arrangements with select counterparties (“Master Agreements”). Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions, and are intended to reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that is intended to improve legal certainty. As the Master Agreements are specific to unique operations of different asset types, they allow a Fund to close out and net its total exposure to counterparty in the event of a default with respect to all the transactions governed under a single Master Agreement with a counterparty. For financial reporting purposes the Statement of Assets and Liabilities generally show derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis, which reflects the full risks and exposures prior to netting.

 

Note  2

Agreements

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser supervises the investment program for each Fund in accordance with each Fund’s investment

 

178


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

objectives, policies and restrictions. The Adviser is paid a fee for these services. The fee is accrued daily and paid monthly based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, at an annual rate of:

 

Funds:

 

Investment Advisory Fees

1290 Retirement 2020

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2025

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2030

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2035

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2040

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2045

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2050

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2055

  0.500% of average daily net assets

1290 Retirement 2060

  0.500% of average daily net assets

 

    (as a percentage of average daily net assets)  

Funds:

  First
$1 Billion
    Next
$1 Billion
    Next
$3 Billion
    Next
$5 Billion
    Thereafter  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    0.750     0.700     0.675     0.650     0.625

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    0.750       0.700       0.675       0.650       0.625  

1290 Global Talents

    0.800       0.750       0.725       0.700       0.675  

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    0.700       0.650       0.625       0.600       0.575  

 

    (as a percentage of average daily net assets)  

Funds:

  First
$4 Billion
    Next
$4 Billion
    Next
$2 Billion
    Thereafter  

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    0.500     0.490     0.480     0.470

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    0.500       0.490       0.480       0.470  

 

     (as a percentage of average daily net assets)  

Funds:

   First
$4 Billion
     Next
$4 Billion
     Thereafter  

1290 Convertible Securities

     0.700      0.680      0.660

1290 Diversified Bond

     0.600        0.580        0.560  

1290 High Yield Bond

     0.600        0.580        0.560  

On behalf of the Trust, the Adviser has entered into an investment sub-advisory agreement (“Sub-Advisory Agreements”) with each of the Sub-Advisers. Each of the Sub-Advisory Agreements obligates the Sub-Advisers for the respective Funds to: (i) continuously furnish investment programs for the Funds; (ii) place all orders for the purchase and sale of investments for the Funds with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser or the respective Sub-Advisers; and (iii) perform certain limited related administrative functions in connection therewith. The Adviser pays the expenses of providing investment sub-advisory services to the Funds, including the fees of the Sub-Advisers of each Fund.

In addition to the advisory fee, each Fund pays the Administrator its proportionate share of an asset-based administration fee, which is equal to an annual rate of the greater of 0.15% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, or $30,000 per Fund (or $30,000 for each allocated portion (or sleeve) of a Fund, as applicable). The Administrator has contracted with the Sub- Administrator to provide, pursuant to a sub-administration agreement, the Funds with certain administrative services, including monitoring of Fund compliance and Fund accounting services.

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ALPS” or the “Distributor”), under which ALPS serves as Distributor for each Fund’s Class A, Class I, Class R and Class T shares.

 

179


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

The Board has approved Distribution Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for Class A, Class R and Class T shares for each Fund. Pursuant to the Distribution Plans, the Funds will pay the Distributor annual fees at the following rates:

 

Share Class:

  Distribution Fee and/or Service Fee
(as a % of average daily net
assets attributable to the class)
 

Class A

    0.25

Class R

    0.50  

Class T*

    0.25  

 

*

The Distribution Fees for Class T shares are currently being waived. This waiver is voluntary and could be eliminated at any time at the discretion of the Distributor. The amounts waived for the year ended October 31, 2019 are included in Waiver from distributor on the Statement of Operations for each Fund and are not eligible for recoupment.

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into a transfer agency and service agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”) with DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”). Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, DST is responsible for, among other things, the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares, the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts, the handling of certain communications between shareholders and the Trust, and the payment of dividends and distributions payable by the Funds. Under the Transfer Agency Agreement, DST receives a monthly fee comprised of a fixed base fee plus a fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it maintains for the Trust during the month.

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into a custody agreement (the “Custody Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (in this capacity, the “Custodian”). The custody agreement provides for an annual fee based on the amount of assets under custody plus transaction charges. The Custodian serves as custodian of the Trust’s Fund securities and other assets. Under the terms of the Custody Agreement between the Trust and the Custodian, the Custodian maintains and deposits in each Fund’s account, cash, securities and other assets of the Funds. The Custodian is also required, upon the order of the Trust, to deliver securities held by the Custodian, and to make payments for securities purchased by the Trust. The Custodian has also entered into sub- custodian agreements with a number of foreign banks and clearing agencies, pursuant to which Fund securities purchased outside the United States are maintained in the custody of these entities. At year end, certain of the Funds maintain significant cash balances with the Custodian or its affiliates. These balances are presented as cash on each Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of certain Funds (exclusive of taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, capitalized expenses (other than offering costs), fees and expenses of other investment companies in which a Fund may invest (except as noted in the table below), 12b-1 fees and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) through April 30, 2021 (unless the Board consents to an earlier revision or termination of this arrangement) (“Expense Limitation Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser has agreed to make payments or waive or limit its fees so that the total annual operating expenses do not exceed the following annual rates:

 

Funds:

  Total Expense Limited
For  All Share Classes to
(% of daily net assets)
 

1290 Convertible Securities**

    0.90

1290 Diversified Bond

    0.50  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation*, ***

    0.95  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value*

    1.00  

1290 Global Talents

    1.00  

1290 High Yield Bond***

    0.75  

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity*

    0.65  

 

180


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

Funds:

  Total Expense Limited
For  All Share Classes to
(% of daily net assets)
 

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies*

    1.40 %  

1290 Retirement 2020*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2025*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2030*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2035*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2040*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2045*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2050*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2055*

    0.65  

1290 Retirement 2060*

    0.65  

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    0.90  

 

*

Includes fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund invests.

**

Effective October 1, 2019.

***

Effective January 1, 2019.

Prior to October 1, 2019 the expense limitation was as follows:

 

Funds:

  Total Expense Limited
For  All Share Classes to
(% of daily net assets)
 

1290 Convertible Securities

    1.00

Prior to January 1, 2019, the expense limitations were as follows:

 

Funds

  Total Expense Limited
For All Share Classes to
(% of daily net assets)
 

1290 Convertible Securities

    1.05

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation*

    1.00  

1290 High Yield Bond

    0.80  

 

*

Includes fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund invests.

1290 Asset Managers first waives its advisory fees, then waives its administration fees, and then reimburses the Fund’s expenses out of its own resources. Each Fund may at a later date reimburse to 1290 Asset Managers the advisory fees waived or other expenses assumed and paid for by 1290 Asset Managers pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement within three years of payments or waivers being recorded, provided such Fund has reached a sufficient asset size to permit such reimbursement to be made without causing the total annual expense ratio of each Fund to exceed the percentage limits mentioned above for the respective period. Consequently, no reimbursement by a Fund will be made unless the Fund’s total annual expense ratio is less than the respective percentages stated above for the respective period. Any reimbursement, called recoupment fees on the Statement of Operations of the Fund, will be based on the earliest fees waived or assumed by 1290 Asset Managers. During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Funds did not incur recoupment fees. At October 31, 2019, under the Expense Limitation Agreement, the amount that would be recoverable from each Fund is as follows:

 

    Amount Eligible Through     Total  Eligible
For
Reimbursement
 

Funds:

  2020     2021     2022  

1290 Convertible Securities

  $     $     $ 149,972     $ 149,972  

1290 Diversified Bond

    311,753       350,461       436,563       1,098,777  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

                229,925       229,925  

 

181


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

October 31, 2019

 

    Amount Eligible Through     Total  Eligible
For
Reimbursement
 

Funds:

  2020     2021     2022  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

  $ 198,074     $ 292,540     $ 407,167     $ 897,781  

1290 Global Talents

    198,217       196,463       210,795       605,475  

1290 High Yield Bond

                227,837       227,837  

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    93,099       138,255       133,039       364,393  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    163,049       141,540       152,126       456,715  

1290 Retirement 2020

    96,299       139,205       148,122       383,626  

1290 Retirement 2025

    96,317       140,647       164,119       401,083  

1290 Retirement 2030

    95,969       136,903       137,980       370,852  

1290 Retirement 2035

    96,339       139,321       143,164       378,824  

1290 Retirement 2040

    96,423       136,054       133,015       365,492  

1290 Retirement 2045

    97,023       138,025       137,163       372,211  

1290 Retirement 2050

    96,472       136,781       133,264       366,517  

1290 Retirement 2055

    96,529       136,944       132,927       366,400  

1290 Retirement 2060

    96,563       136,329       133,636       366,528  

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    198,111       208,207       236,252       642,570  

During the year ended October 31, 2019, FMG LLC voluntarily waived fees for certain Funds. These amounts are included in Voluntary waiver from investment adviser on the Statement of Operations for each Fund and are not eligible for recoupment.

FMG LLC also voluntarily agreed to forgo any amounts eligible for recoupment that were waived or reimbursed prior to December 31, 2018 in conjunction with the expense limitation change effective January 1, 2019 for 1290 Convertible Securities, 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation and 1290 High Yield Bond.

 

Note  3

Sales Charges

The Distributor receives sales charges on the Funds’ Class A and Class T shares and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by the investor in connection with certain redemptions of the Funds’ Class A shares. The Distributor has advised the Funds that for the year ended October 31, 2019, the proceeds retained from sales and redemptions are as follows:

 

    Class A     Class T  

Funds:

  Front End
Sales
Charge
    Contingent
Deferred
Sales Charge
    Front End
Sales
Charge
 

1290 Convertible Securities

  $ 3,672     $     $  

1290 Diversified Bond

    39,483              

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    19,877              

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    43,071              

1290 Global Talents

    16,323              

1290 High Yield Bond

    9,809              

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    2,844              

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    47,303              

Sales loads and contingent deferred sales charges imposed on purchases and redemptions of Fund shares are retained by the Trust’s Distributors and do not represent expenses or income of the Funds.

 

Note  4

Compensation of Officers

Each officer of the Trust is an employee of AXA Equitable, FMG LLC and/or AXA Distributors, LLC. No officer of the Trust, other than the Chief Compliance Officer, receives

 

182


1290 FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Concluded)

October 31, 2019

 

compensation paid by Trust. During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Chief Compliance Officer received, from the three trusts in the fund complex, compensation in the amount of $75,000, of which the Trust paid $181.

 

Note  5

Percentage of Ownership by Affiliates

At October 31, 2019, 1290 Asset Managers and AXA Equitable held investments in each of the Funds as follows:

 

Funds:

  Percentage of
Ownership
 

1290 Convertible Securities

    89

1290 Diversified Bond

    37  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    90  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    42  

1290 Global Talents

    91  

1290 High Yield Bond

    75  

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    84  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    57  

1290 Retirement 2020

    99  

1290 Retirement 2025

    100  

1290 Retirement 2030

    99  

1290 Retirement 2035

    99  

1290 Retirement 2040

    99  

1290 Retirement 2045

    99  

1290 Retirement 2050

    100  

1290 Retirement 2055

    100  

1290 Retirement 2060

    100  

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    53  

 

Note  6

Subsequent Events

The Adviser evaluated subsequent events from October 31, 2019, the date of these financial statements, through the date these financial statements were issued. There were no subsequent events to disclose.

 

183


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees of 1290 Funds and Shareholders of each of the eighteen funds listed in the table below:

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (constituting 1290 Funds, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2019, the related statements of operations for the year ended October 31, 2019, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of October 31, 2019, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019 and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

1290 Convertible Securities Fund    1290 Retirement 2025 Fund
1290 Diversified Bond Fund    1290 Retirement 2030 Fund
1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund    1290 Retirement 2035 Fund
1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund    1290 Retirement 2040 Fund
1290 Global Talents Fund    1290 Retirement 2045 Fund
1290 High Yield Bond Fund    1290 Retirement 2050 Fund
1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund    1290 Retirement 2055 Fund
1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund    1290 Retirement 2060 Fund
1290 Retirement 2020 Fund    1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund

Basis for Opinions

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 of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agents and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

December 16, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the AXA FMG LLC — advised mutual fund complex since 1997.

 

184


1290 FUNDS

DISCLOSURE REGARDING ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVALS

APPROVALS OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2019 (UNAUDITED)

At a meeting held on July 16-18, 2019, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of 1290 Funds (the “Trust”), including those Trustees who are not parties to any Agreement (as defined below) or “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of such parties or the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), considered and unanimously approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC (d/b/a 1290 Asset Managers®) (“1290 Asset Managers” or the “Adviser”) and, as applicable, the renewal of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and together with the Advisory Agreement, the “Agreements”) between the Adviser and each investment sub-adviser (each, a “Sub-Adviser” and together, the “Sub-Advisers”), as shown in the table below with respect to the Funds listed, for an additional one-year term.

 

Funds

  

Agreement(s) Renewed by the Trust’s Board
with respect to the Funds

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

1290 Retirement 2020 Fund

1290 Retirement 2025 Fund

1290 Retirement 2030 Fund

1290 Retirement 2035 Fund

1290 Retirement 2040 Fund

1290 Retirement 2045 Fund

1290 Retirement 2050 Fund

1290 Retirement 2055 Fund

1290 Retirement 2060 Fund

(collectively, the “1290 Retirement Funds”)

  

1290 Convertible Securities Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Palisade Capital Management LLC

1290 Diversified Bond Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC (“Brandywine”)

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with DoubleLine Capital LP and DoubleLine Equity LP

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.

1290 Global Talents Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with AXA Investment Managers Inc. (“AXA IM”)

1290 High Yield Bond Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with AXA IM

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund

  

Advisory Agreement with 1290 Asset Managers

Sub-Advisory Agreement with AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC (“AXA Rosenberg”)

In reaching its decision to renew the Agreement(s) with respect to each Fund, the Board considered the overall fairness of the Agreement and whether the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its

 

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shareholders. The Board further considered all factors it deemed relevant with respect to each Fund, including: (1) the nature, quality and extent of the overall services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser, the relevant Sub-Adviser and, where applicable, their respective affiliates, including the investment performance of the Fund; (2) the level of the Fund’s advisory fee and, where applicable, sub-advisory fee, and the Fund’s expense ratios relative to those of peer funds; (3) the costs of the services to be provided by, and the profits to be realized by, the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund; (4) the anticipated effect of growth and size on the Fund’s performance and expenses, including any potential economies of scale and, if so, whether any such economies of scale are equitably shared with shareholders; and (5) “fall-out” benefits that may accrue to the Adviser, the relevant Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates (that is, indirect benefits that they would not receive but for their relationships with the Fund). In considering each Agreement, the Board members did not identify any particular factor or information that was all-important or controlling, and each Trustee may have given different weights to different factors and, thus, each Trustee may have had a different basis for his or her decision.

In connection with its deliberations, the Board took into account information (both written and oral) provided to the Board, including its various committees, throughout the year, as well as information provided specifically in connection with the annual renewal process. The Trustees also recognized that the contractual arrangements for the Funds have been reviewed by the Trustees and discussed with the Adviser in prior years and that the Trustees’ conclusions may be based, in part, on their consideration of these same arrangements in prior years.

Information provided and discussed throughout the year included investment performance reports and related financial and general market outlook information for each Fund, as well as periodic reports on, among other matters, brokerage allocation and execution; pricing and valuation; legal and compliance matters; shareholder and other services and support provided to the Funds by the Adviser, the relevant Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates; actual and potential conflicts of interest that could impact the business operations and relationships of the Adviser and the Trust or affect the Adviser’s recommendations about Sub-Advisers; sales and marketing activity; and risk management. In addition, the sub-groups of the Board’s Investment Committee, composed of Independent Trustees, met individually and engaged in extensive discussions, along with management representatives and outside legal counsel, with Sub-Advisers during in-person presentations made at regularly scheduled Investment Committee meetings during the year.

Information provided and discussed specifically in connection with the annual renewal process included a report prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of mutual fund industry data, as well as additional substantial material prepared by management. Broadridge provided its report directly to the Independent Trustees and included in its report comparative fee, expense, and investment performance information for each Fund. The materials provided by Broadridge in connection with the July 2019 annual renewal process reflected certain enhancements to the presentation and format of the materials provided by Broadridge in connection with the July 2018 annual renewal process. The enhancements were based on a review of the materials by the Independent Trustees, in consultation with their independent legal counsel, intended to ensure that the Independent Trustees continue to receive comparative fee, expense, and investment performance information in a format that enhances their review of the Funds’ investment advisory arrangements. The additional material prepared by management generally included Fund-by-Fund information showing each Fund’s average net assets; advisory fees and, where applicable, sub-advisory fees; expense ratios; expense limitation arrangements; investment performance (in addition to the performance information prepared by Broadridge); and profitability information, including information regarding the profitability of the Adviser’s operations on an overall Trust basis, as well as on a Fund-by-Fund basis. In addition, for each Fund, the Adviser and the relevant Sub-Adviser provided separate materials describing the Fund’s investment performance over various time periods and the services provided and the fees charged with respect to the Fund, and discussing whether the Fund had performed as expected over time and other matters.

The annual renewal process extends over at least two regular meetings of the Board in June and July to ensure that the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers have time to respond to any questions the Independent Trustees may have on their initial review of the materials and that the Independent Trustees have time to consider those responses. The Independent Trustees also held a conference call in advance of the meeting at which the Board approved the renewal of the Agreements to review the information provided and communicated follow-up questions for management to address at the renewal meeting. The Independent Trustees also met in executive sessions during the meeting to discuss the Agreements and the information provided. When invited,

 

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management representatives attended portions of the executive sessions to review and discuss matters relating to the Agreements and to provide additional information requested by the Independent Trustees. At the meeting and during the portions of the executive sessions attended by management, the Independent Trustees and management engaged in extensive discussions and negotiations regarding the Agreements. As noted below, as a result of these extensive discussions and negotiations, the Adviser proposed to lower the contractual expense limitation arrangement for one of the Funds. The Independent Trustees were assisted by independent legal counsel prior to and during the meeting and during their deliberations regarding the Agreements and also received from legal counsel materials addressing, among other things, the legal standards applicable to their consideration of the proposed renewal of the Agreements. In addition, the Independent Trustees reviewed information and met during the year to discuss information relevant to their annual consideration of the Agreements.

The Board also noted that the Trust is an affiliated investment company of EQ Advisors Trust and AXA Premier VIP Trust, which are also managed by the Adviser, and that all of the Board members also currently serve on the Boards of Trustees of EQ Advisors Trust and AXA Premier VIP Trust. The Board also noted that each Sub-Adviser other than Brandywine currently serves as investment sub-adviser for one or more portfolios, or allocated portion(s) of portfolio(s), of EQ Advisors Trust (such Sub-Advisers together, the “EQAT Sub-Advisers”). The Trustees took into account information relating to the Adviser and the EQAT Sub-Advisers provided to the Trustees, in their capacities as Trustees of EQ Advisors Trust, at prior meetings of the Board of Trustees of EQ Advisors Trust, and the Trustees noted their experience and familiarity with the Adviser, the EQAT Sub-Advisers, and the portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust and AXA Premier VIP Trust gained from their service on the Boards of Trustees of EQ Advisors Trust, AXA Premier VIP Trust, and the Trust.

Although the Board approved the renewal of the Agreements for all of the Funds at the same Board meeting, the Board considered each Fund separately. In approving the renewal of the relevant Agreement(s) with respect to each Fund, each Trustee, including the Independent Trustees, on the basis of their business judgment after review of the information provided, determined that the advisory fee and, where applicable, sub-advisory fee were fair and reasonable and that the renewal of the Agreement(s) was in the best interests of the applicable Fund and its shareholders. Although the Board gave attention to all information provided, the following discusses some of the primary factors it deemed relevant to its decision to renew the Agreements.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services

The Board evaluated the nature, quality and extent of the overall services to be provided to each Fund and its shareholders by the Adviser, the relevant Sub-Adviser and, where applicable, their respective affiliates. In addition to the investment performance and expense information discussed below, the Board considered the Adviser’s and each relevant Sub-Adviser’s responsibilities with respect to each Fund and the Adviser’s and each relevant Sub-Adviser’s experience in serving as an investment adviser for the Fund(s) and for portfolios and accounts similar to the Fund(s) each advises, including, as applicable, portfolios or allocated portion(s) of portfolio(s) of EQ Advisors Trust and AXA Premier VIP Trust.

With respect to the Adviser, the Board considered that the Adviser is responsible for, among other things, developing investment strategies for the Funds (and the portions thereof); researching, selecting and hiring Sub-Advisers, conducting ongoing “due diligence” on and monitoring Sub-Advisers, and, when necessary or advisable, terminating or replacing Sub-Advisers; allocating and rebalancing Fund assets among Sub-Advisers; overseeing the selection of investments for the Funds (or the portions thereof) that the Sub-Advisers sub-advise; making investment decisions for the Funds (or the portions thereof) that it manages directly; monitoring and evaluating the performance of the Funds (or the portions thereof); monitoring the investment operations and composition of the Funds (or the portions thereof) and, in connection therewith, monitoring compliance with the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions, as well as the Funds’ compliance with applicable law and the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures; monitoring brokerage selection, commission and other trading costs, quality of execution, and other brokerage matters; coordinating and managing the flow of information and communications relating to the Funds among the Sub-Advisers and other applicable parties; coordinating responses to regulatory agency inquiries relating to the operations of the Trust and coordinating litigation matters involving the Adviser and the Trust; and implementing Board directives as they relate to the Funds. The Board also considered information regarding the Adviser’s process

 

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for selecting and monitoring the Sub-Advisers and the other service providers to the Funds and its process for making investment decisions for the Funds (or the portions thereof) that it manages directly, as well as information regarding the qualifications and experience of, and resources available to, the personnel who perform those functions with respect to the Funds. The Board further considered that the Adviser also provides the Trust with personnel, including Trust officers, in connection with carrying out its responsibilities and is responsible for coordinating the development of new initiatives and evaluating the impact of proposed products and services on the Trust and its assets. The Board also considered that the Adviser has assumed significant entrepreneurial risk in sponsoring the Funds and that the Adviser also bears and assumes significant ongoing risks, including investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and compliance risks, with respect to the Funds. The Board considered that the Adviser’s responsibilities include daily monitoring of investment, operational, enterprise, litigation, regulatory and compliance risks as they relate to the Funds. The Board also considered information regarding, and met regularly with the Trust’s Director of Risk to discuss, the Adviser’s ongoing risk management activities and reporting.

With respect to the Sub-Advisers, the Board considered that each Sub-Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Adviser, is responsible for making investment decisions for the Fund(s) (or the portion(s) thereof) that it sub-advises; placing with brokers or dealers orders for the purchase and sale of investments for the Fund(s) (or the portion(s) thereof) that it sub-advises; and performing certain related administrative functions. The Board also reviewed information regarding each Sub-Adviser’s process for selecting investments for the Fund(s) (or the portion(s) thereof) that it sub-advises, as well as information regarding the qualifications and experience of the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio managers who provide services to the Fund(s). The Board also considered information regarding each Sub-Adviser’s procedures for executing portfolio transactions for the Fund(s) (or the portion(s) thereof) that it sub-advises and procedures for selecting brokers and dealers and, where applicable, obtaining research from those brokers and dealers.

The Board also considered, among other factors, periodic reports provided to the Board regarding the services provided by the Adviser, the Sub-Advisers and, where applicable, their affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the allocation of Fund brokerage, including allocations to broker-dealers affiliated with the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser. The Board also considered the use of “soft” commission dollars to pay for research services, as applicable. In this regard, the Board also considered the Adviser’s and each Sub-Adviser’s trading experience and received information regarding how the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser seek to achieve “best execution” on behalf of a Fund (or portion thereof), including a report by an independent portfolio trading analytical firm. The Board also considered the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer’s evaluation of the Adviser’s and each Sub-Adviser’s compliance programs, policies and procedures, including those relating to cybersecurity, and any compliance matters involving the Adviser and any applicable Sub-Adviser that had been brought to the Board’s attention during the year. In addition, the Board considered whether there were any pending lawsuits, enforcement proceedings or regulatory investigations involving the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers and reviewed information regarding the Adviser’s and each Sub-Adviser’s financial condition and history of operations and potential conflicts of interest in managing the Funds. The Board also considered information as to the overall amount of assets sub-advised by each Sub-Adviser and noted the largest Sub-Adviser relationships. In addition to periodic reports throughout the year, the Independent Trustees received information about business relationships that the Adviser and/or its affiliates, including AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, have with Sub-Advisers and/or their affiliates in addition to the relationships involving the Funds. In this regard, the Board also received materials regarding the practices, policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser and the Trust to identify and mitigate actual and potential conflicts of interest, including conflicts that may arise in connection with those additional business relationships.

The Board also considered the benefits to shareholders from participation in a Fund sponsored by the Adviser, including the Adviser’s experience operating a large fund complex that offers a wide range of portfolios, sub-advisers and investment styles. The Board likewise considered that shareholders have chosen to invest in mutual funds sponsored by the Adviser. In addition, the Board considered the nature, quality and extent of the administrative, shareholder servicing and distribution support services that the Adviser and its affiliates provide to the Funds and their shareholders. The Board also noted that, throughout the past year, the Adviser and its affiliates had continued or undertaken initiatives intended to enhance various aspects of the Trust’s and the Board’s operations and shareholders’ experience with the mutual funds sponsored by the Adviser. The Board noted that two new Independent Trustees, who had been serving as consultants to the

 

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Board and attending Board meetings since September 1, 2018, were elected to the Board effective January 1, 2019. The Board also noted strategic and other actions and initiatives that the Adviser had identified, including actions and initiatives that are part of a broader effort to coordinate and enhance the collective efficiency of the governance and oversight of the fund complex and provide for potential cost savings to shareholders that may result from such efficiencies. In this regard, the Board also noted that the Adviser continually reviews the overall line-up of investment options and conducts in-depth analysis of its entire fund complex to provide recommendations to the Board to streamline and strengthen the fund complex’s line-up.

The Board also considered strategic and other actions taken by the Adviser in response to recent events within the mutual fund industry, including actions taken in response to regulatory initiatives, as well as other significant judicial and other developments affecting the mutual fund industry. The Board also considered strategic and other actions taken by the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers in response to recent market conditions and considered the overall performance of the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers in this context. In this regard, among other things, the Board also requested and received throughout the past year information from the Adviser and various service providers on various topics impacting all mutual funds, including pricing and valuation of portfolio securities; liquidity risk management; cybersecurity; new reporting and disclosure requirements for mutual funds; trustee independence; and evolving technologies in the mutual fund industry. The Board noted that certain of these topics may present significant ongoing challenges for mutual funds and result in an increase in the responsibilities and costs of mutual fund service providers, including the Adviser.

The Board also considered that, since the July 2018 annual renewal process, the Adviser and its affiliates had continued to update the Board on matters relating to the ongoing sale by AXA S.A. (“AXA”), the Adviser’s ultimate parent company, of its remaining ownership interest in its U.S. subsidiary, AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc. (“AEH”) — and, indirectly, the Adviser — through a series of sales of AEH’s common stock (the “Sell-Down Plan”). In this regard, the Board also noted that it had received from the Adviser and its affiliates representations that their separation from AXA as contemplated by the Sell-Down Plan would not lead to a reduction in the quality or scope of portfolio management, administrative, regulatory compliance and other services provided by those firms to the Funds.

For purposes of evaluating the nature, quality and extent of the overall services provided to each Fund, the Board also took into account discussions with the Adviser and the relevant Sub-Adviser about Fund investment performance that occur at Board and Investment Committee meetings throughout the year. In this regard, the Board noted that, as part of regularly scheduled Fund reviews and other detailed reports to the Board on Fund performance, the Board periodically considered information regarding each Fund’s performance over various time periods on both an absolute basis and relative to an appropriate broad-based securities market index (“benchmark”) and/or a custom blended index developed by the Adviser that comprises broad-based indexes (“blended benchmark”), and a peer group of other mutual funds deemed by Broadridge to be comparable to the Fund (“peer group”). The performance information generally included, among other information, annual total returns, average annual total returns, cumulative returns and/or rolling period total returns. The Board also considered certain information, reflected in Appendix A, provided to the Board regarding each Fund’s performance relative to a benchmark and/or a blended benchmark and a peer group for the one- and three-year periods, as applicable, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2019. The Board noted that this information supplemented other performance information provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the annual renewal process. The Board also considered information, provided directly to the Board by Broadridge, regarding each Fund’s performance over various time periods relative to a benchmark and/or a blended benchmark and peer groups. The Board noted that the Funds have relatively short operating histories and also took note of the relatively small size of each Fund and the likely impact that a Fund’s size has on its relative expenses and performance.

The Board received a description of, and factored into its evaluation of each Fund’s performance the limitations inherent in, Broadridge’s methodology for developing and constructing peer groups and determining, from year to year, which mutual funds should be included in which peer groups, among other things. The Board also noted that the number of mutual funds included in a peer group may be relatively small and may differ significantly from peer group to peer group and from year to year and that the constituent mutual funds included in a peer group also may differ from year to year, which, among other factors, can limit the relevance of the comparisons. While recognizing these inherent limitations, the Board believed the independent analysis conducted by Broadridge provided a useful measure of comparative performance.

 

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In evaluating the Funds’ performance, the Board also took into account factors including general market conditions (including the amount of volatility in the market over the past year); the “style” in which the Funds are managed, as applicable, and whether that style is in or out of favor in the market; issuer-specific information; and fund cash flows. In this regard, the Board also noted how changes in time periods for performance calculations (for example, whether a one-year period is from December to December or March to March) can significantly impact a Fund’s returns and peer ranking on a relative basis. The Board also considered that variations in performance among a Fund’s operating classes reflect variations in class expenses, which result in lower performance for higher expense classes.

Allocation Funds

With respect to the performance of the 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund, the Board considered that the Fund allocates its assets between equity and fixed income investments and is advised by a single Sub-Adviser.

With respect to the performance of each of the 1290 Retirement Funds, the Board considered that each Fund operates as a fund-of-funds and invests in exchange traded securities of other investment companies or investment vehicles (“ETFs”) and recognized, therefore, that each Fund’s performance is based, in part, on the total returns of the ETFs in which it invests. The Board also considered that each of the 1290 Retirement Funds allocates its assets between equity and fixed income investments through its investments in ETFs. The Board also noted that each of the 1290 Retirement Funds had only a short operating history on which to evaluate performance.

The Board also factored into its evaluation of each Fund’s performance the limitations inherent in comparing the performance of asset allocation funds, such as the Funds, which may invest in equity and fixed income investments, to the performance of a peer group that includes funds that may allocate their assets between equity and fixed income investments in different percentages over time than the Funds and among other asset classes.

Active Funds

With respect to the performance of the 1290 Convertible Securities, 1290 Diversified Bond, 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value, 1290 Global Talents, 1290 High Yield Bond and 1290 SmartBeta Equity Funds, the Board considered that each Fund is actively managed and advised by a single Sub-Adviser. The Board also noted that, in connection with a restructuring of the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund on or about June 15, 2018, the Fund had replaced its two former sub-advisers with a new sub-adviser, and changed its investment objective, policies and strategy, performance benchmark, and fee and expense structure and, therefore, the Board focused on the Fund’s performance since that time. The Board also noted that the 1290 Global Talents Fund had only a short operating history on which to evaluate performance. The Board also noted that, prior to January 1, 2018, the 1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund did not integrate Environmental, Social and Governance filters into its portfolio construction process.

With respect to the performance of the 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity and 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Funds, the Board considered that each Fund operates as a fund-of-funds and invests in ETFs and recognized, therefore, that each Fund’s performance is based, in part, on the total returns of the ETFs in which it invests. The Board also noted that the 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund had only a short operating history on which to evaluate performance.

All Funds

The Board and the Adviser discussed the performance of each Fund, including whether the Fund had performed as expected over time. The Board and the Adviser also discussed, where applicable, the reasons for a Fund’s underperformance for certain periods relative to its peer group and/or benchmark and/or blended benchmark, as applicable, and efforts to improve the Fund’s performance. Where applicable, the Board also considered steps that the Adviser and, where applicable, the relevant Sub-Adviser had taken to address a Fund’s performance, including any changes or additions to the Sub-Advisers or portfolio managers advising a Fund and any changes to the investment strategies of a Fund. In this regard, the Board noted that performance is only one of the factors that it deems relevant to its consideration of a Fund’s Agreement(s) and that, after considering all relevant factors, it can reach a decision to renew an Agreement notwithstanding a Fund’s underperformance.

 

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Based on its review and the explanations provided by the Adviser and, where applicable, the relevant Sub-Adviser regarding the performance of each Fund, the Board determined, with respect to each Fund, that (i) the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Adviser’s and, where applicable, the relevant Sub-Adviser’s continued management of the Fund, and (ii) the nature, quality and extent of the overall services provided by the Adviser, the relevant Sub-Adviser and, where applicable, their respective affiliates were appropriate for the Fund in light of its investment objective(s) and, thus, supported a decision to approve the renewal of the Agreement(s).

Expenses

The Board considered each Fund’s advisory fee and, where applicable, sub-advisory fee in light of the nature, quality and extent of the overall services provided by the Adviser and, where applicable, the relevant Sub-Adviser. The Board also reviewed comparative fee and expense information for each Fund provided directly to the Board by Broadridge. For the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund, the comparative fee and expense information was based upon the Fund’s new fees and expenses that went into effect in connection with the Fund’s June 2018 restructuring and were provided to Broadridge by the Adviser. The information provided by Broadridge included an analysis of how each Fund’s contractual advisory fee, actual advisory fee, other expense components, and total expense ratio compared with those of peer groups of other mutual funds selected by Broadridge as constituting an appropriate expense comparison for the Fund (a Fund’s “Broadridge category”). For each Fund, Broadridge provided information on the Fund’s contractual advisory fee in comparison with the contractual advisory fee that would have been charged by other funds within a Broadridge category assuming the other funds were similar in size to the Fund, as well as information on the Fund’s actual advisory fee and total expense ratio in comparison with those of other funds within a Broadridge category. The advisory fee analysis includes within such fee any separate administrative fee paid by a fund, including the administrative fee a Fund paid to the Adviser in its capacity as administrator for the Fund. The contractual advisory fee analysis does not take into account any fee reimbursements or waivers, whereas the actual advisory fee analysis does take into account any advisory (including any administrative) fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. The total expense ratio represents a fund’s total net operating expenses and takes into account any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund. Broadridge provided, and the Board considered, total expense ratio comparisons including and excluding any 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fees and, as applicable, including fees and expenses of any underlying funds in which a fund invests.

Except for the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund, the Broadridge expense data was based upon historical information taken from each Fund’s audited annual report for the period ended October 31, 2018. For the 1290 Diversified Bond Fund, the Broadridge expense data was based upon the Fund’s new fees and expenses that went into effect in connection with the Fund’s June 2018 restructuring and were provided to Broadridge by the Adviser. Broadridge provided expense data for Class I shares of each Fund. The Board reviewed the expense data for Class I shares as a proxy for all of a Fund’s share classes. In this regard, the Board noted that the expenses for a Fund’s Class I shares are generally lower than the expenses for a Fund’s other share classes and that the expense comparisons may differ for different classes. Fund-specific contractual advisory fee and total expense ratio comparisons are provided below. The total expense ratio comparisons exclude any 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fees. For the funds-of-funds and certain other Funds as noted below, the total expense ratio comparisons include fees and expenses of any underlying funds in which a fund invests. The Board also took note of the relatively small size of each Fund and the likely impact that a Fund’s size has on its relative expenses.

The Board received a description of, and factored into its evaluation of each Fund’s fees and expenses the limitations inherent in, Broadridge’s methodology for developing and constructing Broadridge categories and for determining, from year to year, which mutual funds should be included in which Broadridge categories, among other things. The Board recognized these inherent limitations and, taking into account commentary and supporting data presented by management, also recognized that comparisons between a Fund and other mutual funds in a Broadridge category may not be as relevant in certain circumstances, given that in some cases a Fund may exhibit notable differences (for example, in its objective(s), management techniques, and relative size) when compared to other mutual funds in a Broadridge category. The Board also noted that the number of mutual funds included in a Broadridge category may be relatively small and may differ significantly from category to category and from year to year and that the constituent mutual funds included in a

 

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Broadridge category (as well as their respective advisory/administrative fees and total expense ratios) also may differ from year to year, which can limit the relevance of the comparisons. The Board also noted that there is no standard definition of advisory and administrative services, meaning that different mutual funds may receive different services, rendering fee and expense comparisons more difficult. Nonetheless, the Board believed that the independent analysis conducted by Broadridge assisted the Board in evaluating the reasonableness of each Fund’s advisory fee and total expense ratio. The Board also considered that the full effects of certain expense changes that the Adviser had agreed to implement during 2018 were not reflected in the Broadridge expense data, but that all current fees and expenses of each Fund are explicitly disclosed in Fund offering documents.

In addition, with respect to each sub-advised Fund, the Board further considered the relative levels of the sub-advisory fee paid to the relevant Sub-Adviser and the advisory fee retained by the Adviser in light of, among other factors, the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by the Adviser and not delegated to or assumed by the relevant Sub-Adviser, and the information prepared by management regarding the level of profits realized by the Adviser in connection with its operation of the Fund. The Board also considered the sub-advisory fee paid to each Sub-Adviser in light of fees charged by the Sub-Adviser to similar funds advised or sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser.

Allocation Funds

The Board considered that the contractual advisory fee for the 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund and each of the 1290 Retirement Funds was above the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. The Board also considered that the total expense ratio for the Class I shares of each of these Funds was above the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. For each Fund, the total expense ratio included the fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

The Board also considered each 1290 Retirement Fund’s advisory fee rate relative to the advisory fee rates of other portfolios managed by the Adviser that, like the Funds, are structured as funds-of-funds, and noted that differences in the level of the fees reflected differences between a Fund and other funds-of-funds managed by the Adviser.

Active Funds

The Board considered that the contractual advisory fee for the 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund was below the median for the Fund’s Broadridge category. The Board also considered that the total expense ratio for the Class I shares of the Fund was below the median for the Fund’s Broadridge category. The total expense ratio included the fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

The Board considered that the contractual advisory fee for each of the 1290 Diversified Bond, 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies and 1290 SmartBeta Equity Funds was above (but, in the case of the 1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund, within five basis points of) the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. The Board also considered that the total expense ratio for the Class I shares of each of these Funds was at or below the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. For the 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund, the total expense ratio included the fees and expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

The Board considered that the contractual advisory fee for each of the 1290 Convertible Securities, 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value, 1290 Global Talents and 1290 High Yield Bond Funds was above (but, in the case of the 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, within five basis points of) the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. The Board also considered that the total expense ratio for the Class I shares of each of these Funds was above the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category. For the 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, the total expense ratio included the fees and expenses of underlying funds in which the Fund may invest.

With respect to the 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity and 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Funds, the Board also considered each Fund’s advisory fee rate relative to the advisory fee rates of other portfolios managed by the Adviser that, like the Funds, are structured as funds-of-funds, and noted that differences in the level of the fees reflected differences between a Fund and other funds-of-funds managed by the Adviser.

 

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All Funds

The Board further considered that the advisory fee rate schedules for all Funds other than the 1290 Retirement Funds include breakpoints that reduce the fee rate as a Fund’s assets increase above certain levels. The Board noted that any such reduction in a Fund’s effective advisory fee would result in corresponding reductions in the Fund’s total expense ratios. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser had contractually agreed to make payments or waive all or a portion of its management, administrative and other fees so that each Fund’s total expense ratios do not exceed certain levels as set forth in its prospectus. In this regard, the Board also noted that the expense limitation arrangements for each of the 1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation, 1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value, 1290 Low Volatility Global Equity and 1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Funds and each of the 1290 Retirement Funds include the fees and expenses of any underlying funds in which a Fund invests and, thus, such fees and expenses would not cause a Fund’s annual operating expenses to exceed its expense limitation. The Board noted that, as a result of these expense limitation arrangements, each Fund’s actual advisory fee was lower than its contractual advisory fee and was either at or below the median for the Fund’s respective Broadridge category.

The Board also considered that, after extensive discussions and negotiations with the Adviser, the Adviser had proposed to lower the contractual expense limitation arrangement for the 1290 Convertible Securities Fund effective October 1, 2019, and would present this proposal for the Board’s approval at its September 2019 meeting.

Based on its review, the Board determined, with respect to each Fund, that the Adviser’s advisory fee is fair and reasonable, and the Board determined, with respect to each sub-advised Fund, that the Sub-Adviser’s sub-advisory fee is fair and reasonable.

Profitability and Costs

The Board also considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates in connection with the operation of each Fund. In this respect, the Board reviewed profitability information setting forth the overall profitability of the Trust to the Adviser and its affiliates, as well as the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ profits in providing management and other services to each of the individual Funds during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2018, which was the most recent fiscal year for the Adviser. The Board also considered a year-over-year comparison of profitability information for the one-year periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The Board noted that the Adviser was heavily subsidizing the Funds’ expenses and that the Funds were not profitable.

In reviewing the Adviser’s profitability analysis, attention was given to the methodology the Adviser followed in determining and allocating costs to each Fund. The Board recognized that cost allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and various cost allocation methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this regard, the Board noted that, although the cost allocation methodology reflected certain changes in the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ cost accounting and other appropriate adjustments, it was consistent with the redesigned cost allocation methodology followed in the profitability report presentation for the Funds made in the prior year. The Board also noted that, in consultation with and through independent legal counsel, the Board’s Audit Committee had engaged an outside consultant to conduct an assessment of the redesigned cost allocation methodology prior to its being integrated into the Adviser’s profitability analysis in connection with the July 2018 annual renewal process. At that time, the Board took into account the consultant’s reported findings that, among other things, the redesigned cost allocation methodology includes expense categories that are reasonable and consistent to the services the Adviser provides to the Funds, the expense categories reviewed are consistent with industry practices and related cost allocation methods, and the allocation of those expenses and associated logic for the allocation to management and administration related revenue categories appear reasonable and consistent with observed industry practices and other established standards. The Board further noted that, in connection with the July 2019 annual renewal process, the Audit Committee had requested that the consultant review and update its prior report in light of the adjustments that had been made to the redesigned cost allocation methodology and that, following such review, the consultant’s aforementioned reported findings remained unchanged. The Board also took into account management’s ongoing costs and expenditures in providing and improving services for the Funds, as well as the need to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from changes in rules and other regulations and to adapt to other challenges impacting

 

193


the mutual fund industry. In addition, the Board considered information prepared by management and from third party sources comparing the profitability of the Adviser on an overall basis to the profitability of other publicly held asset managers (including asset managers similar to the Adviser) over various time periods.

In addition, with respect to the sub-advised Funds, the Board also noted that the Board and the Adviser generally are aware of the fees charged by the Sub-Advisers to other clients (this information having been provided to the Board and the Adviser by the Sub-Advisers in conjunction with the proposed renewal of the Sub-Advisory Agreements) and that the Adviser believes that the fees agreed upon with the Sub-Advisers are reasonable in light of the nature, quality and extent of the investment sub-advisory services provided. The Adviser advised the Board that it does not regard Sub-Adviser profitability as meaningful to its evaluation of the Sub-Advisory Agreements. The Board acknowledged the Adviser’s view of Sub-Adviser profitability, noting the Board’s findings as to the reasonableness of the sub-advisory fees and that the fees paid to the Sub-Advisers are the product of negotiations with the Adviser and reflect levels of profitability acceptable to the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers based on the particular circumstances in each case for each of them. The Board further noted that each Sub-Adviser’s fee is paid by the Adviser and not the sub-advised Fund and that many responsibilities related to the advisory function are retained by the Adviser. The Board also noted that the sub-advisory fees paid by the Adviser to AXA IM and AXA Rosenberg, which are affiliates of the Adviser, are considered as possible fall-out benefits.

Based on its consideration of the factors above, the Board determined that the level of profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates from providing services to each Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, quality and extent of the services provided.

Economies of Scale

The Board also considered whether economies of scale or efficiencies are realized by the Adviser as the Funds grow larger, the extent to which this is reflected in the level of management and administrative fees charged, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale or efficiencies. While recognizing that any precise determination is inherently subject to assumptions and subjective assessments, the Board considered that any realized economies of scale or efficiencies may be shared with funds and their shareholders in a variety of ways, including: (i) breakpoints in the advisory fee or other fees so that a fund’s effective fee rate declines as the fund grows in size, (ii) subsidizing a fund’s expenses by making payments or waiving all or a portion of the advisory fee or other fees so that the fund’s total expense ratio does not exceed certain levels, (iii) setting the advisory fee or other fees so that a fund is priced to scale, which assumes that the fund has sufficient assets from inception to operate at a competitive fee rate without any fee waiver or expense reimbursement from the manager, and (iv) reinvestment in, and enhancements to, the services that the manager and its affiliates provide to a fund and its shareholders. The Board noted that the advisory fee rate schedules for all Funds other than the 1290 Retirement Funds include breakpoints that reduce the fee rate as Fund assets increase above certain levels. The Board also noted that the Adviser was subsidizing each Fund’s expenses by making payments or waiving all or a portion of its management, administrative and other fees so that the Fund’s total expense ratios do not exceed certain contractual levels as set forth in its prospectus. In this connection, the Board also considered that, after extensive discussions and negotiations with the Adviser, the Adviser had proposed to lower the contractual expense limitation arrangement for one of the Funds, as noted above, effective October 1, 2019, and would present this proposal for the Board’s approval at its September 2019 meeting. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser shares any realized economies of scale with the Funds in other ways, which may include setting a Fund’s fees so that they are priced to scale. The Board considered that the effect of this pricing strategy is that the Adviser could lose money in the early stages of a Fund’s operation (and bear the risk that the Fund will never become profitable), while shareholders of the Fund receive the benefit of economies of scale that the Adviser expects the Fund will achieve as it grows. The Board further considered that the Adviser shares any realized economies of scale with the Funds through reinvestment in, and enhancements to, the services that the Adviser and its affiliates provide to the Funds and their shareholders, such as hiring additional personnel, providing additional resources in areas relating to management and administration of the Funds, and investing in technology (including cybersecurity improvements).

In addition, the Board noted that the sub-advisory fee schedules for certain Sub-Advisers aggregate the assets managed by the Sub-Adviser in a Fund and in one or more other mutual funds for which the Sub-Adviser serves as investment sub-adviser and the Adviser serves as investment adviser. The Board also

 

194


noted that the sub-advisory fee schedules for certain Sub-Advisers include breakpoints that reduce the sub-advisory fee rate as applicable Fund assets under the Sub-Adviser’s management increase above certain levels. In this regard, the Board acknowledged that, at some levels, the breakpoints in a sub-advisory fee schedule may result in savings to the Adviser and not to shareholders. The Board also noted that the aggregation of assets may result in the affected Fund(s) reaching a breakpoint sooner than if the sub-advisory fee schedule did not aggregate assets, which also has the potential to benefit the Adviser.

Based on its consideration of the factors above and recognizing that the Funds have relatively short operating histories and relatively low asset levels to date, the Board determined that there was a reasonable sharing of any realized economies of scale or efficiencies under the management, administrative and sub-advisory fee schedules at the present time.

Fall-Out and Other Benefits

The Board also considered the extent to which fall-out benefits may accrue to the Adviser and its affiliates. In this connection, the Board considered several possible fall-out benefits and other types of benefits, including the following. The Board noted that the Adviser also serves as the administrator for the Funds and receives compensation for acting in this capacity. In addition, the Board recognized that AXA IM and AXA Rosenberg, affiliates of the Adviser, serve as Sub-Advisers to certain of the Funds and receive sub-advisory fees that are paid by the Adviser out of the fees that it earns from those Funds. The Board also noted that AXA Distributors, LLC, also an affiliate of the Adviser, provides distribution support services for the Trust pursuant to an agreement with the Trust’s distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc. AXA Distributors, LLC may receive from the Funds compensation (which may include payments pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans with respect to their Class A, Class T (when offered for sale), and Class R shares) for providing shareholder services and selling activities, which could lead to growth in the Trust’s assets and corresponding benefits from such growth, including economies of scale. The Board also recognized that other broker-dealers that are affiliated with the Adviser may sell, and earn sales commissions and/or other compensation with respect to, shares of the Funds. Further, the Board considered that Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC, a registered broker-dealer, is an affiliate of the Adviser and may, from time to time, receive brokerage commissions from the Funds in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities; provided, however, that those transactions, among other things, are consistent with seeking best execution. Based on its review, the Board determined that any “fall-out” benefits and other types of benefits that may accrue to the Adviser are fair and reasonable.

The Board also considered possible fall-out benefits and other types of benefits that may accrue to a Sub-Adviser, including the following. The Board considered that a Sub-Adviser, through its position as a Sub-Adviser to its respective Fund(s), may engage in soft dollar transactions. In addition, the Board considered that a Sub-Adviser may be affiliated with registered broker-dealers who may, from time to time, receive brokerage commissions from a Fund in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities; provided, however, that those transactions, among other things, are consistent with seeking best execution. In cases where a Sub-Adviser’s affiliate executed a substantial portion of its respective Fund’s trades, the Board also considered the Sub-Adviser’s trading experience and discussed with the Adviser its monitoring of the Sub-Adviser’s brokerage selection, commission and other trading costs, and quality of execution. The Board also noted that certain Sub-Advisers serve or may serve as investment sub-advisers for other funds advised by the Adviser and receive sub-advisory fees with respect to those funds. The Board also recognized that a Sub-Adviser and its affiliates may sell, and earn sales commissions and/or other compensation with respect to, the Funds and other investment products issued by the Adviser or its affiliates. In addition, the Board noted that a Sub-Adviser may benefit from greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s investment process and from expanding its level of assets under management, and a Sub-Adviser may derive benefits from its association with the Adviser. Based on its review, the Board determined that any “fall-out” benefits that may accrue to each Sub-Adviser are fair and reasonable.

 

195


1290 Funds Performance Appendix

The Board noted that the following information regarding each Fund’s performance relative to a benchmark and/or a blended benchmark and a peer group for the one- and three-year periods, as applicable, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2019, supplemented other performance information (including performance based on rolling time periods) provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the annual renewal process. The performance results may differ from the performance results for more recent periods, including those shown elsewhere in this report.

1290 Funds Investment Performance

For the periods ended March 31, 2019

 

          1 Year     3 Year     Since Inception  
    Inception
Date
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund - Class A

    11/12/2014       2.02       (3.62     9.99       7.96       7.70       6.32  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund - Class T

    11/12/2014       2.22       (0.30     10.27       9.34       7.96       7.33  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund - Class I

    11/12/2014       2.22       n/a       10.27       n/a       7.96       n/a  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value Fund - Class R

    11/12/2014       1.75       n/a       9.71       n/a       7.42       n/a  

Lipper Small-Cap Core Funds

      0.09       n/a       10.06       n/a       6.44       n/a  

Russell 2500 Value Index

      1.84       n/a       9.85       n/a       6.23       n/a  

1290 Convertible Securities Fund - Class A

    07/06/2015       5.56       0.80       9.90       8.22       5.62       4.33  

1290 Convertible Securities Fund - Class I

    07/06/2015       5.80       n/a       10.17       n/a       5.88       n/a  

1290 Convertible Securities Fund - Class R

    07/06/2015       5.22       n/a       9.60       n/a       5.34       n/a  

Lipper Convertible Securities Funds

      6.34       n/a       10.68       n/a       6.35       n/a  

ICE BofA Merrill Lynch US Convertible Index

      7.84       n/a       12.09       n/a       7.33       n/a  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund - Class A

    07/06/2015       0.86       (4.66     2.20       0.31       1.11       (0.41

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund - Class I

    07/06/2015       1.02       n/a       2.42       n/a       1.34       n/a  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies Fund - Class R

    07/06/2015       0.61       n/a       1.97       n/a       0.86       n/a  

Lipper Alternative Multi-Strategy Funds

      (0.72     n/a       1.91       n/a       0.79       n/a  

ICE BofA Merrill Lynch US 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

      2.12       n/a       1.19       n/a       0.99       n/a  

1290 Global Talents Fund - Class A

    04/11/2016       (3.67     (8.94         8.84       6.80  

1290 Global Talents Fund - Class I

    04/11/2016       (3.42     n/a           9.11       n/a  

1290 Global Talents Fund - Class R

    04/11/2016       (3.91     n/a           8.58       n/a  

Lipper Global Multi-Cap Growth Funds

      3.21       n/a           11.92       n/a  

MSCI ACWI (Net) Index

      2.60       n/a           11.14       n/a  

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       6.40       n/a           8.62       n/a  

Lipper Global Multi-Cap Core Funds

      0.64       n/a           7.59       n/a  

MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (Net) Index

      9.04       n/a           9.72       n/a  

MSCI ACWI (Net) Index

      2.60       n/a           8.72       n/a  

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund - Class A

    11/12/2014       6.96       1.09       9.70       7.66       7.36       5.99  

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund - Class T

    11/12/2014       7.22       4.54       9.96       9.04       7.63       7.00  

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund - Class I

    11/12/2014       7.22       n/a       9.96       n/a       7.63       n/a  

1290 SmartBeta Equity Fund - Class R

    11/12/2014       6.69       n/a       9.40       n/a       7.09       n/a  

Lipper Global Large-Cap Core Funds

      1.97       n/a       9.99       n/a       5.80       n/a  

MSCI World (Net) Index

      4.01       n/a       10.68       n/a       6.87       n/a  

1290 High Yield Bond Fund - Class A

    11/12/2014       4.88       0.16       7.74       6.10       3.89       2.80  

1290 High Yield Bond Fund - Class T

    11/12/2014       5.15       2.56       8.00       7.08       4.14       3.53  

1290 High Yield Bond Fund - Class I

    11/12/2014       5.03       n/a       7.99       n/a       4.14       n/a  

1290 High Yield Bond Fund - Class R

    11/12/2014       4.63       n/a       7.48       n/a       3.64       n/a  

 

196


          1 Year     3 Year     Since Inception  
    Inception
Date
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Lipper High Yield Funds

      4.39       n/a       6.93       n/a       3.89       n/a  

ICE BofA Merrill Lynch US High Yield Index

      5.94       n/a       8.69       n/a       4.99       n/a  

1290 Diversified Bond Fund - Class A

    07/06/2015       4.96       0.28       4.29       2.69       2.94       1.68  

1290 Diversified Bond Fund - Class I

    07/06/2015       5.30       n/a       4.56       n/a       3.22       n/a  

1290 Diversified Bond Fund - Class R

    07/06/2015       4.73       n/a       4.02       n/a       2.68       n/a  

Lipper Core Plus Bond Funds

      4.02       n/a       2.93       n/a       2.70       n/a  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

      4.48       n/a       2.03       n/a       2.54       n/a  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund - Class A

    03/07/2016       5.01       (0.80     6.23       4.25       6.71       4.76  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund - Class I

    03/07/2016       5.18       n/a       6.48       n/a       6.95       n/a  

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation Fund - Class R

    03/07/2016       4.74       n/a       5.94       n/a       6.43       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Moderate Funds

      3.17       n/a       6.74       n/a       6.74       n/a  

60% S&P 500 Index / 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

      7.78       n/a       8.95       n/a       9.57       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2020 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.16       n/a           6.13       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2020 Funds

      3.24       n/a           5.23       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2020 Index

      3.94       n/a           5.73       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2025 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.50       n/a           6.85       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2025 Funds

      3.32       n/a           5.98       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2025 Index

      3.90       n/a           6.31       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2030 I Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.60       n/a           7.29       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2030 Funds

      3.16       n/a           6.64       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2030 Index

      3.82       n/a           6.84       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2035 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.65       n/a           7.59       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2035 Funds

      3.06       n/a           7.43       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2035 Index

      3.66       n/a           7.30       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2040 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.93       n/a           8.01       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2040 Funds

      2.89       n/a           7.57       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2040 Index

      3.59       n/a           7.63       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2045 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       5.98       n/a           8.31       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2045 Funds

      2.90       n/a           8.01       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2045 Index

      3.46       n/a           7.78       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2050 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       6.14       n/a           8.68       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2050 Funds

      2.80       n/a           7.87       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2050 Index

      3.41       n/a           7.93       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2055 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       6.11       n/a           8.99       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2055+ Funds

      2.87       n/a           8.21       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2055 Index

      3.37       n/a           7.99       n/a  

1290 Retirement 2060 Fund - Class I

    02/27/2017       6.38       n/a           9.17       n/a  

Lipper Mixed-Asset Target 2055+ Funds

      2.87       n/a           8.21       n/a  

S&P Target Date 2060+ Index

      3.50       n/a           8.13       n/a  

 

197


Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

Funds:

  70% Dividend
Received
Deduction
    Foreign
Taxes
    Foreign
Source Income
    Long Term
Capital Gain
 

1290 Convertible Securities

    0.00             —             —   $ 820,812  

1290 Diversified Bond

    0.00                    

1290 DoubleLine Dynamic Allocation

    12.28                   1,627,303  

1290 GAMCO Small/Mid Cap Value

    100.00                   212,987  

1290 Global Talents

    100.00                   1,259,775  

1290 High Yield Bond

    0.00                    

1290 Low Volatility Global Equity

    44.02       3,838       31,638       5,361  

1290 Multi-Alternative Strategies

    42.72       2,591       21,324       21,640  

1290 Retirement 2020

    51.47       3,650       40,897       22,023  

1290 Retirement 2025

    75.75       7,076       70,262       14,712  

1290 Retirement 2030

    54.67       2,730       25,728       4,009  

1290 Retirement 2035

    69.79       3,975       37,475       1,252  

1290 Retirement 2040

    54.01       1,866       17,645       2,736  

1290 Retirement 2045

    65.08       2,794       26,442       1,428  

1290 Retirement 2050

    61.23       2,131       20,180       2,824  

1290 Retirement 2055

    65.01       2,103       19,899       2,655  

1290 Retirement 2060

    64.96       2,072       19,734       2,604  

1290 SmartBeta Equity

    72.04                   637,011  

 

198


MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST (UNAUDITED)

The Trust’s Board is responsible for the overall management of the Trust and the Funds, including general supervision and review of the Funds’ investment activities and their conformity with federal and state law as well as the stated policies of the Funds. The Board elects the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the Trust’s day-to-day operations. The Trustees of the Trust are identified in the table below along with information as to their principal business occupations held during the last five years and certain other information are shown below. The SAI includes additional information about the Trust’s Board and is available at the Funds’ website www.1290funds.com and available without charge upon request by calling 1-888-310-0416 or by sending an e-mail request to 1290funds@dfinsolutions.com.

The Trustees

 

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held With
Fund
  Term of
Office** and
Length of
Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Funds

in Fund
Complex
Overseen

by Trustee†

  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years
 
Interested Trustees

Steven M. Joenk*

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York

(1958)

  Trustee, President
and Chief Executive Officer
 

From October 1, 2017 to present, Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer and from June 9,

2014 through September 30, 2017, Trustee, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

  From May 2011 to present, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1290 Asset Managers; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of AXA Financial, Inc.; from April 2017 to present, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer and from September 1999 to April 2017, Managing Director, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (“AXA Equitable”); from September 2004 to April 2011, President, AXA Equitable’s Funds Management Group (“FMG”) unit; from July 2004 to October 1, 2013, Senior Vice President, MONY Life Insurance Company; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and from July 2004 to April 2017, Senior Vice President, MONY Life Insurance Company of America; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, PlanConnect, LLC; from July 2004 to present, Director, MONY Capital Management, Inc., Director and President, 1740 Advisers, Inc.; from July 2004 to January 2011, Director, Chairman of the Board and President, MONY Asset Management, Inc. and Enterprise Capital Management; from January 2005 to January 2011, Director, MONY Financial Resources of Americas Limited; and from November 2005 to present, Director MONY International Holdings, LLC.   145   None

 

199


Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held With
Fund
  Term of
Office** and
Length of
Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Funds

in Fund
Complex
Overseen

by Trustee†

  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years
 
Independent Trustees

Mark A. Barnard

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

10104

(1949)

  Trustee   From February 27, 2017 to present   From 1995 to 1998, Manager of Private Investments, from 1998 to 2001, Director of Private Investments, and from 2001 to 2016, Managing Director – Private Investments, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; from 1985 to 1992, Assistant Director of Real Estate, and from 1992 to 1995, Associate Director of Real Estate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   145   None.

Thomas W. Brock

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1947)

  Trustee   From January 1, 2016 to present   From June 2016 to May 2017, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer and from January 2016 to June 2016 Director and interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.; from 2006 to 2012, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Stone Harbor Investment Partners.   145   From December 2012 to January 2016, Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member and Compensation Committee Chair, Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.; from 2016 to present, Chair and from 2005 to present, Director and Audit Committee Member, Liberty All-Star Funds (2); and from 2006 to 2012, Director, Stone Harbor Investment Funds (5).

Michael B. Clement***

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1957)

  Trustee   From
January 1, 2019 to present
  From 2011 to present, Professor of Accounting, most recently was appointed Department of Accounting Chair effective September 2018, and from 1997 to 2002, Assistant Professor, University of Texas; from 2002 to 2004, Vice President – Global Investment Research, Goldman Sachs; from 1988 to 1991, Vice President – Capital Planning and Analysis, and from 1982 to 1986, Manager – Audit Division, Citicorp; and from 1980 to 1982, Senior Assistant Accountant, Deloitte Haskins & Sells.   145   None.

Donald E. Foley

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1951)

  Trustee  

From June 9,

2014 to present

 

From 2010 to 2011, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Wilmington Trust Corporation; from 1996 to 2010, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Tax, ITT Corporation; from 1989 to 1996, Assistant Treasurer, International Paper Company.

  145   From 2011 to 2012 Director, and from 2012 to 2016, Advisory Committee Member, M&T Corporation; from 2007 to 2011, Director and member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, Wilmington Trust Corporation; from 2008 to 2010, Advisory Board member, Northern Trust Company and Goldman Sachs Management Groups; from 2015 to present, Director, BioSig Technologies, Inc.; and from 2015 to present, Director, Wilmington Funds.

 

200


Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held With
Fund
  Term of
Office** and
Length of
Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Funds

in Fund
Complex
Overseen

by Trustee†

  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years

Christopher P.A. Komisarjevsky

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1945)

  Trustee  

From June 9,

2014 to present

  From 2006 to 2008, Senior Counselor for APCO Worldwide® (global communications consulting) and a member of its International Advisory Council; from 1998 to 2005, President and Chief Executive Officer, Burson-Marsteller Worldwide (public relations); from 1996 to 1998, President and Chief Executive Officer of Burson-Marsteller U.S.A.   145   None

H. Thomas McMeekin

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1953)

  Trustee  

From June 9,

2014 to present

  From 2015 to present, CEO of Blue Key Services, LLC., from 2000 to present, Managing Partner and Founder of Griffin Investments, LLC; from 2009 to 2012 Chief Investment Officer, AIG Life & Retirement and United Guaranty Corporation and Senior Managing Director of AIG Asset Management.   145   From 2015 to present, Director, Blue Key Services LLC; from 2012 to present, Director, Achaean Financial Group; from 2011 to 2012, Director, US Life Insurance Company in the City of New York.

Gloria D. Reeg

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(1951)

  Trustee   From February 27, 2017 to present   From 2007 to 2016, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, New York-Presbyterian Hospital; from 2005 to 2007, Trustee and Treasurer, Casey Family Programs (foundation); from 2002 to 2004, Global Head of Fixed Income and Executive Director, Principal Global Investors (asset management firm); 1992 to 2000, Managing Director – Global Consulting, Russell Investment Group.   145   None.

Gary S. Schpero

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104
(1953)

  Chairman of the Board  

From June 9,

2014 to present Independent Trustee, from October 1, 2017 to present, Chairman of the Board and from June 9, 2014 through September 2017, Lead Independent Trustee

  Prior to January 1, 2000, Partner of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (law firm) and Managing Partner of the Investment Management and Investment Company Practice Group.   145   From May 2012 to present, Trustee, Blackstone/GSO Senior Floating Rate Term Fund and Blackstone/GSO Long – Short Credit Income Fund; from October 2012 to present, Trustee, Blackstone/GSO Strategic Credit Fund; from September 2017 to present, Trustee, Blackstone/GSO Floating Rate Enhanced Income Fund.

 

201


Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held With
Fund
  Term of
Office** and
Length of
Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Funds

in Fund
Complex
Overseen

by Trustee†

  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years

Kathleen Stephansen***

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104

(1954)

  Trustee  

From

January 1, 2019 to present

  From 2018 to present and in 2016, Senior Economic Advisor-Henderson Institute Center for Macroeconomics, Boston Consulting Group; From 2016 to 2018, Chief Economist, Huawei Technologies USA Inc.; from 2010 to 2016, held various positions at American International Group, including Chief Economist and Senior Managing Director and Senior Investment Strategies and Global Head of Sovereign Research – AIG Asset Management; from 2009 to 2010, Chief Economist and Managing Director, Aladdin Capital; from 2000 to 2009, Director and Head of Global Economics, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC; and from 1984 to 2000, Co-Head of Economic Research and Chief International Economist, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Corporation.   145   None.

Caroline L. Williams

c/o 1290 Funds

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York

10104

(1946)

  Trustee  

From June 9,

2014 to present

  From July 2010 to December 2012, Executive Vice President, from May 2005 to December 2007, Consultant and from May 2001 to May 2005, Chief Financial and Investment Officer, Nathan Cummings Foundation (non-profit organization); from 1988 to 1992, Managing Director, from 1982 to 1988, Senior Vice President, from 1978 to 1982, Vice President and from 1971 to 1976, Associate, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (investment bank) from 1997 to 2009, Director, Hearst-Argyle Television.   145   None.

 

 

*

Affiliated with the Adviser.

**

Each Trustee serves during the existence of the Trust until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor or, if sooner, until he or she dies, declines to serve, resigns, retires, is removed, is incapacitated or is otherwise unable or unwilling to serve. Each Independent Trustee shall retire from the Board as of the last day of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of 75 years.

***

Mr. Clement and Ms. Stephansen each served as a consultant to the Board from September 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018. Mr. Clement and Ms. Stephansen began serving as Trustees of the Trust effective as of January 1, 2019.

The registered investment companies in the fund complex include the AXA Premier VIP Trust, EQ Advisors Trust and 1290 Funds. Mr. Joenk serves as Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer for each of the registered investment companies in the fund complex. Mr. Schpero serves as Chairman of the Board for each such company.

 

202


The Trust’s Officers

Each officer of the Trust is an employee of AXA Equitable, FMG LLC, and/or AXA Distributors, LLC (“AXA Distributors”). The Trust’s principal officers are:

 

 

       
Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s) Held
With Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Steven M. Joenk

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104
(1958)

  Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2014 to present; Chairman of the Board from June 2014 through September 2017   From May 2011 to present, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1290 Asset Managers; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, AXA Financial, Inc.; from April 2017 to present, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer and from September 1999 to April 2017, Managing Director, AXA Equitable; from September 2004 to April 2011, President, AXA Equitable’s Funds Management Group unit; from July 2004 to October 2013, Senior Vice President, MONY Life Insurance Company; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, MONY Financial Services, Inc.; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer and from July 2004 to April 2017, Senior Vice President, MONY Life Insurance Company of America; from April 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, PlanConnect, LLC; from July 2004 to present, Director, MONY Capital Management, Inc. and Director and President, 1740 Advisers, Inc.; from July 2004 to January 2011, Director, Chairman of the Board and President, MONY Asset Management, Inc. and Enterprise Capital Management; from January 2005 to January 2011, Director, MONY Financial Resources of Americas Limited; and from November 2005 to present, Director MONY International Holdings, LLC.

William MacGregor

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1975)

  Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and Secretary   Senior Vice President and Secretary from August
2018 to present; Chief Legal Officer from October 2018 to present
  From August 2018 to present, Managing Director and Associate General Counsel of AXA Equitable; Executive Vice President and Secretary of 1290 Asset Managers; from January 2017 to June 2018, Executive Director and Deputy General Counsel at UBS Business Solutions LLC; from July 2015 to June 2018, Executive Director and Deputy General Counsel at UBS Asset Management (Americas) Inc.; from June 2012 to July 2015, Senior Vice President, Secretary and Associate General Counsel of 1290 Asset Managers; from May 2008 to July 2015, Lead Director and Associate Counsel of AXA Equitable.

Brian Walsh

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1968)

  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   From June 2014 to present   From May 2011 to present, Senior Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from February 2011 to present, member of the Board of Directors of 1290 Asset Managers; from February 2003 to present, Lead Director of AXA Equitable.

 

203


       
Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s) Held
With Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Kenneth Kozlowski

1290 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10104
(1961)

  Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer   From June 2014 to present   From June 2012 to present, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of 1290 Asset Managers; from May 2011 to June 2012, Senior Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from September 2011 to present, Managing Director of AXA Financial and AXA Equitable; from February 2001 to September 2011, Vice President of AXA Equitable; from July 2004 to January 2011, Director, Enterprise Capital Management, Inc.

Joseph J. Paolo

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1970)

  Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President   From June 2014 to present   From May 2011 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of 1290 Asset Managers; from June 2007 to present, Lead Director of AXA Equitable and Chief Compliance Officer of AXA Equitable’s FMG.

Alwi Chan

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104
(1974)

  Vice President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer   From June 2014 to present   From June 2012 to present, Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer of 1290 Asset Managers; from May 2011 to June 2012, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from February 2007 to present, Lead Director of AXA Equitable.

James Kelly

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1968)

  Controller   From June 2014 to present   From May 2011 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from September 2008 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; from March 2006 to September 2008, Assistant Vice President, AXA Equitable.

Mary E. Cantwell

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104
(1961)

  Vice President   From June 2014 to present   From June 2012 to present, Senior Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from February 2011 to present member of Board of Directors of 1290 Asset Managers; from May 2011 to June 2012, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; and from February 2001 to present, Lead Director, AXA Equitable.

Roselle Ibanga

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1978)

  Assistant Controller   From June 2014 to present   From February 2009 to present, Director of AXA Equitable.

Lisa Perrelli

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1974)

  Assistant Controller   From June 2014 to present   From November 2012 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; from September 2008 to November 2012, Assistant Vice President of AXA Equitable.

Kiesha T. Astwood-Smith, Esq.

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104

(1973)

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   From September 2015 to present   From December 2015 to present, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel of 1290 Asset Managers; from September 2015 to present, Senior Director and Counsel of AXA Equitable. From July 2006 to September 2015, Counsel of The Bank of New York Mellon; and from January 2010 to September 2015 Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Dreyfus Family of Funds.

Victoria Zozulya, Esq.

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104

(1983)

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   From December 2018 to present.   From September 2018 to present, Senior Director and Counsel of AXA Equitable; from May 2011 to March 2014, Compliance Analyst, and from March 2014 to August 2018, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Neuberger Berman.

 

204


       
Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s) Held
With Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Carla Byer

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1976)

  Vice President   From June 2017 to present   From April 2017 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers. From April 2014 through August 2016, Senior Vice President, Zealot Networks. From September 2008 through April 2012, Vice President of FMG LLC.

Patricia Cox

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1958)

  Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer   From June 2014 to present   From June 2014 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from April 2014 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; Operations Consultant for Wells Real Estate Funds March 2009-September 2010; Director of Transfer Agent Operations for Wells Real Estate Funds October 2010 - March 2014; Senior VP of Operations for the AXA Enterprise Group of Funds August 2004-August 2008.

Miao Hu

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1978)

  Vice President   From June 2016 to present   From June 2016 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from December 2014 to present, Director of Portfolio Analytics of AXA Equitable; from November 2013 to December 2014, Lead Manager of Portfolio Analytics of AXA Equitable; from January 2011 to November 2013, Financial Services Sector Specialist of FactSet Research Systems.

Michal Levy

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1979)

  Vice President   From June 2016 to present   From December 2014 to present, member of the Board of Directors; from March 2017 to present, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of 1290 Asset Managers; and from June 2014 to March 2017, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from October 2013 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; from October 2011 to October 2013, Assistant Vice President of AXA Equitable; and from October 2008 to October 2011, Vice President of Portfolio Valuation at Duff & Phelps.

Xavier Poutas

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1977)

  Vice President   From June 2016 to present   From May 2011 to present, Assistant Portfolio Manager of 1290 Asset Managers and from June 27, 2016 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from September 2013 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; and from November 2008 to August 2013, Director of AXA Equitable.

Helen Lai

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1973)

  Assistant Vice President   From June 2016 to present   From March 2013 to present, Pricing and Valuation-Compliance of 1290 Asset Managers and Senior Manager, AXA Equitable; and from May 2009 to December 2012, HSBC, Hedge Fund Investor Services.

 

205


       
Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Position(s) Held
With Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Jennifer Mastronardi

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1985)

  Assistant Vice President   From June 2014 to present   From February 2009 to present, Director of AXA Equitable; from April 2015 to present, Vice President of 1290 Asset Managers; from June 2007 to February 2009, Operations Associate in Managed Futures Department, Morgan Stanley.

Helen Espaillat

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1963)

  Assistant Secretary   From June 2014 to present   From July 2004 to present, Lead Manager/Legal Assistant for AXA Equitable and from March 2015 to present Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary of 1290 Asset Managers.

Lorelei Fajardo

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1978)

  Assistant Secretary   From June 2016 to present   From July 2013 to present, Senior Manager/Legal Assistant of AXA Equitable; from July 2008 to June 2013, Lead Associate/Legal Assistant of AXA Equitable.

Bradley Tobin

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1974)

  Vice President – Director of Risk   From September 2019 to present   From January 2019 to present, Director of Risk Management for AXA Equitable; from February 2004 to December 2016 Investment Management at Prudential Annuities.

Thomas Lewis

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1987)

  Vice President   From September 2019 to present   From July 2019 to present, Vice President of FMG LLC; from January 2019 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; from June 2015 to December 2018, Director of AXA Equitable; from April 2014 to May 2015 Lead Manager of AXA Equitable; from July 2013 to March 2014, Senior Manager of AXA Equitable.

Artemis Brannigan

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1974)

  Vice President   From September 2019 to present   From August 2019 to present, Senior Director of AXA Equitable; From January 2016 to July 2019, Director of Prudential Financial; From October 2006 to December 2015, Vice President of BlackRock.

Kevin McCarthy

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1983)

  Vice President   From September 2019 to present   From December 2018 to present, Assistant Portfolio Manager and a Director of AXA Equitable. From August 2015 to November 2018, Lead Manager of AXA Equitable; From October 2013 to August 2015, Senior Quantitative Analyst at Aviva Investors.

Cheryl Cherian

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1979)

  Assistant Secretary   From July 2019 to present   From April 2019 to present, Lead Manager – Legal Assistant of AXA Equitable; and from November 2016 to March 2018 worked at a mutual fund company.

Monica Giron

1290 Avenue of the Americas,

New York, New York 10104

(1976)

  Assistant Secretary   From July 2019 to present   From June 2019 to present, Lead Manager-Senior Legal Assistant of AXA Equitable; and from August 2015 to May 2019, Senior Paralegal at Gemini Fund Services.

 

 

*

The officers in the table above (except Patricia Cox) hold similar positions with other registered investment companies in the fund complex. The registered investment companies in the fund complex include the Trust, AXA Premier VIP Trust and EQ Advisors Trust.

**

Each officer is elected on an annual basis.

 

206


PROXY VOTING RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

At a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on November 1, 2018, shareholders of the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund approved a new investment advisory agreement between AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC dba 1290 Asset Managers® (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund. The results of the shareholder vote are as follows:

 

Fund

  For     Against     Abstain  

1290 Retirement 2060 Fund

    250,001.145       0.000       0.000  

At a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on November 1, 2018, shareholders of the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund approved upon a Change of Control Event prompted by the Sell-Down Plan, a new investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the 1290 Retirement 2060 Fund, and under certain circumstances, any future advisory agreements prompted by Change of Control Events that may occur as part of the Sell-Down Plan. The results of the shareholder vote are as follows:

 

Fund

  For     Against     Abstain  

1290 Retirement 2060 Fund

    250,001.145       0.000       0.000  

At a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on November 27, 2018, shareholders of the 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund approved a new investment advisory agreement between AXA Equitable Funds Management Group, LLC dba 1290 Asset Managers® (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund. The results of the shareholder vote are as follows:

 

Fund

  For     Against     Abstain  

1290 Retirement 2030 Fund

    286,711.055       0.000       313.053  

At a Special Meeting of Shareholders held on November 27, 2018, shareholders of the 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund approved upon a Change of Control Event prompted by the Sell-Down Plan, a new investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the 1290 Retirement 2030 Fund, and under certain circumstances, any future advisory agreements prompted by Change of Control Events that may occur as part of the Sell-Down Plan. The results of the shareholder vote are as follows:

 

Fund

  For     Against     Abstain  

1290 Retirement 2030 Fund

    154,055.232       132,655.823       313.053  

*******

 

207


PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (UNAUDITED)

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling a toll-free number at 1-888-310-0416 and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) on the Trust’s website at www.1290Funds.com and (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Previously, this information was filed on Form N-Q. These filings are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

208


 

 

 

Visit the Funds’ Website: 1290Funds.com

 

  LOGO

 

Must be accompanied or preceded by a Prospectus. 1290 Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.    DFIN#808506

© 2019 AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.

 

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company


Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a “code of ethics,” as defined in Item 2, that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the registrant’s code of ethics is filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 12(a)(1).

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s board of trustees has determined that Donald E. Foley and Caroline L. Williams serve on its audit committee as “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 3. Ms. Williams and Mr. Foley are considered to be “independent” for purposes of Item 3(a)(2).

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees for fiscal year 2019: $255,705 and for fiscal year 2018: $544,450.

(b) Audit-Related Fees fiscal year 2019: $0 and for fiscal year 2018: $40,698.

(c) Tax Fees for fiscal year 2019: $233,660 and for fiscal year 2018: $228,200.

Tax fees include amounts related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(d) All Other Fees for fiscal year 2019: $0 and for fiscal year 2018: $0.

All other fees include amounts related to consultation on or review of the registrant’s various regulatory filings.

(e)(1)    The registrant’s audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to pre-approval of services performed by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant. Audit, audit-related and tax services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require pre-approval by the entire audit committee. In the event that the audit fees exceed the pre-approved estimated amount, the audit committee’s delegate, consisting of the audit committee chair, lead independent trustee, the registrant’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, acting by at least two of such individuals, has the authority to increase the amount by up to 10% of the pre-approved amount. Any additional amount requires pre-approval by the entire audit committee. The audit committee chair or the lead independent trustee also has the authority to approve de minimis non-audit services (i.e., services in which the fee does not exceed $10,000 per engagement) to be provided by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant, provided that each such service is brought to the attention of the audit committee prior to the completion of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements.


(e)(2)    None of the services included in (b) – (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) For fiscal year 2019: $523,000 and for fiscal year 2018: $380,398.

(h)    The registrant’s audit committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-advisers 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 investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Schedule of Investments.

The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the annual report to Shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

 

Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

 

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”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


(b)

The registrant’s certifying officers are not aware of any changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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 Close-End Management Investment Companies.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 13.

Exhibits.

(a)(1)    The Code of Ethics for Senior Officers of the Registrant is filed herewith.

(a)(2)    Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed herewith.

(b)    Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed herewith.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

1290 FUNDS

 

By:  

/s/ Steven M. Joenk

Steven M. Joenk
President and Chief Executive Officer
December 27, 2019

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.

 

 

/s/ Steven M. Joenk

  Steven M. Joenk
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  December 27, 2019
 

/s/ Brian E. Walsh

  Brian E. Walsh
  Chief Financial Officer
  December 27, 2019