N-CSR 1 mn-ncsr_103123.htm CERTIFIED ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER REPORT

 

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 811-04087

     

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.

   

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

290 Woodcliff Drive, Fairport, NY 14450

     

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

 

 

Paul J. Battaglia 290 Woodcliff Drive, Fairport, NY 14450

     

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 585-325-6880

     

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

     

Date of reporting period: November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023

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

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

 

 

 

Item 1:Reports to Stockholders.
  
(a) 

 

 

www.manning-napier.com

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.
 
Equity Series

 

 

 

  Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

 

 

A Note from Our CEO

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

2023 has proven to be surprising on many fronts. The resiliency of the U.S. economy, driven by a strong labor market and consumer spending, was unanticipated by many observers, including us. While inflation has come down globally without a large spike in unemployment, interest rates remain high relative to the past 15 years around the world, creating increasing pressure on indebted families, companies, and governments. On the geopolitical front, the world feels more dangerous than in many decades, confronting war in the Middle East and Europe and heightened tension between China and the U.S.

 

Capital markets have likewise been surprising. The most historically significant development in markets is that bonds, in aggregate, have done poorly so far, for the third year in a row, reflecting interest rates that have remained high. By way of example, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond, has never declined three years in a row since 1787. Equities, particularly in the U.S., have risen, though a mere seven U.S. technology stocks explain pretty much the entirety of the returns in equities both in the U.S. and globally, a remarkably concentrated situation.

 

The future is unknown and prone to surprises, however, we have confidence in our ability to mitigate the risks emerging from the current environment, while keeping our shareholders' goals and needs at the forefront of our decision making.

 

Our consistent investment philosophies, disciplines, and time-tested processes – that have guided our seasoned investors over multiple economic and capital markets cycles over the past half-century – remain at our core and will support us as this cycle plays out.

This year, we launched a new investment strategy, the Callodine Equity Income fund, in partnership with the Callodine Group, our parent company. The combination with Callodine was a meaningful and strategic decision to position Manning & Napier stronger for the future and to help us continue to evolve in ways that benefit our investors. We look forward to sharing new investment strategies and opportunities with you in the future.

 

Above all, we thank and appreciate your continued confidence in our firm.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Marc Mayer 

Chief Executive Officer


 

Corporate Headquarters | 290 Woodcliff Drive | Fairport, NY 14450 | (585) 325-6880 phone | (800) 551-0224 toll free | www.manning-napier.com

1

 

Equity Series

 

Fund Commentary 

(unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

To provide long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in common stocks. The Series may invest in large-, mid- and small-size companies within the US.

 

Performance Commentary

 

Economic strength has been more resilient this year than many would have predicted, though various indicators continue to point toward less stability under the surface. Broad global equity markets posted double digit gains for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2023. However, large-cap stocks significantly outperformed small- and mid-cap stocks as did growth in comparison to value from a style perspective. In fact, the broad US equity market was propelled higher over the past year by just a handful of stocks, aptly named the “Magnificent 7”. These companies are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook) and their share prices have increased significantly more than other benchmark constituents, on average over this past year.

 

The Equity Series Class S delivered positive returns during the year but modestly underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Index, returning 7.8% and 8.4% respectively.

 

Underperformance was largely attributable to an underweight to Information Technology and selection within Materials and Consumer Staples. Within Materials, global crop protection chemical company FMC Corporation was the largest detractor to returns as the company experienced an accelerated de-stocking of inventory by its customers, leading to lower growth in the near-term. We still maintain a position in the company and have high conviction in its long-term potential, especially at current valuation levels. Within Consumer Staples, Dollar General was the largest detractor as the company has been challenged by more intense competition and slower trade down effect than we originally anticipated. It was ultimately sold out of the portfolio as it no longer met our investment criteria.

 

Alternatively, allocations to more growth-oriented companies such as Meta (Facebook), Amazon, and Microsoft were among the top contributors to the portfolio as growth notably outperformed value over the period. Another notable contributor was CBOE Markets, which operates several exchanges, including the largest options exchange in the US. CBOE has benefitted from increased volatility in markets, causing derivative trading volumes for some of their key franchises to run ahead of expectations for much of 2023. This is particularly true of their zero-day-to-expiration options for the S&P 500 and VIX indices, products in which they have a monopoly on the trading and clearing of futures and options.

 

Despite recent gains in equity markets, the majority of the economic data points observed across our investment teams continue to suggest caution is warranted. As such, we believe that this backdrop heightens the importance of risk management and an overall defensive posture in the portfolio.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than that quoted; investors can obtain the most recent month-end performance at www.manning-napier.com or by calling (800) 466-3863.

 

Commentary prepared using data provided by FactSet. Analysis Manning & Napier. Commentary presented is relative to the Russell 3000® Index. Additional information and associated disclosures can be found on the Performance Update page of this report.

 

The data presented is for informational purposes only. It is not to be considered a specific stock recommendation.

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. As with any stock fund, the value of your investment will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Investing in the Series will also involve a number of other risks, including issuer-specific risk, small-cap/mid-cap risk, and interest rate risk.

 

2

 

Equity Series

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

  

  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
  AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
  ONE FIVE TEN
  YEAR1 YEAR YEAR
Equity Series - Class S2 7.84% 10.85% 10.11%
Equity Series - Class W2,3 8.98% 11.90% 10.62%
Russell 3000® Index4 8.38% 10.23% 10.52%

 

The following graph compares the value of a $10,000 investment in the Equity Series - Class S for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Russell 3000® Index.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.05% for Class S and 0.05% for Class W. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.36% for Class S and 1.11% for Class W for the year ended October 31, 2023.

3For periods through March 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class S shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class S shares have a higher expense ratio.

4The Russell 3000® Index is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. The Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. The Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index data referenced herein is the property of London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (“LSE Group”) and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. LSE Group and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

3

 

Equity Series

 

Shareholder Expense Example 

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses 

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.


 

  BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ANNUALIZED
  ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD* EXPENSE
  5/1/23 10/31/23 5/1/23 - 10/31/23 RATIO
Class S        
Actual $1,000.00 $983.60 $5.25 1.05%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,019.91 $5.35 1.05%
Class W        
Actual $1,000.00 $989.00 $0.25 0.05%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,024.95 $0.26 0.05%

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

4

 

Equity Series

 

Portfolio Composition as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

 

Sector Allocation1
 
1As a percentage of net assets.

 

 

5

 

Equity Series 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
COMMON STOCKS - 97.4%
 
Communication Services - 9.9%
Entertainment - 3.0%
Electronic Arts, Inc.   13,910   $1,721,919 
Interactive Media & Services - 6.9%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*   14,958    1,855,989 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   7,033    2,118,832 
         3,974,821 
Total Communication Services        5,696,740 
Consumer Discretionary - 6.1%          
Broadline Retail - 4.2%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   18,345    2,441,536 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 1.9%          
NIKE, Inc. - Class B   10,451    1,074,049 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,515,585 
Consumer Staples - 6.6%          
Beverages - 4.8%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   29,710    1,678,318 
Constellation Brands, Inc. - Class A   4,567    1,069,363 
         2,747,681 
Food Products - 1.8%          
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A   16,182    1,071,410 
Total Consumer Staples        3,819,091 
Financials - 21.4%          
Banks - 1.1%          
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   4,532    630,220 
Capital Markets - 11.1%          
BlackRock, Inc.   873    534,520 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   12,366    2,026,664 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   14,710    1,580,442 
Moody’s Corp.   4,153    1,279,124 
S&P Global, Inc.   2,837    990,993 
         6,411,743 
Financial Services - 6.9%          
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   5,823    2,191,486 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   7,576    1,781,118 
         3,972,604 
Insurance - 2.3%          
The Progressive Corp.   8,532    1,348,824 
Total Financials        12,363,391 
Health Care - 15.3%          
Biotechnology - 3.5%          
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   17,508    1,426,027 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   1,655    599,292 
         2,025,319 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 3.9%          
Boston Scientific Corp.*   12,516    640,694 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   2,285    912,789 
      SHARES  VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Health Care (continued)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)          
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*   2,671   $700,390 
         2,253,873 
Health Care Providers & Services - 3.3%          
CVS Health Corp.   7,108    490,523 
Humana, Inc.   918    480,747 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   1,725    923,841 
         1,895,111 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 1.5%          
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   1,914    851,290 
Pharmaceuticals - 3.1%          
Johnson & Johnson   12,089    1,793,282 
Total Health Care        8,818,875 
Industrials - 11.9%          
Aerospace & Defense - 5.6%          
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   10,384    1,862,993 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   2,871    1,353,476 
         3,216,469 
Building Products - 1.9%          
Masco Corp.   21,531    1,121,550 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.1%          
Copart, Inc.*   14,514    631,649 
Ground Transportation - 2.3%          
CSX Corp.   16,167    482,585 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   2,290    436,909 
Union Pacific Corp.   2,059    427,469 
         1,346,963 
Professional Services - 1.0%          
Insperity, Inc.   5,396    571,113 
Total Industrials        6,887,744 
Information Technology - 19.4%          
IT Services - 2.9%          
EPAM Systems, Inc.*   2,958    643,572 
Snowflake, Inc. - Class A*   7,282    1,056,837 
         1,700,409 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 5.7%       
Applied Materials, Inc.   9,172    1,213,914 
Micron Technology, Inc.   31,184    2,085,274 
         3,299,188 
Software - 10.8%          
Intuit, Inc.   1,897    938,920 
Microsoft Corp.   6,648    2,247,755 
Salesforce, Inc.*   6,847    1,375,083 
ServiceNow, Inc.*   2,849    1,657,691 
         6,219,449 
Total Information Technology        11,219,046 
           

 

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

6

 

Equity Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Materials - 2.3%
Chemicals - 2.3%
FMC Corp.   24,772   $1,317,870 
Real Estate - 3.2%          
Specialized REITs - 3.2%          
Equinix, Inc.   1,336    974,799 
SBA Communications Corp.   4,173    870,613 
Total Real Estate        1,845,412 
           
   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Utilities - 1.3%
Electric Utilities - 1.3%          
Evergy, Inc.   15,231   $748,451 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Identified Cost $47,891,482)
        56,232,205 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 2.5%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management,
Institutional Shares, 5.23%1
          
(Identified Cost $1,416,152)   1,416,152    1,416,152 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.9%
(Identified Cost $49,307,634)
        57,648,357 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.1%        69,673 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $57,718,030 

*Non-income producing security. 

1Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

7

 

Equity Series

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:
 
Investments, at value (identified cost $49,307,634) (Note 2)   $57,648,357 
Receivable for fund shares sold   149,319 
Dividends receivable   15,566 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   57,813,242 
      
LIABILITIES:
 
Accrued management fees1   19,594 
Accrued shareholder services fees (Class S)1   12,463 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   7,944 
Accrued transfer agent fees1   4,843 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Directors' fees payable1   1,632 
Professional fees payable   34,221 
Printing fees payable   6,451 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   2,613 
Other payables and accrued expenses   2,428 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   95,212 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $57,718,030 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
 
Capital stock  $45,942 
Additional paid-in-capital   47,422,835 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   10,249,253 
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $57,718,030 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S
($57,709,962/4,593,404 shares)
  $12.56 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W
($8,068/817 shares)
  $9.88 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

8

 

Equity Series

 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

Dividends  $760,467‌ 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   471,476‌ 
Shareholder services fees (Class S) (Note 3)   157,139‌ 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   47,774‌ 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   10,174‌ 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424‌ 
Professional fees   56,768‌ 
Registration and filing fees   50,434‌ 
Custodian fees   3,297‌ 
Miscellaneous   51,196‌ 
      
Total Expenses   856,682‌ 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (196,695‌) 
      
Net Expenses   659,987‌ 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   100,480‌ 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on investments   2,053,638‌ 
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   2,837,428‌ 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   4,891,066‌ 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $4,991,546‌ 

 

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

9

 

 

Equity Series

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
   FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:        
         
OPERATIONS:        
         
Net investment income (loss)  $100,480   $(86,295)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments   2,053,638    8,384,342 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   2,837,428    (22,147,696)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   4,991,546    (13,849,649)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
           
Class S   (7,373,008)   (11,317,418)
Class W   (2,500)   (68,974)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (7,375,508)   (11,386,392)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (2,753,431)   8,924,566 
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (5,137,393)   (16,311,475)
           
NET ASSETS:          
           
Beginning of year   62,855,423    79,166,898 
           
End of year  $57,718,030   $62,855,423 

 

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

 

10

 

 

Equity Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class S

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
  10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $13.13   $18.71   $14.32   $13.89   $14.28 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)1  0.02   (0.02)  (0.02)  0.01   0.02 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.96   (2.85)  5.67   1.81   1.86 
Total from investment operations  0.98   (2.87)  5.65   1.82   1.88 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income        (0.00)2  (0.03)  (0.01)
From net realized gain on investments  (1.55)  (2.71)  (1.26)  (1.36)  (2.26)
Total distributions to shareholders  (1.55)  (2.71)  (1.26)  (1.39)  (2.27)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $12.56   $13.13   $18.71   $14.32   $13.89 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $57,710   $62,848   $78,687   $59,789   $63,701 
Total return3  7.84%   (17.78%)4  41.71%   14.00%5  16.88% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.05%   1.05%   1.05%   1.05%   1.05% 
Net investment income (loss)  0.16%   (0.13%)  (0.15%)  0.04%   0.12% 
Series portfolio turnover  35%   44%   35%   49%   48% 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the years, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:
   0.31%   0.26%   0.24%   0.26%   0.24% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years.

2Less than $(0.01).

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the years.

4Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (17.84%).

5Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been 13.76%.

 

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

 

11

 

 

Equity Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE
   10/31/23  10/31/22  10/31/21  10/31/20  PERIOD
3/1/191 TO
10/31/19
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):         
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $13.39   $18.87   $14.42   $13.98   $12.53 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2  0.12   0.13   0.14   0.14   0.09 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.89   (2.90)  5.72   1.82   1.36 
Total from investment operations  1.01   (2.77)  5.86   1.96   1.45 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (2.97)     (0.15)  (0.16)   
From net realized gain on investments  (1.55)  (2.71)  (1.26)  (1.36)   
Total distributions to shareholders  (4.52)  (2.71)  (1.41)  (1.52)   
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $9.88   $13.39   $18.87   $14.42   $13.98 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $8   $7   $480   $358   $369 
Total return3  8.98%   (17.00%)4  43.17%   15.15%5  11.57% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.05%   0.05%   0.05%   0.05%   0.05%6
Net investment income  1.16%   0.83%   0.85%   1.03%   1.04%6
Series portfolio turnover  35%   44%   35%   49%   48% 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:
   1.06%   1.01%   0.99%   1.01%   1.00%6
                     

1Commencement of operations.

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods.

3Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized.

4Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (17.06%).

5Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been 14.99%.

6Annualized.

 

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

 

12

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.Organization

 

Equity Series (the “Series”) is a no-load diversified series of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Fund is organized in Maryland and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.

 

The Series’ investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

 

The Series is authorized to issue two classes of shares (Class S and Class W). Each class of shares is substantially the same, except that Class S shares bear shareholder servicing fees.

 

The Fund’s Advisor is Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”). Shares of the Series are offered to investors, clients and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. The total authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of 15 billion shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01. As of October 31, 2023, 6.4 billion shares have been designated in total among 15 series, of which 200 million have been designated as Equity Series Class S common stock and 100 million have been designated as Equity Series Class W common stock.

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Series. The Series is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - Investment Companies, which is part of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Security Valuation

Portfolio securities, including domestic equities, listed on an exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the latest quoted sales price of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. Securities not traded on valuation date or securities not listed on an exchange are valued at the latest quoted bid price provided by the Fund’s pricing service. Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Short-term investments that mature in sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value per share on valuation date.

 

Volume and level of activity in established markets for an asset or liability are evaluated to determine whether recent transactions and quoted prices are determinative of fair value. Where there have been significant decreases in volume and level of activity, further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. In these instances, fair value is measured by the use of inputs and valuation techniques which may be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry and/or expectation of future cash flows. As a result of trading in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience significant volatility, the prices used to value these securities may differ from the value that would be realized if these securities were sold, and the differences could be material.

 

Fair Value

The Series’ financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has designated the Advisor as the Fund’s valuation designee (Valuation Designee) to make all fair value determinations with respect to each Series’ portfolio investments. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Designee performs the following functions in performing fair value determinations: assesses and manages valuation risks; establishes and applies fair value methodologies; tests fair value methodologies; and evaluates pricing vendors and pricing agents. The Advisor has adopted and implemented policies and procedures to be followed when making fair value determinations, and it has established a Valuation Committee through which the Advisor makes fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was

 

13

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

readily available. If trading or events occurring after the close of the principal market in which securities are traded are expected to materially affect the value of those securities, then they may be valued at their fair value, taking this trading or these events into account. The Advisor may use a pricing service to obtain the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities where the prices provided by such pricing service are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The methods used by the pricing service and the valuations so established will be reviewed by the Advisor under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Several pricing services are available, one or more of which may be used by the Advisor, as approved by the Board. A change in a pricing service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Advisor in accordance with certain requirements.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 includes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the Series’ can access at the reporting date. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Designee’s own assumptions in determining fair value). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuation levels used for major security types as of October 31, 2023 in valuing the Series’ assets or liabilities carried at fair value:

 

DESCRIPTION  TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Assets:                
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $5,696,740   $5,696,740   $   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   3,515,585    3,515,585         
Consumer Staples   3,819,091    3,819,091         
Financials   12,363,391    12,363,391         
Health Care   8,818,875    8,818,875         
Industrials   6,887,744    6,887,744         
Information Technology   11,219,046    11,219,046         
Materials   1,317,870    1,317,870         
Real Estate   1,845,412    1,845,412         
Utilities   748,451    748,451         
Short-Term Investment   1,416,152    1,416,152         
Total assets  $57,648,357   $57,648,357   $   $ 

 

There were no Level 2 or Level 3 securities held by the Series as of October 31, 2022 or October 31, 2023.

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Series is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method, is earned from settlement date and accrued daily.

 

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Most expenses of the Fund can be attributed to a specific series. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the series in the Fund in such a manner as deemed equitable by the Fund’s Board, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense.

 

14

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses (continued)

The Series uses the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

 

Federal Taxes

The Series’ policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Series is not subject to federal income tax or excise tax to the extent that the Series distributes to shareholders each year its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, in accordance with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax or excise tax has been made in the financial statements.

 

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. At October 31, 2023, the Series has recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.

 

The Series files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions, as required. No income tax returns are currently under investigation. The statute of limitations on the Series’ tax returns remains open for the years ended October 31, 2020 through October 31, 2023. The Series is 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.

 

Foreign Taxes

Based on the Series’ understanding of the tax rules and rates related to income, gains and currency purchase/repatriation transactions for foreign jurisdictions in which it invests, the Series will provide for foreign taxes, and where appropriate, deferred foreign tax.

 

Distributions of Income and Gains

Distributions to shareholders of net investment income and net realized gains are made annually. An additional distribution may be necessary to avoid taxation of the Series. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Indemnifications

The Fund’s organizational documents provide former and current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Other

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Advisor, for which the Series pays a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Series’ average daily net assets.

 

Under the Agreement, personnel of the Advisor provide the Series with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions, and otherwise maintain the Series’ organization. The Advisor also provides the Fund with

 

15

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

necessary office space and fund administration and support services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund (except a percentage of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer’s salary, which is paid by the Fund), and of all Directors who are “affiliated persons” of the Fund, or of the Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund, or of the Advisor, performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities, are paid by the Advisor. Each “non-affiliated” Director receives an annual stipend, which is allocated among all the active series of the Fund. In addition, these Directors also receive a fee per Board meeting attended plus a fee for each committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. The Fund also has an Audit Committee Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair and Lead Independent Director who each receive an additional annual stipend for these roles.

 

The Class S shares of the Series are subject to a shareholder services fee in accordance with a shareholder services plan adopted by the Board. The shareholder services fee is intended to compensate financial intermediaries, including affiliates of the Fund, in connection with the provision of direct client service, personal services, maintenance of shareholder accounts and reporting services. For these services, Class S of the Series pay a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class S shares. The Fund has a Shareholder Services Agreement with the Advisor, for which the Advisor receives the shareholder services fee as stated above.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee for the Class W shares. The full management fee will be waived under this agreement because Class W shares are only available to discretionary investment accounts and other accounts managed by the Advisor. These clients pay a management fee to the Advisor that is separate from the Series’ expenses. In addition, pursuant to a separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary so that the total direct annual fund operating expenses, exclusive of the shareholder services fee and waived Class W management fees (collectively, “excluded expenses”), to 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Class S shares and 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Class W shares. These contractual waivers are expected to continue indefinitely, and may not be amended or terminated by the Advisor without the approval of the Series’ Board of Directors. The Advisor may receive from a Class the difference between the Class’s total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, and the Class’s contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers (other than Class W management fee waivers) or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point the total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, are below the contractual expense limit (a) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (b) at the time of the recoupment.

 

Pursuant to the advisory fee waiver, the Advisor waived $61 in management fees for Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023. In addition, pursuant to the separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor waived or reimbursed expenses of $196,609 and $25 for Class S and Class W shares, respectively, for year ended October 31, 2023. These amounts are included as a reduction of expenses on the Statement of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Advisor did not recoup any expenses that have been previously waived or reimbursed.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the class specific waivers or reimbursements subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:

 

CLASS  EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,     
   2024   2025   2026   TOTAL 
Class S  $173,456   $181,893   $196,609   $551,958 
Class W   1,047    766    25    1,838 

 

Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor, acts as distributor for the Fund’s shares. The services of Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc. are provided at no additional cost to the Series.

 

Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee related to fund accounting and administration of 0.0085% on the first $25 billion of average daily net assets; 0.0075% on the next $15 billion of average daily net assets; and 0.0065% of average daily net assets in excess of $40 billion; plus a base fee of $30,400 per series. Additionally, certain transaction and out-of-pocket expenses, including charges for reporting relating to the Fund’s compliance program, are charged. The Advisor

 

16

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

has agreements with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY”) under which BNY serves as sub-accountant services agent.

 

4.Purchases and Sales of Securities

 

For the year ended on October 31, 2023, purchases and sales of securities, other than U.S. Government securities and short-term securities, were $21,127,065 and $28,888,380, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions

 

Transactions in Class S and Class W shares of Equity Series were:

 

CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   192,604   $2,467,634    760,456   $11,008,143 
Reinvested   596,634    7,255,070    694,995    10,987,877 
Repurchased   (982,694)   (12,478,635)   (873,224)   (12,728,327)
Total   (193,456)  $(2,755,931)   582,227   $9,267,693 
                     
CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/23   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/22 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold      $       $ 
Reinvested   264    2,500    4,314    68,974 
Repurchased           (29,182)   (412,101)
Total   264   $2,500    (24,868)  $(343,127)

 

At October 31, 2023, the Advisor and its affiliates owned 14.9% of the Series. Investment activities of these shareholders may have a material effect on the Series.

 

6.Line of Credit

 

The Fund has entered into a 364-day, $50 million credit agreement (the “line of credit”) with Bank of New York Mellon. Each series of the Fund may borrow under the line of credit for temporary or emergency purposes, including funding shareholder redemptions and other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund pays an annual fee on the unused commitment amount, payable quarterly, and is allocated among all the series of the Fund and included in miscellaneous expenses in the Statement of Operations for each series. The line of credit expires in September 2024 unless extended or renewed. During the year ended on October 31, 2023, the Series did not borrow under the line of credit.

 

7.Financial Instruments

 

The Series may trade in instruments including written and purchased options, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and futures contracts and other derivatives in the normal course of investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. The Series may be subject to various elements of risk, which may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. These risks include: the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index; counterparty credit risk related to over the counter derivative counterparties’ failure to perform under contract terms; liquidity risk related to the lack of a liquid market for these contracts allowing the fund to close out its position(s); and documentation risk relating to disagreement over contract terms. No such investments were held by the Series as of October 31, 2023.

 

17

 

 

Equity Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

8.Foreign Securities

 

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of domestic companies and the U.S. Government. These risks include revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of foreign companies and foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable domestic companies and the U.S. Government.

 

9.Federal Income Tax Information

 

The amount and characterization of certain income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to losses deferred due to wash sales and utilization of tax equalization. The Series may periodically make reclassifications among its capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations, without impacting the Series’ net asset value. For the year ended October 31, 2023, amounts were reclassified within the capital accounts to increase Additional Paid in Capital by $114,570 and decrease Total Distributable Earnings by $114,570. Any such reclassifications are not reflected in the financial highlights.

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/23  FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/22
Ordinary income  $    $3,470,329 
Long-term capital gains  7,375,508   7,916,063 

 

At October 31, 2023, the identified cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, the resulting gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and the net unrealized appreciation were as follows:

 

Cost for federal income tax purposes  $49,312,280 
Unrealized appreciation   10,849,020 
Unrealized depreciation   (2,512,943)
Net unrealized appreciation  $8,336,077 
Undistributed ordinary income  $13,126 
Undistributed long-term capital gains  $1,900,048 

 

10.Market Event

 

Significant disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets and economies, like the current conditions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively impact the investment performance of the Series. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, impacts on business operations in the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, concerns related to unpredictable global market and economic factors, uncertainty in U.S. federal fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy and the fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy of foreign governments, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance of financial markets, terrorism, natural or biological catastrophes, public health emergencies, or political uncertainty.

 

18

 

 

Equity Series

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of Equity Series

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, of Equity Series (one of the series constituting Manning & Napier Fund, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2023, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023, 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 the Fund as of October 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits 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, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

New York, New York
December 21, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Manning & Napier Mutual Funds since 1992.

 

19

 

 

Equity Series

 

Supplemental Tax Information

(unaudited)

 

All reportings are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

The Series designates $2,156,320 as Long-Term Capital Gain dividends pursuant to Section 852(b) of the Code for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.

 

20

 

 

Equity Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Fund’s directors and officers and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-800-466-3863, at www.manning-napier.com, or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). The following chart shows certain information about the Fund’s directors and officers, including their principal occupations during the last five years. Unless specific dates are provided, the individuals have held the listed positions for longer than five years.

 

Interested Director and Officer1

Name: Paul Battaglia*
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1978
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Chairman and Director since November 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years:

Chief Financial Officer since 2018; Vice President of Finance (2016–2018); Director of Finance (2011–2016); Financial Analyst/Internal Auditor (2004–2006) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates Holds one or more of the following titles for various subsidiaries and affiliates: Chief Financial Officer

Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A

 

Independent Directors

Name: Paul A. Brooke
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1945
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since 2007; Lead Independent Director since 2017
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Member since 1991 - PMSV Holdings LLC (investments); Managing Member (2010-2016) - VenBio (investments).
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Incyte Corp. (biotech) (2000-2020); PureEarth (non-profit) since 2012; Cerus (biomedical) since 2016; Caelum BioSciences (biomedical) since 2018; Cheyne Capital International (investment)(2000-2017);

 

Name: Eunice K. Chapon
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1969
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since May 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Operations and Business Development since 2022 – BrightEdge/ American Cancer Society (impact investment/non-profit); General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer (2021-2022) – Decency Global Inc. (ESG start-up); Senior Vice President and Counsel, Head of Legal – Global Distribution (2018-2021); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2018) – Natixis Investment Managers (investment management)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A

 

21

 

 

Equity Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Independent Directors (continued)

Name: John Glazer
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1965
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since February 2021
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Executive Officer since 2020 – Oikos Holdings LLC (Single-Family Office); Head of Corporate Development (2019-2020) – Caelum Biosciences (pharmaceutical development); Head of Private Investments (2015-2018) – AC Limited (Single-Family Office)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A

 

Name: Russell O. Vernon
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1957
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Chairman
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since April 2020; Governance & Nominating Committee Chairman since November 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Founder and General Partner (2009-2019) – BVM Capital Management (economic development)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Board Member, Vice Chairman and President since 2010 – Newburgh Armory Unity Center (military); Board Member and Executive Director since 2020 – National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. (military); Board Member, Vice Chairman (2015-2020) – National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. (military)

 

Name: Chester N. Watson
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1950
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member Since 2012; Audit Committee Chairman since 2013
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Auditor (2003-2011) - General Motors Company (auto manufacturer)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Rochester Institute of Technology (University) since 2005; Hudson Valley Center for Innovation, Inc. (New Business and Economic Development) since 2019; Town of Greenburgh, NY Planning Board (Municipal Government) (2015-2019);

 

22

 

 

Equity Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers:

Name: Elizabeth Craig
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2016
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years:

Director of Fund Administration since 2021; Fund Regulatory Administration Manager (2018-2021); Fund Administration Manager (2015-2018) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Corporate Secretary, Director since 2019 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

 

Name: Samantha Larew
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1980
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Chief Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Co-Director of Compliance since 2018; Compliance Communications Supervisor (2014-2018) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC& Affiliates; Broker-Dealer Chief Compliance Officer since 2013; Broker-Dealer Assistant Corporate Secretary since 2011 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

 

Name: Scott Morabito
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Vice President
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Vice President since 2019; Assistant Vice President (2017-2019)
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Director, Client Service and Business Operations since 2021; Managing Director of Operations (2019-2021); Director of Funds Group (2017-2019) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; President, Director since 2018 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.; President, Exeter Trust Company since 2021.
Name: Jill Peeper
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Assistant Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Assistant Treasurer since 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Mutual Fund Financial Reporting Manager since 2022 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Fund Accounting Manager (2007 – 2022) – State Street Bank.
Name: Troy Statczar
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1971
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers, since 2020 – ACA Group (formerly Foreside Financial Group); Director of Fund Administration (2017- 2019) - Thornburg Investment Management, Inc.

 

23

 

 

Equity Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers: (continued)

Name: Sarah Turner
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Legal Officer; Assistant Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years:

General Counsel since 2018 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates; Counsel (2017-2018) – Harter Secrest and Emery LLP Holds one or more of the following titles for various affiliates: Corporate Secretary, General Counsel

 

1Interested Director, within the meaning of the 1940 Act by reason of his positions with the Fund’s Advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and Distributor, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

2The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation or removal as provided in the Fund’s By-Laws.

 

24

 

 

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25

 

 

Equity Series

 

Literature Requests

(unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863

On the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s (SEC) web site

http://www.sec.gov

 

Proxy Voting Record

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings

 

The Series’ complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year are provided on Form N-PORT, and are available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

 

For more information about any of the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Series, you may obtain a prospectus and SAI at www.manning-napier.com or by calling 1-(800) 466-3863. Before investing, carefully consider the objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment and read the prospectus carefully as it contains this and other information about the investment company. In addition, this information can be found on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Additional information available at www.manning-napier.com

1. Fund Holdings - Month-End
2. Fund Holdings - Quarter-End
3. Shareholder Report - Annual
4. Shareholder Report - Semi-Annual

 

The Fund also offers electronic notification or “e-delivery” when certain documents are available on-line to be downloaded or reviewed. Direct shareholders can elect to receive electronic notification when shareholder reports, prospectus updates, and/or statements are available. If you do not currently have on-line access to your account, you can establish access by going to www.manning-napier.com, click on “Login” in the top corner of the page, and follow the prompts to self-enroll. Once enrolled, you can set your electronic notification preferences by clicking on the Account Options tab located within the green toolbar and then select E-Delivery Option. Should you have any questions on either how to establish on-line access or how to update your account settings, please contact Investor Services at 1-800-466-3863.

 

The Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. is managed by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC. Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, is the distributor of the Fund shares.

 

MNEQY-10/23-AR

 

26

 

 

www.manning-napier.com

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.
 
Overseas Series

 

 

 

 

Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

 

A Note from Our CEO

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

2023 has proven to be surprising on many fronts. The resiliency of the U.S. economy, driven by a strong labor market and consumer spending, was unanticipated by many observers, including us. While inflation has come down globally without a large spike in unemployment, interest rates remain high relative to the past 15 years around the world, creating increasing pressure on indebted families, companies, and governments. On the geopolitical front, the world feels more dangerous than in many decades, confronting war in the Middle East and Europe and heightened tension between China and the U.S.

 

Capital markets have likewise been surprising. The most historically significant development in markets is that bonds, in aggregate, have done poorly so far, for the third year in a row, reflecting interest rates that have remained high. By way of example, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond, has never declined three years in a row since 1787. Equities, particularly in the U.S., have risen, though a mere seven U.S. technology stocks explain pretty much the entirety of the returns in equities both in the U.S. and globally, a remarkably concentrated situation.

 

The future is unknown and prone to surprises, however, we have confidence in our ability to mitigate the risks emerging from the current environment, while keeping our shareholders' goals and needs at the forefront of our decision making.

 

Our consistent investment philosophies, disciplines, and time-tested processes – that have guided our seasoned investors over multiple economic and capital markets cycles over the past half-century – remain at our core and will support us as this cycle plays out.

This year, we launched a new investment strategy, the Callodine Equity Income fund, in partnership with the Callodine Group, our parent company. The combination with Callodine was a meaningful and strategic decision to position Manning & Napier stronger for the future and to help us continue to evolve in ways that benefit our investors. We look forward to sharing new investment strategies and opportunities with you in the future.

 

Above all, we thank and appreciate your continued confidence in our firm.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Marc Mayer 

Chief Executive Officer


 

Corporate Headquarters | 290 Woodcliff Drive | Fairport, NY 14450 | (585) 325-6880 phone | (800) 551-0224 toll free | www.manning-napier.com

 

1 

 

Overseas Series

 

Fund Commentary

(unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

To maximize long-term growth by investing principally in the common stocks of companies located around the world. The Series invests primarily in foreign companies, including those in developed and emerging markets.

 

Performance Commentary

 

Economic strength has been more resilient this year than many would have predicted, though various indicators continue to point toward less stability under the surface. International markets posted double digit gains for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2023. Looking closer, large-cap stocks outperformed small- and mid-cap stocks, while value outperformed growth from a style perspective.

 

The Overseas Series Class S delivered positive returns but underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index, returning 10.5% vs. 12.1%.

 

Underperformance was largely attributable to an overweight allocation to Consumer Staples, as well as selection within Industrials and Financials. Within Industrials, Rentokil, the leading provider of pest control services globally, detracted from returns as investors are concerned about the slowdown in organic growth in the core North American pest control business. Within Financials, Adyen, a merchant acquirer focused on e-commerce transaction processing for large enterprises, challenged returns after reporting earnings for the first half of 2023 in August. Upon releasing earnings, the market learned that Adyen’s growth had slowed considerably, as some clients increasingly chose lower-priced competitors. While there is a chance that this slowdown is temporary, our (and the market’s) fear is that Adyen’s product superiority relative to competitors has narrowed thus weakening the Profile strategy fit. As such, we decided to exit the position. Additionally, an allocation to cash weighed on returns as equity markets notably outperformed.

 

In contrast, exposure to European defense contractor BAE Systems was among the largest contributors to returns over the period. In general, BAE has benefitted from rising geopolitical tensions (e.g., the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East) as we’ve seen European nations increase their defense budgets, which have typically been much lower percentages of GDP compared to the US, in response to these events. Additionally, Admiral Group, the UK’s largest private car insurer, was a notable contributor as they’ve benefited from rising prices for auto insurance in the UK. Furthermore, they delivered strong growth in premiums in the first half of the year as they aggressively raised prices to offset rising claims costs.

 

Despite recent gains in equity markets, the majority of the data points observed across our investment teams continue to suggest caution is warranted. As such, we believe that this backdrop heightens the importance of risk management and an overall defensive posture in the portfolio.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than that quoted; investors can obtain the most recent month-end performance at www.manning-napier.com or by calling (800) 466-3863.

 

Commentary prepared using data provided by FactSet. Analysis Manning & Napier. Commentary presented is relative to the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index. Additional information and associated disclosures can be found on the Performance Update page of this report.

 

The data presented is for informational purposes only. It is not to be considered a specific stock recommendation.

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Funds whose investments are concentrated in foreign countries may be subject to fluctuating currency values, different accounting standards, and economic and political instability. The value of the Series may be affected by changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Investments in emerging markets may be more volatile than investments in more developed markets.

 

2 

 

Overseas Series

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023

(unaudited)

 

  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
  AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
  ONE FIVE TEN
  YEAR1 YEAR YEAR
Overseas Series - Class S2,3 10.53% 5.32% 2.45%
Overseas Series - Class I2 10.86% 5.64% 2.75%
Overseas Series - Class W2,4 11.62% 6.33% 3.09%
Overseas Series - Class Z2,5 10.97% 5.74% 2.81%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index6 12.07% 3.46% 2.54%

 

The following graph compares the value of a $1,000,000 investment in the Overseas Series - Class I for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.05% for Class S, 0.75% for Class I, 0.05% for Class W and 0.65% for Class Z. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.13% for Class S, 0.79% for Class I, 0.72% for Class W and 0.72% for Class Z for the year ended October 31, 2023.

3For periods through September 21, 2018 (the inception date of the Class S shares), performance for the Class S shares is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of the Class I shares adjusted for the Class S shares’ charges and expenses.

4For periods through March 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class I shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class I shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class I shares have a higher expense ratio.

5For periods through May 1, 2018 (the inception date of the Class Z shares), performance for the Class Z shares is based on the historical performance of the Class I shares. Because the Class Z shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class I shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class I shares have a higher expense ratio.

6The MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (ACWIxUS) is designed to measure large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index returns are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index data referenced herein is the property of MSCI, its affiliates ("MSCI") and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. MSCI and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

3 

 

Overseas Series

 

Shareholder Expense Example

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

  BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ANNUALIZED
  ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD* EXPENSE
  5/1/23 10/31/23 5/1/23 - 10/31/23 RATIO
Class S        
Actual $1,000.00 $899.30 $5.03 1.05%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,019.91 $5.35 1.05%
Class I        
Actual $1,000.00 $900.50 $3.59 0.75%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.42 $3.82 0.75%
Class W        
Actual $1,000.00 $903.40 $0.24 0.05%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,024.95 $0.26 0.05%
Class Z        
Actual $1,000.00 $900.70 $3.11 0.65%
Hypothetical        
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,021.93 $3.31 0.65%

 

* Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

4 

 

Overseas Series

 

Portfolio Composition as of October 31, 2023

(unaudited)

 

Country Allocation1,2

 

 

 

1As a percentage of net assets.

2Allocations are based on country of risk.

 

Sector Allocation3

 

 

 

3As a percentage of net assets.

 

5 

 

Overseas Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

  

         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 95.0%        
         
Communication Services - 6.9%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.0%       
Cellnex Telecom S.A. - ADR (Spain)   399,688   $5,835,445 
Interactive Media & Services - 5.9%          
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)1   2,196,809    16,617,220 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   443,900    16,428,187 
         33,045,407 
Total Communication Services        38,880,852 
Consumer Discretionary - 7.0%          
Broadline Retail - 3.6%          
Dollarama, Inc. (Canada)   96,277    6,574,676 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)*   10,884    13,504,214 
         20,078,890 
Household Durables - 2.1%          
Sony Group Corp. (Japan)   145,700    12,113,336 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 1.3%          
lululemon athletica, Inc. (United States)*   18,874    7,426,541 
Total Consumer Discretionary        39,618,767 
Consumer Staples - 16.6%          
Beverages - 4.9%          
Diageo plc (United Kingdom)   325,196    12,297,620 
Heineken N.V. (Netherlands)   172,974    15,540,580 
         27,838,200 
Food Products - 3.8%          
Nestle S.A. (United States)   198,033    21,355,637 
Household Products - 1.1%          
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. - Class A (Mexico)   3,382,000    6,197,864 
Personal Care Products - 6.8%          
Beiersdorf AG (Germany)   118,566    15,593,807 
L'Oreal S.A. (France)   7,409    3,114,230 
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   412,096    19,512,746 
         38,220,783 
Total Consumer Staples        93,612,484 
Financials - 17.6%          
Banks - 4.9%          
FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A. (Italy)   1,122,170    13,237,842 
HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (India)   250,849    14,185,511 
         27,423,353 
Capital Markets - 5.8%          
Avanza Bank Holding AB (Sweden)   580,320    9,810,255 
Deutsche Boerse AG (Germany)   101,243    16,664,239 
Intermediate Capital Group plc (United Kingdom)   389,938    6,208,204 
         32,682,698 
Insurance - 6.9%          
Admiral Group plc (United Kingdom)   796,587    23,668,795 
         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Financials (continued)          
Insurance (continued)          
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)   70,913   $15,571,786 
         39,240,581 
Total Financials        99,346,632 
Health Care - 13.2%          
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 6.1%          
Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   188,727    13,460,010 
Medtronic plc (United States)   298,436    21,057,644 
         34,517,654 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 1.1%          
Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)   16,578    5,805,682 
Pharmaceuticals - 6.0%          
AstraZeneca plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   213,220    13,481,900 
Novartis AG - ADR (Switzerland)   215,898    20,203,735 
         33,685,635 
Total Health Care        74,008,971 
Industrials - 16.8%          
Aerospace & Defense - 6.4%          
Airbus SE (France)   92,179    12,359,012 
BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom)   1,741,940    23,422,791 
         35,781,803 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 4.0%          
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (Australia)   7,543,825    10,746,534 
Rentokil Initial plc (United Kingdom)   2,326,695    11,848,674 
         22,595,208 
Ground Transportation - 1.9%          
Canadian National Railway Co. (Canada)   102,071    10,797,071 
Machinery - 1.5%          
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)   945,500    8,631,966 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.5%          
IMCD N.V. (Netherlands)   70,291    8,462,724 
Transportation Infrastructure - 1.5%          
Auckland International Airport Ltd. (New Zealand)   1,913,764    8,183,798 
Total Industrials        94,452,570 
Information Technology - 14.7%          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 2.9%          
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   335,644    7,548,089 
Keyence Corp. (Japan)   23,400    9,058,578 
         16,606,667 
IT Services - 3.3%          
Endava plc - ADR (United Kingdom)*   117,605    5,899,067 
Globant S.A. (United States)*   37,949    6,462,335 


 

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

 

 6

 

 

Overseas Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
 
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Information Technology (continued)
IT Services (continued)
Keywords Studios plc (Ireland)   395,109   $6,273,923 
         18,635,325 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.3%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR (Taiwan)   212,580    18,347,780 
Software - 1.6%
Atlassian Corp. - Class A (United States)*   48,898    8,832,935 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 3.6%
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (South Korea)   403,502    20,084,263 
Total Information Technology        82,506,970 
         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
 
COMMON STOCKS (continued)
 
Materials - 2.2%
Chemicals - 2.2%
Air Liquide S.A. (France)   71,680   $12,282,529 
           

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS

(Identified Cost $563,785,617)

        534,709,775 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 4.7%
 
Dreyfus Government Cash Management,
Institutional Shares, 5.23%2
(Identified Cost $26,690,927)   26,690,927    26,690,927 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.7%

(Identified Cost $590,476,544)

        561,400,702 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.3%        1,904,335 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $563,305,037 


ADR - American Depositary Receipt 

 

*Non-income producing security. 

1Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $16,617,220, which represented 2.9% of the Series’ Net Assets. 

2Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Series’ portfolio holds, as a percentage of net assets, greater than 10% in the following countries:

United Kingdom - 24.9% and United States - 11.6%. 

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

 7

 

Overseas Series

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:   
    
Investments, at value (identified cost $590,476,544) (Note 2)  $561,400,702 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $98)   98 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   1,604,610 
Dividends receivable   511,193 
Receivable for fund shares sold   271,794 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   563,788,397 
      
LIABILITIES:     
      
Due to custodian   887 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   124,869 
Accrued management fees1   100,159 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S)1   31,726 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   19,861 
Directors' fees payable1                    15,584 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   82,739 
Professional fees payable   50,599 
Other payables and accrued expenses   53,913 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   483,360 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1     
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $563,305,037 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
      
Capital stock  $204,564 
Additional paid-in-capital   1,000,062,523 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (436,962,050)
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $563,305,037 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S

($146,350,955/5,338,154 shares)

  $27.42 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I

($66,755,540/2,434,748 shares)

  $27.42 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W

($238,576,953/8,620,741 shares) 

  $27.67 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class Z

($111,621,589/4,062,747 shares)

  $27.47 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

 

8 

 

Overseas Series

 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:     
      
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $1,131,139)  $12,275,129 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   3,637,281 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   404,311 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   329,397 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   114,971 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   94,146 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Custodian fees   76,468 
Miscellaneous   413,164 
      
Total Expenses   5,078,162 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (1,976,843)
      
Net Expenses   3,101,319 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   9,173,810 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on-     
Investments   (26,712,674)
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   (29,981)
      
    (26,742,655)
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-     
Investments.   78,987,851 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   176,734 
      
    79,164,585 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY   52,421,930 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $61,595,740 

 

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

  

9

 

Overseas Series

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/23  FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/22
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:      
       
OPERATIONS:      
       
Net investment income  $9,173,810   $9,110,861 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   (26,742,655)   5,724,448 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   79,164,585    (266,504,455)

Net increase (decrease) from operations

   61,595,740    (251,669,146)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
Class S   (736,549)   (3,088,719)
Class I   (660,025)   (2,089,931)
Class W   (3,759,651)   (7,823,713)
Class Z   (770,341)   (2,171,060)
Total distributions to shareholders   (5,926,566)   (15,173,423)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)    (36,233,953)   19,439,169 
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   19,435,221    (247,403,400)
           
NET ASSETS:          
           
Beginning of year   543,869,816    791,273,216 
           
End of year  $563,305,037   $543,869,816 

 

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

 

10 

 

Overseas Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class S 

 

  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23  10/31/22  10/31/21  10/31/20  10/31/19
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $24.91   $37.19   $27.36   $24.14   $22.17 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         

Net investment income1

   0.28    0.26    0.18    0.19    0.35 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   2.36    (12.02)   9.83    3.342    1.81 
Total from investment operations   2.64    (11.76)   10.01    3.53    2.16 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.13)   (0.52)   (0.18)   (0.31)   (0.19)
Net asset value - End of year  $27.42   $24.91   $37.19   $27.36   $24.14 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $146,351   $147,439   $222,471   $190,201   $272,760 
Total return3   10.58%    (32.00%)4   36.72%    14.70%2   9.88% 

Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:

Expenses*

   1.05%    1.05%   1.05%    1.05%   1.05% 
Net investment income   0.97%    0.87%   0.53%    0.77%   1.55% 
Series portfolio turnover   49%    40%   47%    66%   43% 

 

*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the years, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

     0.08%‌    0.04%   0.03%‌    0.06%   0.04%‌ 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years.

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.39. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.21%.

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the years.

4Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (32.32%).

 

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

 

11 

 

Overseas Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class I

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $24.92   $37.24   $27.39   $24.22   $22.18 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1   0.37   0.35   0.28   0.27   0.42 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  2.35   (12.02)  9.85   3.342  1.81 
Total from investment operations  2.72   (11.67)  10.13   3.61   2.23 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.22)  (0.65)  (0.28)  (0.44)  (0.19)
Net asset value - End of year  $27.42   $24.92   $37.24   $27.39   $24.22 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $66,756   $85,187   $117,732   $52,357   $74,325 
Total return  10.90%  (31.79%)4   37.16%  15.02%2   10.18%
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.75%  0.75%5   0.75%5   0.75%  0.75%
Net investment income  1.27%  1.16%  0.81%  1.10%  1.86%
Series portfolio turnover  49%  40%  47%  66%  43%
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:
   0.04%  0.02%  N/A   0.04%  0.05%

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.60. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.57%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (32.10%). 

5Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no impact to the expense ratio. 

 

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

 

12

 

Overseas Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE
           PERIOD
           3/1/191 TO
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $25.15   $37.57   $27.59   $24.31   $22.95 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2   0.57   0.57   0.53   0.45   0.35 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  2.36   (12.10)  9.91   3.363   1.01 
Total from investment operations  2.93   (11.53)  10.44   3.81   1.36 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.41)  (0.89)  (0.46)  (0.53)   
Net asset value - End of period  $27.67   $25.15   $37.57   $27.59   $24.31 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $238,577   $230,788   $331,922   $267,777   $107,192 
Total return4   11.66%  (31.31%)5   38.13%  15.80%3   5.93%
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.05%  0.05%  0.05%  0.05%  0.05%6 
Net investment income  1.98%  1.87%  1.51%  1.78%  2.23%6 
Series portfolio turnover  49%  40%  47%  66%  43%
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:
   0.67%  0.65%  0.64%  0.66%  0.67%6 

 

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.35. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 11.44%. 

4Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

5Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (31.61%). 

6Annualized.

 

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

 

13

 

 

Overseas Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class Z

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19  
                
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):         
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $24.96   $37.29   $27.41   $24.24   $22.19 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1   0.40   0.38   0.33   0.29   0.44 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  2.35   (12.04)  9.85   3.342   1.82 
Total from investment operations  2.75   (11.66)  10.18   3.63   2.26 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.24)  (0.67)  (0.30)  (0.46)  (0.21)
Net asset value - End of year  $27.47   $24.96   $37.29   $27.41   $24.24 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $111,622   $80,456   $119,148   $72,614   $50,566 
Total return3   11.01%  (31.75%)4   37.31%  15.11%2   10.36%
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.65%  0.65%  0.65%  0.65%  0.65%
Net investment income  1.37%  1.27%  0.94%  1.14%  1.95%
Series portfolio turnover  49%  40%  47%  66%  43%
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the years, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:
   0.07%  0.05%  0.04%  0.06%  0.07%

 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.34. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 11.91%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the years. 

4Includes litigation proceeds. Excluding this amount, the total return would have been (32.05%).

 

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

 

14

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1.Organization

 

Overseas Series (the “Series”) is a no-load diversified series of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Fund is organized in Maryland and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.

 

The Series’ investment objective is to provide long-term growth.

 

The Series is authorized to issue four classes of shares (Class I, S, W, and Z). Each class of shares is substantially the same, except that class-specific distribution and shareholder servicing expenses are borne by the specific class of shares to which they relate.

 

The Fund’s Advisor is Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”). Shares of the Series are offered to investors, clients and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. The total authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of 15 billion shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01. As of October 31, 2023, 6.4 billion shares have been designated in total among 15 series, of which 200 million have been designated as Overseas Series Class I common stock, 400 million have been designated as Overseas Series Class S common stock, 75 million have been designated as Overseas Series Class W common stock and 100 million have been designated as Overseas Series Class Z common stock.

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Series. The Series is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - Investment Companies, which is part of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Security Valuation

Portfolio securities, including domestic equities, foreign equities, warrants and options, listed on an exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the latest quoted sales price of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. Securities not traded on valuation date or securities not listed on an exchange are valued at the latest quoted bid price provided by the Fund’s pricing service. Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Short-term investments that mature in sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value per share on valuation date.

 

Volume and level of activity in established markets for an asset or liability are evaluated to determine whether recent transactions and quoted prices are determinative of fair value. Where there have been significant decreases in volume and level of activity, further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. In these instances, fair value is measured by the use of inputs and valuation techniques which may be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry and/or expectation of future cash flows. As a result of trading in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience significant volatility, the prices used to value these securities may differ from the value that would be realized if these securities were sold, and the differences could be material.

 

Fair Value

The Series’ financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has designated the Advisor as the Fund’s valuation designee (Valuation Designee) to make all fair value determinations with respect to each Series’ portfolio investments. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Designee performs the following functions in performing fair value determinations: assesses and manages valuation risks; establishes and applies fair value methodologies; tests fair value methodologies; and evaluates pricing vendors and pricing agents. The Advisor has adopted and implemented policies and procedures to be followed when making fair value determinations, and it has established a Valuation Committee through which the Advisor makes fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee

 

15

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available. If trading or events occurring after the close of the principal market in which securities are traded are expected to materially affect the value of those securities, then they may be valued at their fair value, taking this trading or these events into account. The Advisor may use a pricing service to obtain the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities where the prices provided by such pricing service are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The methods used by the pricing service and the valuations so established will be reviewed by the Advisor under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Several pricing services are available, one or more of which may be used by the Advisor, as approved by the Board. A change in a pricing service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Advisor in accordance with certain requirements.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 includes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the Series’ can access at the reporting date. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Designee’s own assumptions in determining fair value). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuation levels used for major security types as of October 31, 2023 in valuing the Series’ assets or liabilities carried at fair value:

 

 

DESCRIPTION  TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2#   LEVEL 3 
Assets:                
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $38,880,852   $5,835,445   $33,045,407   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   39,618,767    27,505,431    12,113,336     
Consumer Staples   93,612,484    25,710,610    67,901,874     
Financials   99,346,632    29,757,297    69,589,335     
Health Care   74,008,971    68,203,289    5,805,682     
Industrials   94,452,570    18,980,869    75,471,701     
Information Technology   82,506,970    39,542,117    42,964,853     
Materials   12,282,529        12,282,529     
Short-Term Investment   26,690,927    26,690,927         
Total assets  $561,400,702   $242,225,985   $319,174,717   $ 

 

#Includes certain foreign equity securities for which a factor from a third party vendor was applied to determine the securities’ fair value following the close of local trading.

 

There were no Level 3 securities held by the Series as of October 31, 2022 or October 31, 2023.

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Series is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method, is earned from settlement date and accrued daily.

 

16

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses (continued)

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Most expenses of the Fund can be attributed to a specific series. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the series in the Fund in such a manner as deemed equitable by the Fund’s Board, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense.

 

The Series uses the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Series are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. The Series does not isolate realized and unrealized gains and losses attributable to changes in the exchange rates from gains and losses that arise from changes in the fair value of investments. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on securities transactions, gains and losses on disposition of foreign currencies and the difference between the amount of income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the books of the Series and the amounts actually received or paid.

 

Federal Taxes

The Series’ policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Series is not subject to federal income tax or excise tax to the extent that the Series distributes to shareholders each year its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, in accordance with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax or excise tax has been made in the financial statements.

 

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. At October 31, 2023, the Series has recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.

 

The Series files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions, as required. No income tax returns are currently under investigation. The statute of limitations on the Series’ tax returns remains open for the years ended October 31, 2020 through October 31, 2023. The Series is 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.

 

Foreign Taxes

Based on the Series’ understanding of the tax rules and rates related to income, gains and currency purchase/repatriation transactions for foreign jurisdictions in which it invests, the Series will provide for foreign taxes, and where appropriate, deferred foreign tax.

 

Distributions of Income and Gains

Distributions to shareholders of net investment income and net realized gains are made annually. An additional distribution may be necessary to avoid taxation of the Series. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Indemnifications

The Fund’s organizational documents provide former and current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is

 

17

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Indemnifications (continued)

unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Other

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates and Other Agreements

 

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Advisor, for which the Series pays a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Series’ average daily net assets.

 

Under the Agreement, personnel of the Advisor provide the Series with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions, and otherwise maintain the Series’ organization. The Advisor also provides the Fund with necessary office space and fund administration and support services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund (except a percentage of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer’s salary, which is paid by the Fund), and of all Directors who are “affiliated persons” of the Fund, or of the Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund, or of the Advisor, performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities, are paid by the Advisor. Each “non-affiliated” Director receives an annual stipend, which is allocated among all the active series of the Fund. In addition, these Directors also receive a fee per Board meeting attended plus a fee for each committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. The Fund also has an Audit Committee Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair and Lead Independent Director who each receive an additional annual stipend for these roles.

 

The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services in an annual amount not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class I and Class S shares of the Series. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on the current assets and/or number of accounts of the Series attributable to the financial intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements may be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any Distribution and Shareholder Services Fee payable under the Rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee for the Class W shares. The full management fee will be waived under this agreement because Class W shares are only available to discretionary investment accounts and other accounts managed by the Advisor. These clients pay a management fee to the Advisor that is separate from the Series' expenses. In addition, pursuant to a separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary so that the total direct annual fund operating expenses, exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees and waived Class W management fees (collectively, “excluded expenses”), to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Class I shares, 0.80% of the average daily net assets of the Class S shares, 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Class Z shares, and 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Class W shares. These contractual waivers are expected to continue indefinitely, and may not be amended or terminated by the Advisor without the approval of the Series’ Board of Directors. The Advisor may receive from a Class the difference between the Class’s total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, and the Class’s contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers (other than Class W management fee waivers) or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point the total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, are below the contractual expense limit(a) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (b) at the time of the recoupment.

 

Pursuant to the advisory fee waiver, the Advisor waived $1,567,935 in management fees for Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023. In addition, pursuant to the separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor waived or reimbursed expenses

 

18

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates and Other Agreements (continued)

 

of $132,790, $33,490, $173,894, and $68,734 for Class S, Class I, Class W, and Class Z shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2023. These amounts are included as a reduction of expenses on the Statement of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Advisor did not recoup any expenses that have been previously waived or reimbursed.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the class specific waivers or reimbursements subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:

  

CLASS  EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,     
   2024   2025   2026   TOTAL 
Class S  $75,098   $80,651   $132,790   $288,539 
Class I       21,856    33,490    55,346 
Class W   136,130    147,958    173,894    457,982 
Class Z   45,611    53,288    68,734    167,633 

 

Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor, acts as distributor for the Fund’s shares. The Series compensates the distributor for distributing and servicing the Series’ Class S shares pursuant to a distribution plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, regardless of expenses actually incurred. Under the agreement, the Series pays distribution and service fees to the distributor at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class S shares. There are no distribution and service fees on the Class I, Class W or Class Z shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee related to fund accounting and administration of 0.0085% on the first $25 billion of average daily net assets; 0.0075% on the next $15 billion of average daily net assets; and 0.0065% of average daily net assets in excess of $40 billion; plus a base fee of $30,400 per series. Additionally, certain transaction and out-of-pocket expenses, including charges for reporting relating to the Fund’s compliance program, are charged. The Advisor has agreements with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY”) under which BNY serves as sub-accountant services agent.

 

4.Purchases and Sales of Securities

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, purchases and sales of securities, other than U.S. Government securities and short-term securities, were $275,759,928 and $299,364,879, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions

 

Transactions in Class S, Class I, Class W and Class Z shares of Overseas Series were:

  

CLASS S 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   215,256   $6,331,528    559,575   $17,428,907 
Reinvested   25,430    703,145    86,042    2,934,016 
Repurchased   (821,653)   (23,698,803)   (708,497)   (21,449,012)
Total   (580,967)  $(16,664,130)   (62,880)  $(1,086,089)

 

19

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions (continued)

  

CLASS I 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   211,314   $6,120,641    578,844   $16,639,975 
Reinvested   22,569    622,453    58,053    1,975,529 
Repurchased   (1,217,515)   (35,423,445)   (379,993)   (11,042,981)
Total   (983,632)  $(28,680,351)   256,904   $7,572,523 

 

CLASS W 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   339,899   $9,848,876    659,293   $19,590,486 
Reinvested   129,765    3,589,308    217,972    7,439,380 
Repurchased   (1,025,172)   (29,938,550)   (535,599)   (15,975,416)
Total   (555,508)  $(16,500,366)   341,666   $11,054,450 

 

CLASS Z 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   888,517   $27,001,528    100,226   $3,243,822 
Reinvested   27,500    759,274    60,999    2,077,626 
Repurchased   (76,058)   (2,149,908)   (134,013)   (3,423,163)
Total   839,959   $25,610,894    27,212   $1,898,285 

 

At October 31, 2023, the Advisor and its affiliates owned 0.7% of the Series. Approximately 42% of the shares outstanding (representing Class W) are fiduciary accounts where the Advisor has sole investment discretion.

 

6.Line of Credit

 

The Fund has entered into a 364-day, $50 million credit agreement (the “line of credit”) with Bank of New York Mellon. Each series of the Fund may borrow under the line of credit for temporary or emergency purposes, including funding shareholder redemptions and other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund pays an annual fee on the unused commitment amount, payable quarterly, and is allocated among all the series of the Fund and included in miscellaneous expenses in the Statement of Operations for each series. The line of credit expires in September 2024 unless extended or renewed. During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Series did not borrow under the line of credit.

 

7.Financial Instruments

 

The Series may trade in instruments including written and purchased options, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and futures contracts and other derivatives in the normal course of investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. The Series may be subject to various elements of risk, which may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. These risks include: the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index; counterparty credit risk related to over the counter derivative counterparties’ failure to perform under contract terms; liquidity risk related to the lack of a liquid market for these contracts allowing the fund to close out its position(s); and documentation risk relating to disagreement over contract terms. No such investments were held by the Series as of October 31, 2023.

 

20

 

Overseas Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(unaudited)

 

8.Foreign Securities

 

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of domestic companies and the U.S. Government. These risks include revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of foreign companies and foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable domestic companies and the U.S. Government.

 

9.Federal Income Tax Information

 

The amount and characterization of certain income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to losses deferred due to wash sales, foreign currency gains and losses, corporate actions, and passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). The Series may periodically make reclassifications among its capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations, without impacting the Series’ net asset value. Any such reclassifications are not reflected in the financial highlights.

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

  

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/23
    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/22
 
Ordinary income  $5,926,566   $15,173,423 

 

At October 31, 2023, the identified cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, the resulting gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and the net unrealized depreciation were as follows:

 

Cost for federal income tax purposes  $591,978,456         
Unrealized appreciation   40,229,180         
Unrealized depreciation   (70,806,934)        
Net unrealized depreciation  $(30,577,754)        
Undistributed ordinary income  $8,895,859         
Capital loss carryforward  $(415,232,074)        

 

At October 31, 2023, the Series had net short-term capital loss carryforwards of $26,856,954 and net long-term capital loss carryforwards of $388,375,120, which may be carried forward indefinitely.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, the capital loss carryover utilized was $276,223.

 

10.Market Event

 

Significant disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets and economies, like the current conditions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively impact the investment performance of the Series. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, impacts on business operations in the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, concerns related to unpredictable global market and economic factors, uncertainty in U.S. federal fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy and the fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy of foreign governments, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance of financial markets, terrorism, natural or biological catastrophes, public health emergencies, or political uncertainty.

 

21

 

Overseas Series

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of Overseas Series

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, of Overseas Series (one of the series constituting Manning & Napier Fund, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2023, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023, 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 the Fund as of October 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits 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, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

New York, New York

December 21, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Manning & Napier Mutual Funds since 1992.

 

22

 

Overseas Series

 

Supplemental Tax Information

(unaudited)

 

All reportings are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Series reports for the current fiscal year $6,929,461 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable under the tax law, as qualified dividend income.

 

The Series has elected to pass through to its shareholders, foreign source income of $12,439,134 and foreign taxes paid of $1,002,895 for the year ended October 31, 2023.

 

23

 

Overseas Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Fund’s directors and officers and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-800-466-3863, at www.manning-napier.com, or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). The following chart shows certain information about the Fund’s directors and officers, including their principal occupations during the last five years. Unless specific dates are provided, the individuals have held the listed positions for longer than five years.

 

Interested Director and Officer1

Name: Paul Battaglia*
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1978
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Chairman and Director since November 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Financial Officer since 2018; Vice President of Finance (2016–2018); Director of Finance (2011–2016); Financial Analyst/Internal Auditor (2004– 2006) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates Holds one or more of the following titles for various subsidiaries and affiliates: Chief Financial Officer
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
N/A

 

Independent Directors

Name: Paul A. Brooke
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1945
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance &
Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since 2007; Lead Independent Director since 2017
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Member since 1991 - PMSV Holdings LLC (investments); Managing Member (2010-2016) - VenBio (investments).
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
Incyte Corp. (biotech) (2000-2020); PureEarth (non-profit) since 2012; Cerus (biomedical) since 2016; Caelum BioSciences (biomedical) since 2018; Cheyne Capital International (investment)(2000-2017);

 

Name: Eunice K. Chapon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1969
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee
Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
Committee Member since May 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Operations and Business Development since 2022 – BrightEdge/American Cancer Society (impact investment/non-profit); General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer (2021-2022) – Decency Global Inc. (ESG start-up); Senior Vice President and Counsel, Head of Legal – Global Distribution (2018-2021); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2018) – Natixis Investment Managers (investment management)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
N/A

 

 

24

 

Overseas Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Independent Directors (continued)

Name: John Glazer
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1965
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since February 2021
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Executive Officer since 2020 – Oikos Holdings LLC (Single-Family Office); Head of Corporate Development (2019-2020) – Caelum Biosciences (pharmaceutical development); Head of Private Investments (2015-2018) – AC Limited (Single-Family Office)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During 
Past 5 Years:
N/A

 

Name: Russell O. Vernon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1957
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee
Chairman
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since April 2020; Governance & Nominating Committee Chairman since November 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Founder and General Partner (2009-2019) – BVM Capital Management (economic development)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Board Member, Vice Chairman and President since 2010 – Newburgh Armory Unity Center (military); Board Member and Executive Director since 2020 – National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. (military); Board Member, Vice Chairman (2015-2020) – National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. (military)

 

Name: Chester N. Watson
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1950
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member Since 2012; Audit Committee Chairman since 2013
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Auditor (2003-2011) - General Motors Company (auto manufacturer)

Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex:

15

Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During

Past 5 Years:

Rochester Institute of Technology (University) since 2005; Hudson Valley Center for Innovation, Inc. (New Business and Economic Development) since 2019; Town of Greenburgh, NY Planning Board (Municipal Government) (2015-2019);

 

25

 

Overseas Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers:

Name: Elizabeth Craig
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2016
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Fund Administration since 2021; Fund Regulatory Administration
Manager (2018-2021); Fund Administration Manager (2015-2018) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Corporate Secretary, Director since 2019 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

 

Name: Samantha Larew
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1980
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Chief Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
  Officer since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Co-Director of Compliance since 2018; Compliance Communications Supervisor (2014-2018) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC& Affiliates; Broker-Dealer Chief Compliance Officer since 2013; Broker-Dealer Assistant Corporate Secretary since 2011 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

 

Name: Scott Morabito
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Vice President
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Vice President since 2019; Assistant Vice President (2017-2019)
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Director, Client Service and Business Operations since 2021; Managing Director of Operations (2019-2021); Director of Funds Group (2017-2019) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; President, Director since 2018 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.; President, Exeter Trust Company since 2021.

 

Name: Jill Peeper
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Assistant Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Assistant Treasurer since 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Mutual Fund Financial Reporting Manager since 2022 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Fund Accounting Manager (2007 – 2022) – State Street Bank.

 

Name: Troy Statczar
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1971
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers, since 2020 – ACA Group (formerly Foreside Financial Group); Director of Fund Administration (2017-2019) - Thornburg Investment Management, Inc.

 

26

 

Overseas Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers: (continued)

Name: Sarah Turner
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Legal Officer; Assistant Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Counsel since 2018 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates; Counsel (2017-2018) – Harter Secrest and Emery LLP Holds one or more of the following titles for various affiliates: Corporate Secretary, General Counsel

 

1Interested Director, within the meaning of the 1940 Act by reason of his positions with the Fund’s Advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and Distributor, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc. 

2The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation or removal as provided in the Fund’s By-Laws.

 

27

 

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28

 

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29

 

Overseas Series

 

Literature Requests

(unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863

On the Securities and Exchange

 Commission’s (SEC) web site

http://www.sec.gov

 

Proxy Voting Record

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings

 

The Series’ complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year are provided on Form N-PORT, and are available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

 

For more information about any of the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Series, you may obtain a prospectus and SAI at www.manning-napier.com or by calling 1-(800) 466-3863. Before investing, carefully consider the objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment and read the prospectus carefully as it contains this and other information about the investment company. In addition, this information can be found on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Additional information available at www.manning-napier.com

 

1.Fund Holdings - Month-End

2.Fund Holdings - Quarter-End

3.Shareholder Report - Annual

4.Shareholder Report - Semi-Annual

 

The Fund also offers electronic notification or “e-delivery” when certain documents are available on-line to be downloaded or reviewed. Direct shareholders can elect to receive electronic notification when shareholder reports, prospectus updates, and/or statements are available. If you do not currently have on-line access to your account, you can establish access by going to www.manning-napier.com, click on “Login” in the top corner of the page, and follow the prompts to self-enroll. Once enrolled, you can set your electronic notification preferences by clicking on the Account Options tab located within the green toolbar and then select E-Delivery Option. Should you have any questions on either how to establish on-line access or how to update your account settings, please contact Investor Services at 1-800-466-3863.

 

The Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. is managed by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC. Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, is the distributor of the Fund shares.

 

MNOVS-10/23-AR

30

 

 

 

www.manning-napier.com

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.
 
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series
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Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

 

A Note from Our CEO

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

2023 has proven to be surprising on many fronts. The resiliency of the U.S. economy, driven by a strong labor market and consumer spending, was unanticipated by many observers, including us. While inflation has come down globally without a large spike in unemployment, interest rates remain high relative to the past 15 years around the world, creating increasing pressure on indebted families, companies, and governments. On the geopolitical front, the world feels more dangerous than in many decades, confronting war in the Middle East and Europe and heightened tension between China and the U.S.

 

Capital markets have likewise been surprising. The most historically significant development in markets is that bonds, in aggregate, have done poorly so far, for the third year in a row, reflecting interest rates that have remained high. By way of example, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond, has never declined three years in a row since 1787. Equities, particularly in the U.S., have risen, though a mere seven U.S. technology stocks explain pretty much the entirety of the returns in equities both in the U.S. and globally, a remarkably concentrated situation.

 

The future is unknown and prone to surprises, however, we have confidence in our ability to mitigate the risks emerging from the current environment, while keeping our shareholders’ goals and needs at the forefront of our decision making.

 

Our consistent investment philosophies, disciplines, and time-tested processes – that have guided our seasoned investors over multiple economic and capital markets cycles over the past half-century – remain at our core and will support us as this cycle plays out.

This year, we launched a new investment strategy, the Callodine Equity Income fund, in partnership with the Callodine Group, our parent company. The combination with Callodine was a meaningful and strategic decision to position Manning & Napier stronger for the future and to help us continue to evolve in ways that benefit our investors. We look forward to sharing new investment strategies and opportunities with you in the future.

 

Above all, we thank and appreciate your continued confidence in our firm.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Marc Mayer

Chief Executive Officer

 

Corporate Headquarters | 290 Woodcliff Drive | Fairport, NY 14450 | (585) 325-6880 phone | (800) 551-0224 toll free | www.manning-napier.com

 

1 

 

 

Fund Commentary

 

Investment Objective

 

The Pro-Blend® Series are strategically allocated across stocks, bonds, and cash to balance growth, capital preservation, and income to fit a range of investor risk management priorities.

 

Performance Commentary

 

Economic strength has been more resilient this year than many would have predicted, though various indicators continue to point toward less stability under the surface. Broad global equity markets posted double digit gains for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2023. However, large-cap stocks significantly outperformed small- and mid-cap stocks as did growth in comparison to value from a style perspective. In fact, the broad US equity market was propelled higher over the past year by just a handful of stocks, aptly named the “Magnificent 7.” These companies are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook) and their share prices have increased significantly more than other benchmark constituents, on average over this past year. Given the rising interest rate environment, shorter-dated bonds held up better than the longer end.

 

Each of the Pro-Blend Series Class S shares delivered positive absolute returns over the period but, except for Conservative Term, underperformed their respective blended benchmarks.

 

Broad asset allocation decisions (i.e., an underweight to equities and overweight to fixed income) provided a headwind to relative returns as equities outperformed the fixed income markets over this period. Sector positioning, notably an underweight to Information Technology, the best performing sector, and an overweight to Consumer Staples, one of the worst performing sectors, weighed on relative returns. Alternatively, the specific equities owned in the portfolios aided relative returns but were not enough to offset the previously mentioned performance headwinds. Specifically, allocations to more growth-oriented companies such as Meta (Facebook), Amazon, ServiceNow were among the top contributors to the portfolios as growth notably outperformed value over the period.

 

Our position in global crop protection chemical company FMC Corporation was the largest detractor to returns as the company experienced an accelerated de-stocking of inventory by its customers, leading to lower growth in the near-term. We still maintain a position in the company and have high conviction in its long-term potential, especially at current valuation levels. In addition, Rentokil, the leading provider of pest control services globally, was also among the largest detractors from returns as investors are concerned about the slowdown in organic growth in the core North American pest control business.

 

The fixed income portion of the portfolios contributed to relative returns in part due to a shorter duration profile in a rising rate environment and strong security selection within credit.

 

Despite recent gains in equity markets, most of the economic data points observed across our investment teams continue to suggest caution is warranted. As such, we believe that this backdrop heightens the importance of risk management and an overall defensive posture in the portfolio.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than that quoted; investors can obtain the most recent month-end performance at www.manning-napier.com or by calling (800) 593-4353.

 

Commentary prepared using data provided by FactSet. Analysis Manning & Napier. Commentary presented is relative to each Series' respective blended benchmark. Additional information and associated disclosures can be found on the Performance Update pages contained in this report.

 

The data presented is for informational purposes only. It is not to be considered a specific stock recommendation.

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because the fund invests in both stocks and bonds, the value of your investment will fluctuate in response to stock market movements and changes in interest rates. Investing in the fund will also involve a number of other risks, including issuer-specific risk, foreign investment risk, and small-cap/mid-cap risk. Investments in options and futures, like all derivatives, can be highly volatile and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying instrument on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty, correlation and liquidity risk. Also, the use of leverage increases exposure to the market and may magnify potential losses.

 

2 

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series

(unaudited)

 

  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
  ONE
YEAR1
FIVE
YEAR
TEN
YEAR
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class S2 3.49% 3.21% 2.92%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class I2 3.73% 3.48% 3.15%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class R2,3 3.17% 2.99% 2.66%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class L2,3 2.71% 2.49% 2.14%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class W2,4 4.32% 3.97% 3.30%
Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index5 1.22% 0.28% 0.89%
Conservative Term Composite Benchmark6 2.92% 3.02% 3.33%

The following graph compares the value of a $10,000 investment in the Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class S for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index and Conservative Term Composite Benchmark.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 0.90% for Class S, 0.65% for Class I, 1.12% for Class R, 1.63% for Class L and 0.10% for Class W. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 0.93% for Class S, 0.67% for Class I, 1.12% for Class R, 1.63% for Class L and 0.57% for Class W for the year ended October 31, 2023.

3For periods through the inception of Class L on January 4, 2010 and Class R on June 30, 2010, the performance is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares adjusted for the respective class’ charges and expenses.

4For periods through April 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class S shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class S shares have a higher expense ratio.

5The Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities greater than one year but less than ten years. Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Index data referenced herein is the property of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates ("Bloomberg"), and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. Bloomberg and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

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Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series

(unaudited)

 

6The Conservative Term Composite Benchmark is a blend of the Russell 3000® Index (Russell 3000), MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (ACWIxUS), and Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index (BIAB) in the following weightings: 15% Russell 3000, 5% ACWIxUS, and 80% BIAB through 05/31/2012; 22% Russell 3000, 8% ACWIxUS, and 70% BIAB through 12/31/2021; and 15% Russell 3000, 5% ACWIxUS, and 80% BIAB beginning 01/01/2022. Russell 3000 is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. ACWIxUS is designed to measure large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index returns are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. BAB and BIAB are both unmanaged, market value-weighted indices of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. BAB includes maturities of one year or more; BIAB includes maturities of greater than one year but less than ten years. BAB and BIAB returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). The returns of the indices do not reflect any fees or expenses. Returns provided are calculated monthly using a blended allocation. Because the fund’s asset allocation will vary over time, the composition of the fund’s portfolio may not match the composition of the comparative Indices. Index data referenced herein is the property of each index sponsor (London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (Russell), MSCI, and Bloomberg), their affiliates ("Index Sponsors") and/or their third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. The Index Sponsors and their third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

4 

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT VALUE
5/1/23
ENDING
ACCOUNT VALUE
10/31/23
EXPENSES PAID
DURING PERIOD*
5/1/23 - 10/31/23
ANNUALIZED
EXPENSE
RATIO
Class S        
Actual $1,000.00 $964.00 $4.46 0.90%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,020.67 $4.58 0.90%
Class I        
Actual $1,000.00 $965.10 $3.22 0.65%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,021.93 $3.31 0.65%
Class R        
Actual $1,000.00 $962.50 $5.64 1.14%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,019.46 $5.80 1.14%
Class L        
Actual $1,000.00 $959.90 $8.15 1.65%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,016.89 $8.39 1.65%
Class W        
Actual $1,000.00 $968.10 $0.50 0.10%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,024.70 $0.51 0.10%

 

5 

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series

(unaudited)

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

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Portfolio Composition - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - as of October 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Asset Allocation1
 

1As a percentage of net assets.

2A U.S. Treasury Bond is a long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period of more than ten years.

3A U.S. Treasury Note is an intermediate long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period between one and ten years.

 

Sector Allocation3
Financials 5.1%
Communication Services 4.3%
Industrials 3.8%
Real Estate 3.2%
Consumer Staples 3.1%
Consumer Discretionary 2.9%
Information Technology 2.7%
Health Care 2.5%
Energy 1.9%
Utilities 1.6%
Materials 0.8%
   
   
   
   
   
3Including common stocks, preferred stocks and corporate bonds, as a percentage of total investments.
   

Top Five Stock Holdings4
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A 0.7%
Amazon.com, Inc. 0.7%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A 0.6%
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A 0.6%
The Coca-Cola Co. 0.6%
   
   
   
4As a percentage of total investments.  
Top Five Bond Holdings5
U.S. Treasury Note, 3.125%, 11/15/2028 5.5%
U.S. Treasury Note, 2%, 11/15/2026 4.9%
U.S. Treasury Note, 1.75%, 11/15/2029 4.9%
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note, 0.50%, 4/15/2024 4.2%
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Bond, 2.375%, 1/15/2027 3.5%
   
   
   
5As a percentage of total investments.  
   

 

7 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 15.8%        
         
Communication Services - 2.0%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.1%          
Cellnex Telecom S.A. - ADR (Spain)   3,869   $56,487 
Cellnex Telecom S.A. (Spain)2   2,935    86,278 
Helios Towers plc (Tanzania)*   29,827    21,951 
         164,716 
Entertainment - 0.5%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   13,863    1,716,101 
Interactive Media & Services - 1.4%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*   17,470    2,167,677 
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)2   14,742    111,512 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   8,121    2,446,614 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   3,200    118,428 
         4,844,231 
Total Communication Services        6,725,048 
Consumer Discretionary - 1.0%          
Broadline Retail - 0.8%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   18,221    2,425,033 
Dollarama, Inc. (Canada)   601    41,041 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)*   66    81,889 
         2,547,963 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.0%##          
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   279    25,071 
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.   768    46,226 
         71,297 
Household Durables - 0.0%##          
Sony Group Corp. (Japan)   1,000    83,139 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.2%          
lululemon athletica, Inc. *   139    54,694 
NIKE, Inc. - Class B   5,585    573,970 
         628,664 
Total Consumer Discretionary        3,331,063 
Consumer Staples - 2.2%          
Beverages - 1.0%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   34,139    1,928,512 
Diageo plc (United Kingdom)   2,723    102,973 
Heineken N.V. - ADR (Netherlands)   31,501    1,417,545 
Heineken N.V. (Netherlands)   1,448    130,094 
         3,579,124 
Food Products - 0.7%          
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A   9,574    633,894 
Nestle S.A. - ADR   14,168    1,526,744 
Nestle S.A   1,478    159,386 
         2,320,024 
Household Products - 0.0%##          
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. - Class A (Mexico)   28,600    52,412 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Consumer Staples (continued)          
Personal Care Products - 0.5%          
Beiersdorf AG (Germany)   813   $106,926 
L'Oreal S.A. (France)   50    21,016 
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   32,493    1,538,544 
         1,666,486 
Total Consumer Staples        7,618,046 
Financials - 2.5%          
Banks - 0.0%##          
FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A. (Italy)   7,367    86,906 
HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (India)   1,946    110,046 
         196,952 
Capital Markets - 1.1%          
Avanza Bank Holding AB (Sweden)   3,230    54,603 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   4,397    720,624 
Deutsche Boerse AG - ADR (Germany)   36,297    594,545 
Deutsche Boerse AG (Germany)   780    128,385 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   6,336    680,740 
Intermediate Capital Group plc (United Kingdom)   2,486    39,580 
Moody's Corp.   3,465    1,067,220 
S&P Global, Inc.   1,139    397,864 
         3,683,561 
Financial Services - 1.1%          
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   5,694    2,142,937 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   6,793    1,597,034 
         3,739,971 
Insurance - 0.3%          
Admiral Group plc - ADR (United  Kingdom)   21,825    645,802 
Admiral Group plc (United Kingdom)   4,635    137,719 
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)   458    100,572 
         884,093 
Total Financials        8,504,577 
Health Care - 2.5%          
Biotechnology - 0.5%          
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   11,118    905,561 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   2,362    855,304 
         1,760,865 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 1.0%          
Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   9,575    682,889 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   2,146    857,263 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*   2,338    613,070 
Medtronic plc   17,913    1,263,941 
         3,417,163 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.2%          
Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)   139    48,678 

 

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

 

8 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Health Care (continued)          
Life Sciences Tools & Services (continued)          
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   1,246   $554,184 
         602,862 
Pharmaceuticals - 0.8%          
AstraZeneca plc - ADR (United  Kingdom)   1,556    98,386 
Johnson & Johnson   12,704    1,884,511 
Novartis AG - ADR (Switzerland)   8,300    776,714 
Sandoz Group AG - ADR (Switzerland)*   1    26 
         2,759,637 
Total Health Care        8,540,527 
Industrials - 2.4%          
Aerospace & Defense - 1.0%          
Airbus SE (France)   634    85,004 
BAE Systems plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   13,558    738,776 
BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom)   11,613    156,153 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   9,230    1,655,954 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   1,711    806,617 
         3,442,504 
Building Products - 0.4%          
Masco Corp.   23,140    1,205,363 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.4%          
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (Australia)   58,789    83,748 
Copart, Inc.*   17,932    780,401 
Rentokil Initial plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   17,431    446,059 
Rentokil Initial plc (United Kingdom)   17,130    87,234 
         1,397,442 
Ground Transportation - 0.6%          
Canadian National Railway Co. (Canada)   6,750    714,015 
CSX Corp.   21,262    634,671 
Union Pacific Corp.   2,924    607,051 
         1,955,737 
Machinery - 0.0%##          
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)   6,500    59,342 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.0%##          
IMCD N.V. (Netherlands)   503    60,559 
Transportation Infrastructure - 0.0%##          
Auckland International Airport Ltd. (New Zealand)   13,292    56,840 
Total Industrials        8,177,787 
Information Technology - 1.8%          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.1% 
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   2,804    63,057 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Information Technology (continued)        
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 
(continued)          
Keyence Corp. (Japan)   200   $77,424 
         140,481 
IT Services - 0.0%##          
Endava plc - ADR (United Kingdom)*   694    34,811 
Globant S.A. *   261    44,446 
Keywords Studios plc (Ireland)   3,265    51,845 
         131,102 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.8% 
Micron Technology, Inc.   24,393    1,631,160 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR (Taiwan)   12,879    1,111,586 
         2,742,746 
Software - 0.9%          
Atlassian Corp. - Class A *   305    55,095 
Microsoft Corp.   3,069    1,037,660 
Salesforce, Inc.*   3,067    615,946 
ServiceNow, Inc.*   2,379    1,384,221 
         3,092,922 
Total Information Technology        6,107,251 
Materials - 0.4%          
Chemicals - 0.4%          
Air Liquide S.A. (France)   491    84,134 
FMC Corp.   21,581    1,148,109 
Total Materials        1,232,243 
Real Estate - 0.8%          
Health Care REITs - 0.1%          
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   1,877    53,814 
Physicians Realty Trust   3,254    35,338 
Ventas, Inc.   1,553    65,940 
Welltower, Inc.   1,162    97,155 
         252,247 
Industrial REITs - 0.2%          
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.   4,010    105,142 
LXP Industrial Trust   8,636    68,311 
Prologis, Inc.   3,336    336,102 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   1,581    68,362 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   1,051    34,914 
Terreno Realty Corp.   1,288    68,625 
         681,456 
Office REITs - 0.0%##          
Equity Commonwealth   4,105    77,749 
Residential REITs - 0.2%          
American Homes 4 Rent - Class A   1,183    38,732 
Apartment Income REIT Corp.   996    29,093 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   614    101,764 

 

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

 

9 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Real Estate (continued)          
Residential REITs (continued)          
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   1,673   $110,083 
Essex Property Trust, Inc.   112    23,959 
Flagship Communities REIT   3,151    46,320 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   3,635    107,923 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.   378    44,661 
Sun Communities, Inc.   1,273    141,609 
UDR, Inc.   1,505    47,874 
         692,018 
Retail REITs - 0.0%##          
Agree Realty Corp.   1,900    106,286 
Getty Realty Corp.   1,376    36,629 
Realty Income Corp.   1,263    59,841 
         202,756 
Specialized REITs - 0.3%          
American Tower Corp.   679    120,991 
Equinix, Inc.   561    409,328 
Extra Space Storage, Inc.   765    79,246 
Public Storage   543    129,620 
SBA Communications Corp.   765    159,602 
         898,787 
Total RealEstate        2,805,013 
Utilities - 0.2%          
Electric Utilities - 0.2%          
Evergy, Inc.   14,964    735,331 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $51,640,244)        53,776,886 
           
PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.1%          
           
Information Technology - 0.1%          
Software - 0.1%          
Argo Blockchain plc (United Kingdom),  8.75%, 11/30/2026   8,963    58,080 
Greenidge Generation Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 10/31/2026   10,500    63,735 
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., 8.375%, 6/30/2026   8,219    140,134 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $692,872)        261,949 
           
CORPORATE BONDS - 16.0%          
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds- 16.0%          
Communication Services - 2.3%          
Entertainment - 0.6%          
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 4.054%, 3/15/2029   2,380,000    2,106,992 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Communication Services (continued)          
Interactive Media & Services - 1.7%          
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China), 3.975%, 4/11/20292   6,410,000   $5,760,650 
           
Total Communication Services        7,867,642 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 1.9%          
Broadline Retail - 1.9%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.          
(China), 2.125%, 2/9/2031   1,020,000    783,984 
(China), 4.00%, 12/6/2037   3,730,000    2,800,527 
Amazon.com, Inc., 3.30%, 4/13/2027   3,110,000    2,914,892 
           
Total Consumer Discretionary        6,499,403 
           
Consumer Staples - 0.9%          
Beverages - 0.9%          
PepsiCo, Inc., 3.90%, 7/18/2032   3,370,000    2,991,215 
Energy - 1.9%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.2%          
Borr IHC Ltd. - Borr Finance LLC (Mexico), 10.00%, 11/15/20282   350,000    349,147 
Odfjell Rig III Ltd. (Norway), 9.25%, 5/31/2028   200,000    201,572 
         550,719 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.7%          
Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment  Co. FZE (United Arab Emirates), 8.50%, 9/24/20252   446,696    404,814 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 6.75%, 11/15/2039   2,110,000    2,048,367 
Energy Transfer LP, 6.50%, 2/1/2042   3,760,000    3,486,823 
         5,940,004 
Total Energy        6,490,723 
           
Financials - 2.6%          
Banks - 2.3%          
Bank of America Corp., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.320%), 2.687%, 4/22/20323   2,720,000    2,089,356 
Citigroup, Inc., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.770%), 1.462%, 6/9/20273   2,490,000    2,191,009 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., (3 mo. U.S          
Secured Overnight Financing Rate +          
3.790%), 4.493%, 3/24/20313   3,920,000    3,541,217 
         7,821,582 
Consumer Finance - 0.2%          
Navient Corp., 6.75%, 6/25/2025   485,000    473,554 
           
Financial Services - 0.1%          
Golden Pear Funding HoldCo LLC, 10.00%, 3/2/2028   230,000    202,015 

 

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

 

10 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Financials (continued)          
Financial Services (continued)          
U.S. Claims Litigation Funding LLC, 10.25%, 3/17/2028 (Acquired 03/14/2023, cost $250,000)4   250,000   $223,004 
         425,019 
Total Financials        8,720,155 
           
Industrials - 1.4%          
Ground Transportation - 0.4%          
BNSF Funding Trust I, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.350%), 6.613%, 12/15/20553   1,540,000    1,483,856 
Passenger Airlines - 0.2%          
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2020-1, Class B, 8.00%, 8/15/20252   142,112    141,663 
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust          
Series 2018-1, Class B, 4.60%, 3/1/2026   69,863    64,514 
Series 2019-2, Class B, 3.50%, 5/1/2028   360,243    319,007 
         525,184 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.8%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC - AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 3.00%, 10/29/2028   1,700,000    1,433,985 
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), 4.00%, 5/1/20282   1,600,000    1,434,613 
         2,868,598 
Total Industrials        4,877,638 
           
Information Technology - 0.8%          
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.8%          
QUALCOMM, Inc., 4.25%, 5/20/2032   3,110,000    2,812,905 
           
Materials - 0.4%          
Metals & Mining - 0.4%          
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd. (Australia), 4.40%, 9/29/20272   1,641,201    1,477,485 
Northwest Acquisitions ULC - Dominion Finco, Inc., 7.125%, 11/1/2022 (Acquired 10/10/2017-05/13/2020, cost $212,263)4,5   880,000    88 
           
Total Materials        1,477,573 
           
Real Estate - 2.4%          
Industrial REITs - 0.1%          
IIP Operating Partnership LP, 5.50%, 5/25/2026   460,000    411,900 
           
Retail REITs - 1.4%          
Simon Property Group LP, 2.65%, 2/1/2032   5,970,000    4,551,759 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Real Estate (continued)          
Specialized REITs - 0.9%          
Pelorus Fund REIT LLC, 7.00%, 9/30/2026 (Acquired 07/08/2022, cost $399,500)4   470,000   $442,792 
SBA Tower Trust, 6.599%, 1/15/20282   2,540,000    2,535,097 
         2,977,889 
Total Real Estate        7,941,548 
           
Utilities - 1.4%          
Electric Utilities - 0.5%          
Alexander Funding Trust II, 7.467%, 7/31/20282   1,470,000    1,457,878 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers - 0.9% 
Palomino Funding Trust I, 7.233%, 5/17/20282   3,130,000    3,130,478 
           
Total Utilities        4,588,356 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Identified Cost $62,360,791)        54,267,158 
           
U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES - 31.9%          
           
U.S. Treasury Bonds - 3.4%          
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Bond, 2.375%, 1/15/2027          
(Identified Cost $11,844,096)   11,878,233    11,762,493 
           
U.S. Treasury Notes - 28.5%          
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note,          
0.50%, 4/15/2024   14,613,069    14,372,791 
U.S. Treasury Note          
2.25%, 11/15/2025   9,486,000    8,971,681 
2.00%, 11/15/2026   18,232,000    16,756,347 
2.25%, 11/15/2027   8,714,000    7,886,170 
3.125%, 11/15/2028   20,244,000    18,678,253 
1.75%, 11/15/2029   19,884,000    16,711,881 
0.875%, 11/15/2030   11,003,000    8,424,172 
4.125%, 11/15/2032   5,347,000    5,049,573 
           
Total U.S. Treasury Notes          
(Identified Cost $100,301,018)        96,850,868 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $112,145,114)        108,613,361 
           
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 6.5%          
           
ALLO Issuer LLC, Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 6.20%, 6/20/20532   1,550,000    1,442,172 
CF Hippolyta Issuer LLC, Series 2020-1, Class B1, 2.28%, 7/15/20602   2,698,356    2,381,795 
Commonbond Student Loan Trust, Series 2019-AGS, Class A1, 2.54%, 1/25/20472   735,804    638,208 

 

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

 

11 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)          
           
DataBank Issuer          
Series 2021-2A, Class A2, 2.40%, 10/25/20512   1,630,000   $1,402,589 
Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 5.116%, 2/25/20532   1,500,000    1,363,115 
Flexential Issuer, Series 2021-1A, Class  A2, 3.25%, 11/27/20512   2,600,000    2,250,517 
Libra Solutions LLC          
Series 2022-2A, Class A, 6.85%, 10/15/20342   771,816    769,978 
Series 2023-1A, Class A, 7.00%, 2/15/20352   833,629    829,469 
Oxford Finance Funding LLC          
Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 4.459%, 2/15/20272   333,965    333,533 
Series 2020-1A, Class A2, 3.101%, 2/15/20282   133,238    128,698 
Series 2022-1A, Class A2, 3.602%, 2/15/20302   2,750,000    2,597,484 
Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 6.716%, 2/15/20312   2,500,000    2,451,295 
PEAR LLC          
Series 2021-1, Class A, 2.60%, 1/15/20342   1,738,735    1,658,684 
Series 2023-1, Class A, 7.42%, 7/15/20352   1,323,422    1,307,450 
SLM Student Loan Trust, Series 2005-7, Class A4, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 90 Day Average + 0.412%), 5.746%, 10/25/20296   13,712    13,670 
Store Master Funding I-VII and XIV, Series 2019-1, Class A1, 2.82%, 11/20/20492   2,088,352    1,869,013 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
Series 2016-5, Class A1, 2.50%, 10/25/20562,7   89,728    88,636 
Series 2017-1, Class A1, 2.75%, 10/25/20562,7   78,909    78,136 
Series 2019-HY1, Class A1, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.114%), 6.439%, 10/25/20482,6   475,192    474,590 
           
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $23,647,353)        22,079,032 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 8.4%          
           
CIM Trust, Series 2019-INV1, Class A1, 4.00%, 2/25/20492,7   69,769    63,793 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust          
Series 2013-IVR3, Class A1, 2.50%, 5/25/20432,7   296,380    238,904 
Series 2013-TH1, Class A1, 2.13%, 2/25/20432,7   163,367    131,916 
Fannie Mae REMICS          
Series 2018-13, Class PA, 3.00%, 3/25/2048   1,690,161    1,371,819 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
     
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) 
           
Fannie Mae REMICS (continued)          
Series 2018-31, Class KP, 3.50%, 7/25/2047   43,272   $41,694 
Series 2021-69, Class WJ, 1.50%, 10/25/2050   1,125,044    884,684 
Freddie Mac REMICS, Series 5189, Class CP, 2.50%, 6/25/2049   1,879,091    1,499,815 
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust Series 2021-INV1, Class A9, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.850%), 5.00%, 12/25/20512,6   1,440,165    1,290,473 
Series 2021-PJ6, Class A8, 2.50%, 11/25/20512,7   1,193,815    979,941 
Series 2021-PJ9, Class A8, 2.50%, 2/26/20522,7   1,202,463    985,768 
Series 2022-PJ1, Class A8, 2.50%, 5/28/20522,7   1,861,614    1,522,076 
Imperial Fund Mortgage Trust          
Series 2021-NQM3, Class A1, 1.595%, 11/25/20562,7   1,321,798    1,013,300 
Series 2022-NQM1, Class A1, 2.493%, 2/25/20672,7   2,454,884    2,067,162 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust          
Series 2014-2, Class 1A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20292,7   208,156    193,739 
Series 2017-3, Class 1A3, 3.50%, 8/25/20472,7   30,373    26,036 
Series 2017-6, Class A3, 3.50%, 12/25/20482,7   71,581    62,249 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust          
Series 2014-3A, Class AFX3, 3.75%, 11/25/20542,7   306,533    272,542 
Series 2015-2A, Class A1, 3.75%, 8/25/20552,7   301,919    272,777 
Series 2016-4A, Class A1, 3.75%, 11/25/20562,7   440,362    396,255 
NYMT Loan Trust, Series 2022-CP1, Class A1, 2.042%, 7/25/20612   1,504,681    1,325,773 
OBX Trust, Series 2022-INV1, Class A1, 3.00%, 12/25/20512,7   2,191,813    1,681,850 
PCG LLC, Series 2023-1, Class NOTE,  (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 6.000%), 11.324%, 7/25/2029 (Acquired 07/24/2023, cost $4,297,189)4,6   4,297,189    4,296,546 
PMT Loan Trust, Series 2013-J1, Class  A9, 3.50%, 9/25/20432,7   604,946    529,662 
Provident Funding Mortgage Trust          
Series 2021-2, Class A2A, 2.00%, 4/25/20512,7   1,485,755    1,197,127 
Series 2021-INV1, Class A1, 2.50%, 8/25/20512,7   2,360,770    1,728,820 
Sequoia Mortgage Trust          
Series 2013-2, Class A, 1.874%, 2/25/20437   148,575    120,320 
Series 2013-6, Class A2, 3.00%, 5/25/20437   1,175,379    1,000,037 

 

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

  

12 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
     
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) 
           
Sequoia Mortgage Trust (continued)          
Series 2013-7, Class A2, 3.00%, 6/25/20437   173,677   $148,783 
Series 2013-8, Class A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20437   207,822    177,190 
Series 2020-1, Class A1, 3.50%, 2/25/20502,7   64,182    55,019 
Starwood Retail Property Trust, Series 2014-STAR, Class A, (Prime Rate + 0.000%), 8.50%, 11/15/20272,6   2,117,054    1,497,858 
Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-SBC8, Class A, 2.86%, 4/25/20412,7   1,555,559    1,418,301 
WinWater Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2015-1, Class A1, 3.50%, 1/20/20452,7   93,649    80,261 
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE- BACKED SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $34,027,004)        28,572,490 
           
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS - 0.2%          
           
Mexican Bonos, Series M, (Mexico), 7.75%, 5/29/2031 MXN  908,000    43,878 
Republic of Italy Government International Bond (Italy), 2.375%, 10/17/2024   600,000    579,794 
           
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS          
(Identified Cost $669,528)        623,672 
           
MUNICIPAL BONDS - 1.4%          
           
Hawaii, Series GC, G.O. Bond, 2.682%, 10/1/2038   2,660,000    1,805,292 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Series B, Revenue Bond, 1.852%, 12/1/2026   3,460,000    3,067,236 
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS          
(Identified Cost $6,215,025)        4,872,528 
           
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 17.6%          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities - 17.6%          
Fannie Mae          
Pool #AA1563, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2024   393    391 
Pool #AC1557, UMBS, 4.50%, 9/1/2024   2,226    2,200 
Pool #AD0462, UMBS, 5.50%, 10/1/2024   579    575 
Pool #MA1834, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2034   237,601    227,968 
Pool #MA1903, UMBS, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   214,841    206,130 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)          
Fannie Mae (continued)          
Pool #886904, UMBS, 6.50%, 9/1/2036   32,689   $33,825 
Pool #933521, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2038   5,602    5,435 
Pool #889260, UMBS, 5.00%, 4/1/2038   6,575    6,379 
Pool #889576, UMBS, 6.00%, 4/1/2038   155,462    158,302 
Pool #975840, UMBS, 5.00%, 5/1/2038   24,071    23,266 
Pool #995196, UMBS, 6.00%, 7/1/2038   195,949    199,271 
Pool #986458, UMBS, 6.00%, 8/1/2038   3,808    3,877 
Pool #987831, UMBS, 6.00%, 9/1/2038   8,528    8,683 
Pool #990897, UMBS, 6.00%, 9/1/2038   16,986    17,293 
Pool #AD0220, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   27,522    27,988 
Pool #257497, UMBS, 6.00%, 12/1/2038   6,496    6,613 
Pool #971022, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2039   11,592    11,203 
Pool #AA1810, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2039   32,528    31,437 
Pool #983686, UMBS, 5.00%, 2/1/2039   13,440    12,990 
Pool #AE0604, UMBS, 6.00%, 7/1/2039   181,216    184,288 
Pool #AA6788, UMBS, 6.00%, 8/1/2039   109,373    111,362 
Pool #AC0463, UMBS, 5.00%, 11/1/2039   13,701    13,180 
Pool #AC5111, UMBS, 5.00%, 11/1/2039   26,485    25,479 
Pool #MA0258, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2039   297,446    278,976 
Pool #MA0259, UMBS, 5.00%, 12/1/2039   16,710    16,075 
Pool #AC8573, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2040   22,571    21,713 
Pool #AL1595, UMBS, 6.00%, 1/1/2040   198,748    202,379 
Pool #AE0061, UMBS, 6.00%, 2/1/2040   78,705    80,127 
Pool #AL0152, UMBS, 6.00%, 6/1/2040   310,997    316,678 
Pool #MA4203, UMBS, 2.50%, 12/1/2040   2,362,820    1,957,728 
Pool #AI5172, UMBS, 4.00%, 8/1/2041   156,954    141,631 
Pool #AL1410, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2041   339,414    315,313 

 

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

 

13 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)          
Fannie Mae (continued)          
Pool #AB4300, UMBS, 3.50%, 1/1/2042   77,598   $67,320 
Pool #MA4633, UMBS, 3.50%, 6/1/2042   1,205,895    1,035,458 
Pool #MA4687, UMBS, 4.00%, 6/1/2042   3,058,551    2,706,026 
Pool #MA4934, UMBS, 5.00%, 2/1/2043   1,843,161    1,725,882 
Pool #FS4616, UMBS, 5.00%, 5/1/2043   3,821,721    3,582,699 
Pool #AL7729, UMBS, 4.00%, 6/1/2043   175,274    158,163 
Pool #BC8677, UMBS, 4.00%, 5/1/2046   86,784    76,775 
Pool #BD6997, UMBS, 4.00%, 10/1/2046   98,500    87,162 
Pool #BE3812, UMBS, 4.00%, 12/1/2046   127,538    112,858 
Pool #BE7845, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2047   124,991    114,131 
Pool #MA3184, UMBS, 4.50%, 11/1/2047   597,582    545,060 
Pool #AL8674, 5.645%, 1/1/2049   542,546    540,257 
Pool #FS1179, UMBS, 3.50%, 12/1/2049   2,949,681    2,512,433 
Pool #CA5518, UMBS, 3.00%, 4/1/2050   4,107,656    3,333,087 
Pool #MA4020, UMBS, 3.00%, 5/1/2050   4,219,772    3,423,257 
Pool #FS4339, UMBS, 3.00%, 12/1/2050   1,886,482    1,542,581 
Pool #FS4511, UMBS, 4.00%, 8/1/2051   3,795,658    3,340,513 
Pool #FS2998, UMBS, 3.50%, 4/1/2052   3,445,904    2,917,014 
Pool #FS4925, UMBS, 3.50%, 4/1/2052   4,036,225    3,416,731 
Pool #MA4600, UMBS, 3.50%, 5/1/2052   3,357,811    2,799,701 
Pool #MA4644, UMBS, 4.00%, 5/1/2052   3,730,976    3,232,694 
Pool #MA4807, UMBS, 5.50%, 11/1/2052   2,746,223    2,609,861 
Freddie Mac          
Pool #C91746, 4.50%, 12/1/2033   35,545    34,292 
Pool #C91762, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   351,786    337,968 
Pool #G03926, 6.00%, 2/1/2038   128,429    130,958 
Pool #G05906, 6.00%, 4/1/2040   17,708    18,056 
Pool #G06789, 6.00%, 5/1/2040   109,502    111,658 
Pool #A92889, 4.50%, 7/1/2040   425,086    395,928 
Pool #RB5167, UMBS, 3.50%, 7/1/2042   1,216,766    1,044,793 
Pool #RB5178, UMBS, 4.50%, 8/1/2042   1,859,832    1,694,412 
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)          
Freddie Mac (continued)          
Pool #RB5188, UMBS, 4.00%, 10/1/2042   2,492,510   $2,205,334 
Pool #SD8044, UMBS, 3.00%, 2/1/2050   3,131,590    2,544,660 
Pool #SD8230, UMBS, 4.50%, 6/1/2052   2,179,635    1,947,963 
Pool #SD1360, UMBS, 5.50%, 7/1/2052   3,743,474    3,559,683 
Pool #SD8276, UMBS, 5.00%, 12/1/2052   1,275,161    1,175,669 
Ginnie Mae Pool #671161, 5.50%, 11/15/2037   24,764    24,598 
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES          
(Identified Cost $65,264,285)        59,754,390 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 1.7%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%8          
(Identified Cost $5,742,049)   5,742,049    5,742,049 
          
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.6%        338,563,515 
(Identified Cost $362,404,265)          
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.4%        1,312,392 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $339,875,907 

 

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

 

14 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

G.O. Bond - General Obligation Bond

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MXN - Mexican Peso

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

REMICS - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits

UMBS - Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

*Non-income producing security.

## Less than 0.1%.

1Amount is stated in USD unless otherwise noted.

2Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $57,986,579, which represented 17.1% of the Series’ Net Assets.

3Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

4Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be illiquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of such securities at October 31, 2023 was $4,962,430, or 1.5% of the Series’ Net Assets.

5Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

6Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

7Variable 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. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

8Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

15 

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:    
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $362,404,265) (Note 2)  $338,563,515 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $1)   1 
Interest receivable   2,051,124 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   152,703 
Receivable for securities sold   67,411 
Dividends receivable   49,845 
Receivable for fund shares sold   25,913 
Prepaid expenses   1,300 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   340,911,812 
      
LIABILITIES:     
      
Due to custodian   5,115 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   144,688 
Accrued management fees1   107,159 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Class R) (Class L)1   103,633 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   25,707 
Directors' fees payable1   9,814 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for securities purchased   388,566 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   138,404 
Professional fees payable   55,606 
Other payables and accrued expenses   54,190 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,035,905 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1     
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $339,875,907 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
      
Capital stock  $279,263 
Additional paid-in-capital   365,094,551 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (25,497,907)
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $339,875,907 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

  

 16

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S 

($189,939,870/15,623,183 shares) 

  $12.16 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I 

($68,157,037/5,600,748 shares) 

  $12.17 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class R 

($14,923,128/1,224,865 shares) 

  $12.18 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class L 

($65,222,562/5,343,428 shares) 

  $12.21 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W 

($1,633,310/134,034 shares) 

  $12.19 

 

 

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

 

 17

 

 

Statement of Operations - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

Interest  $12,395,597 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $51,212)   1,475,574 
      
Total Investment Income   13,871,171 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   1,526,849 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class L) (Note 3)   710,449 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   534,080 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class R) (Note 3)   84,487 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   380,898 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   113,925 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   59,253 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Custodian fees   23,876 
Miscellaneous   426,348 
      
Total Expenses   3,868,589 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (83,573)
      
Net Expenses   3,785,016 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   10,086,155 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on-     
Investments in securities   (8,426,520)
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   2,748 
      
    (8,423,772)
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-     
Investments in securities   12,577,380 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   7,942 
      
    12,585,322 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY   4,161,550 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $14,247,705 

 

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

 

 18

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series

 

    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/23
    FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/22

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:          
           
OPERATIONS:          
           
Net investment income  $10,086,155   $5,337,294 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   (8,423,772)   7,192,664 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   12,585,322    (75,182,479)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   14,247,705    (62,652,521)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
           
Class S   (6,627,506)   (14,205,458)
Class I   (2,862,884)   (8,178,573)
Class R   (516,816)   (1,716,134)
Class L   (1,406,802)   (6,722,504)
Class W   (69,307)   (105,312)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (11,483,315)   (30,927,981)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (60,589,234)   (36,115,658)
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (57,824,844)   (129,696,160)
           
NET ASSETS:          
           
Beginning of year   397,700,751    527,396,911 
           
End of year  $339,875,907   $397,700,751 

 

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

 

 19

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class S

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $12.11   $14.61   $14.47   $14.23   $13.39 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.34   0.16   0.17   0.21   0.27 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.09   (1.94)  1.34   0.592   1.07 
Total from investment operations  0.43   (1.78)  1.51   0.80   1.34 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.20)  (0.08)  (0.19)  (0.21)  (0.23)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.18)  (0.64)  (1.18)  (0.35)  (0.27)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.38)  (0.72)  (1.37)  (0.56)  (0.50)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $12.16   $12.11   $14.61   $14.47   $14.23 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $189,940   $218,606   $291,698   $294,276   $609,145 
Total return3  3.49%   (12.77%)  10.99%   5.86%2   10.40% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.90%   0.88%   0.87%   0.87%   0.87% 
Net investment income  2.74%   1.23%   1.15%   1.47%   2.01% 
Series portfolio turnover  59%   79%   73%   108%   68% 

 

*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

  0.03%   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. These proceeds impacted the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share by less than $0.01. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 5.78%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

 

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

20

 


Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class I

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $12.14   $14.95   $15.43   $15.38   $14.67 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.37   0.20   0.20   0.27   0.33 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.09   (1.93)  1.40   0.642   1.16 
Total from investment operations  0.46   (1.73)  1.60   0.91   1.49 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.25)  (0.16)  (0.38)  (0.36)  (0.37)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.18)  (0.92)  (1.70)  (0.50)  (0.39)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.43)  (1.08)  (2.08)  (0.86)  (0.76)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $12.17   $12.14   $14.95   $15.43   $15.38 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $68,157   $85,498   $115,216   $99,139   $207,346 
Total return3  3.73%   (12.50%)  11.16%   6.27%2   10.69% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.65%   0.63%   0.62%   0.60%   0.64% 
Net investment income  2.98%   1.48%   1.40%   1.77%   2.23% 
Series portfolio turnover  59%   79%   73%   108%   68% 

 

*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

  0.02%   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. These proceeds impacted the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share by less than $0.01. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 6.17%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

 

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

21

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class R

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $12.13   $15.05   $15.63   $15.64   $14.94 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.31   0.14   0.14   0.20   0.26 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.08   (1.95)  1.44   0.652   1.18 
Total from investment operations  0.39   (1.81)  1.58   0.85   1.44 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.16)  (0.12)  (0.35)  (0.32)  (0.32)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.18)  (0.99)  (1.81)  (0.54)  (0.42)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.34)  (1.11)  (2.16)  (0.86)  (0.74)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $12.18   $12.13   $15.05   $15.63   $15.64 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $14,923   $18,808   $23,527   $22,539   $8,850 
Total return3  3.17%   (12.93%)  10.81%   5.69%2   10.12% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses  1.12%   1.08%   1.05%   1.04%   1.10% 
Net investment income  2.51%   1.03%   0.96%   1.25%   1.77% 
Series portfolio turnover  59%   79%   73%   108%   68% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. These proceeds impacted the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share and total return by less than $0.01 and by less than 0.01%, respectively. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

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

22

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class L

  

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $12.12   $15.07   $15.64   $15.65   $14.94 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.25   0.08   0.06   0.12   0.20 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.09   (1.97)  1.45   0.652   1.17 
Total from investment operations  0.34   (1.89)  1.51   0.77   1.37 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.07)  (0.08)  (0.26)  (0.24)  (0.25)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.18)  (0.98)  (1.82)  (0.54)  (0.41)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.25)  (1.06)  (2.08)  (0.78)  (0.66)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $12.21   $12.12   $15.07   $15.64   $15.65 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $65,223   $73,165   $94,971   $86,903   $87,628 
Total return3  2.71%   (13.44%)  10.26%   5.16%2   9.61% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses  1.63%   1.59%   1.58%   1.55%   1.59% 
Net investment income  2.00%   0.52%   0.44%   0.79%   1.29% 
Series portfolio turnover  59%   79%   73%   108%   68% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. These proceeds impacted the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share and total return by less than $0.01 and by less than 0.01%, respectively. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

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

23

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED    FOR THE
           PERIOD
           4/1/191 TO
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $12.18   $14.64   $14.52   $14.28   $13.62 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2  0.44   0.27   0.28   0.32   0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.09   (1.94)  1.35   0.593   0.54 
Total from investment operations  0.53   (1.67)  1.63   0.91   0.77 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.34)  (0.15)  (0.33)  (0.32)  (0.11)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.18)  (0.64)  (1.18)  (0.35)  (0.00)4 
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.52)  (0.79)  (1.51)  (0.67)  (0.11)
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $12.19   $12.18   $14.64   $14.52   $14.28 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $1,633   $1,623   $1,985   $1,775   $1,577 
Total return5  4.32%   (12.07%)  11.84%   6.66%3   5.71% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.10%   0.10%   0.10%   0.09%   0.08%6 
Net investment income  3.55%   2.03%   1.92%   2.26%   2.81%6 
Series portfolio turnover  59%   79%   73%   108%   68% 

 

*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

Series portfolio turnover  0.47%   0.44%   0.42%   0.40%   0.40%6 

 

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. These proceeds impacted the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share and total return by less than $0.01 and by less than 0.01%, respectively. 

4Less than $(0.01). 

5Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

6Annualized.

 

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

24

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

   AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS   
   AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023   
   ONE  FIVE  TEN
   YEAR1  YEAR  YEAR
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class S2  4.05%  4.28%  3.40%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class I2  4.29%  4.51%  3.64%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class R2,3  3.77%  4.03%  3.14%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class L2,3  3.27%  3.51%  2.63%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class W2,4  5.10%  5.19%  3.85%
30/10/30/30 Blended Index5  4.30%  3.78%  4.14%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index6  0.36%  (0.06%)  0.88%

 

The following graph compares the value of a $10,000 investment in the Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class S for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the 30/10/30/30 Blended Index.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.10% for Class S, 0.85% for Class I, 1.30% for Class R, 1.82% for Class L and 0.10% for Class W. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.10% for Class S, 0.90% for Class I, 1.30% for Class R, 1.82% for Class L and 0.77% for Class W for the year ended October 31, 2023. 

3For periods through the inception of Class L on January 4, 2010 and Class R on June 30, 2010, the performance is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares adjusted for the respective class’ charges and expenses. 

4For periods through April 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class S shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class S shares have a higher expense ratio.

  

25

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

5The 30/10/30/30 Blended Index is 30% Russell 3000® Index (Russell 3000), 10% MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (ACWIxUS), 30% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BAB), and 30% Bloomberg U.S. Intermediate Aggregate Bond Index (BIAB). Russell 3000 is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. ACWIxUS is designed to measure large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index returns assume daily investment of gross dividends (which do not account for applicable dividend taxation) prior to 12/31/1998, as net returns were not available. Subsequent to 12/31/1998, the Index returns are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. BAB is an unmanaged, market value-weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities with maturities of one year or more. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). BIAB is an unmanaged, market value-weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities with maturities of greater than one year but less than ten years. Index returns provided by Interactive Data. The returns of the indices do not reflect any fees or expenses. Returns provided are calculated monthly using a blended allocation. Because the fund’s asset allocation will vary over time, the composition of the fund’s portfolio may not match the composition of the comparative Indices. Mid-month performance may not be available for all indices within the blended index. Where applicable, performance for those indices is included from the first of the month following the corresponding Fund’s inception date. Index data referenced herein is the property of each index sponsor (London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (Russell), MSCI, and Bloomberg), their affiliates (“Index Sponsors”) and/or their third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. The Index Sponsors and their third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions. 

6The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of one year or more. Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Index data referenced herein is the property of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (“Bloomberg”), and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. Bloomberg and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https:// go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

  

26

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses 

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

  

BEGINNING 

ACCOUNT VALUE 

5/1/23 

 

ENDING 

ACCOUNT VALUE 

10/31/23 

 

EXPENSES PAID 

DURING PERIOD

5/1/23 - 10/31/23 

 

ANNUALIZED 

EXPENSE 

RATIO 

Class S            
Actual  $1,000.00  $952.60  $5.41  1.10%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,019.66  $5.60  1.10%
Class I            
Actual  $1,000.00  $953.70  $4.19  0.85%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,020.92  $4.33  0.85%
Class R            
Actual  $1,000.00  $950.70  $6.49  1.32%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,018.55  $6.72  1.32%
Class L            
Actual  $1,000.00  $948.50  $9.09  1.85%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,015.88  $9.40  1.85%
Class W            
Actual  $1,000.00  $956.80  $0.49  0.10%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,024.70  $0.51  0.10%

 

27

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

  

28

 

 

Portfolio Composition - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - as of October 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Asset Allocation1
 
 
 

1As a percentage of net assets. 

2A U.S. Treasury Bond is a long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period of more than ten years. 

3A U.S. Treasury Note is an intermediate long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period between one and ten years. 

 

Sector Allocation4
   
Financials 7.5%
Industrials 6.4%
Communication Services 5.9%
Consumer Staples 5.4%
Health Care 5.3%
Information Technology 4.6%
Real Estate 3.9%
Consumer Discretionary 3.9%
Energy 1.5%
Utilities 1.5%
Materials 1.2%
   
   
4Including common stocks, preferred stocks and corporate bonds, as a percentage of total investments.
   
Top Ten Stock Holdings5
   
Amazon.com, Inc. 1.8%
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A 1.5%
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A 1.4%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A 1.3%
Johnson & Johnson 1.2%
Micron Technology, Inc. 1.2%
The Coca-Cola Co. 1.1%
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom) 1.1%
Visa, Inc. - Class A 1.0%
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. 1.0%
   
   
5As a percentage of total investments.  
   

 

29

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 34.4%        
         
Communication Services - 4.1%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.1%          
Cellnex Telecom S.A. - ADR (Spain)   8,978   $131,079 
Cellnex Telecom S.A. (Spain)2   6,915    203,274 
Helios Towers plc (Tanzania)*   69,126    50,874 
         385,227 
Entertainment - 1.0%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   24,691    3,056,499 
Interactive Media & Services - 3.0%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*   34,887    4,328,779 
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)2   35,193    266,208 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   15,977    4,813,391 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   7,300    270,164 
         9,678,542 
Total Communication Services        13,120,268 
Consumer Discretionary - 2.4%          
Broadline Retail - 1.9%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   43,338    5,767,855 
Dollarama, Inc. (Canada)   1,528    104,346 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)*   172    213,407 
         6,085,608 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.0%##          
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   642    57,690 
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.   1,779    107,078 
         164,768 
Household Durables - 0.1%          
Sony Group Corp. (Japan)   2,300    191,219 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.4%          
lululemon athletica, Inc. *   314    123,553 
NIKE, Inc. - Class B   11,799    1,212,583 
         1,336,136 
Total Consumer Discretionary        7,777,731 
Consumer Staples - 4.8%          
Beverages - 2.2%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   64,965    3,669,873 
Diageo plc (United Kingdom)   5,247    198,420 
Heineken N.V. - ADR (Netherlands)   66,887    3,009,915 
Heineken N.V. (Netherlands)   3,023    271,597 
         7,149,805 
Food Products - 1.4%          
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A   18,352    1,215,086 
Nestle S.A. - ADR   27,778    2,993,358 
Nestle S.A   3,224    347,672 
         4,556,116 
Household Products - 0.0%##          
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. - Class A (Mexico)   65,300    119,669 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Consumer Staples (continued)          
Personal Care Products - 1.2%          
Beiersdorf AG (Germany)   1,985   $261,067 
L'Oreal S.A. (France)   114    47,918 
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   74,038    3,505,699 
         3,814,684 
Total Consumer Staples        15,640,274 
Financials - 5.4%          
Banks - 0.1%          
FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A. (Italy)   20,461    241,371 
HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (India)   4,324    244,522 
         485,893 
Capital Markets - 2.3%          
Avanza Bank Holding AB (Sweden)   8,877    150,065 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   8,211    1,345,701 
Deutsche Boerse AG - ADR (Germany)   77,498    1,269,417 
Deutsche Boerse AG (Germany)   1,844    303,516 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   11,622    1,248,668 
Intermediate Capital Group plc (United Kingdom)   6,071    96,656 
Moody's Corp.   6,822    2,101,176 
S&P Global, Inc.   2,244    783,852 
         7,299,051 
Financial Services - 2.4%          
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   12,067    4,541,415 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   14,100    3,314,910 
         7,856,325 
Insurance - 0.6%          
Admiral Group plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   42,259    1,250,444 
Admiral Group plc (United Kingdom)   11,408    338,963 
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)   1,154    253,407 
         1,842,814 
Total Financials        17,484,083 
Health Care - 5.3%          
Biotechnology - 1.2%          
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   23,828    1,940,790 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   4,770    1,727,265 
         3,668,055 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.0%          
Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   19,178    1,367,775 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   3,667    1,464,857 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*   4,118    1,079,822 
Medtronic plc.   37,672    2,658,136 
         6,570,590 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.4%          
Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)   276    96,656 

 

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

 

30

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Health Care (continued)        
Life Sciences Tools & Services (continued)        
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   2,641   $1,174,638 
         1,271,294 
Pharmaceuticals - 1.7%          
AstraZeneca plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   3,727    235,658 
Johnson & Johnson   25,474    3,778,813 
Novartis AG - ADR (Switzerland)   16,329    1,528,068 
         5,542,539 
Total Health Care        17,052,478 
Industrials - 5.2%          
Aerospace & Defense - 2.3%          
Airbus SE (France)   1,404    188,243 
BAE Systems plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   25,644    1,397,342 
BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom)   31,545    424,166 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   18,055    3,239,247 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   4,360    2,055,435 
         7,304,433 
Building Products - 0.7%          
Masco Corp.   45,421    2,365,980 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.9%          
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (Australia)   127,069    181,016 
Copart, Inc.*   38,046    1,655,762 
Rentokil Initial plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   37,218    952,409 
Rentokil Initial plc (United Kingdom)   37,542    191,182 
         2,980,369 
Ground Transportation - 1.2%          
Canadian National Railway Co. (Canada)   13,101    1,385,824 
CSX Corp.   41,549    1,240,237 
Union Pacific Corp.   6,203    1,287,805 
         3,913,866 
Machinery - 0.0%##          
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)   14,500    132,378 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.1%          
IMCD N.V. (Netherlands)   1,164    140,141 
Transportation Infrastructure - 0.0%##          
Auckland International Airport Ltd. (New Zealand)   31,910    136,456 
Total Industrials        16,973,623 
Information Technology - 3.9%          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.1%          
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   6,210    139,653 
Keyence Corp. (Japan)   500    193,559 
         333,212 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Information Technology (continued)        
IT Services - 0.1%        
Endava plc - ADR (United Kingdom)*   2,090   $104,834 
Globant S.A. *   633    107,794 
Keywords Studios plc (Ireland)   6,542    103,880 
         316,508 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 1.8%          
Micron Technology, Inc.   55,818    3,732,550 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing          
Co. Ltd. - ADR (Taiwan)   24,078    2,078,172 
         5,810,722 
Software - 1.9%          
Atlassian Corp. - Class A *   783    141,441 
Microsoft Corp.   6,507    2,200,082 
Salesforce, Inc.*   6,021    1,209,198 
ServiceNow, Inc.*   4,684    2,725,385 
         6,276,106 
Total Information Technology        12,736,548 
Materials - 0.8%          
Chemicals - 0.8%          
Air Liquide S.A. (France)   1,169    200,310 
FMC Corp.   43,209    2,298,719 
Total Materials        2,499,029 
Real Estate - 2.0%          
Health Care REITs - 0.2%          
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   4,350    124,715 
Physicians Realty Trust   7,540    81,884 
Ventas, Inc.   3,621    153,748 
Welltower, Inc.   2,700    225,747 
         586,094 
Industrial REITs - 0.5%          
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.   9,294    243,689 
LXP Industrial Trust   20,078    158,817 
Prologis, Inc.   7,731    778,898 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   3,664    158,431 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   2,436    80,924 
Terreno Realty Corp.   2,986    159,094 
         1,579,853 
Office REITs - 0.1%          
Equity Commonwealth   9,514    180,195 
Residential REITs - 0.5%          
American Homes 4 Rent - Class A   2,743    89,806 
Apartment Income REIT Corp.   2,309    67,446 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   1,424    236,014 
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   3,877    255,107 
Essex Property Trust, Inc.   260    55,619 
Flagship Communities REIT   7,304    107,369 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   8,425    250,138 

 

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

 

31

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Real Estate (continued)          
Residential REITs (continued)          
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.   880   $103,972 
Sun Communities, Inc.   2,965    329,826 
UDR, Inc.   3,500    111,335 
         1,606,632 
Retail REITs - 0.1%          
Agree Realty Corp.   4,403    246,304 
Getty Realty Corp.   3,189    84,891 
Realty Income Corp.   2,928    138,729 
         469,924 
Specialized REITs - 0.6%          
American Tower Corp.   1,580    281,540 
Equinix, Inc.   1,301    949,262 
Extra Space Storage, Inc.   1,779    184,287 
Public Storage   1,244    296,955 
SBA Communications Corp.   1,785    372,404 
         2,084,448 
Total Real Estate        6,507,146 
Utilities - 0.5%          
Electric Utilities - 0.5%          
Evergy, Inc.   30,225    1,485,256 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $107,491,141)        111,276,436 
           
PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.1%          
           
Information Technology - 0.1%          
Software - 0.1%          
Greenidge Generation Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 10/31/2026   10,000    60,700 
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., 8.375%, 6/30/2026   8,128    138,582 
           
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $454,013)        199,282 
           
CORPORATE BONDS - 12.6%          
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds- 12.6%          
Communication Services - 1.8%          
Entertainment - 0.5%          
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 4.054%, 3/15/2029   1,730,000    1,531,553 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 1.3%          
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China), 3.975%, 4/11/20292   4,720,000    4,241,851 
           
Total Communication Services        5,773,404 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Consumer Discretionary - 1.5%          
Broadline Retail - 1.5%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.          
(China), 2.125%, 2/9/2031   600,000   $461,167 
(China), 4.00%, 12/6/2037   2,860,000    2,147,321 
Amazon.com, Inc., 3.30%, 4/13/2027   2,300,000    2,155,708 
Total Consumer Discretionary        4,764,196 
Consumer Staples - 0.6%          
Beverages - 0.6%          
PepsiCo, Inc., 3.90%, 7/18/2032   2,360,000    2,094,738 
Energy - 1.5%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.2%          
Borr IHC Ltd. - Borr Finance LLC (Mexico), 10.00%, 11/15/20282   330,000    329,195 
Odfjell Rig III Ltd. (Norway), 9.25%, 5/31/2028   200,000    201,573 
         530,768 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.3%          
Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Co. FZE (United Arab Emirates), 8.50%, 9/24/20252   365,718    331,428 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 6.75%, 11/15/2039   1,530,000    1,485,308 
Energy Transfer LP, 6.50%, 2/1/2042.   2,728,000    2,529,802 
         4,346,538 
Total Energy        4,877,306 
           
Financials - 2.1%          
Banks - 1.9%          
Bank of America Corp., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.320%), 2.687%, 4/22/20323   1,990,000    1,528,610 
Citigroup, Inc., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.770%), 1.462%, 6/9/20273   1,850,000    1,627,858 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., (3 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 3.790%), 4.493%, 3/24/20313   3,140,000    2,836,587 
         5,993,055 
Consumer Finance - 0.1%          
Navient Corp., 6.75%, 6/25/2025   475,000    463,790 
Financial Services - 0.1%          
Golden Pear Funding HoldCo LLC, 10.00%, 3/2/2028   230,000    202,015 
U.S. Claims Litigation Funding LLC, 10.25%, 3/17/2028 (Acquired 03/14/2023, cost $250,000)4   250,000    223,004 
         425,019 
Total Financials        6,881,864 

 

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

 

32

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Industrials - 1.2%          
Ground Transportation - 0.3%          
BNSF Funding Trust I, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.350%), 6.613%, 12/15/20553   1,140,000   $1,098,439 
           
Passenger Airlines - 0.2%          
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2020-1, Class B, 8.00%, 8/15/20252   104,154    103,825 
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust          
Series 2018-1, Class B, 4.60%, 3/1/2026   64,489    59,552 
Series 2019-2, Class B, 3.50%, 5/1/2028   389,717    345,107 
         508,484 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.7%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC - AerCap          
Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 3.00%, 10/29/2028   1,260,000    1,062,836 
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), 4.00%, 5/1/20282   1,220,000    1,093,892 
         2,156,728 
Total Industrials        3,763,651 
           
Information Technology - 0.6%          
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.6%          
QUALCOMM, Inc., 4.25%, 5/20/2032   2,250,000    2,035,060 
           
Materials - 0.4%          
Metals & Mining - 0.4%          
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd. (Australia), 4.40%, 9/29/20272   1,275,845    1,148,575 
Northwest Acquisitions ULC - Dominion Finco, Inc., 7.125%, 11/1/2022 (Acquired 10/10/2017-09/18/2020, cost $89,149)4,5   497,000    50 
           
Total Materials        1,148,625 
           
Real Estate - 1.9%          
Industrial REITs - 0.1%          
IIP Operating Partnership LP, 5.50%, 5/25/2026   490,000    438,763 
Retail REITs - 1.0%          
Simon Property Group LP, 2.65%, 2/1/2032   4,230,000    3,225,116 
Specialized REITs - 0.8%          
SBA Tower Trust          
1.884%, 1/15/20262   520,000    471,310 
6.599%, 1/15/20282   1,960,000    1,956,217 
         2,427,527 
Total Real Estate        6,091,406 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
         
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Utilities - 1.0%          
Electric Utilities - 0.3%          
Alexander Funding Trust II, 7.467%, 7/31/20282   1,060,000   $1,051,259 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers -0.7%          
Palomino Funding Trust I, 7.233%, 5/17/20282   2,170,000    2,170,331 
Total Utilities        3,221,590 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS        40,651,840 
(Identified Cost $46,602,217)          
           
U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES - 28.3%          
           
U.S. Treasury Bonds - 4.1%          
U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.375%, 2/15/2042.   14,877,000    9,879,258 
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Bond, 2.375%, 1/15/2027   3,290,036    3,257,978 
Total U.S. Treasury Bonds          
(Identified Cost $15,499,105)        13,137,236 
U.S. Treasury Notes - 24.2%          
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note          
0.50%, 4/15/2024   8,419,193    8,280,758 
0.125%, 1/15/2031   4,694,131    3,968,504 
U.S. Treasury Note          
2.00%, 11/15/2026   11,245,000    10,334,858 
2.25%, 11/15/2027   15,590,000    14,108,950 
3.125%, 11/15/2028   11,096,000    10,237,794 
1.75%, 11/15/2029   16,380,000    13,766,878 
0.875%, 11/15/2030   13,115,000    10,041,172 
4.125%, 11/15/2032   8,217,000    7,759,929 
Total U.S. Treasury Notes          
(Identified Cost $82,026,884)        78,498,843 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $97,525,989)        91,636,079 
           
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 5.0%          
           
CF Hippolyta Issuer LLC, Series 2020-1, Class A1, 1.69%, 7/15/20602   921,938    836,118 
Commonbond Student Loan Trust, Series 2019-AGS, Class A1, 2.54%, 1/25/20472   562,364    487,773 
Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Series 2021-2A, Class A, 0.96%, 2/15/20302   486,753    481,871 
DataBank Issuer, Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 5.116%, 2/25/20532   1,600,000    1,453,989 
Flexential Issuer, Series 2021-1A, Class A2, 3.25%, 11/27/20512   2,100,000    1,817,725 
Goodgreen Trust, Series 2020-1A, Class A, 2.63%, 4/15/20552   923,002    757,072 

 

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

 

33

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)          
           
Hotwire Funding LLC, Series 2021-1, Class A2, 2.311%, 11/20/20512   1,950,000   $1,704,180 
Libra Solutions LLC Series 2022-2A, Class A, 6.85%, 10/15/20342   550,595    549,284 
Series 2023-1A, Class A, 7.00%, 2/15/20352   798,894    794,908 
Nelnet Student Loan Trust, Series 2012-3A, Class A, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.814%), 6.135%, 3/26/20402,6   184,321    182,111 
Oxford Finance Funding LLC Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 4.459%, 2/15/20272   8,693    8,682 
Series 2020-1A, Class A2, 3.101%, 2/15/20282   361,722    349,396 
Series 2022-1A, Class A2, 3.602%, 2/15/20302   1,925,000    1,818,239 
Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 6.716%, 2/15/20312   2,170,000    2,127,724 
PEAR LLC          
Series 2021-1, Class A, 2.60%, 1/15/20342   1,360,861    1,298,206 
Series 2023-1, Class A, 7.42%, 7/15/20352   908,688    897,721 
SLM Student Loan Trust, Series 2005-7, Class A4, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 90 Day Average + 0.412%), 5.746%, 10/25/20296   67,503    67,298 
SoFi Professional Loan Program Trust, Series 2018-B, Class A2FX, 3.34%, 8/25/20472   198,583    191,889 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust Series 2016-5, Class A1, 2.50%, 10/25/20562,7   72,555    71,672 
Series 2017-1, Class A1, 2.75%, 10/25/20562,7   41,091    40,689 
Series 2019-HY1, Class A1, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.114%), 6.439%, 10/25/20482,6   249,571    249,255 
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES         
(Identified Cost $17,315,665)        16,185,802 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 5.8%      
           
Brean Asset Backed Securities Trust, Series 2021-RM2, Class A, 1.75%, 10/25/20612,7   1,209,302    1,033,828 
CIM Trust, Series 2019-INV1, Class A1, 4.00%, 2/25/20492,7   35,875    32,802 
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2021-INV1, Class A3A, 2.50%, 5/25/20512,7   630,069    459,029 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust Series 2013-7, Class A6, 3.50%, 8/25/20432,7   130,880    114,251 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
     
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)    
     
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust (continued)          
Series 2013-IVR2, Class A2, 3.00%, 4/25/20432,7   283,897   $242,751 
Series 2013-IVR3, Class A1, 2.50%, 5/25/20432,7   257,753    207,768 
Series 2013-TH1, Class A1, 2.13%, 2/25/20432,7   145,445    117,444 
Series 2014-IVR3, Class A1, 3.50%, 7/25/20442,7   53,784    47,032 
Fannie Mae REMICS          
Series 2018-31, Class KP, 3.50%, 7/25/2047   22,501    21,681 
Series 2021-69, Class WJ, 1.50%, 10/25/2050   877,782    690,248 
Freddie Mac REMICS, Series 5189, Class CP, 2.50%, 6/25/2049   2,086,917    1,665,693 
Government National Mortgage          
Association, Series 2017-54, Class AH, 2.60%, 12/16/2056   286,630    251,945 
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust Series 2021-INV1, Class A9, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.850%), 5.00%, 12/25/20512,6   1,145,111    1,026,087 
Series 2021-PJ6, Class A8, 2.50%, 11/25/20512,7   902,166    740,541 
Series 2021-PJ9, Class A8, 2.50%, 2/26/20522,7   921,888    755,756 
Imperial Fund Mortgage Trust, Series 2021-NQM3, Class A1, 1.595%, 11/25/20562,7   1,024,902    785,697 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust          
Series 2014-2, Class 1A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20292,7   180,204    167,723 
Series 2017-2, Class A3, 3.50%, 5/25/20472,7   12,257    10,440 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust          
Series 2014-3A, Class AFX3, 3.75%, 11/25/20542,7   245,205    218,014 
Series 2015-2A, Class A1, 3.75%, 8/25/20552,7   283,003    255,688 
Series 2016-4A, Class A1, 3.75%, 11/25/20562,7   329,519    296,515 
PCG LLC, Series 2023-1, Class NOTE, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 6.000%), 11.324%, 7/25/2029 (Acquired 07/24/2023, cost $3,297,843)4,6   3,297,843    3,297,350 
PMT Loan Trust, Series 2013-J1, Class A9, 3.50%, 9/25/20432,7   879,492    770,041 
Provident Funding Mortgage Trust Series 2021-2, Class A2A, 2.00%, 4/25/20512,7   1,102,709    888,493 
Series 2021-INV1, Class A1, 2.50%, 8/25/20512,7   1,802,770    1,320,190 
RCKT Mortgage Trust, Series 2021-6, Class A1, 2.50%, 12/25/20512,7   1,185,162    861,768 

 

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

 

34

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) 
           
Sequoia Mortgage Trust          
Series 2013-2, Class A, 1.874%, 2/25/20437   222,586   $180,256 
Series 2013-6, Class A2, 3.00%, 5/25/20437   421,061    358,247 
Series 2013-7, Class A2, 3.00%, 6/25/20437   148,395    127,125 
Series 2013-8, Class A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20437   179,838    153,331 
Series 2017-6, Class A19, 3.50%, 9/25/20472,7   75,605    64,201 
Series 2020-1, Class A1, 3.50%, 2/25/20502,7   73,351    62,879 
Starwood Retail Property Trust, Series 2014-STAR, Class A, (Prime Rate + 0.000%), 8.50%, 11/15/20272,6   1,745,456    1,234,945 
Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-SBC8, Class A, 2.86%, 4/25/20412,7   145,039    132,242 
WinWater Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2015-1, Class A1, 3.50%, 1/20/20452,7   77,140    66,112 
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE- BACKED SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $22,281,870)        18,658,113 
           
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS - 0.1%          
           
Mexican Bonos, Series M, (Mexico), 7.75%, 5/29/2031  MXN 1,081,000    52,238 
Republic of Italy Government International Bond (Italy), 2.375%, 10/17/2024   380,000    367,203 
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS         
(Identified Cost $467,142)        419,441 
           
MUNICIPAL BONDS - 1.3%          
           
Clark County, Public Impt., Series A, G.O. Bond, 1.51%, 11/1/2028   2,530,000    2,102,642 
Hawaii, Series GC, G.O. Bond, 2.682%, 10/1/2038   1,835,000    1,245,380 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Series B, Revenue Bond, 2.329%, 12/1/2028   955,000    799,895 
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS          
(Identified Cost $5,385,553)        4,147,917 
           
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 11.0%          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities - 11.0%          
Fannie Mae          
Pool #AD0462, UMBS, 5.50%, 10/1/2024   541    537 
         
   SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)
Fannie Mae (continued)
Pool #MA3463, UMBS, 4.00%, 9/1/2033   324,325   $306,656 
Pool #MA1834, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2034   229,428    220,126 
Pool #MA1903, UMBS, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   161,469    154,923 
Pool #889576, UMBS, 6.00%, 4/1/2038   155,603    158,446 
Pool #MA3412, UMBS, 3.50%, 7/1/2038   278,440    250,993 
Pool #995196, UMBS, 6.00%, 7/1/2038   327,122    332,668 
Pool #AD0207, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   55,317    56,328 
Pool #AD0220, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   18,182    18,490 
Pool #MA0258, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2039   287,507    269,654 
Pool #AL1595, UMBS, 6.00%, 1/1/2040   223,173    227,250 
Pool #AL0152, UMBS, 6.00%, 6/1/2040   311,279    316,966 
Pool #MA4203, UMBS, 2.50%, 12/1/2040   1,964,203    1,627,451 
Pool #MA4687, UMBS, 4.00%, 6/1/2042   2,152,314    1,904,240 
Pool #AL7068, UMBS, 4.50%, 9/1/2042   94,393    88,531 
Pool #MA4934, UMBS, 5.00%, 2/1/2043   2,764,742    2,588,823 
Pool #AX5234, UMBS, 4.50%, 11/1/2044   327,949    302,423 
Pool #BD1381, UMBS, 3.50%, 6/1/2046   51,481    43,892 
Pool #BE7845, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2047   55,793    50,945 
Pool #AL8674, 5.645%, 1/1/2049   809,226    805,811 
Pool #FS1179, UMBS, 3.50%, 12/1/2049   2,079,802    1,771,501 
Pool #MA4020, UMBS, 3.00%, 5/1/2050   3,293,077    2,671,483 
Pool #FS4339, UMBS, 3.00%, 12/1/2050   2,546,750    2,082,484 
Pool #FS2696, UMBS, 3.00%, 12/1/2051   2,538,253    2,059,138 
Pool #FS4925, UMBS, 3.50%, 4/1/2052   2,283,020    1,932,614 
Pool #MA4644, UMBS, 4.00%, 5/1/2052   2,305,566    1,997,651 
Pool #BW1194, UMBS, 4.00%, 9/1/2052   2,037,627    1,763,916 
Pool #MA4733, UMBS, 4.50%, 9/1/2052   1,269,943    1,134,962 
Pool #MA4807, UMBS, 5.50%, 11/1/2052   1,166,456    1,108,536 

 

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

 

35

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM
SERIES
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
 
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)
Fannie Mae (continued)
Pool #MA4868, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2053   1,908,864   $1,759,928 
Freddie Mac
Pool #C91762, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   269,420    258,837 
Pool #C91771, 4.50%, 6/1/2034   4,391    4,218 
Pool #C91780, 4.50%, 7/1/2034   6,212    5,974 
Pool #G03781, 6.00%, 1/1/2038   61,208    62,413 
Pool #G03926, 6.00%, 2/1/2038   82,685    84,314 
Pool #G05900, 6.00%, 3/1/2040   46,376    47,289 
Pool #G05906, 6.00%, 4/1/2040   41,163    41,973 
Pool #A92889, 4.50%, 7/1/2040   487,761    454,303 
Pool #G08772, 4.50%, 7/1/2047   56,638    51,752 
Pool #ZS4751, UMBS, 3.50%, 1/1/2048   115,501    98,380 
Pool #SD8230, UMBS, 4.50%, 6/1/2052   2,379,435    2,126,526 
Pool #SD1360, UMBS, 5.50%, 7/1/2052   2,923,897    2,780,344 
Pool #SD8276, UMBS, 5.00%, 12/1/2052   1,823,009    1,680,771 
           
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
(Identified Cost $39,360,105)
        35,704,460 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 1.2%
 
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%8          
(Identified Cost $3,942,031)   3,942,031    3,942,031 
 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.8%
(Identified Cost $340,825,726)
        322,821,401 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.2%        788,937 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $323,610,338 

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

G.O. Bond - General Obligation Bond

Impt. - Improvement

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

MXN - Mexican Peso

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

REMICS - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits

UMBS - Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

*Non-income producing security.

## Less than 0.1%.

1Amount is stated in USD unless otherwise noted.

2Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $41,398,106, which represented 12.8% of the Series’ Net Assets.

3Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

 

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

 

36

 

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

4Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be illiquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of such securities at October 31, 2023 was $3,520,404, or 1.1% of the Series’ Net Assets.

5Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

6Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

7Variable 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. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

8Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

 37

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:     
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $340,825,726) (Note 2)  $322,821,401 
Cash   356 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $121)   119 
Interest receivable   1,589,548 
Receivable for fund shares sold   415,751 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   162,569 
Receivable for securities sold   108,366 
Dividends receivable   56,278 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   325,154,388 
      
LIABILITIES:
Accrued management fees1   162,587 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   114,335 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Class R) (Class L)1   105,890 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   24,233 
Directors' fees payable1   9,648 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   588,072 
Payable for securities purchased   423,361 
Distributions payable   29 
Other payables and accrued expenses   112,872 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,544,050 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1
 
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $323,610,338 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
 
Capital stock  $252,114 
Additional paid-in-capital   339,940,401 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (16,582,177)
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $323,610,338 

  

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

 

 38

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S    
($140,871,804/11,008,824 shares)  $12.80 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I     
($84,948,888/6,610,466 shares)  $12.85 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class R     
($20,748,665/1,612,930 shares)  $12.86 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class L     
($76,944,094/5,971,625 shares)  $12.88 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W     
($96,887/7,527 shares)  $12.87 
      

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

 

 39

 

 

Statement of Operations - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:     
      
Interest  $9,403,443 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $104,757)   2,596,727 
      
Total Investment Income   12,000,170 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   2,275,652 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class L) (Note 3)   840,456 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   444,977 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class R) (Note 3)   110,333 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   311,244 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   109,418 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   59,274 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Custodian fees   27,270 
Miscellaneous   446,898 
      
Total Expenses   4,633,946 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (47,881
      
Net Expenses   4,586,065 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   7,414,105 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on-     
Investments in securities   (3,226,707
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   (4,950)
      
    (3,231,657)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-     
Investments in securities   13,931,989 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   5,416 
      
    13,937,405 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY   10,705,748 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $18,119,853 

 

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

 

 40

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series

 

    FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
    FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
 
OPERATIONS:
 
Net investment income  $7,414,105   $3,750,507 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   (3,231,657)   760,153 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   13,937,405    (84,955,984)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   18,119,853    (80,445,324)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):
 
Class S   (2,599,491)   (14,925,675)
Class I   (1,651,840)   (11,807,969)
Class R   (236,954)   (2,294,244)
Class L   (208,513)   (9,164,505)
Class W   (3,088)   (15,840)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (4,699,886)   (38,208,233)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:
 
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (81,440,643)   1,169,308 
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (68,020,676)   (117,484,249)
           
NET ASSETS:
 
Beginning of year   391,631,014    509,115,263 
           
End of year  $323,610,338   $391,631,014 

 

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

 

 41

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class S

  

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED             
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $12.47    $15.88    $14.57    $13.96    $13.13 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.27    0.13    0.09    0.14    0.20 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.24    (2.56)   2.13    1.112    1.28 
Total from investment operations   0.51    (2.43)   2.22    1.25    1.48 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.17)   (0.05)   (0.07)   (0.14)   (0.17)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.01)   (0.93)   (0.84)   (0.50)   (0.48)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.18)   (0.98)   (0.91)   (0.64)   (0.65)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $12.80    $12.47    $15.88    $14.57    $13.96 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $140,872   $186,398   $244,965   $237,656   $179,977 
Total return3   4.05%   (16.27%)   15.78%    9.27%2    11.85% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   1.10%    1.07%    1.05%    1.07%    1.09% 
Net investment income   2.06%    0.94%    0.59%    1.02%    1.53% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    69%    74%    105%    53% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
    0.00%4    N/A    N/A    N/A    0.00%4 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.10. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 9.12%.

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

4Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

 42

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class I

  

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED             
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $12.53    $16.44    $15.49    $15.14    $14.52 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1    0.30    0.16    0.12    0.19    0.25 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.24    (2.58)   2.25    1.172    1.39 
Total from investment operations   0.54    (2.42)   2.37    1.36    1.64 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.21)   (0.10)   (0.16)   (0.27)   (0.30)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.01)   (1.39)   (1.26)   (0.74)   (0.72)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.22)   (1.49)   (1.42)   (1.01)   (1.02)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $12.85    $12.53    $16.44    $15.49    $15.14 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $84,949   $98,235   $127,248    $108,333   $111,637 
Total return3   4.29%   (16.09%)   16.10%    9.37%2    12.20% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   0.85%    0.85%    0.84%    0.85%    0.85% 
Net investment income   2.32%    1.15%    0.79%    1.26%    1.76% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    69%    74%    105%    53% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
    0.05%    0.00%4    N/A    0.01%    0.02% 

  

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.16. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 9.27%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

 43

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class R

  

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED             
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $12.52    $16.35    $15.32    $14.91    $14.20 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1    0.25    0.11    0.06    0.10    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.23    (2.58)   2.23    1.172    1.37 
Total from investment operations   0.48    (2.47)   2.29    1.27    1.55 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.13)   (0.07)   (0.10)   (0.17)   (0.18)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.01)   (1.29)   (1.16)   (0.69)   (0.66)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.14)   (1.36)   (1.26)   (0.86)   (0.84)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $12.86    $12.52    $16.35    $15.32    $14.91 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $20,749   $21,692   $28,121   $32,824   $7,610 
Total return3   3.77%   (16.43%)   15.62%    8.89%2    11.60% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   1.30%    1.26%    1.26%4    1.35%    1.35% 
Net investment income   1.87%    0.74%    0.39%    0.66%    1.26% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    69%    74%    105%    53% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
    N/A    N/A    N/A    0.01%    0.03% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.16. These proceeds impacted the total return by less than 0.01%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Without recoupment the expense ratio would have been 1.25%.

 

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

 

 44

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class L

  

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED             
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
                          
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $12.50    $16.44    $15.49    $15.12    $14.47 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss)1   0.18    0.03    (0.01)   0.04    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.23    (2.57)   2.23    1.182    1.40 
Total from investment operations   0.41    (2.54)   2.22    1.22    1.52 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.03)   (0.12)   (0.16)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.01)   (1.37)   (1.24)   (0.73)   (0.71)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.03)   (1.40)   (1.27)   (0.85)   (0.87)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $12.88    $12.50    $16.44    $15.49    $15.12 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $76,944   $85,200   $108,544   $95,532   $93,687 
Total return3   3.27%   (16.89%)   14.94%    8.43%2    11.10% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   1.82%    1.78%    1.77%    1.77%    1.80% 
Net investment income (loss)   1.35%    0.22%    (0.13%)   0.33%    0.81% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    69%    74%    105%    53% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    0.01% 

  

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.17. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 8.32%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

 

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

 

 45

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - Class W

October 31, 2023  

 

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE 
                     PERIOD 
                     4/1/191 TO 
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
                          
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of period   $12.60    $15.99    $14.65    $14.00    $13.27 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income2   0.40    0.26    0.24    0.28    0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.25    (2.58)   2.15    1.113    0.59 
Total from investment operations   0.65    (2.32)   2.39    1.39    0.82 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.37)   (0.14)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.09)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.01)   (0.93)   (0.84)   (0.50)   (0.00)4 
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.38)   (1.07)   (1.05)   (0.74)   (0.09)
                          
Net asset value - End of period   $12.87    $12.60    $15.99    $14.65    $14.00 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $97   $106   $238   $255   $132 
Total return5   5.10%   (15.53%)   16.98%    10.31%3    6.25% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   0.10%    0.10%    0.10%    0.10%    0.10%6 
Net investment income   3.06%    1.82%    1.54%    2.00%    3.15%6 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    69%    74%    105%    53% 
                          
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
    0.67%    0.64%    0.63%    0.63%    0.64%6 

  

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.10. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.16%. 

4Less than $(0.01). 

5Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

6Annualized.

 

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

 

 46

 

  

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

    AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
    AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
    ONE   FIVE   TEN
    YEAR1    YEAR   YEAR
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class S2    4.48%   5.31%   4.39%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class I2    4.76%   5.54%   4.64%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class R2,3   4.27%   5.05%   4.12%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class L2,3   3.67%   4.51%   3.60%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class W2,4   5.51%   6.22%   4.83%
40/15/45 Blended Index5   5.42%   4.89%   5.19%
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index6   0.36%   (0.06%)   0.88%

The following graph compares the value of a $10,000 investment in the Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class S for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the 40/15/45 Blended Index.

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.04% for Class S, 0.82% for Class I, 1.28% for Class R, 1.81% for Class L and 0.10% for Class W. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.04% for Class S, 0.82% for Class I, 1.28% for Class R, 1.81% for Class L and 0.76% for Class W for the year ended October 31, 2023. 

3For periods through the inception of Class L on January 4, 2010 and Class R on June 30, 2010, the performance is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares adjusted for the respective class’ charges and expenses. 

4For periods through April 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class S shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class S shares have a higher expense ratio.

 

47

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

5The 40/15/45 Blended Index is 40% Russell 3000® Index (Russell 3000), 15% MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (ACWIxUS), and 45% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BAB). Russell 3000 is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Index returns are based on a market capitalization weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. ACWIxUS is designed to measure large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index returns are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. BAB is an unmanaged, market value-weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities with maturities of one year or more. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). The returns of the indices do not reflect any fees or expenses. Returns provided are calculated monthly using a blended allocation. Because the fund’s asset allocation will vary over time, the composition of the fund’s portfolio may not match the composition of the comparative Indices. Index data referenced herein is the property of each index sponsor (London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (Russell), MSCI, and Bloomberg), their affiliates (“Index Sponsors”) and/or their third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. The Index Sponsors and their third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions. 

6The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market-value weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of one year or more. Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Index data referenced herein is the property of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (“Bloomberg”), and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. Bloomberg and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https:// go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

48

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses 

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

   BEGINNING    ENDING    EXPENSES PAID    ANNUALIZED
   ACCOUNT VALUE    ACCOUNT VALUE    DURING PERIOD*    EXPENSE
   5/1/23    10/31/23    5/1/23 - 10/31/23    RATIO
Class S                  
Actual  $1,000.00    $944.40    $5.20    1.06%
Hypothetical                  
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00    $1,019.86    $5.40    1.06%
Class I                  
Actual  $1,000.00    $945.50    $4.07    0.83%
Hypothetical                  
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00    $1,021.02    $4.23    0.83%
Class R                  
Actual  $1,000.00    $943.20    $6.37    1.30%
Hypothetical                  
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00    $1,018.65    $6.61    1.30%
Class L                  
Actual  $1,000.00    $940.60    $8.95    1.83%
Hypothetical                  
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00    $1,015.98    $9.30    1.83%
Class W                  
Actual  $1,000.00    $949.10    $0.49    0.10%
Hypothetical                  
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00    $1,024.70    $0.51    0.10%

 

49

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

50

 

 

Portfolio Composition - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - as of October 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Asset Allocation1
 
 
1As a percentage of net assets.
2A U.S. Treasury Bond is a long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period of more than ten years.
3A U.S. Treasury Note is an intermediate long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period between one and ten years.

 

Sector Allocation4
Financials 8.8%
Industrials 7.8%
Communication Services 7.0%
Consumer Staples 7.0%
Health Care 6.9%
Information Technology 5.9%
Consumer Discretionary 4.4%
Real Estate 4.1%
Utilities 1.3%
Materials 1.3%
Energy 1.2%
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4Including common stocks, preferred stocks and corporate bonds, as a percentage of total investments.
   
Top Ten Stock Holdings5
Amazon.com, Inc. 2.6%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A 2.0%
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A 2.0%
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A 1.9%
The Coca-Cola Co. 1.6%
Micron Technology, Inc. 1.5%
Johnson & Johnson 1.5%
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom) 1.5%
Visa, Inc. - Class A 1.4%
Electronic Arts, Inc. 1.4%
   
   
   
   
   
5As a percentage of total investments.  
   

 

51

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 46.1%        
         
Communication Services - 5.7%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.2%          
Cellnex Telecom S.A. - ADR (Spain)   19,365   $282,729 
Cellnex Telecom S.A. (Spain)2   14,612    429,536 
Helios Towers plc (Tanzania)*   148,490    109,282 
         821,547 
Entertainment - 1.3%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   56,892    7,042,661 
Interactive Media & Services - 4.2%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*   83,626    10,376,314 
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)2   74,983    567,191 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   33,964    10,232,334 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   15,800    584,738 
         21,760,577 
Total Communication Services        29,624,785 
Consumer Discretionary - 3.3%          
Broadline Retail - 2.7%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   100,192    13,334,553 
Dollarama, Inc. (Canada)   3,386    231,227 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)*   383    475,204 
         14,040,984 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.0%##          
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   1,391    124,996 
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.   3,822    230,046 
         355,042 
Household Durables - 0.1%          
Sony Group Corp. (Japan)   5,000    415,694 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.5%          
lululemon athletica, Inc. *   669    263,238 
NIKE, Inc. - Class B   22,403    2,302,356 
         2,565,594 
Total Consumer Discretionary        17,377,314 
Consumer Staples - 6.5%          
Beverages - 2.9%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   144,309    8,152,016 
Diageo plc (United Kingdom)   12,431    470,091 
Heineken N.V. - ADR (Netherlands)   133,161    5,992,245 
Heineken N.V. (Netherlands)   7,012    629,982 
         15,244,334 
Food Products - 1.9%          
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A   40,468    2,679,386 
Nestle S.A. - ADR   59,888    6,453,531 
Nestle S.A.   6,964    750,989 
         9,883,906 
Household Products - 0.1%          
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. - Class A (Mexico)   140,000    256,564 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Consumer Staples (continued)          
Personal Care Products - 1.6%          
Beiersdorf AG (Germany)   4,158   $546,860 
L’Oreal S.A. (France)   293    123,157 
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   159,939    7,573,112 
         8,243,129 
Total Consumer Staples        33,627,933 
Financials - 7.3%          
Banks - 0.2%          
FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A. (Italy)   43,992    518,958 
HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (India)   8,816    498,545 
         1,017,503 
Capital Markets - 3.1%          
Avanza Bank Holding AB (Sweden)   18,882    319,198 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   17,652    2,892,986 
Deutsche Boerse AG - ADR (Germany)   152,256    2,493,953 
Deutsche Boerse AG (Germany)   3,550    584,318 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   26,577    2,855,433 
Intermediate Capital Group plc (United Kingdom)   13,675    217,720 
Moody’s Corp.   16,138    4,970,504 
S&P Global, Inc.   5,000    1,746,550 
         16,080,662 
Financial Services - 3.2%          
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   25,723    9,680,851 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   30,982    7,283,868 
         16,964,719 
Insurance - 0.8%          
Admiral Group plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   92,707    2,743,200 
Admiral Group plc (United Kingdom)   27,935    830,026 
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)   2,492    547,218 
         4,120,444 
Total Financials        38,183,328 
Health Care - 6.9%          
Biotechnology - 1.5%          
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   45,816    3,731,713 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   11,191    4,052,373 
         7,784,086 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.7%
Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   39,753    2,835,184 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   8,847    3,534,111 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*   9,740    2,554,023 
Medtronic plc   75,019    5,293,341 
         14,216,659 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.5%          
Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)   662    231,835 

 

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

 

52

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023 

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Health Care (continued)          
Life Sciences Tools & Services (continued)          
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   5,016   $2,230,966 
         2,462,801 
Pharmaceuticals - 2.2%          
AstraZeneca plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   7,269    459,619 
Johnson & Johnson   53,075    7,873,146 
Novartis AG - ADR (Switzerland)   35,419    3,314,510 
         11,647,275 
Total Health Care        36,110,821 
Industrials - 6.9%          
Aerospace & Defense - 3.0%          
Airbus SE (France)   3,143    421,402 
BAE Systems plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   56,574    3,082,717 
BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom)   60,942    819,449 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   38,726    6,947,832 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   9,441    4,450,771 
         15,722,171 
Building Products - 1.0%          
Masco Corp.   98,191    5,114,769 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.1%          
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (Australia)   244,322    348,048 
Copart, Inc.*   74,222    3,230,141 
Rentokil Initial plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   73,120    1,871,141 
Rentokil Initial plc (United Kingdom)   81,771    416,418 
         5,865,748 
Ground Transportation - 1.6%          
Canadian National Railway Co. (Canada)   28,655    3,031,126 
CSX Corp.   97,687    2,915,957 
Union Pacific Corp.   12,426    2,579,762 
         8,526,845 
Machinery - 0.1%          
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)   32,000    292,145 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.1%          
IMCD N.V. (Netherlands)   2,507    301,832 
Transportation Infrastructure - 0.0%##          
Auckland International Airport Ltd. (New Zealand)   68,065    291,065 
Total Industrials        36,114,575 
Information Technology - 5.3%          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.2%          
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   13,328    299,725 
Keyence Corp. (Japan)   1,000    387,119 
         686,844 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Information Technology (continued)          
IT Services - 0.1%          
Endava plc - ADR (United Kingdom)*   4,135   $207,412 
Globant S.A. *   1,350    229,891 
Keywords Studios plc (Ireland)   14,089    223,719 
         661,022 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 2.4%          
Micron Technology, Inc.   120,000    8,024,400 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR (Taiwan)   53,302    4,600,495 
         12,624,895 
Software - 2.6%          
Atlassian Corp. - Class A *   1,669    301,488 
Microsoft Corp.   12,773    4,318,679 
Salesforce, Inc.*   14,919    2,996,183 
ServiceNow, Inc.*   10,019    5,829,555 
         13,445,905 
Total Information Technology        27,418,666 
Materials - 1.0%          
Chemicals - 1.0%          
Air Liquide S.A. (France)   2,521    431,979 
FMC Corp.   92,361    4,913,605 
Total Materials        5,345,584 
Real Estate - 2.7%          
Health Care REITs - 0.2%          
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   9,344    267,893 
Physicians Realty Trust   16,198    175,910 
Ventas, Inc.   7,790    330,763 
Welltower, Inc.   5,739    479,838 
         1,254,404 
Industrial REITs - 0.6%          
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.   19,964    523,456 
LXP Industrial Trust   43,339    342,812 
Prologis, Inc.   16,608    1,673,256 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   7,871    340,342 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   5,234    173,873 
Terreno Realty Corp.   6,414    341,738 
         3,395,477 
Office REITs - 0.1%          
Equity Commonwealth   20,436    387,058 
Residential REITs - 0.7%          
American Homes 4 Rent - Class A   5,892    192,904 
Apartment Income REIT Corp.   4,961    144,911 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   3,059    506,999 
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   8,329    548,048 
Essex Property Trust, Inc.   561    120,009 
Flagship Communities REIT   15,072    221,558 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   18,098    537,329 

 

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

 

53

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023 

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Real Estate (continued)          
Residential REITs (continued)          
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.   1,899   $224,367 
Sun Communities, Inc.   6,374    709,044 
UDR, Inc.   7,554    240,293 
         3,445,462 
Retail REITs - 0.2%          
Agree Realty Corp.   9,459    529,136 
Getty Realty Corp.   6,851    182,374 
Realty Income Corp.   6,289    297,973 
         1,009,483 
Specialized REITs - 0.9%          
American Tower Corp.   3,393    604,599 
Equinix, Inc.   2,795    2,039,344 
Extra Space Storage, Inc.   3,840    397,786 
Public Storage   2,706    645,949 
SBA Communications Corp.   3,840    801,139 
         4,488,817 
Total Real Estate        13,980,701 
Utilities - 0.5%          
Electric Utilities - 0.5%          
Evergy, Inc.   55,420    2,723,339 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $230,235,643)        240,507,046 
           
PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.1%          
           
Information Technology - 0.1%          
Software - 0.1%          
Argo Blockchain plc (United Kingdom), 8.75%, 11/30/2026   1,300    8,424 
Greenidge Generation Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 10/31/2026   14,200    86,194 
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., 8.375%, 6/30/2026   11,256    191,915 
           
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $670,026)        286,533 
           
CORPORATE BONDS - 9.5%          
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds- 9.5%          
Communication Services - 1.3%          
Entertainment - 0.4%          
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 4.054%, 3/15/2029   2,180,000    1,929,934 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
     
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Communication Services (continued)          
Interactive Media & Services - 0.9%          
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China), 3.975%, 4/11/20292   5,520,000   $4,960,809 
           
Total Communication Services        6,890,743 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 1.1%          
Broadline Retail - 1.1%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.          
(China), 2.125%, 2/9/2031   780,000    599,517 
(China), 4.00%, 12/6/2037   3,300,000    2,477,678 
Amazon.com, Inc., 3.30%, 4/13/2027   2,830,000    2,652,458 
           
Total Consumer Discretionary        5,729,653 
           
Consumer Staples - 0.5%          
Beverages - 0.5%          
PepsiCo, Inc., 3.90%, 7/18/2032   2,900,000    2,574,042 
           
Energy - 1.2%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.1%          
Borr IHC Ltd. - Borr Finance LLC (Mexico), 10.00%, 11/15/20282   530,000    528,708 
Odfjell Rig III Ltd. (Norway), 9.25%, 5/31/2028   200,000    201,572 
         730,280 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.1%          
Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Co. FZE (United Arab Emirates), 8.50%, 9/24/20252   573,103    519,369 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 6.75%, 11/15/2039   1,950,000    1,893,040 
Energy Transfer LP, 6.50%, 2/1/2042   3,450,000    3,199,346 
         5,611,755 
Total Energy        6,342,035 
           
Financials - 1.5%          
Banks - 1.3%          
Bank of America Corp., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.320%), 2.687%, 4/22/20323   2,330,000    1,789,780 
Citigroup, Inc., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.770%), 1.462%, 6/9/20273   2,230,000    1,962,229 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., (3 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 3.790%), 4.493%, 3/24/20313   3,330,000    3,008,228 
         6,760,237 
Consumer Finance - 0.1%          
Navient Corp., 6.75%, 6/25/2025   635,000    620,014 
Financial Services - 0.1%          
Golden Pear Funding HoldCo LLC, 10.00%, 3/2/2028   340,000    298,631 

 

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

 

54

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023 

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
     
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Financials (continued)          
Financial Services (continued)          
U.S. Claims Litigation Funding LLC, 10.25%, 3/17/2028 (Acquired 03/14/2023, cost $275,000)4   275,000   $245,304 
         543,935 
Total Financials        7,924,186 
           
Industrials - 0.9%          
Ground Transportation - 0.2%          
BNSF Funding Trust I, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.350%), 6.613%, 12/15/20553   1,140,000    1,098,439 
           
Passenger Airlines - 0.2%          
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2020-1, Class B, 8.00%, 8/15/20252   143,501    143,048 
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust          
Series 2018-1, Class B, 4.60%, 3/1/2026   91,359    84,365 
Series 2019-2, Class B, 3.50%, 5/1/2028   553,464    490,110 
         717,523 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.5%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC - AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 3.00%, 10/29/2028   1,490,000    1,256,845 
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), 4.00%, 5/1/20282   1,430,000    1,282,185 
         2,539,030 
Total Industrials        4,354,992 
           
Information Technology - 0.5%          
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.5%          
QUALCOMM, Inc.          
4.25%, 5/20/2032   1,785,000    1,614,481 
5.40%, 5/20/2033   970,000    948,511 
           
Total Information Technology        2,562,992 
           
Materials - 0.3%          
Metals & Mining - 0.3%          
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd. (Australia), 4.40%, 9/29/20272   1,515,066    1,363,933 
Northwest Acquisitions ULC - Dominion Finco, Inc., 7.125%, 11/1/2022 (Acquired 10/10/2017-09/18/2020, cost $118,233)4,5   653,000    65 
           
Total Materials        1,363,998 
           
Real Estate - 1.4%          
Industrial REITs - 0.1%          
IIP Operating Partnership LP, 5.50%, 5/25/2026   700,000    626,804 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)          
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Real Estate (continued)          
Retail REITs - 0.8%          
Simon Property Group LP, 2.65%, 2/1/2032   5,160,000   $3,934,184 
Specialized REITs - 0.5%          
Pelorus Fund REIT LLC, 7.00%, 9/30/2026 (Acquired 07/08/2022, cost $552,500)4   650,000    612,372 
SBA Tower Trust, 6.599%, 1/15/20282   2,225,000    2,220,705 
         2,833,077 
Total Real Estate        7,394,065 
Utilities - 0.8%          
Electric Utilities - 0.3%          
Alexander Funding Trust II, 7.467%, 7/31/20282   1,350,000    1,338,867 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers -0.5%
Palomino Funding Trust I, 7.233%, 5/17/20282   2,880,000    2,880,440 
           
Total Utilities        4,219,307 
           
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS          
(Identified Cost $56,023,030)        49,356,013 
           
U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES - 25.3%          
           
U.S. Treasury Bonds - 5.0%          
U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.375%, 2/15/2042          
(Identified Cost $31,667,360)   39,096,000    25,962,188 
U.S. Treasury Notes - 20.3%          
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note, 0.125%, 1/15/2031   11,204,585    9,472,559 
U.S. Treasury Note          
2.25%, 11/15/2027   13,271,000    12,010,255 
3.125%, 11/15/2028   16,975,000    15,662,090 
1.75%, 11/15/2029   22,990,000    19,322,377 
0.875%, 11/15/2030   32,757,000    25,079,578 
1.375%, 11/15/2031   19,545,000    15,034,380 
4.125%, 11/15/2032   10,245,000    9,675,122 
           
Total U.S. Treasury Notes          
(Identified Cost $112,860,895)        106,256,361 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $144,528,255)        132,218,549 
           
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 4.3%          
           
Aligned Data Centers Issuer LLC, Series 2021-1A, Class A2, 1.937%, 8/15/20462   1,800,000    1,570,459 
ALLO Issuer LLC, Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 6.20%, 6/20/20532   1,450,000    1,349,128 

 

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

 

55

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)          
           
CF Hippolyta Issuer LLC, Series 2020-1, Class A1, 1.69%, 7/15/20602   831,993   $754,545 
Commonbond Student Loan Trust, Series 2019-AGS, Class A1, 2.54%, 1/25/20472   549,751    476,832 
Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Series 2021-2A, Class A, 0.96%, 2/15/20302   513,795    508,642 
Flexential Issuer, Series 2021-1A, Class A2, 3.25%, 11/27/20512   2,150,000    1,861,004 
Hotwire Funding LLC, Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 5.687%, 5/20/20532   2,200,000    2,098,110 
Libra Solutions LLC, Series 2023-1A, Class A, 7.00%, 2/15/20352   923,939    919,329 
Nelnet Student Loan Trust, Series 2012-3A, Class A, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.814%), 6.135%, 3/26/20402,6   166,729    164,731 
New Economy Assets Phase 1 Sponsor LLC, Series 2021-1, Class A1, 1.91%, 10/20/20612   2,275,000    1,945,287 
Oxford Finance Funding LLC          
Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 4.459%, 2/15/20272   74,472    74,375 
Series 2020-1A, Class A2, 3.101%, 2/15/20282   349,057    337,164 
Series 2022-1A, Class A2, 3.602%, 2/15/20302   1,975,000    1,865,466 
Series 2023-1A, Class A2, 6.716%, 2/15/20312   2,550,000    2,500,321 
PEAR LLC          
Series 2021-1, Class A, 2.60%, 1/15/20342   1,391,499    1,327,434 
Series 2023-1, Class A, 7.42%, 7/15/20352   1,258,183    1,242,998 
Slam Ltd., Series 2021-1A, Class A, (Cayman Islands), 2.434%, 6/15/20462   1,537,560    1,307,971 
SoFi Professional Loan Program Trust, Series 2018-B, Class A2FX, 3.34%, 8/25/20472   233,961    226,074 
Stack Infrastructure Issuer LLC, Series 2021-1A, Class A2, 1.877%, 3/26/20462   1,500,000    1,330,927 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
Series 2016-5, Class A1, 2.50%, 10/25/20562,7   58,420    57,709 
Series 2017-1, Class A1, 2.75%, 10/25/20562,7   51,502    50,997 
Series 2019-HY1, Class A1, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.114%), 6.439%, 10/25/20482,6   308,875    308,484 
           
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES          
(Identified Cost $24,031,284)        22,277,987 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 3.7%
           
Brean Asset Backed Securities Trust, Series 2021-RM2, Class A, 1.75%, 10/25/20612,7   1,209,302   $1,033,828 
CIM Trust, Series 2019-INV1, Class A1, 4.00%, 2/25/20492,7   34,196    31,266 
Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2021-INV1, Class A3A, 2.50%, 5/25/20512,7   840,091    612,038 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust          
Series 2013-IVR3, Class A1, 2.50%, 5/25/20432,7   163,616    131,886 
Series 2013-TH1, Class A1, 2.13%, 2/25/20432,7   97,193    78,482 
Series 2014-IVR3, Class A1, 3.50%, 7/25/20442,7   53,308    46,616 
Fannie Mae REMICS          
Series 2018-31, Class KP, 3.50%, 7/25/2047   17,309    16,678 
Series 2021-69, Class WJ, 1.50%, 10/25/2050   871,188    685,063 
Freddie Mac REMICS, Series 5189, Class CP, 2.50%, 6/25/2049   1,879,091    1,499,815 
Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-54, Class AH, 2.60%, 12/16/2056   289,591    254,548 
GS Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust          
Series 2021-INV1, Class A9, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.850%), 5.00%, 12/25/20512,6   1,166,007    1,044,811 
Series 2021-PJ6, Class A8, 2.50%, 11/25/20512,7   890,500    730,966 
Series 2021-PJ9, Class A8, 2.50%, 2/26/20522,7   921,888    755,756 
Imperial Fund Mortgage Trust, Series 2021-NQM3, Class A1, 1.595%, 11/25/20562,7   1,049,304    804,404 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust          
Series 2014-2, Class 1A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20292,7   143,075    133,166 
Series 2017-2, Class A3, 3.50%, 5/25/20472,7   105,571    89,917 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust          
Series 2014-3A, Class AFX3, 3.75%, 11/25/20542,7   175,897    156,392 
Series 2015-2A, Class A1, 3.75%, 8/25/20552,7   237,897    214,935 
Series 2016-4A, Class A1, 3.75%, 11/25/20562,7   268,728    241,812 
OBX Trust, Series 2022-INV1, Class A1, 3.00%, 12/25/20512,7   1,424,678    1,093,203 
PCG LLC, Series 2023-1, Class NOTE, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 6.000%), 11.324%, 7/25/2029 (Acquired 07/24/2023, cost $3,797,516)4,6   3,797,516    3,796,948 
PMT Loan Trust, Series 2013-J1, Class A9, 3.50%, 9/25/20432,7   899,272    787,359 

 

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

 

56

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

           
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES    SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued) 
            
Provident Funding Mortgage Trust           
Series 2021-2, Class A2A, 2.00%, 4/25/20512,7    1,083,363   $872,905 
Series 2021-INV1, Class A1, 2.50%, 8/25/20512,7    1,802,770    1,320,190 
RCKT Mortgage Trust, Series 2021-6, Class A1, 2.50%, 12/25/20512,7    1,865,532    1,356,487 
Sequoia Mortgage Trust           
Series 2013-2, Class A, 1.874%, 2/25/20437    99,526    80,598 
Series 2013-6, Class A2, 3.00%, 5/25/20437    463,505    394,360 
Series 2013-7, Class A2, 3.00%, 6/25/20437    99,480    85,221 
Series 2013-8, Class A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20437    115,754    98,692 
Starwood Retail Property Trust, Series 2014-STAR, Class A, (Prime Rate + 0.000%), 8.50%, 11/15/20272,6    1,167,416    825,970 
Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-SBC8, Class A, 2.86%, 4/25/20412,7    153,803    140,232 
WinWater Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2015-1, Class A1, 3.50%, 1/20/20452,7    43,716    37,466 
            
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES           
(Identified Cost $23,302,394)         19,452,010 
            
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS - 0.1% 
            
Mexican Bonos, Series M, (Mexico), 7.75%, 5/29/2031  MXN 972,000    46,971 
Republic of Italy Government International Bond (Italy), 2.375%, 10/17/2024    440,000    425,182 
            
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT BONDS           
(Identified Cost $517,600)         472,153 
            
MUNICIPAL BONDS - 0.6%           
            
Clark County, Public Impt., Series A, G.O. Bond, 1.51%, 11/1/2028    2,340,000    1,944,736 
Hawaii, Series GC, G.O. Bond, 2.682%, 10/1/2038    1,795,000    1,218,233 
South Carolina Public Service Authority, Series B, Revenue Bond, 2.329%, 12/1/2028    230,000    192,645 
            
TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS           
(Identified Cost $4,429,124)         3,355,614 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 8.3%          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities - 8.3%          
Fannie Mae          
Pool #AD0462, UMBS, 5.50%, 10/1/2024   394   $391 
Pool #MA3463, UMBS, 4.00%, 9/1/2033   201,745    190,755 
Pool #MA1834, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2034   272,985    261,917 
Pool #MA1903, UMBS, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   114,876    110,219 
Pool #889576, UMBS, 6.00%, 4/1/2038   103,706    105,600 
Pool #889579, UMBS, 6.00%, 5/1/2038   83,631    85,159 
Pool #MA3412, UMBS, 3.50%, 7/1/2038   278,440    250,993 
Pool #995196, UMBS, 6.00%, 7/1/2038   4,945    5,029 
Pool #AD0207, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   263,326    268,137 
Pool #AD0220, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   8,811    8,961 
Pool #MA0258, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2039   183,293    171,911 
Pool #AL1595, UMBS, 6.00%, 1/1/2040   108,764    110,751 
Pool #AL0152, UMBS, 6.00%, 6/1/2040   207,460    211,250 
Pool #MA4203, UMBS, 2.50%, 12/1/2040   1,952,649    1,617,878 
Pool #AL0241, UMBS, 4.00%, 4/1/2041   325,489    294,780 
Pool #AI5172, UMBS, 4.00%, 8/1/2041   202,138    182,404 
Pool #AL1410, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2041   358,629    333,163 
Pool #MA4687, UMBS, 4.00%, 6/1/2042   2,413,728    2,135,525 
Pool #MA4934, UMBS, 5.00%, 2/1/2043   3,502,006    3,279,176 
Pool #AL7729, UMBS, 4.00%, 6/1/2043   183,790    165,847 
Pool #AX5234, UMBS, 4.50%, 11/1/2044   192,201    177,241 
Pool #AS4103, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2044   251,991    232,481 
Pool #BC6764, UMBS, 3.50%, 4/1/2046   137,791    117,479 
Pool #BD6997, UMBS, 4.00%, 10/1/2046   83,357    73,762 
Pool #BE7845, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2047   93,743    85,598 
Pool #AL8674, 5.645%, 1/1/2049   690,963    688,047 
Pool #FS1179, UMBS, 3.50%, 12/1/2049   2,253,777    1,919,687 
Pool #FS4339, UMBS, 3.00%, 12/1/2050   4,008,773    3,277,984 

 

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

 

57

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023 

 

         
  PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (continued)
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)
Fannie Mae (continued)          
Pool #FS4511, UMBS, 4.00%, 8/1/2051   1,458,430   $1,283,547 
Pool #FS2696, UMBS, 3.00%, 12/1/2051   2,873,410    2,331,031 
Pool #MA4600, UMBS, 3.50%, 5/1/2052   2,565,313    2,138,926 
Pool #MA4644, UMBS, 4.00%, 5/1/2052   2,495,064    2,161,842 
Pool #BW1194, UMBS, 4.00%, 9/1/2052   3,696,161    3,199,661 
Pool #MA4733, UMBS, 4.50%, 9/1/2052   2,800,388    2,502,736 
Pool #MA4807, UMBS, 5.50%, 11/1/2052   1,111,348    1,056,165 
Pool #MA4868, UMBS, 5.00%, 1/1/2053   3,531,399    3,255,866 
Freddie Mac          
Pool #C91762, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   180,813    173,711 
Pool #C91771, 4.50%, 6/1/2034   160,187    153,895 
Pool #C91780, 4.50%, 7/1/2034   224,036    215,446 
Pool #G03926, 6.00%, 2/1/2038   41,343    42,157 
Pool #G05906, 6.00%, 4/1/2040   37,996    38,744 
Pool #Q33778, 4.00%, 6/1/2045   232,674    206,627 
Pool #SD8044, UMBS, 3.00%, 2/1/2050   2,393,464    1,944,875 
Pool #SD1129, UMBS, 4.00%, 8/1/2051   2,609,453    2,296,548 
Pool #SD8230, UMBS, 4.50%, 6/1/2052   2,152,390    1,923,614 
Pool #SD8276, UMBS, 5.00%, 12/1/2052   2,361,410    2,177,164 
           
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES          
(Identified Cost $48,183,250)        43,464,680 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 1.7%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%8          
(Identified Cost $8,812,386)   8,812,386    8,812,386 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.7%          
(Identified Cost $540,732,992)        520,202,971 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.3%        1,521,990 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $521,724,961 

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt 

G.O. Bond - General Obligation Bond 

Impt. - Improvement 

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate 

MXN - Mexican Peso 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

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

 

58

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

REMICS - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits

UMBS - Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

*Non-income producing security.

## Less than 0.1%.

1Amount is stated in USD unless otherwise noted.

2Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $51,052,865, which represented 9.8% of the Series’ Net Assets.

3Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

4Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be illiquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of such securities at October 31, 2023 was $4,654,689, or 0.9% of the Series’ Net Assets.

5Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

6Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

7Variable 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. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

8Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

59 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:    
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $540,732,992) (Note 2)  $520,202,971 
Cash   454 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $56)   55 
Interest receivable   2,065,578 
Receivable for fund shares sold   943,448 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   290,002 
Receivable for securities sold   207,090 
Dividends receivable   126,177 
Prepaid expenses   1,650 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   523,837,425 
      
LIABILITIES:     
      
Accrued management fees1   270,538 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Class R) (Class L)1   149,280 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   99,724 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   27,348 
Directors' fees payable1   14,414 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for securities purchased   735,418 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   664,906 
Other payables and accrued expenses .   147,813 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   2,112,464 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1     
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $521,724,961 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
      
Capital stock  $305,801 
Additional paid-in-capital   546,057,312 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (24,638,152)
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $521,724,961 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

60 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series

October 31, 2023

 

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S    
($263,178,966/15,450,351 shares)  $17.03 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I     
($130,709,046/7,652,559 shares)  $17.08 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class R     
($41,368,148/2,419,045 shares)  $17.10 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class L     
($86,349,103/5,051,151 shares)  $17.09 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W     
($119,698/6,963 shares)  $17.19 

 

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

 

61 

 

Statement of Operations - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:      
       
Interest   $10,928,651 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $206,327)    4,897,406 
       
Total Investment Income    15,826,057 
       
EXPENSES:      
       
Management fees (Note 3)    3,366,778 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class L) (Note 3)    921,007 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)    706,363 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class R) (Note 3)    219,154 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)    260,328 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)    125,724 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)    88,529 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)    8,424 
Custodian fees    32,242 
Miscellaneous    615,974 
       
Total Expenses    6,344,523 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)    (814) 
       
Net Expenses    6,343,709 
       
NET INVESTMENT INCOME    9,482,348 
       
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:      
       
Net realized gain (loss) on-      
Investments in securities    (11,254,134) 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities    (6,580) 
       
     (11,260,714) 
     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-      
Investments in securities    27,091,185 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities    10,495 
       
     27,101,680 
       
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY    15,840,966 
       
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $25,323,314 

 

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

62 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series

 

   FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
   FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:          
           
OPERATIONS:          
           
Net investment income  $9,482,348   $5,335,686 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   (11,260,714)   17,080,685 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   27,101,680    (151,203,764)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   25,323,314    (128,787,393)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
           
Class S   (10,357,244)   (17,424,664)
Class I   (5,577,862)   (21,511,938)
Class R   (1,405,689)   (4,776,610)
Class L   (2,408,982)   (10,616,950)
Class W   (5,507)   (387)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (19,755,284)   (54,330,549)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (30,117,008)   2,073,496 
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (24,548,978)   (181,044,446)
           

NET ASSETS:

          
           
Beginning of year   546,273,939    727,318,385 
           
End of year  $521,724,961   $546,273,939 

 

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

63 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class S

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
  10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $16.90   $21.76   $19.12   $18.02   $16.85 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.31   0.17   0.11   0.16   0.22 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.46   (3.98)  3.80   1.722   1.87 
Total from investment operations  0.77   (3.81)  3.91   1.88   2.09 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.20)  (0.05)  (0.06)  (0.12)  (0.15)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.44)  (1.00)  (1.21)  (0.66)  (0.77)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.64)  (1.05)  (1.27)  (0.78)  (0.92)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $17.03   $16.90   $21.76   $19.12   $18.02 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $263,179   $276,523   $365,077   $334,977   $276,300 
Total return3  4.48%   (18.35%)  21.19%   10.74%2   13.16% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.04%   1.02%   1.01%   1.02%   1.05% 
Net investment income  1.78%   0.91%   0.54%   0.87%   1.31%
Series portfolio turnover  56%   66%   66%   120%   61% 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   0.01% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years.

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.70. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.63%.

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

 

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

64 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class I

  

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
  10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $16.96   $23.33   $22.09   $21.83   $21.56 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.35   0.21   0.17   0.24   0.31 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  0.47   (4.00)  4.22   2.002   2.27 
Total from investment operations  0.82   (3.79)  4.39   2.24   2.58 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.26)  (0.19)  (0.26)  (0.41)  (0.48)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.44)  (2.39)  (2.89)  (1.57)  (1.83)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.70)  (2.58)  (3.15)  (1.98)  (2.31)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $17.08   $16.96   $23.33   $22.09   $21.83 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $130,709   $137,658   $192,593   $149,603   $117,991 
Total return3  4.76%   (18.14%)  21.48%   10.88%2   13.36% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.82%   0.79%   0.79%   0.81%4   0.85% 
Net investment income  2.00%   1.14%   0.75%   1.06%   1.51% 
Series portfolio turnover  56%   66%   66%   120%   61% 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   0.01% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years.

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.98. These proceeds impacted the total return by less than 0.01%.

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

4Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.

 

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

65 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class R

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $16.94    $22.80    $21.08    $20.48    $19.87 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1    0.27    0.13    0.08    0.09    0.21 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.46    (4.00)   4.05    1.962    2.09 
Total from investment operations   0.73    (3.87)   4.13    2.05    2.30 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.13)   (0.10)   (0.13)   (0.21)   (0.24)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.44)   (1.89)   (2.28)   (1.24)   (1.45)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.57)   (1.99)   (2.41)   (1.45)   (1.69)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $17.10    $16.94    $22.80    $21.08    $20.48 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)   $41,368    $42,104    $56,058    $52,600    $6,149 
Total return3    4.27%    (18.48%)   20.86%    10.53%2    12.73% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   1.28%    1.25%    1.24%    1.31%4    1.35% 
Net investment income   1.54%    0.68%    0.31%    0.41%    1.02% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    66%    66%    120%    61% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:  
      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       0.02%  

  

1 Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2 During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.94. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.43%. 

3 Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

4 Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.

 

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

 

66

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class L

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $16.93    $23.08    $21.54    $21.10    $20.63 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss)1    0.18    0.03    (0.04)   0.02    0.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.45    (4.03)   4.15    1.962    2.19 
Total from investment operations   0.63    (4.00)   4.11    1.98    2.30 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.03)   (0.04)   (0.02)   (0.15)   (0.21)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.44)   (2.11)   (2.55)   (1.39)   (1.62)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.47)   (2.15)   (2.57)   (1.54)   (1.83)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $17.09    $16.93    $23.08    $21.54    $21.10 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)   $86,349    $89,871    $113,582    $100,254    $100,804 
Total return3    3.67%    (19.03%)   20.38%    9.87%2    12.26% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   1.81%    1.78%    1.76%    1.77%    1.80% 
Net investment income (loss)   1.01%    0.16%    (0.22%)   0.13%    0.57% 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    66%    66%    120%    61% 
                          
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
      N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       0.00% 4

  

1 Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2 During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.94. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 9.76%. 

3 Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4 Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

67

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE 
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20  

PERIOD
4/1/191  TO
10/31/19 

 
                          
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of period   $17.04    $21.85    $19.18    $18.08    $17.04 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income2    0.48    0.39    0.30    0.33    0.23 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   0.47    (4.04)   3.82    1.713    0.90 
Total from investment operations   0.95    (3.65)   4.12    2.04    1.13 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.36)   (0.16)   (0.24)   (0.28)   (0.09)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.44)   (1.00)   (1.21)   (0.66)   (0.00)4 
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.80)   (1.16)   (1.45)   (0.94)   (0.09)
Net asset value - End of period   $17.19    $17.04    $21.85    $19.18    $18.08 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)   $120    $118    $7    $6    $5 
Total return5    5.51%    (17.60%)   22.34%    11.70%3    6.69% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses*   0.10%    0.10%    0.10%    0.10%    0.10%6 
Net investment income   2.72%    2.23%    1.44%    1.78%    2.20%6 
Series portfolio turnover   56%    66%    66%    120%    61% 
                          
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
      0.66%       0.63%       0.62%       0.62%       0.62% 6 

 

1 Commencement of operations. 

2 Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3 During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $1.69. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 11.64%. 

4 Less than $(0.01). 

5 Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

6 Annualized.

 

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

 

68

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

   AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023 
  

ONE

YEAR1 

  

FIVE

YEAR

  

TEN

YEAR

 
Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class S2   6.24%   7.69%   6.83% 
Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class I2   6.42%   7.97%   7.10% 
Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class R2,3   5.96%   7.45%   6.58% 
Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class L2,3   5.44%   6.91%   6.05% 
Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class W2,4   7.25%   8.68%   7.32% 
Russell 3000®  Index5   8.38%   10.23%   10.52% 
65/20/15 Blended Index6   8.02%   7.51%   7.59% 

 

The following graph compares the value of a $10,000 investment in the Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series - Class S for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Russell 3000®  Index and the 65/20/15 Blended Index.

 

 

 

1 The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

2 The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.10% for Class S, 0.85% for Class I, 1.33% for Class R, 1.85% for Class L and 0.10% for Class W. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.16% for Class S, 0.93% for Class I, 1.33% for Class R, 1.87% for Class L and 0.81% for Class W for the year ended October 31, 2023. 

3 For periods through the inception of Class L on January 4, 2010 and Class R on June 30, 2010, the performance is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares adjusted for the respective class’ charges and expenses. 

4 For periods through April 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class S shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class S shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class S shares have a higher expense ratio. 

5 The Russell 3000®  Index is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. The Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. The Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index data referenced herein is the property of London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (“LSE Group”) and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. LSE Group and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

69

 

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 - Pro-Blend®  Maximum Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

6 The 65/20/15 Blended Index is 65% Russell 3000®  Index (Russell 3000), 20% MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (ACWIxUS), and 15% Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BAB). Russell 3000 is an unmanaged index that consists of 3,000 of the largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. The Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. ACWIxUS is designed to measure large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. BAB is an unmanaged, market value-weighted index of U.S. domestic investment-grade debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities with maturities of one year or more. Index returns provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). The returns of the indices do not reflect any fees or expenses. Returns provided are calculated monthly using a blended allocation. Because the fund’s asset allocation will vary over time, the composition of the fund’s portfolio may not match the composition of the comparative Indices. Index data referenced herein is the property of each index sponsor (London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (Russell), MSCI, and Bloomberg), their affiliates ("Index Sponsors") and/or their third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. The Index Sponsors and their third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

70

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.


 

   BEGINNING
ACCOUNT VALUE
5/1/23
   ENDING
ACCOUNT VALUE
10/31/23
   EXPENSES PAID
DURING PERIOD* 
5/1/23 - 10/31/23
   ANNUALIZED
EXPENSE
RATIO
 
Class S                
Actual  $1,000.00   $949.50   $5.41   1.10% 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.66   $5.60   1.10% 
Class I                
Actual  $1,000.00   $950.50   $4.18   0.85% 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.92   $4.33   0.85% 
Class R                
Actual  $1,000.00   $948.00   $6.63   1.35% 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.40   $6.87   1.35% 
Class L                
Actual  $1,000.00   $945.50   $9.07   1.85% 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,015.88   $9.40   1.85% 
Class W                
Actual  $1,000.00   $953.90   $0.49   0.10% 
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,024.70   $0.51   0.10% 

 

71

 

 

Shareholder Expense Example - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

(unaudited)

 

* Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

72

 

 

Portfolio Composition - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - as of October 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Asset Allocation1

 

1As a percentage of net assets.

2A U.S. Treasury Bond is a long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period of more than ten years.

3A U.S. Treasury Note is an intermediate long-term obligation of the U.S. Treasury issued with a maturity period between one and ten years.

 

Sector Allocation4
   
Health Care 14.7%
Financials 13.3%
Information Technology 12.6%
Industrials 9.5%
Communication Services 9.3%
Consumer Staples 9.2%
Consumer Discretionary 8.2%
Real Estate 4.0%
Materials 1.5%
Energy 0.9%
Utilities 0.7%
   
4Including common stocks, preferred stocks and corporate bonds, as a percentage of total investments.
   
Top Ten Stock Holdings5
   
Amazon.com, Inc. 3.7%
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A 3.3%
Johnson & Johnson 2.6%
ServiceNow, Inc. 2.5%
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A 2.4%
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A 2.3%
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. 2.3%
Visa, Inc. - Class A 2.2%
Electronic Arts, Inc. 2.1%
Micron Technology, Inc. 2.1%
   
5As a percentage of total investments.
   


73

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 80.9%        
         
Communication Services - 8.9%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.9%          
Cellnex Telecom S.A. - ADR (Spain)   234,460   $3,423,116 
Cellnex Telecom S.A. (Spain)2   6,634    195,014 
Helios Towers plc (Tanzania)*   64,740    47,645 
         3,665,775 
Entertainment - 2.1%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   69,733    8,632,248 
Interactive Media & Services - 5.8%          
Alphabet, Inc. - Class A*   78,856    9,784,453 
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)2   61,591    465,890 
Meta Platforms, Inc. - Class A*   44,764    13,486,050 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   12,900    477,413 
         24,213,806 
Media - 0.1%          
Comcast Corp. - Class A   5,625    232,256 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   619    46,370 
Paramount Global - Class B   1,716    18,670 
         297,296 
Total Communication Services        36,809,125 
Consumer Discretionary - 7.9%          
Broadline Retail - 4.3%          
Amazon.com, Inc.*   113,780    15,142,980 
Dollarama, Inc. (Canada)   2,784    190,117 
eBay, Inc.   1,278    50,136 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Brazil)*   1,834    2,275,517 
         17,658,750 
Distributors - 0.0%##          
Genuine Parts Co.   414    53,348 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.0%##          
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   615    55,264 
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.   1,642    98,832 
         154,096 
Household Durables - 1.0%          
Sony Group Corp. - ADR (Japan)   46,271    3,842,807 
Sony Group Corp. (Japan)   4,100    340,869 
         4,183,676 
Specialty Retail - 0.1%          
The Home Depot, Inc.   1,179    335,649 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 2.5%          
lululemon athletica, Inc. *   9,890    3,891,517 
NIKE, Inc. - Class B   64,620    6,640,998 
         10,532,515 
Total Consumer Discretionary        32,918,034 
Consumer Staples - 9.0%          
Beverages - 4.5%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   143,663    8,115,523 
Constellation Brands, Inc. - Class A   23,763    5,564,107 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Consumer Staples (continued)          
Beverages (continued)          
Diageo plc (United Kingdom)   8,965   $339,021 
Heineken N.V. - ADR (Netherlands)   91,913    4,136,085 
Heineken N.V. (Netherlands)   4,769    428,463 
         18,583,199 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail - 0.0%##          
Sysco Corp.   857    56,982 
Food Products - 3.0%          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   1,116    79,872 
Bunge Ltd.   438    46,419 
Campbell Soup Co.   956    38,632 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   1,479    40,465 
General Mills, Inc.   1,300    84,812 
The J.M. Smucker Co.   338    38,478 
KellanovA   650    32,805 
The Kraft Heinz Co.   1,815    57,100 
Mondelez International, Inc. - Class A   75,709    5,012,693 
Nestle S.A. - ADR   61,106    6,584,783 
Nestle S.A   5,726    617,485 
Tyson Foods, Inc. - Class A   840    38,934 
         12,672,478 
Household Products - 0.1%          
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   1,575    118,314 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. - Class A (Mexico)   97,800    179,229 
         297,543 
Personal Care Products - 1.4%          
Beiersdorf AG (Germany)   3,421    449,930 
L'Oreal S.A. (France)   206    86,588 
Unilever plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   107,817    5,105,135 
         5,641,653 
Total Consumer Staples        37,251,855 
Energy - 0.4%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.1%          
Halliburton Co.   1,629    64,085 
Schlumberger N.V   1,885    104,919 
         169,004 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.3%          
Chevron Corp.   1,788    260,565 
ConocoPhillips   1,531    181,883 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   1,829    50,297 
Devon Energy Corp.   1,259    58,632 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.   390    62,525 
EOG Resources, Inc.   896    113,120 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   2,874    304,213 
Marathon Oil Corp.   1,341    36,623 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   847    128,109 
Phillips 66   705    80,419 


 

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

 

74

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Energy (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
Valero Energy Corp.   535   $67,945 
         1,344,331 
Total Energy        1,513,335 
Financials - 12.8%          
Banks - 1.9%          
Bank of America Corp.   7,285    191,887 
Citigroup, Inc.   3,248    128,263 
Fifth Third Bancorp.   1,786    42,346 
FinecoBank Banca Fineco S.p.A. (Italy)   30,741    362,641 
HDFC Bank Ltd. - ADR (India)   61,450    3,474,997 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   3,193    30,812 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   23,764    3,304,622 
Regions Financial Corp.   2,697    39,187 
Truist Financial Corp.   2,119    60,095 
U.S. Bancorp.   2,852    90,922 
Wells Fargo & Co.   4,049    161,029 
         7,886,801 
Capital Markets - 5.7%          
Avanza Bank Holding AB (Sweden)   14,285    241,487 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   31,015    5,083,048 
Deutsche Boerse AG - ADR (Germany)   151,114    2,475,247 
Deutsche Boerse AG (Germany)   2,921    480,786 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   32,364    3,477,188 
Intermediate Capital Group plc (United Kingdom)   9,588    152,651 
Moody's Corp.   21,964    6,764,912 
S&P Global, Inc.   13,931    4,866,238 
         23,541,557 
Financial Services - 4.5%          
Mastercard, Inc. - Class A   25,579    9,626,657 
Visa, Inc. - Class A   38,093    8,955,664 
         18,582,321 
Insurance - 0.7%          
Admiral Group plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   62,063    1,836,444 
Admiral Group plc (United Kingdom)   19,590    582,073 
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.   605    44,437 
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)   2,054    451,038 
The Travelers Companies, Inc.   529    88,576 
         3,002,568 
Total Financials        53,013,247 
Health Care - 14.7%          
Biotechnology - 1.9%          
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   61,690    5,024,651 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   2,170    170,432 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Health Care (continued)          
Biotechnology (continued)          
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   7,068   $2,559,393 
         7,754,476 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 4.6%          
Abbott Laboratories   2,023    191,274 
Alcon, Inc. (Switzerland)   49,868    3,556,586 
Baxter International, Inc.   1,102    35,738 
Boston Scientific Corp.*   37,737    1,931,757 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*   9,098    3,634,378 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*   12,940    3,393,127 
Medtronic plc   88,897    6,272,572 
         19,015,432 
Health Care Providers & Services - 2.4%          
CVS Health Corp.   39,632    2,735,004 
Humana, Inc.   9,608    5,031,614 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   365    47,487 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   3,597    1,926,409 
         9,740,514 
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 1.0%          
Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)   481    168,448 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   9,155    4,071,869 
         4,240,317 
Pharmaceuticals - 4.8%          
AstraZeneca plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   85,181    5,385,995 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   2,942    151,601 
Johnson & Johnson   73,787    10,945,564 
Merck & Co., Inc.   3,097    318,062 
Novartis AG - ADR (Switzerland)   33,486    3,133,620 
Pfizer, Inc.   5,792    177,003 
Sandoz Group AG - ADR (Switzerland)*   1    26 
         20,111,871 
Total Health Care        60,862,610 
Industrials - 9.3%          
Aerospace & Defense - 4.3%          
Airbus SE (France)   2,541    340,688 
BAE Systems plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   36,006    1,961,967 
BAE Systems plc (United Kingdom)   50,132    674,094 
General Dynamics Corp.   563    135,858 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   52,735    9,461,186 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   429    195,041 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   10,773    5,078,715 
RTX Corp.   1,627    132,421 
         17,979,970 
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.1%          
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   439    35,924 
FedEx Corp.   347    83,315 


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

 

75

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Industrials (continued)          
Air Freight & Logistics (continued)          
United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B   1,025   $144,781 
         264,020 
Building Products - 1.4%          
Masco Corp.   115,521    6,017,489 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.2%          
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (Australia)   179,039    255,049 
Copart, Inc.*   44,494    1,936,379 
Rentokil Initial plc - ADR (United Kingdom)   100,185    2,563,734 
Rentokil Initial plc (United Kingdom)   67,396    343,214 
         5,098,376 
Electrical Equipment - 0.0%##          
Emerson Electric Co.   1,228    109,255 
Ground Transportation - 1.9%          
Canadian National Railway Co. (Canada)   19,462    2,058,691 
CSX Corp.   65,840    1,965,324 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   9,732    1,856,768 
Union Pacific Corp.   9,238    1,917,901 
         7,798,684 
Industrial Conglomerates - 0.1%          
3M Co.   973    88,494 
Honeywell International, Inc.   1,053    192,973 
         281,467 
Machinery - 0.1%          
Caterpillar, Inc.   902    203,897 
Cummins, Inc.   385    83,275 
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)   26,000    237,368 
         524,540 
Professional Services - 0.0%##          
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   339    57,847 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.1%          
IMCD N.V. (Netherlands)   2,043    245,968 
Transportation Infrastructure - 0.1%          
Auckland International Airport Ltd. (New Zealand)   55,468    237,197 
Total Industrials        38,614,813 
Information Technology - 12.4%          
Communications Equipment - 0.1%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   5,289    275,716 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.1%          
Corning, Inc.   1,484    39,712 
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   9,728    218,767 
Keyence Corp. (Japan)   700    270,983 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Information Technology (continued)        
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)          
TE Connectivity Ltd.   611   $72,006 
         601,468 
IT Services - 1.3%          
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class A   884    56,991 
Endava plc - ADR (United Kingdom)*   3,405    170,795 
Globant S.A. *   1,100    187,319 
International Business Machines Corp.   1,016    146,954 
Keywords Studios plc (Ireland)   11,485    182,370 
Snowflake, Inc. - Class A*   33,845    4,911,925 
         5,656,354 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 4.4%          
Analog Devices, Inc.   920    144,744 
Applied Materials, Inc.   35,682    4,722,513 
Broadcom, Inc.   358    301,211 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   1,015    72,359 
Micron Technology, Inc.   127,782    8,544,782 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   1,700    185,283 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   399    34,609 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - ADR (Taiwan)   45,927    3,963,959 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,072    152,235 
         18,121,695 
Software - 6.5%          
Atlassian Corp. - Class A *   1,371    247,658 
Intuit, Inc.   6,816    3,373,579 
Microsoft Corp.   22,226    7,514,833 
Salesforce, Inc.*   26,252    5,272,189 
ServiceNow, Inc.*   18,126    10,546,613 
         26,954,872 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 0.0%##          
NetApp, Inc.   666    48,471 
Total Information Technology        51,658,576 
Materials - 1.4%          
Chemicals - 1.4%          
Air Liquide S.A. (France)   2,073    355,213 
Dow, Inc.   1,282    61,972 
FMC Corp.   99,935    5,316,542 
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   572    39,096 
PPG Industries, Inc.   462    56,720 
         5,829,543 
Containers & Packaging - 0.0%##          
Packaging Corp. of America   261    39,946 
Total Materials        5,869,489 


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

 

76

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Real Estate - 3.6%          
Health Care REITs - 0.1%          
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   4,067   $116,601 
Physicians Realty Trust   7,092    77,019 
Ventas, Inc.   3,404    144,534 
Welltower, Inc.   2,590    216,550 
         554,704 
Industrial REITs - 0.4%          
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.   8,700    228,114 
LXP Industrial Trust   18,840    149,024 
Prologis, Inc.   7,126    717,945 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   3,460    149,610 
STAG Industrial, Inc.   2,281    75,775 
Terreno Realty Corp.   2,780    148,118 
         1,468,586 
Office REITs - 0.0%##          
Equity Commonwealth   8,821    167,070 
Residential REITs - 0.4%          
American Homes 4 Rent - Class A   2,533    82,930 
Apartment Income REIT Corp.   2,174    63,503 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.   1,335    221,263 
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.   3,630    238,854 
Essex Property Trust, Inc.   244    52,197 
Flagship Communities REIT   6,837    100,504 
Invitation Homes, Inc.   7,886    234,135 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.   826    97,592 
Sun Communities, Inc.   2,784    309,692 
UDR, Inc.   3,284    104,464 
         1,505,134 
Retail REITs - 0.1%          
Agree Realty Corp.   4,122    230,585 
Getty Realty Corp.   2,950    78,529 
Realty Income Corp.   2,741    129,868 
         438,982 
Specialized REITs - 2.6%          
American Tower Corp.   1,474    262,652 
Equinix, Inc.   7,219    5,267,271 
Extra Space Storage, Inc.   1,669    172,892 
Public Storage   1,194    285,020 
SBA Communications Corp.   22,765    4,749,462 
         10,737,297 
Total Real Estate        14,871,773 
Utilities - 0.5%          
Electric Utilities - 0.5%          
Evergy, Inc.   46,610    2,290,415 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS         
(Identified Cost $318,566,177)        335,673,272 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.0%##          
           
Information Technology - 0.0%##          
Software - 0.0%##          
Argo Blockchain plc (United Kingdom), 8.75%, 11/30/2026   2,921   $18,928 
Greenidge Generation Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 10/31/2026   5,500    33,385 
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., 8.375%, 6/30/2026   4,566    77,850 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Identified Cost $325,131)
        130,163 
           
CORPORATE BONDS - 2.9%          
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds- 2.9%          
Communication Services - 0.4%          
Entertainment - 0.1%          
Warnermedia Holdings, Inc., 4.054%, 3/15/2029   510,000    451,498 
Interactive Media & Services - 0.3%          
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China), 3.975%, 4/11/20292   1,370,000    1,231,216 
Total Communication Services        1,682,714 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 0.3%          
Broadline Retail - 0.3%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.          
(China), 2.125%, 2/9/2031   250,000    192,153 
(China), 4.00%, 12/6/2037   750,000    563,109 
Amazon.com, Inc., 3.30%, 4/13/2027   670,000    627,967 
Total Consumer Discretionary        1,383,229 
           
Consumer Staples - 0.2%          
Beverages - 0.2%          
PepsiCo, Inc., 3.90%, 7/18/2032   660,000    585,816 
           
Energy - 0.5%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.1%          
Borr IHC Ltd. - Borr Finance LLC (Mexico), 10.00%, 11/15/20282   210,000    209,488 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.4%          
Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Co. FZE (United Arab Emirates), 8.50%, 9/24/20252   233,280    211,408 
Cenovus Energy, Inc. (Canada), 6.75%, 11/15/2039   740,000    718,384 
Energy Transfer LP, 6.50%, 2/1/2042   790,000    732,604 
         1,662,396 
Total Energy        1,871,884 
Financials - 0.5%          
Banks - 0.4%          
Bank of America Corp., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.320%), 2.687%, 4/22/20323   600,000    460,887 


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

 

77

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued) 
Financials (continued)          
Banks (continued)          
Citigroup, Inc., (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.770%), 1.462%, 6/9/20273   540,000   $475,159 
JPMorgan Chase & Co., (3 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 3.790%), 4.493%, 3/24/20313   830,000    749,798 
         1,685,844 
Consumer Finance - 0.1%          
Navient Corp., 6.75%, 6/25/2025   235,000    229,454 
Financial Services - 0.0%##          
Golden Pear Funding HoldCo LLC, 10.00%, 3/2/2028   135,000    118,574 
Total Financials        2,033,872 
           
Industrials - 0.2%          
Ground Transportation - 0.0%##          
BNSF Funding Trust I, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.350%), 6.613%, 12/15/20553   240,000    231,250 
Passenger Airlines - 0.1%          
Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2020-1, Class B, 8.00%, 8/15/20252   50,920    50,759 
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust          
Series 2018-1, Class B, 4.60%, 3/1/2026   32,245    29,776 
Series 2019-2, Class B, 3.50%, 5/1/2028   257,410    227,944 
         308,479 
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.1%          
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC - AerCap Global Aviation Trust (Ireland), 3.00%, 10/29/2028   300,000    253,056 
Ashtead Capital, Inc. (United Kingdom), 4.00%, 5/1/20282   230,000    206,226 
         459,282 
Total Industrials        999,011 
Information Technology - 0.1%          
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.1%          
QUALCOMM, Inc., 4.25%, 5/20/2032   445,000    402,490 
Materials - 0.1%          
Metals & Mining - 0.1%          
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group Pty Ltd. (Australia), 4.40%, 9/29/20272   349,805    314,911 
Northwest Acquisitions ULC - Dominion Finco, Inc., 7.125%, 11/1/2022 (Acquired 10/10/2017-09/18/2020, cost $44,437)4,5   220,000    22 
Total Materials        314,933 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
CORPORATE BONDS (continued)        
           
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)          
Real Estate - 0.4%          
Industrial REITs - 0.0%##          
IIP Operating Partnership LP, 5.50%, 5/25/2026   230,000   $205,950 
Retail REITs - 0.2%          
Simon Property Group LP, 2.65%, 2/1/2032   1,180,000    899,678 
Specialized REITs - 0.2%          
Pelorus Fund REIT LLC, 7.00%, 9/30/2026 (Acquired 07/08/2022, cost  $208,250)4   245,000    230,817 
SBA Tower Trust, 6.599%, 1/15/20282   405,000    404,218 
         635,035 
Total Real Estate        1,740,663 
           
Utilities - 0.2%          
Electric Utilities - 0.1%          
Alexander Funding Trust II, 7.467%, 7/31/20282   320,000    317,361 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers - 0.1%          
Palomino Funding Trust I, 7.233%, 5/17/20282   640,000    640,098 
Total Utilities        957,459 
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Identified Cost $13,386,982)
        11,972,071 
           
U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES - 13.9%          
           
U.S. Treasury Bonds - 1.4%          
U.S. Treasury Bond, 2.375%, 2/15/2042 (Identified Cost $6,829,520)   8,940,000    5,936,719 
U.S. Treasury Notes - 12.5%          
U.S. Treasury Inflation Indexed Note,          
0.125%, 1/15/2031   2,954,472    2,497,764 
U.S. Treasury Note          
3.125%, 11/15/2028   14,084,000    12,994,691 
1.75%, 11/15/2029   28,270,000    23,760,051 
0.875%, 11/15/2030   16,510,000    12,640,469 
Total U.S. Treasury Notes
(Identified Cost $54,654,445)
        51,892,975 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES
(Identified Cost $61,483,965)
        57,829,694 
           
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - 0.0%##          
           
Commonbond Student Loan Trust, Series 2019-AGS, Class A1, 2.54%, 1/25/20472   4,730    4,103 


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

 

78

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)          
           
Nelnet Student Loan Trust, Series 2012-3A, Class A, (U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate 30 Day Average + 0.814%), 6.135%, 3/26/20402,6   8,562   $8,460 
Oxford Finance Funding LLC          
Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 4.459%, 2/15/20272   3,767    3,762 
Series 2020-1A, Class A2, 3.101%, 2/15/20282   4,221    4,078 
SoFi Professional Loan Program Trust,          
Series 2018-B, Class A2FX, 3.34%, 8/25/20472   3,004    2,902 
Towd Point Mortgage Trust          
Series 2016-5, Class A1, 2.50%, 10/25/20562,7   718    709 
Series 2017-1, Class A1, 2.75%, 10/25/20562,7   529    524 
Series 2019-HY1, Class A1, (1 mo. U.S. Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.114%), 6.439%, 10/25/20482,6   3,231    3,227 
Tricon American Homes Trust, Series 2017-SFR2, Class A, 2.928%, 1/17/20362   9,730    9,652 
TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(Identified Cost $38,914)
        37,417 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES - 0.0%##          
           
CIM Trust, Series 2019-INV1, Class A1, 4.00%, 2/25/20492,7   345    315 
Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Trust          
Series 2013-IVR3, Class A1, 2.50%, 5/25/20432,7   1,943    1,567 
Series 2014-IVR3, Class A1, 3.50%, 7/25/20442,7   2,746    2,401 
Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2017-54, Class AH, 2.60%, 12/16/2056   3,243    2,850 
JP Morgan Mortgage Trust          
Series 2014-2, Class 1A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20292,7   1,699    1,582 
Series 2017-2, Class A3, 3.50%, 5/25/20472,7   5,404    4,602 
New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust          
Series 2014-3A, Class AFX3, 3.75%, 11/25/20542,7   2,100    1,867 
Series 2015-2A, Class A1, 3.75%, 8/25/20552,7   2,910    2,629 
Series 2016-4A, Class A1, 3.75%, 11/25/20562,7   3,222    2,900 
PMT Loan Trust, Series 2013-J1, Class A9, 3.50%, 9/25/20432,7   3,208    2,809 
Sequoia Mortgage Trust          
Series 2013-2, Class A, 1.874%, 2/25/20437   1,189    963 
         
  SHARES/
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT1
   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
     
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES (continued)          
           
Sequoia Mortgage Trust (continued)          
Series 2013-6, Class A2, 3.00%, 5/25/20437   3,382   $2,877 
Series 2013-8, Class A1, 3.00%, 6/25/20437   1,433    1,221 
Starwood Retail Property Trust, Series 2014-STAR, Class A, (Prime Rate + 0.000%), 8.50%, 11/15/20272,6   14,572    10,310 
Sutherland Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-SBC8, Class A, 2.86%, 4/25/20412,7   7,887    7,192 
TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(Identified Cost $54,955)
        46,085 
           
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - 0.0%##          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities - 0.0%##          
Fannie Mae          
Pool #MA1834, UMBS, 4.50%, 2/1/2034   3,293    3,159 
Pool #AD0207, UMBS, 6.00%, 10/1/2038   3,245    3,304 
Pool #MA0258, UMBS, 4.50%, 12/1/2039   2,259    2,119 
Pool #AL8674, 5.645%, 1/1/2049   8,481    8,445 
Freddie Mac          
Pool #C91762, 4.50%, 5/1/2034   2,262    2,173 
Pool #C91771, 4.50%, 6/1/2034   1,968    1,891 
Pool #C91780, 4.50%, 7/1/2034   2,718    2,614 
TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
(Identified Cost $26,925)
        23,705 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 2.0%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%8          
(Identified Cost $8,497,275)   8,497,275    8,497,275 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.7%
(Identified Cost $402,380,324)
        414,209,682 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES -0.3%        1,049,887 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $415,259,569 


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

 

79

 

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt 

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust 

UMBS - Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

*Non-income producing security. 

## Less than 0.1%. 

1Amount is stated in USD unless otherwise noted. 

2Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $4,322,180, which represented 1.0% of the Series’ Net Assets.

3Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

4Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be illiquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of such securities at October 31, 2023 was $230,839, or 0.1% of the Series’ Net Assets.

5Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

6Floating rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

7Variable 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. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of October 31, 2023.

8Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

 80

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:    
     
Investments in securities, at value (identified cost $402,380,324) (Note 2)  $414,209,682 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $40)   40 
Receivable for fund shares sold   813,890 
Interest receivable   688,891 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   401,053 
Dividends receivable   111,042 
Receivable for securities sold   89,469 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   416,314,067 
      
LIABILITIES:     
      
Due to custodian   1,087 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   149,407 
Accrued management fees1   126,293 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Class R) (Class L)1   111,596 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   20,692 
Directors' fees payable1   11,494 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for securities purchased   301,394 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   150,399 
Accrued transfer agent fees   115,482 
Other payables and accrued expenses   63,631 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   1,054,498 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1     
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $415,259,569 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
      
Capital stock  $195,619 
Additional paid-in-capital   396,100,701 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   18,963,249 
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $415,259,569 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

 

 81

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

October 31, 2023

 

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S 

($235,842,791/11,124,944 shares) 

  $21.20 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I 

($86,866,344/4,077,424 shares) 

  $21.30 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class R 

($41,847,410/1,967,047 shares) 

  $21.27 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class L 

($49,439,269/2,333,626 shares) 

  $21.19 
      

NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W 

($1,263,755/58,845 shares) 

  $21.48 

 

 

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

 

 82

 

 

Statement of Operations - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:     
      
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $165,931)  $5,310,939 
Interest   2,794,198 
      
Total Investment Income   8,105,137 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   2,684,928 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   650,991 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class L) (Note 3)   509,094 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class R) (Note 3)   223,088 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   394,675 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   103,658 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   70,947 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Transfer agent fees   444,521 
Custodian fees   30,016 
Miscellaneous   289,391 
      
Total Expenses   5,409,733 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (240,248)
      
Net Expenses   5,169,485 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   2,935,652 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on-     
Investments   6,738,538 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   (1,641)
      
    6,736,897 
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-     
Investments   18,304,703 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   24,001 
      
    18,328,704 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY   25,065,601 
      
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $28,001,253 

 

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

 

 83

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series

 

    
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/23
    FOR THE YEAR ENDED 10/31/22 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:          
           
OPERATIONS:          
           
Net investment income  $2,935,652   $1,381,874 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   6,736,897    46,462,969 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   18,328,704    (166,535,500)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   28,001,253    (118,690,657)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
           
Class S   (25,379,691)   (18,792,228)
Class I   (8,810,837)   (17,907,893)
Class R   (4,218,822)   (5,663,011)
Class L   (4,662,158)   (8,253,452)
Class W   (139,872)   (52,825)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (43,211,380)   (50,669,409)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   2,180,592    27,404,994 
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (13,029,535)   (141,955,072)
           
NET ASSETS:          
           
Beginning of year   428,289,104    570,244,176 
           
End of year  $415,259,569   $428,289,104 

 

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

 

 84

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - Class S

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $22.09   $29.84   $22.70   $21.32   $20.59 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.16   0.08   0.02   0.05   0.14 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1.21   (6.13)  7.95   2.402   2.44 
Total from investment operations  1.37   (6.05)  7.97   2.45   2.58 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.11)  (0.01)     (0.03)  (0.08)
From net realized gain on investments  (2.15)  (1.69)  (0.83)  (1.04)  (1.77)
Total distributions to shareholders  (2.26)  (1.70)  (0.83)  (1.07)  (1.85)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $21.20   $22.09   $29.84   $22.70   $21.32 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $235,843   $249,884   $331,183   $261,094   $229,540 
Total return3  6.24%   (21.39%)  35.82%   11.85%2   14.19% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.10%   1.10%   1.10%   1.10%   1.10% 
Net investment income  0.71%   0.33%   0.06%   0.25%   0.70% 
Series portfolio turnover  56%   62%   49%   88%   73% 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
  0.06%   0.03%   0.00%4   N/A   0.01% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.37. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 11.70%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

 85

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - Class I

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $22.19   $33.24   $26.55   $26.72   $28.93 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income1  0.21   0.14   0.09   0.14   0.25 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1.20   (6.23)  9.03   2.892   2.92 
Total from investment operations  1.41   (6.09)  9.12   3.03   3.17 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.15)  (0.17)  (0.08)  (0.25)  (0.37)
From net realized gain on investments  (2.15)  (4.79)  (2.35)  (2.95)  (5.01)
Total distributions to shareholders  (2.30)  (4.96)  (2.43)  (3.20)  (5.38)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $21.30   $22.19   $33.24   $26.55   $26.72 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $86,866   $86,355   $120,573   $71,034   $79,352 
Total return3  6.42%   (21.17%)  36.17%   12.23%2   14.44% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85% 
Net investment income  0.96%   0.58%   0.31%   0.51%   0.94% 
Series portfolio turnover  56%   62%   49%   88%   73% 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the years, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
  0.08%   0.05%   0.04%   0.04%   0.05% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.86. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 12.11%. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the years.

 

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

 

 86

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - Class R

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $22.17   $31.61   $24.71   $24.10   $24.81 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)1  0.10   0.04   (0.04)  (0.00)2   0.11 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1.21   (6.21)  8.52   2.683   2.68 
Total from investment operations  1.31   (6.17)  8.48   2.68   2.79 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.06)  (0.04)  (0.00)2  (0.08)  (0.12)
From net realized gain on investments  (2.15)  (3.23)  (1.58)  (1.99)  (3.38)
Total distributions to shareholders  (2.21)  (3.27)  (1.58)  (2.07)  (3.50)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $21.27   $22.17   $31.61   $24.71   $24.10 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $41,847   $42,363   $54,899   $46,036   $13,767 
Total return4  5.96%   (21.59%)  35.60%   11.69%3   13.84% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.33%   1.32%   1.29%   1.30%   1.34% 
Net investment income (loss)  0.48%   0.12%   (0.12%)  (0.01%)  0.46% 
Series portfolio turnover  56%   62%   49%   88%   73% 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   0.00%5 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2Less than $(0.01). 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.65. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 11.60%. 

4Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

5Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

 87

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - Class L

  

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $22.13   $32.87   $26.30   $26.30   $28.07 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment loss1  (0.01)  (0.10)  (0.21)  (0.10)  0.002 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1.22   (6.23)  8.95   2.843   2.92 
Total from investment operations  1.21   (6.33)  8.74   2.74   2.92 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income           (0.03)  (0.08)
From net realized gain on investments  (2.15)  (4.41)  (2.17)  (2.71)  (4.61)
Total distributions to shareholders  (2.15)  (4.41)  (2.17)  (2.74)  (4.69)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $21.19   $22.13   $32.87   $26.30   $26.30 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $49,439   $48,415   $62,765   $52,854   $54,415 
Total return4  5.49%   (21.99%)  34.77%   11.09%3   13.40% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.85%   1.84%   1.82%   1.81%   1.82% 
Net investment loss  (0.04%)  (0.41%)  (0.65%)  (0.46%)  (0.03%)
Series portfolio turnover  56%   62%   49%   88%   73% 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
  0.02%   N/A   N/A   N/A   0.01% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2Less than $0.01. 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.81. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 10.87%. 

4Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years.

 

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

 

 88

 

 

Financial Highlights - Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - Class W

 

 

  FOR THE YEAR ENDED     FOR THE
           PERIOD
           4/1/191 TO
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $22.33   $30.11   $22.84   $21.39   $20.12 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2  0.38   0.34   0.29   0.27   0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1.22   (6.19)  8.01   2.413   1.24 
Total from investment operations  1.60   (5.85)  8.30   2.68   1.36 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.30)  (0.24)  (0.20)  (0.19)  (0.09)
From net realized gain on investments  (2.15)  (1.69)  (0.83)  (1.04)  (0.00)4
Total distributions to shareholders  (2.45)  (1.93)  (1.03)  (1.23)  (0.09)
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $21.48   $22.33   $30.11   $22.84   $21.39 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $1,264   $1,273   $825   $615   $551 
Total return5  7.30%   (20.58%)  37.19%   12.97%3   6.79% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.10%   0.10%   0.10%   0.10%   0.10%6 
Net investment income  1.71%   1.34%   1.06%   1.25%   1.04%6 
Series portfolio turnover  56%   62%   49%   88%   73% 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
  0.71%   0.69%   0.67%   0.66%   0.65%6 

 

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3During the reporting period the Fund settled legal claims against an issuer of securities previously held by the Fund. As a result, the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share includes proceeds received from the settlement. Without these proceeds the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments per share would have been $2.38. Excluding the proceeds from the settlement, the total return would have been 12.82%. 

4Less than $(0.01). 

5Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

6Annualized.

 

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

 

 89

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.Organization

 

Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series (each the “Series”) are no-load diversified series of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Fund is organized in Maryland and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended, as an open-end management investment company.

 

The Series are asset allocation funds. Each invests in a combination of stocks, bonds and cash and is managed according to specific objectives. The objectives are as follows: Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series - primary objective is preservation of capital; secondary objective is to provide income and long-term growth of capital. Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series - equal emphasis on long-term growth of capital and preservation of capital. Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series - primary objective is long-term growth of capital; secondary objective is preservation of capital. Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series - primary objective is long-term growth of capital.

 

Each Series is authorized to issue six classes of shares (Class S, I, R, L, W, and Z). Each class of shares is substantially the same, except that class-specific distribution and shareholder servicing expenses are borne by the specific class of shares to which they relate.

 

On November 4, 2022, a Reverse Stock Split, approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors, was executed for Classes I, L, and R of the Series after the close of trading. Shareholders who owned Classes I, L and R shares of the Series received a proportional number of Classes I, L, and R shares of the Series. All share and per share amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and footnotes reflect the reverse stock split. Following the Reverse Stock Split, the total dollar value of a shareholder’s investment in the Series remained unchanged and each shareholder owned the same percentage (by value) of the Series as the shareholder did immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split.

 

Reverse Stock Split Ratios for the impacted Series are as follows:

 

   REVERSE
   STOCK SPLIT
   RATIO
SERIES/CLASS  (old to new)
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class I  1 : 0.692071
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class L  1 : 0.649731
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class R  1 : 0.651270
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class I  1 : 0.419216
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class L  1 : 0.473967
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class R  1 : 0.530327
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class I  1 : 0.353232
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class L  1 : 0.383285
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class R  1 : 0.523261
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class I  1 : 0.669604
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class L  1 : 0.679883
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class R  1 : 0.721733

 

The Fund’s Advisor is Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”). Shares of each Series are offered to investors and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. The total authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of 15 billion shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01. As of October 31, 2023, 6.4 billion shares have been designated in total among 15 series, of which 162.5 million have been designated as Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class S common stock, 75 million have been designated as Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class I common stock, 125 million each have been designated as Class S common stock and Class I common stock for Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, 125 million each have been designated as Class S common stock for Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series, 200 million each have been designated as Class I common stock for Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series, 52.5

 

 90

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

1.Organization (continued)

 

million have been designated in each of the Series as Class R common stock, 25 million have been designated in each of the Series as Class L common stock, 100 million have been designated in each of the Series as Class W common stock and Class Z common stock. Class Z common stock is not currently offered for sale.

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Series. Each Series is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - Investment Companies, which is part of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Security Valuation

Portfolio securities, including domestic equities, foreign equities, warrants and options, listed on an exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the latest quoted sales price of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. Securities not traded on valuation date or securities not listed on an exchange are valued at the latest quoted bid price provided by the Fund’s pricing service. Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Debt securities, including government bonds, foreign bonds, asset-backed securities, structured notes, supranational obligations, sovereign bonds, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities will normally be valued on the basis of evaluated bid prices provided directly by an independent pricing service (the “Service”). The pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated defaulted rates, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Certain investments in securities held by the Series may be valued on a basis of a price provided directly by a principal market maker. These prices may differ from the value that would have been used had a broader market for securities existed.

 

Municipal securities will normally be valued on the basis of market valuations provided by an independent pricing service. The Service utilizes the latest price quotations and a matrix system (which considers such factors as security prices of similar securities, yields, maturities and ratings). The Service has been approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

Short-term investments that mature in sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value per share on valuation date.

 

Volume and level of activity in established markets for an asset or liability are evaluated to determine whether recent transactions and quoted prices are determinative of fair value. Where there have been significant decreases in volume and level of activity, further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. In these instances, fair value is measured by the use of inputs and valuation techniques which may be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry and/or expectation of future cash flows. As a result of trading in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience significant volatility, the prices used to value these securities may differ from the value that would be realized if these securities were sold, and the differences could be material.

 

Fair Value 

The Series’ financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has designated the Advisor as the Fund’s valuation designee (Valuation Designee) to make all fair value determinations with respect to each Series’ portfolio investments. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Designee performs the following functions in performing fair value determinations: assesses and manages valuation risks;

 

 91

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

establishes and applies fair value methodologies; tests fair value methodologies; and evaluates pricing vendors and pricing agents. The Advisor has adopted and implemented policies and procedures to be followed when making fair value determinations, and it has established a Valuation Committee through which the Advisor makes fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available. If trading or events occurring after the close of the principal market in which securities are traded are expected to materially affect the value of those securities, then they may be valued at their fair value, taking this trading or these events into account. The Advisor may use a pricing service to obtain the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities where the prices provided by such pricing service are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The methods used by the pricing service and the valuations so established will be reviewed by the Advisor under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Several pricing services are available, one or more of which may be used by the Advisor, as approved by the Board. A change in a pricing service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Advisor in accordance with certain requirements.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 includes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the Series’ can access at the reporting date. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Designee’s own assumptions in determining fair value). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuation levels used for major security types as of October 31, 2023 in valuing the Series’ assets or liabilities carried at fair value:

 

   PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Assets:                    
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $6,725,048   $6,386,879   $338,169   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   3,331,063    3,247,924    83,139     
Consumer Staples   7,618,046    7,097,651    520,395     
Financials   8,504,577    8,057,384    447,193     
Health Care   8,540,527    8,491,849    48,678     
Industrials   8,177,787    7,645,747    532,040     
Information Technology   6,107,251    5,914,925    192,326     
Materials   1,232,243    1,148,109    84,134     
Real Estate   2,805,013    2,805,013         
Utilities   735,331    735,331         
Preferred securities:                    
Information Technology   261,949    261,949         
Debt securities:                    
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government agencies   168,367,751        168,367,751     
States and political subdivisions (municipals)   4,872,528        4,872,528     
Corporate debt:                    
Communication Services   7,867,642        7,867,642     
Consumer Discretionary   6,499,403        6,499,403     

 

 92

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)                
   PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Consumer Staples  $2,991,215   $   $2,991,215   $ 
Energy   6,490,723        6,490,723     
Financials   8,720,155        8,720,155     
Industrials   4,877,638        4,877,638     
Information Technology   2,812,905        2,812,905     
Materials   1,477,573        1,477,573     
Real Estate   7,941,548        7,941,548     
Utilities   4,588,356        4,588,356     
Asset-backed securities   22,079,032        22,079,032     
Commercial mortgage-backed securities   28,572,490        28,572,490     
Foreign government bonds   623,672        623,672     
Short-Term Investment   5,742,049    5,742,049         
Total assets  $338,563,515   $57,534,810   $281,028,705   $ 

 

   PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Assets:                    
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $13,120,268   $12,329,748   $790,520   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   7,777,731    7,586,512    191,219     
Consumer Staples   15,640,274    14,513,600    1,126,674     
Financials   17,484,083    16,353,512    1,130,571     
Health Care   17,052,478    16,955,822    96,656     
Industrials   16,973,623    15,716,497    1,257,126     
Information Technology   12,736,548    12,299,456    437,092     
Materials   2,499,029    2,298,719    200,310     
Real Estate   6,507,146    6,507,146         
Utilities   1,485,256    1,485,256         
Preferred securities:                    
Information Technology   199,282    199,282         
Debt securities:                    
U.S. Treasury and other U.S.                    
Government agencies   127,340,539        127,340,539     
States and political subdivisions (municipals)   4,147,917        4,147,917     
Corporate debt:                    
Communication Services   5,773,404        5,773,404     
Consumer Discretionary   4,764,196        4,764,196     
Consumer Staples   2,094,738        2,094,738     
Energy   4,877,306        4,877,306     
Financials   6,881,864        6,881,864     
Industrials   3,763,651        3,763,651     
Information Technology   2,035,060        2,035,060     
Materials   1,148,625        1,148,625     
Real Estate   6,091,406        6,091,406     
Utilities   3,221,590        3,221,590     
Asset-backed securities   16,185,802        16,185,802     
Commercial mortgage-backed securities   18,658,113        18,658,113     

 

 93

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued) 

   PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Foreign government bonds  $419,441   $   $419,441   $ 
Short-Term Investment   3,942,031    3,942,031         
Total assets  $322,821,401   $110,187,581   $212,633,820   $ 

 

   PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Assets:                    
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $29,624,785   $27,934,038   $1,690,747   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   17,377,314    16,961,620    415,694     
Consumer Staples   33,627,933    31,106,854    2,521,079     
Financials   38,183,328    35,713,108    2,470,220     
Health Care   36,110,821    35,878,986    231,835     
Industrials   36,114,575    33,515,281    2,599,294     
Information Technology   27,418,666    26,508,103    910,563     
Materials   5,345,584    4,913,605    431,979     
Real Estate   13,980,701    13,980,701         
Utilities   2,723,339    2,723,339         
Preferred securities:                    
Information Technology   286,533    286,533         
Debt securities:                    
U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government agencies   175,683,229        175,683,229     
States and political subdivisions (municipals)   3,355,614        3,355,614     
Corporate debt:                    
Communication Services   6,890,743        6,890,743     
Consumer Discretionary   5,729,653        5,729,653     
Consumer Staples   2,574,042        2,574,042     
Energy   6,342,035        6,342,035     
Financials   7,924,186        7,924,186     
Industrials   4,354,992        4,354,992     
Information Technology   2,562,992        2,562,992     
Materials   1,363,998        1,363,998     
Real Estate   7,394,065        7,394,065     
Utilities   4,219,307        4,219,307     
Asset-backed securities   22,277,987        22,277,987     
Commercial mortgage-backed securities   19,452,010        19,452,010     
Foreign government bonds   472,153        472,153     
Short-Term Investment   8,812,386    8,812,386         
Total assets  $520,202,971   $238,334,554   $281,868,417   $ 

 

   PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION   TOTAL    LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3 
Assets:                    
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $36,809,125   $35,623,163   $1,185,962   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   32,918,034    32,577,165    340,869     

 

 94

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

 PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES 
DESCRIPTION  TOTAL   LEVEL 1    LEVEL 2#    LEVEL 3  
Consumer Staples  $37,251,855   $35,330,368   $1,921,487   $—   
Energy   1,513,335    1,513,335    —      —   
Financials   53,013,247    51,193,609    1,819,638    —   
Health Care   60,862,610    60,694,162    168,448    —   
Industrials   38,614,813    36,518,432    2,096,381    —   
Information Technology   51,658,576    50,986,456    672,120    —   
Materials   5,869,489    5,514,276    355,213    —   
Real Estate   14,871,773    14,871,773    —      —   
Utilities   2,290,415    2,290,415    —      —   
Preferred securities:                    
Information Technology   130,163    130,163    —      —   
Debt securities:                    
U.S. Treasury and other U.S.                    
Government agencies   57,853,399    —      57,853,399    —   
Corporate debt:                    
Communication Services   1,682,714    —      1,682,714    —   
Consumer Discretionary   1,383,229    —      1,383,229    —   
Consumer Staples   585,816    —      585,816    —   
Energy   1,871,884    —      1,871,884    —   
Financials   2,033,872    —      2,033,872    —   
Industrials   999,011    —      999,011    —   
Information Technology   402,490    —      402,490    —   
Materials   314,933    —      314,933    —   
Real Estate   1,740,663    —      1,740,663    —   
Utilities   957,459    —      957,459    —   
Asset-backed securities   37,417    —      37,417    —   
Commercial mortgage-backed                    
securities   46,085    —      46,085    —   
Short-Term Investment   8,497,275    8,497,275    —      —   
Total assets  $414,209,682   $335,740,592   $78,469,090   $—   

 

#Includes certain foreign equity securities for which a factor from a third party vendor was applied to determine the securities’ fair value following the close of local trading.

 

LIBOR Transition Risk

The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has ceased publishing all LIBOR settings, but some USD LIBOR settings will continue to be published under a synthetic methodology until September 30, 2024 for certain legacy contracts. The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. Under U.S. regulations that implement a statutory fallback mechanism to replace LIBOR, benchmark rates based on SOFR have replaced LIBOR in certain financial contracts. The Series may be exposed to financial instruments that recently LIBOR transitioned from, or continue to be tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Series is uncertain.

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Series is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income, including

 

95 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses (continued)

amortization of premium and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method, is earned from settlement date and accrued daily.

 

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Most expenses of the Fund can be attributed to a specific series. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the series in the Fund in such a manner as deemed equitable by the Fund’s Board, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense.

 

Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class. Class specific expenses are directly charged to that Class.

 

The Series use the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Translation 

The books and records of the Series are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. The Series do not isolate realized and unrealized gains and losses attributable to changes in the exchange rates from gains and losses that arise from changes in the fair value of investments. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on securities transactions, gains and losses on disposition of foreign currencies and the difference between the amount of income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the books of the Series and the amounts actually received or paid.

 

Asset-Backed Securities

Each Series may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments. Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e. loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a Series may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a Series has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities

Each Series may invest in mortgage-backed securities (“MBS” or pass-through certificates) that represent an interest in a pool of specific underlying mortgage loans and entitle a Series to the periodic payments of principal and interest from those mortgages. MBS may be issued by government agencies or corporations, or private issuers. Most MBS issued by government agencies are guaranteed; however, the degree of protection differs based on the issuer. For MBS there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government

 

96 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrower’s ability to repay its loans.

 

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

Each Series may invest in inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation rises or falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted upward or downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a larger or smaller principal amount) will be increased or reduced, respectively. Any upward or downward adjustment in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be included as interest income in the Statements of Operations, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

 

Securities Purchased on a When-Issued Basis or Forward Commitment

Each Series may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or forward commitment. These transactions involve a commitment by the Series to purchase securities for a predetermined price with payment and delivery taking place beyond the customary settlement period. When such purchases are outstanding, the Series will designate liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet the purchase price. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Series assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations, and take such fluctuations into account when determining their net asset value. The Series may sell the when-issued securities before they are delivered, which may result in a capital gain or loss.

 

In connection with their ability to purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis, the Series may enter into forward roll transactions principally using To Be Announced (TBA) securities. Forward roll transactions require the sale of securities for delivery in the current month, and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. Risks of entering into forward roll transactions include the potential inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the agreement; the potential of the Series to receive inferior securities at redelivery as compared to the securities sold to the counterparty; counterparty credit risk; and the potential pay down speed variance between the mortgage-backed pools. During the roll period, the Series forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Series accounts for such dollar rolls as purchases and sales. No such investments were held by the Series on October 31, 2023.

 

Interest Only Securities

The Series may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. In certain cases, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on IOs is sensitive to the rate of principal repayments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and principal payments may have a material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Series may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs.

 

Federal Taxes 

Each Series’ policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Series are not subject to federal income tax or excise tax to the extent that each Series distributes to shareholders each year its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, in accordance with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax or excise tax has been made in the financial statements.

 

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring

 

97 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Federal Taxes (continued)

and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. At October 31, 2023, the Series have recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.

 

The Series file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions, as required. No income tax returns are currently under investigation. The statute of limitations on the Series’ tax returns remains open for the years ended October 31, 2020 through October 31, 2023. The Fund is 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.

 

Foreign Taxes 

Based on the Series’ understanding of the tax rules and rates related to income, gains and currency purchase/repatriation transactions for foreign jurisdictions in which they invests, the Series will provide for foreign taxes, and where appropriate, deferred foreign tax.

 

Distributions of Income and Gains

Distributions to shareholders of net investment income are made semi-annually. Distributions of net realized gains are made annually. An additional distribution may be necessary to avoid taxation of a Series. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Indemnifications

The Fund’s organizational documents provide former and current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Other

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Advisor, for which each Series pays a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.40% for Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series and 0.60% for Pro- Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series, of the Series’ average daily net assets.

 

Under the Agreement, personnel of the Advisor provide the Series with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions, and otherwise maintain the Series’ organization. The Advisor also provides the Fund with necessary office space and fund administration and support services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund (except a percentage of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer’s salary, which is paid by the Fund), and of all Directors who are “affiliated persons” of the Fund, or of the Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund, or of the Advisor, performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities, are paid by the Advisor. Each “non-affiliated” Director receives an annual stipend, which is allocated among all the active series of the Fund. In addition, these Directors also receive a fee per Board meeting attended plus a fee for each committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. The Fund also has an Audit Committee Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair and Lead Independent Director who each receive an additional annual stipend for these roles.

 

98 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services in an amount not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class S, Class I, Class R and Class L shares. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on the current assets and/or number of accounts of the Series attributable to the financial intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements may be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any Distribution and Shareholder Services Fee payable under the Rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee for the Class W shares. The full management fee will be waived under this agreement because Class W shares are only available to discretionary investment accounts and other accounts managed by the Advisor. These clients pay a management fee to the Advisor that is separate from the Series' expenses. In addition, pursuant to a separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary so that the total direct annual fund operating expenses, exclusive of the shareholder services fee and/or distribution and service (12b-1) fees and waived Class W management fees (collectively, “excluded expenses”), at no more than the amounts presented in the following table, of average daily net assets each year.

 

SERIES/CLASS EXPENSE LIMIT
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class S, I, R and L 0.65%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class Z 0.50%
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series Class W 0.10%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class S, I, R and L 0.85%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class Z 0.70%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series Class W 0.10%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class S, I, R and L 0.85%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class Z 0.70%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series Class W 0.10%
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class S, I, R and L 0.85%
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class Z 0.70%
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series Class W 0.10%

 

The contractual waivers are expected to continue indefinitely, and may not be amended or terminated by the Advisor without the approval of the Series’ Board of Directors. The Advisor’s agreement to limit each Class’s operating expenses is limited to direct operating expenses and, therefore, does not apply to acquired fund fees and expenses, which are indirect expenses incurred by the Series through its investments in other investment companies. The Advisor may receive from a Class the difference between the Class’s total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, and the Class’s contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers (other than Class W management fee waivers) or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point the total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, are below the contractual expense limit (a) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (b) at the time of the recoupment.

 

Pursuant to the advisory fee waiver, the Advisor waived the following management fees for Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023. In addition, pursuant to the separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor waived or reimbursed the following expenses for Class S, Class I, Class R, Class L and Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023. These amounts are included as a reduction of expenses on the Statement of Operations:

 

SERIES/CLASS  CLASS W
MANAGEMENT
FEE WAIVER
  WAIVED
OPERATING
EXPENSES
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series  $6,801   $76,772 
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series   620    47,261 

 

 

99 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

SERIES/CLASS  CLASS W
MANAGEMENT
FEE WAIVER
  WAIVED
OPERATING
EXPENSES
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series   745    69 
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series   8,060    232,188 

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Advisor did not recoup any expenses from Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series that have been previously waived or reimbursed.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the class specific waivers or reimbursements subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:

 

SERIES/CLASS   EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,      
    2024  2025  2026  TOTAL
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series                     
Class S   $   $   $58,332   $58,332 
Class I            17,315    17,315 
Class W    473    651    1,125    2,249 
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series                     
Class S   $   $   $4,266   $4,266 
Class I        231    42,920    43,151 
Class W    70    65    75    210 
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series                     
Class W   $1   $7   $69   $77 
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series                     
Class S   $2,390   $78,608   $148,049   $229,047 
Class I    34,927    54,276    72,922    162,125 
Class L            9,713    9,713 
Class W    513    784    1,504    2,801 

 

Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor, acts as distributor for the Fund’s shares. Each Series compensates the distributor for distributing and servicing the Series’ Class L, Class R and Class S shares pursuant to a distribution plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, regardless of expenses actually incurred. Under the agreement, each Series pays distribution and service fees to the distributor at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class S shares, 1.00% of average daily net assets attributable to Class L shares and an annual rate of 0.50% of daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. There are no distribution and service fees on the Class I, Class W, and Class Z shares of each Series. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee related to fund accounting and administration of 0.0085% on the first $25 billion of average daily net assets; 0.0075% on the next $15 billion of average daily net assets; and 0.0065% of average daily net assets in excess of $40 billion; plus a base fee of $30,400 per series. Additionally, certain transaction and out-of-pocket expenses, including charges for reporting relating to the Fund’s compliance program, are charged. The Advisor has agreements with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY”) under which BNY serves as sub-accountant services agent.

 

100 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

4.Purchases and Sales of Securities

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, purchases and sales of securities, including paydowns and other than short-term securities, were as follows:

 

SERIES  PURCHASES    SALES 
   OTHER ISSUERS  GOVERNMENT  OTHER ISSUERS  GOVERNMENT
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series  $51,226,015   $162,039,166   $106,967,841   $165,531,779 
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series  73,611,897   126,252,267   136,261,490   122,339,624 
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series  139,665,626   159,427,067   195,127,731   115,661,863 
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series  150,049,049   91,411,361   196,255,953   66,128,588 

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions

 

Transactions in Class S, Class I, Class R, Class L, and Class W shares were:

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   1,317,745   $16,506,416    1,409,506   $18,859,937 
Reinvested   524,300    6,454,706    995,998    13,784,614 
Repurchased   (4,267,764)   (53,033,110)   (4,324,953)   (57,249,359)
Total   (2,425,719)  $(30,071,988)   (1,919,449)  $(24,604,808)

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES CLASS I  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   1,137,091   $14,108,822    1,618,432   $21,737,857 
Reinvested   225,242    2,773,465    572,853    7,929,720 
Repurchased   (2,804,860)   (34,726,307)   (2,848,860)   (37,876,504)
Total   (1,442,527)  $(17,844,020)   (657,575)  $(8,208,927)

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES CLASS R  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   52,668   $658,831    229,494   $3,115,164 
Reinvested   41,762    515,500    123,261    1,710,937 
Repurchased   (420,467)   (5,195,772)   (365,955)   (4,828,349)
Total   (326,037)  $(4,021,441)   (13,200)  $(2,248)

 

101

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions (continued)

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES CLASS L  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   288,517   $3,607,208    624,908   $8,349,634 
Reinvested   112,639    1,394,467    478,045    6,658,619 
Repurchased   (1,095,445)   (13,662,974)   (1,370,535)   (18,277,900)
Total   (694,289)  $(8,661,299)   (267,582)  $(3,269,647)

 

PRO-BLEND® CONSERVATIVE TERM SERIES CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold     $       $  
Reinvested   5,633    69,306    7,620    105,312 
Repurchased   (4,852)   (59,792)   (9,932)   (135,340)
Total   781   $9,514    (2,312)  $(30,028)

 

PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
  10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   1,126,344   $14,785,809    2,181,888   $30,600,280 
Reinvested   195,075    2,555,685    991,802    14,658,830 
Repurchased   (5,263,613)   (69,982,396)   (3,643,927)   (50,646,440)
Total   (3,942,194)  $(52,640,902)   (470,237)  $(5,387,330)

 

PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES CLASS I  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   955,761   $12,618,972    1,193,784   $17,258,488 
Reinvested   122,857    1,613,529    774,103    11,468,125 
Repurchased   (2,309,254)   (30,364,633)   (1,863,686)   (26,263,636)
Total   (1,230,636)  $(16,132,132)   104,201   $2,462,977 

 

PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES CLASS R  FOR THE YEAR ENDED       FOR THE YEAR ENDED     
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   112,478   $1,486,902    132,304   $1,855,921 
Reinvested   17,889    235,890    153,510    2,282,223 
Repurchased   (249,894)   (3,301,329)   (273,152)   (3,846,606)
Total   (119,527)  $(1,578,537)   12,662   $291,538 

 

102

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions (continued)

 

PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES CLASS L  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   324,252   $4,307,625    544,190   $7,741,309 
Reinvested   15,652    207,264    610,081    9,098,952 
Repurchased   (1,181,695)   (15,592,479)   (938,769)   (12,948,038)
Total   (841,791)  $(11,077,590)   215,502   $3,892,223 

 

PRO-BLEND® MODERATE TERM SERIES CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold      $    1,517   $19,816 
Reinvested   76    1,012    936    13,855 
Repurchased   (959)   (12,494)   (8,911)   (123,771)
Total   (883)  $(11,482)   (6,458)  $(90,100)

 

PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   1,024,205   $18,018,741    1,307,069   $25,424,311 
Reinvested   586,454    10,138,761    835,517    17,111,400 
Repurchased   (2,523,344)   (44,116,155)   (2,556,261)   (48,868,868)
Total   (912,685)  $(15,958,653)   (413,675)  $(6,333,157)

 

PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES CLASS I  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   803,103   $14,095,123    850,400   $16,897,234 
Reinvested   314,720    5,455,567    1,010,330    20,726,404 
Repurchased   (1,580,739)   (27,948,925)   (1,996,764)   (38,267,547)
Total   (462,916)  $(8,398,235)   (136,034)  $(643,909)

 

PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES CLASS R  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   128,606   $2,253,153    169,770   $3,292,504 
Reinvested   80,919    1,404,775    231,940    4,771,524 
Repurchased   (275,457)   (4,860,847)   (374,829)   (7,381,993)
Total   (65,932)  $(1,202,919)   26,881   $682,035 

 

103

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions (continued)

 

PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES CLASS L  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   399,167   $6,956,834    396,428   $7,732,508 
Reinvested   137,318    2,394,825    510,214    10,538,700 
Repurchased   (794,599)   (13,909,932)   (520,117)   (10,020,774)
Total   (258,114)  $(4,558,273)   386,525   $8,250,434 

 

PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED TERM SERIES CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold      $    6,546   $117,706 
Reinvested   214    3,748    19    387 
Repurchased   (150)   (2,676)        
Total   64   $1,072    6,565   $118,093 

 

PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23        10/31/22      
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   789,390   $17,220,994    1,635,990   $40,831,792 
Reinvested   1,175,658    24,852,580    667,165    18,306,994 
Repurchased   (2,150,174)   (47,857,115)   (2,090,093)   (53,924,008)
Total   (185,126)  $(5,783,541)   213,062   $5,214,778 

 

PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES CLASS I  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   814,351   $17,881,445    923,692   $24,106,098 
Reinvested   406,059    8,620,619    633,274    17,410,453 
Repurchased   (1,035,400)   (22,767,303)   (1,292,882)   (32,673,632)
Total   185,010   $3,734,761    264,084   $8,842,919 

 

PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES CLASS R  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   135,325   $2,931,185    240,882   $6,189,729 
Reinvested   198,657    4,217,178    205,024    5,657,881 
Repurchased   (277,679)   (6,081,386)   (272,329)   (6,732,049)
Total   56,303   $1,066,977    173,577   $5,115,561 

 

104

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions (continued)

 

PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES CLASS L  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   221,677   $4,840,043    215,053   $5,455,555 
Reinvested   219,326    4,654,100    297,365    8,231,581 
Repurchased   (294,745)   (6,367,456)   (233,839)   (6,159,931)
Total   146,258   $3,126,687    278,579   $7,527,205 

 

PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM TERM SERIES CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23       10/31/22     
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold      $    28,738   $678,083 
Reinvested   6,308    134,751    1,934    52,825 
Repurchased   (4,470)   (99,043)   (1,050)   (26,377)
Total   1,838   $35,708    29,622   $704,531 

 

At October 31, 2023, the Advisor and its affiliates owned less than 0.1% of Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, 0.3% of Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, less than 0.1% of Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and 0.2% of Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series.

 

6.Line of Credit

 

The Fund has entered into a 364-day, $50 million credit agreement (the “line of credit”) with Bank of New York Mellon. Each series of the Fund may borrow under the line of credit for temporary or emergency purposes, including funding shareholder redemptions and other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund pays an annual fee on the unused commitment amount, payable quarterly, and is allocated among all the series of the Fund and included in miscellaneous expenses in the Statement of Operations for each series. The line of credit expires in September 2024 unless extended or renewed. During the year ended October 31, 2023, none of the Series borrowed under the line of credit.

 

7.Financial Instruments and Loan Assignments

 

The Series may trade in instruments including written and purchased options, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and futures contracts and other derivatives in the normal course of investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. The Series may be subject to various elements of risk which may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. These risks include: the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index; counterparty credit risk related to over the counter derivative counterparties’ failure to perform under contract terms; liquidity risk related to the lack of a liquid market for these contracts allowing the fund to close out its position(s); and documentation risk relating to disagreement over contract terms. No such investments were held by the Series on October 31, 2023.

 

The Series may invest in a loan assignment of all or a portion of the loans. A Series has direct rights against the borrower on a loan when it purchases an assignment; however, the Series’ rights may be more limited than the lender from which it acquired the assignment and the Series may be able to enforce its rights only through an administrative agent. Loan assignments are vulnerable to market conditions and may become illiquid due to economic conditions or other events may reduce the demand for loan assignments and certain loan assignments which were liquid when purchased may become illiquid. At October 31, 2023, none of the Series held any loan assignments.

 

105

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8.Foreign Securities

 

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of domestic companies and the U.S. Government. These risks include revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of foreign companies and foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable domestic companies and the U.S. Government.

 

9.Federal Income Tax Information

 

The amount and characterization of certain income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing book and tax treatments in the timing of the recognition on net investment income or gains and losses, including foreign currency gains and losses, losses deferred due to wash sales, utilization of tax equalization, investments in passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), foreign currency, real estate investment trusts, callable bonds and preferred securities. Each Series may periodically make reclassifications among its capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations, without impacting the Series’ net asset value. For the year ended October 31, 2023, amounts were reclassified within the capital accounts to increase Additional Paid in Capital and decrease Total Distributable Earnings (Loss) by $130,488, $90,901, $89,703, and $271,294 for Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series, respectively. Any such reclassifications are not reflected in the financial highlights.

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

   PRO-BLEND®
CONSERVATIVE
TERM SERIES
   PRO-BLEND®
MODERATE
TERM SERIES
 
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/22
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/22
 
Ordinary income  $5,861,434   $15,712,277   $4,457,126   $21,751,253 
Long-term capital gains   5,621,881    15,215,704    242,760    16,456,980 

   PRO-BLEND® EXTENDED
TERM SERIES
   PRO-BLEND® MAXIMUM
TERM SERIES
 
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/22
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 10/31/22
 
Ordinary income  $5,709,541   $35,123,002   $1,942,129   $25,463,205 
Long-term capital gains   14,045,743    19,207,547    41,269,251    25,206,204 

 

At October 31, 2023, the identified cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, the resulting gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and the net unrealized depreciation were as follows:

 

   PRO-BLEND®
CONSERVATIVE
TERM SERIES
   PRO-BLEND®
MODERATE
TERM SERIES
   PRO-BLEND®
EXTENDED
TERM SERIES
   PRO-BLEND®
MAXIMUM
TERM SERIES
 
Cost for federal income tax purposes  $363,516,937   $342,018,848   $543,020,897   $403,494,944 
Unrealized appreciation   6,315,389    12,063,607    27,249,744    42,683,448 
Unrealized depreciation   (31,268,811)   (31,261,054)   (50,067,670)   (31,968,710)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)  $(24,953,422)  $(19,197,447)  $(22,817,926)  $10,714,738 
Undistributed ordinary income  $7,603,512   $4,909,789   $7,501,042   $1,772,212 
Undistributed long-term capital gains  $   $   $   $6,489,539 
Capital loss carryforwards  $(8,122,718)  $(2,255,388)  $(9,309,821)  $ 

 

106

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

9.Federal Income Tax Information (continued)

 

At October 31, 2023, Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, and Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series had net short-term capital loss carryforwards of $4,263,027, $2,255,388, and $6,278,314, respectively, and Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series and Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series had long-term capital loss carryforwards of $3,859,691 and $3,031,507, respectively, available, to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Code, to offset future net capital gain, if any, which may be carried forward indefinitely.

 

10.Market Event

 

Significant disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets and economies, like the current conditions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively impact the investment performance of the Series. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, impacts on business operations in the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, concerns related to unpredictable global market and economic factors, uncertainty in U.S. federal fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy and the fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy of foreign governments, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance of financial markets, terrorism, natural or biological catastrophes, public health emergencies, or political uncertainty.

 

107

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolios, of Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series and Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series (four of the series constituting Manning & Napier Fund, Inc., hereafter collectively referred to as the "Funds") as of October 31, 2023, the related statements of operations for the year ended October 31, 2023, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023, 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, 2023, 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, 2023 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.

 

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, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian 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.

 

 

 

New York, New York

December 21, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Manning & Napier Mutual Funds since 1992.

 

108

 

 

Supplemental Tax Information

 

All reportings are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

For federal income tax purposes, each of the Series reports for the current fiscal year the amount disclosed below or, if different, the maximum amount allowable under the tax law as qualified dividend income (“QDI”).

 

Series  QDI  
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series  $1,127,960 
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series   1,876,456 
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series   3,881,778 
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series   1,942,129 

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of investment income (dividend income plus short-term gain, if any) that qualifies for the dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for the current fiscal year is as follows:

 

Series  DRD% 
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series   10.59%
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series   22.57%
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series   35.99%
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series   95.19%

 

The Series designate Long-Term Capital Gain dividends pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Code for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 as follows:

 

Series    
Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series  $ 
Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series    
Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series    
Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series   7,025,981 

 

109

 

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Fund’s directors and officers and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-800-466-3863, at www.manning-napier.com, or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). The following chart shows certain information about the Fund’s directors and officers, including their principal occupations during the last five years. Unless specific dates are provided, the individuals have held the listed positions for longer than five years.

 

Interested Director and Officer1 

Name: Paul Battaglia*
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1978
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Chairman and Director since November 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Financial Officer since 2018; Vice President of Finance (2016–2018);
  Director of Finance (2011–2016); Financial Analyst/Internal Auditor (2004–
  2006) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates
  Holds one or more of the following titles for various subsidiaries and
  affiliates: Chief Financial Officer
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During N/A
Past 5 Years:  
   

 

Independent Directors 

Name: Paul A. Brooke
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1945
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance &
  Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
  Committee Member since 2007; Lead Independent Director since 2017
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Member since 1991 - PMSV Holdings LLC (investments);
  Managing Member (2010-2016) - VenBio (investments).
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Incyte Corp. (biotech) (2000-2020); PureEarth (non-profit) since 2012; Cerus
Past 5 Years: (biomedical) since 2016; Caelum BioSciences (biomedical) since 2018;
  Cheyne Capital International (investment)(2000-2017);
   
Name: Eunice K. Chapon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1969
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee
  Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
  Committee Member since May 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Operations and Business Development since 2022 – BrightEdge/
  American Cancer Society (impact investment/non-profit); General Counsel
  and Chief Operating Officer (2021-2022) – Decency Global Inc. (ESG start-
  up); Senior Vice President and Counsel, Head of Legal – Global Distribution
  (2018-2021); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2018) – Natixis Investment
  Managers (investment management)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During N/A
Past 5 Years:  
   

 

110

 

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Independent Directors (continued)

Name: John Glazer
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1965
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since February 2021
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Executive Officer since 2020 – Oikos Holdings LLC (Single-Family
  Office); Head of Corporate Development (2019-2020) – Caelum Biosciences
  (pharmaceutical development); Head of Private Investments (2015-2018) –
  AC Limited (Single-Family Office)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During N/A
Past 5 Years:  
   
Name: Russell O. Vernon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1957
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee
  Chairman
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
  Committee Member since April 2020; Governance & Nominating Committee
  Chairman since November 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Founder and General Partner (2009-2019) – BVM Capital Management
  (economic development)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Board Member, Vice Chairman and President since 2010 –
Past 5 Years: Newburgh Armory Unity Center (military); Board Member
  and Executive Director since 2020 – National Purple Heart
  Honor Mission, Inc. (military); Board Member, Vice
  Chairman (2015-2020) – National Purple Heart Hall of
  Honor, Inc. (military)
   

 

Name: Chester N. Watson
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1950
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Governance & Nominating Committee
  Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
  Committee Member Since 2012; Audit Committee Chairman since 2013
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Auditor (2003-2011) - General Motors Company (auto
  manufacturer)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Rochester Institute of Technology (University) since 2005; Hudson Valley
Past 5 Years: Center for Innovation, Inc. (New Business and Economic Development)
  since 2019; Town of Greenburgh, NY Planning Board (Municipal
  Government) (2015-2019);
   

 

111

 

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers: 

Name: Elizabeth Craig
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2016
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Fund Administration since 2021; Fund Regulatory Administration
  Manager (2018-2021); Fund Administration Manager (2015-2018) –
  Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Corporate Secretary, Director since 2019
  – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.
   
Name: Samantha Larew
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1980
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Chief Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
  Officer since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Co-Director of Compliance since 2018; Compliance Communications
  Supervisor (2014-2018) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC& Affiliates;
  Broker-Dealer Chief Compliance Officer since 2013; Broker-Dealer Assistant
  Corporate Secretary since 2011 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.
   
Name: Scott Morabito
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Vice President
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Vice President since 2019; Assistant Vice President (2017-2019)
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Director, Client Service and Business Operations since 2021;
  Managing Director of Operations (2019-2021); Director of Funds Group
  (2017-2019) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; President, Director since
  2018 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.; President, Exeter Trust
  Company since 2021.
   
Name: Jill Peeper
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Assistant Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Assistant Treasurer since 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Mutual Fund Financial Reporting Manager since 2022 - Manning & Napier
  Advisors, LLC; Fund Accounting Manager (2007 – 2022) – State Street
  Bank.
   
Name: Troy Statczar
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1971
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers, since 2020 – ACA Group
  (formerly Foreside Financial Group); Director of Fund Administration (2017-
  2019) - Thornburg Investment Management, Inc.
   

 

112

 

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers: (continued) 

Name: Sarah Turner
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Legal Officer; Assistant Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Counsel since 2018 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and
  affiliates; Counsel (2017-2018) – Harter Secrest and Emery LLP
  Holds one or more of the following titles for various affiliates: Corporate
  Secretary, General Counsel
   

 

1 Interested Director, within the meaning of the 1940 Act by reason of his positions with the Fund’s Advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and Distributor, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

2 The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation or removal as provided in the Fund’s

By-Laws.

 

113

 

 

Literature Requests

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the Securities and Exchange  
Commission’s (SEC) web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Proxy Voting Record

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings

 

The Series’ complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year are provided on Form N-PORT, and are available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

 

For more information about any of the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Series, you may obtain a prospectus and SAI at www.manning-napier.com or by calling 1-(800) 466-3863. Before investing, carefully consider the objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment and read the prospectus carefully as it contains this and other information about the investment company. In addition, this information can be found on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Additional information available at www.manning-napier.com

 

1.Fund Holdings - Month-End

2.Fund Holdings - Quarter-End

3.Shareholder Report - Annual

4.Shareholder Report - Semi-Annual

 

The Fund also offers electronic notification or “e-delivery” when certain documents are available on-line to be downloaded or reviewed. Direct shareholders can elect to receive electronic notification when shareholder reports, prospectus updates, and/or statements are available. If you do not currently have on-line access to your account, you can establish access by going to www.manning-napier.com, click on “Login” in the top corner of the page, and follow the prompts to self-enroll. Once enrolled, you can set your electronic notification preferences by clicking on the Account Options tab located within the green toolbar and then select E-Delivery Option. Should you have any questions on either how to establish on-line access or how to update your account settings, please contact Investor Services at 1-800-466-3863.

 

The Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. is managed by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC. Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, is the distributor of the Fund shares.

 

MNPRO-10/23-AR

 

114

 

 

 

www.manning-napier.com

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.
 
Disciplined Value Series

 

 

 

 

Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

 

A Note from Our CEO

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

2023 has proven to be surprising on many fronts. The resiliency of the U.S. economy, driven by a strong labor market and consumer spending, was unanticipated by many observers, including us. While inflation has come down globally without a large spike in unemployment, interest rates remain high relative to the past 15 years around the world, creating increasing pressure on indebted families, companies, and governments. On the geopolitical front, the world feels more dangerous than in many decades, confronting war in the Middle East and Europe and heightened tension between China and the U.S.

 

Capital markets have likewise been surprising. The most historically significant development in markets is that bonds, in aggregate, have done poorly so far, for the third year in a row, reflecting interest rates that have remained high. By way of example, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond, has never declined three years in a row since 1787. Equities, particularly in the U.S., have risen, though a mere seven U.S. technology stocks explain pretty much the entirety of the returns in equities both in the U.S. and globally, a remarkably concentrated situation.

 

The future is unknown and prone to surprises, however, we have confidence in our ability to mitigate the risks emerging from the current environment, while keeping our shareholders’ goals and needs at the forefront of our decision making.

 

Our consistent investment philosophies, disciplines, and time-tested processes – that have guided our seasoned investors over multiple economic and capital markets cycles over the past half-century – remain at our core and will support us as this cycle plays out.

This year, we launched a new investment strategy, the Callodine Equity Income fund, in partnership with the Callodine Group, our parent company. The combination with Callodine was a meaningful and strategic decision to position Manning & Napier stronger for the future and to help us continue to evolve in ways that benefit our investors. We look forward to sharing new investment strategies and opportunities with you in the future.

 

Above all, we thank and appreciate your continued confidence in our firm.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Marc Mayer

Chief Executive Officer

 

Corporate Headquarters | 290 Woodcliff Drive | Fairport, NY 14450 | (585) 325-6880 phone | (800) 551-0224 toll free | www.manning-napier.com

 

1 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Fund Commentary

(unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

To provide competitive returns consistent with the broad equity market while also providing a level of capital protection during market downturns. The Series is designed to offer a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying US equity securities. Using a systematic process with a focus on mid- to large-capitalization US companies, securities are selected based on factors such as free cash flow generation and earnings power, minimum dividend yield, dividend sustainability, and financial health.

 

Performance Commentary

 

Economic strength has been more resilient this year than many would have predicted, though various indicators continue to point toward less stability under the surface. Broad global equity markets posted double digit gains for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2023. However, large-cap stocks significantly outperformed small- and mid-cap stocks as did growth in comparison to value from a style perspective. In fact, the broad US equity market was propelled higher over the past year by just a handful of stocks, aptly named the “Magnificent 7.” These companies are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook) and their share prices have increased significantly more than other benchmark constituents, on average over this past year.

 

The Disciplined Value Series Class S experienced negative returns during the year and underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, returning -3.8%% and 0.1%, respectively.

 

From a factor perspective, the strategy’s emphasis on above market dividend yielding business weighed on relative returns. Our analysis indicates that among large-capitalization value constituents, the lowest/no dividend yielding quartile outperformed its highest yielding counterpart by over 20%. In addition, the strategy’s emphasis on valuation currently results in greater exposure to ‘value’ securities, as defined by Morningstar, in comparison to its benchmark. Given the ‘growth’ style’s strong run, this positioning detracted from relative performance. In contrast, the large- to mega-capitalization nature of the strategy aided relative returns as larger capitalization stocks outperformed their smaller counterparts within the large-capitalization value investment universe.

 

From a sector standpoint, an underweight to Communication Services, the best performing sector over the trailing twelve-month period, was the largest detractor. In contrast, allocation decisions across nine of the remaining ten sectors aided relative returns.

 

Within the Series, we pursue opportunities for shareholders through our disciplined screening process. Our goal is to generate stable income with the potential for capital growth. Importantly, this approach will continue to emphasize risk management as a critical component in managing the Series.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than that quoted; investors can obtain the most recent month-end performance at www.manning-napier.com or by calling (800) 466-3863.

 

Commentary prepared using data provided by FactSet and Morningstar. Analysis Manning & Napier. Commentary presented is relative to the Russell 1000® Value Index. Additional information and associated disclosures can be found on the Performance Update page of this report.

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. As with any stock fund, the value of your investment will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Investing in the Series will also involve a number of other risks, including issuer-specific risk and mid-cap risk. The Series invests primarily in dividend-paying equity securities, with a focus on mid- to large- cap companies. There is no assurance or guarantee that such companies will declare, continue to pay, or increase dividends. Stocks of mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of large-cap companies, as mid-cap companies tend to be more susceptible to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In addition, because the Advisor manages the Series using a disciplined screening process, the Series is subject to the additional risk that the investment approach may not be successful. Further, the Advisor does not intend to make frequent changes to the Series’ portfolio in response to market movements.

 

Morningstar, Inc. is a global investment research firm providing data, information, and analysis of stocks and mutual funds. ©2023 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied, adapted or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information, except where such damages or losses cannot be limited or excluded by law in your jurisdiction. Past financial performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

2 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023

(unaudited)

 

  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
  ONE
YEAR1
FIVE
YEAR
TEN
YEAR
Disciplined Value Series - Class I2 (3.68%) 5.86% 8.08%
Disciplined Value Series - Class S2,3 (3.84%) 5.64% 7.83%
Disciplined Value Series - Class W2,3 (3.32%) 6.29% 8.30%
Disciplined Value Series - Class Z2,3 (3.55%) 5.98% 8.14%
Russell 1000® Value Index4 0.13% 6.60% 7.60%

 

The following graph compares the value of a $1,000,000 investment in the Disciplined Value Series - Class I for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the Russell 1000® Value Index.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 0.76% for Class S, 0.55% for Class I, 0.12% for Class W and 0.42% for Class Z. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 0.76% for Class S, 0.55% for Class I, 0.42% for Class W and 0.42% for Class Z for the year ended October 31, 2023.

3For periods through the inception of Class S on September 21, 2018 the performance is hypothetical and is based on the historical performance of Class I shares adjusted for Class S shares’ charges and expenses. For periods through March, 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W and Class Z shares), performance for the Class W and Class Z shares is based on the historical performance of the Class I shares. Because the Class W and Class Z shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class I shares, performance for the respective shares will be different only to the extent that the Class I shares have a higher expense ratio.

4The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index consisting of those Russell 1000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Index returns are based on a market capitalization-weighted average of relative price changes of the component stocks plus dividends whose reinvestments are compounded daily. The Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index data referenced herein is the property of London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (“LSE Group”) and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. LSE Group and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/ benchmark-provisions.

 

3 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Shareholder Expense Example

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

  BEGINNING
ACCOUNT VALUE
5/1/23
ENDING
ACCOUNT VALUE
10/31/23
EXPENSES PAID
DURING PERIOD*
5/1/23 - 10/31/23
ANNUALIZED
EXPENSE
RATIO
Class S        
Actual $1,000.00 $942.80 $3.87 0.79%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,021.22 $4.02 0.79%
Class I        
Actual $1,000.00 $943.90 $2.79 0.57%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,022.33 $2.91 0.57%
Class W        
Actual $1,000.00 $946.10 $0.69 0.14%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,024.50 $0.71 0.14%
Class Z        
Actual $1,000.00 $943.60 $2.16 0.44%
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
$1,000.00 $1,022.99 $2.24 0.44%

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

4 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Portfolio Composition as of October 31, 2023

(unaudited)

 

Sector Allocation1
 
1As a percentage of net assets.

 

5 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 98.6%          
           
Communication Services - 3.1%          
Media - 3.1%          
Comcast Corp. - Class A   123,785   $5,111,083 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   13,954    1,045,294 
Paramount Global - Class B   37,552    408,566 
Total Communication Services        6,564,943 
Consumer Discretionary - 4.6%          
Broadline Retail - 0.5%          
eBay, Inc.   27,368    1,073,647 
Distributors - 0.5%          
Genuine Parts Co.   9,073    1,169,147 
Specialty Retail - 3.6%          
The Home Depot, Inc.   26,316    7,491,902 
Total Consumer Discretionary        9,734,696 
Consumer Staples - 6.7%          
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail - 0.6%          
Sysco Corp.   18,415    1,224,413 
Food Products - 4.9%          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   25,771    1,844,431 
Bunge Ltd.   10,203    1,081,314 
Campbell Soup Co.   21,261    859,157 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   31,992    875,301 
General Mills, Inc.   28,626    1,867,560 
The J.M. Smucker Co.   7,597    864,843 
Kellanova   14,380    725,759 
The Kraft Heinz Co.   40,544    1,275,514 
Tyson Foods, Inc. - Class A   19,355    897,104 
         10,290,983 
Household Products - 1.2%          
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   35,161    2,641,294 
Total Consumer Staples        14,156,690 
Energy - 16.2%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 1.8%          
Halliburton Co.   34,413    1,353,807 
Schlumberger N.V   42,578    2,369,892 
         3,723,699 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 14.4%          
Chevron Corp   40,979    5,971,870 
ConocoPhillips   35,718    4,243,298 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   42,127    1,158,493 
Devon Energy Corp.   26,840    1,249,939 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.   9,123    1,462,599 
EOG Resources, Inc.   19,559    2,469,324 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   64,871    6,866,595 
Marathon Oil Corp.   28,984    791,553 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   18,597    2,812,796 
Phillips 66   15,077    1,719,833 


   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Energy (continued)          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)          
Valero Energy Corp.   11,983   $1,521,841 
         30,268,141 
Total Energy        33,991,840 
Financials - 13.3%          
Banks - 11.9%          
Bank of America Corp.   166,117    4,375,522 
Citigroup, Inc.   73,801    2,914,402 
Fifth Third Bancorp   40,038    949,301 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   70,416    679,514 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   61,638    8,571,380 
Regions Financial Corp.   62,294    905,132 
Truist Financial Corp.   44,012    1,248,180 
U.S. Bancorp   59,859    1,908,305 
Wells Fargo & Co.   87,677    3,486,914 
         25,038,650 
Insurance - 1.4%          
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.   13,648    1,002,446 
The Travelers Companies, Inc.   11,785    1,973,280 
         2,975,726 
Total Financials        28,014,376 
Health Care - 17.2%          
Biotechnology - 1.8%          
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   48,045    3,773,454 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 3.6%          
Abbott Laboratories   43,003    4,065,934 
Baxter International, Inc.   24,731    802,026 
Medtronic plc   40,233    2,838,840 
         7,706,800 
Health Care Providers & Services - 1.6%          
CVS Health Corp.   33,758    2,329,640 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   7,989    1,039,369 
         3,369,009 
Pharmaceuticals - 10.2%          
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   66,751    3,439,679 
Johnson & Johnson   47,299    7,016,333 
Merck & Co., Inc.   69,014    7,087,738 
Pfizer, Inc.   127,937    3,909,755 
         21,453,505 
Total Health Care        36,302,768 
Industrials - 18.6%          
Aerospace & Defense - 5.1%          
General Dynamics Corp.   11,370    2,743,695 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   8,423    1,511,170 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   8,569    3,895,810 

 

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

 

6 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Industrials (continued)          
Aerospace & Defense (continued)          
RTX Corp.   32,074   $2,610,503 
         10,761,178 
Air Freight & Logistics - 2.9%          
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   9,926    812,245 
FedEx Corp.   7,950    1,908,795 
United Parcel Service, Inc. - Class B   23,218    3,279,542 
         6,000,582 
Electrical Equipment - 1.2%          
Emerson Electric Co.   27,819    2,475,057 
Ground Transportation - 2.8%          
Norfolk Southern Corp.   9,023    1,721,498 
Union Pacific Corp.   20,550    4,266,386 
         5,987,884 
Industrial Conglomerates - 3.0%          
3M Co.   21,992    2,000,172 
Honeywell International, Inc.   23,611    4,326,952 
         6,327,124 
Machinery - 3.0%          
Caterpillar, Inc.   20,120    4,548,126 
Cummins, Inc.   8,508    1,840,280 
         6,388,406 
Professional Services - 0.6%          
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   7,519    1,283,042 
Total Industrials        39,223,273 
Information Technology - 16.5%          
Communications Equipment - 3.0%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   121,335    6,325,194 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 1.2% 
Corning, Inc.   34,016    910,268 
TE Connectivity Ltd.   13,579    1,600,285 
         2,510,553 
IT Services - 2.2%          
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. - Class A   19,978    1,287,982 
International Business Machines Corp.   22,678    3,280,146 
         4,568,128 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 9.6% 
Analog Devices, Inc.   21,163    3,329,575 
Broadcom, Inc.   7,845    6,600,548 
Microchip Technology, Inc.   23,506    1,675,743 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   38,831    4,232,191 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   8,922    773,894 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   24,660    3,501,966 
         20,113,917 
   SHARES   VALUE
(NOTE 2)
 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Information Technology (continued)        
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 0.5% 
NetApp, Inc.   15,312   $1,114,407 
Total Information Technology        34,632,199 
Materials - 2.4%          
Chemicals - 1.9%          
Dow, Inc.   29,806    1,440,822 
FMC Corp.   8,725    464,170 
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   12,974    886,773 
PPG Industries, Inc.   10,128    1,243,415 
         4,035,180 
Containers & Packaging - 0.5%          
Packaging Corp. of America   6,529    999,263 
Total Materials        5,034,443 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $221,089,412)        207,655,228 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 1.3%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%1          
(Identified Cost $2,676,768)   2,676,768    2,676,768 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.9%          
(Identified Cost $223,766,180)        210,331,996 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.1%        108,839 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $210,440,835 

 

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

 

7 

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

1Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

8 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:
 
Investments, at value (identified cost $223,766,180) (Note 2)  $210,331,996 
Dividends receivable   223,647 
Receivable for fund shares sold   125,452 
      
TOTAL ASSETS   210,681,095 
      
LIABILITIES:
 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   56,059 
Accrued management fees1    39,060 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   13,475 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S)1   10,818 
Directors' fees payable1   9,391 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   41,608 
Professional fees payable   38,921 
Accrued transfer agent fees   15,386 
Other payables and accrued expenses   12,519 
      
TOTAL LIABILITIES   240,260 
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $210,440,835 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
 
Capital stock  $283,517 
Additional paid-in-capital   209,565,413 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   591,905 
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $210,440,835 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S
($49,632,850/6,885,468 shares)
  $7.21 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I
($73,449,483/9,561,806 shares)
  $7.68 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W
($65,429,873/9,049,819 shares)
  $7.23 
      
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class Z
($21,928,629/2,854,580 shares)
  $7.68 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

9

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

Dividends  $10,743,261 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   1,078,864 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   154,835 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   148,464 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   85,231 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   55,777 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Custodian fees   8,371 
Miscellaneous   287,566 
      
Total Expenses   1,827,532 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (580,824)
      
Net Expenses   1,246,708 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   9,496,553 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on investments   16,674,817 
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   (32,333,819)
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS   (15,659,002)
      
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(6,162,449)

 

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

10

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
  FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
 
OPERATIONS:
 
Net investment income  $9,496,553   $9,780,304 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments   16,674,817    30,930,460 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   (32,333,819)   (53,030,170)
           
Net increase (decrease) from operations   (6,162,449)   (12,319,406)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 8):           
           
Class S   (5,938,420)   (4,768,541)
Class I   (7,523,905)   (7,576,710)
Class W   (20,416,273)   (18,708,063)
Class Z   (2,196,572)   (1,675,271)
           
Total distributions to shareholders   (36,075,170)   (32,728,585)
           
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
           
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (133,314,889)   (20,035,768)
           
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (175,552,508)   (65,083,759)
           
NET ASSETS:          
           
Beginning of year   385,993,343    451,077,102 
           
End of year  $210,440,835   $385,993,343 

 

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

11

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class S

 

 

     FOR THE YEAR ENDED
    10/31/23    10/31/22    10/31/21    10/31/20    10/31/19 
                          
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                         
Net asset value - Beginning of year   $8.23    $9.17    $6.78    $7.67    $8.77 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income1   0.17    0.17    0.15    0.16    0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (0.42)   (0.45)   2.36    (0.68)   0.54 
Total from investment operations   (0.25)   (0.28)   2.51    (0.52)   0.70 
Less distributions to shareholders:                         
From net investment income   (0.16)   (0.14)   (0.12)   (0.14)   (0.19)
From net realized gain on investments   (0.61)   (0.52)       (0.23)   (1.61)
Total distributions to shareholders   (0.77)   (0.66)   (0.12)   (0.37)   (1.80)
                          
Net asset value - End of year   $7.21    $8.23    $9.17    $6.78    $7.67 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $49,633   $64,323   $72,925   $64,205   $83,332 
Total return2   (3.84%)   (3.39%)   37.17%    (7.09%)   11.11% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                         
Expenses   0.76%    0.72%    0.72%    0.76%    0.82% 
Net investment income   2.20%    1.98%    1.74%    2.26%    2.14% 
Series portfolio turnover   35%    31%    55%    29%    35% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

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

12

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class I

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/201   10/31/191 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $8.72‌   $9.68‌   $7.15‌   $8.07‌   $8.31‌ 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2   0.20‌   0.19‌   0.17‌   0.18‌   0.19‌ 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.45)  (0.48)  2.49‌   (0.71)  0.61‌ 
Total from investment operations  (0.25)  (0.29)  2.66‌   (0.53)  0.80‌ 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.18)  (0.15)  (0.13)  (0.16)  (0.12)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.61)  (0.52)  —‌   (0.23)  (0.92)
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.79)  (0.67)  (0.13)  (0.39)  (1.04)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $7.68‌   $8.72‌   $9.68‌   $7.15‌   $8.07‌ 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $73,449   $86,444   $109,845   $120,221   $137,296 
Total return3  (3.68%)  (3.24%)  37.44%‌   (6.89%)  11.44%‌ 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses  0.55%‌   0.52%‌   0.54%‌   0.55%‌   0.58%‌ 
Net investment income  2.40%‌   2.16%‌   1.93%‌   2.45%‌   2.38%‌ 
Series portfolio turnover  35%‌   31%‌   55%‌   29%‌   35%‌ 

 

1Per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 1.75-for-1 stock split effective after the close of business on December 5, 2019. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions.

 

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

13

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE
   10/31/23  10/31/22  10/31/21  10/31/20  PERIOD
3/1/191 TO
10/31/19
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $8.26   $9.20   $6.80   $7.69   $7.36 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2  0.23   0.22   0.20   0.20   0.13 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.44)  (0.45)  2.37   (0.68)  0.35 
Total from investment operations  (0.21)  (0.23)  2.57   (0.48)  0.48 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.21)  (0.19)  (0.17)  (0.18)  (0.15)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.61)  (0.52)     (0.23)   
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.82)  (0.71)  (0.17)  (0.41)  (0.15)
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $7.23   $8.26   $9.20   $6.80   $7.69 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $65,430   $211,178   $244,197   $116,106   $76,322 
Total return3  (3.32%)  (2.75%)  37.98%   (6.45%)  6.58% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.12%   0.11%   0.11%   0.14%4  0.15%5
Net investment income  2.89%   2.58%   2.31%   2.84%   2.63%5
Series portfolio turnover  35%   31%   55%   29%   35% 

 

*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.30%   0.32%5

  

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

4Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding this amount, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have decreased by less than 0.01%.

5Annualized.

 

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

14

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class Z

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE
   10/31/23  10/31/22  10/31/21  10/31/202  PERIOD
3/1/191 TO
10/31/192
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $8.72   $9.68   $7.15   $8.07   $7.67 
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income3  0.21   0.20   0.19   0.19   0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.45)  (0.48)  2.48   (0.72)  0.36 
Total from investment operations  (0.24)  (0.28)  2.67   (0.53)  0.48 
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.19)  (0.16)  (0.14)  (0.16)  (0.08)
From net realized gain on investments  (0.61)  (0.52)     (0.23)   
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.80)  (0.68)  (0.14)  (0.39)  (0.08)
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $7.68   $8.72   $9.68   $7.15   $8.07 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $21,929   $24,049   $24,111   $15,781   $18,454 
Total return4  (3.55%)  (3.12%)  37.61%   (6.77%)  6.31% 
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.42%   0.41%   0.41%   0.45%5  0.45%6
Net investment income  2.53%   2.27%   2.04%   2.55%   2.35%6
Series portfolio turnover  35%   31%   55%   29%   35% 

 

*For certain periods presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some periods may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts:

 

   N/A   N/A   N/A‌   N/A   ‌0.02%6

 

1Commencement of operations. 

2Per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a 1.75-for-1 stock split effective after the close of business on December 5, 2019.

3Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

4Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

5Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding this amount, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have decreased by 0.01%.

6Annualized.

 

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

15

 

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.Organization

 

Disciplined Value Series (the “Series”) is a no-load diversified series of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Fund is organized in Maryland and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.

 

The Series’ investment objective is to provide competitive returns consistent with the broad equity market while providing a level of capital protection during market downturns.

 

The Series is authorized to issue four classes of shares (Class S, I, W, and Z). Each class of shares is substantially the same, except that class-specific distribution and shareholder servicing expenses are borne by the specific class of shares to which they relate.

 

The Fund’s Advisor is Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”). Shares of the Series are offered to investors, clients and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. The total authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of 15 billion shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01. As of October 31, 2023, 6.4 billion shares have been designated in total among 15 series, of which 100 million have been designated as Disciplined Value Series Class I common stock, Disciplined Value Series Class S common stock, Disciplined Value Series Class W common stock, and Disciplined Value Series Class Z common stock.

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Series. The Series is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - Investment Companies, which is part of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Security Valuation

Portfolio securities, including domestic equities, foreign equities, warrants and options, listed on an exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the latest quoted sales price of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. Securities not traded on valuation date or securities not listed on an exchange are valued at the latest quoted bid price provided by the Fund’s pricing service. Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Short-term investments that mature in sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value per share on valuation date.

 

Volume and level of activity in established markets for an asset or liability are evaluated to determine whether recent transactions and quoted prices are determinative of fair value. Where there have been significant decreases in volume and level of activity, further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. In these instances, fair value is measured by the use of inputs and valuation techniques which may be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry and/or expectation of future cash flows. As a result of trading in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience significant volatility, the prices used to value these securities may differ from the value that would be realized if these securities were sold, and the differences could be material.

 

Fair Value

The Series’ financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has designated the Advisor as the Fund’s valuation designee (Valuation Designee) to make all fair value determinations with respect to each Series’ portfolio investments. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Designee performs the following functions in performing fair value determinations: assesses and manages valuation risks; establishes and applies fair value methodologies; tests fair value methodologies; and evaluates pricing vendors and pricing agents. The Advisor has adopted and implemented policies and procedures to be followed when making fair value determinations, and it has established a Valuation Committee through which the Advisor makes fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee

  

16

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available. If trading or events occurring after the close of the principal market in which securities are traded are expected to materially affect the value of those securities, then they may be valued at their fair value, taking this trading or these events into account. The Advisor may use a pricing service to obtain the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities where the prices provided by such pricing service are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The methods used by the pricing service and the valuations so established will be reviewed by the Advisor under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Several pricing services are available, one or more of which may be used by the Advisor, as approved by the Board. A change in a pricing service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Advisor in accordance with certain requirements.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 includes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the Series’ can access at the reporting date. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Designee’s own assumptions in determining fair value). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuation levels used for major security types as of October 31, 2023 in valuing the Series’ assets or liabilities carried at fair value:

 

 

DESCRIPTION  TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Assets:                
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $6,564,943   $6,564,943   $   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   9,734,696    9,734,696         
Consumer Staples   14,156,690    14,156,690         
Energy   33,991,840    33,991,840         
Financials   28,014,376    28,014,376         
Health Care   36,302,768    36,302,768         
Industrials   39,223,273    39,223,273         
Information Technology   34,632,199    34,632,199         
Materials   5,034,443    5,034,443         
Short-Term Investment   2,676,768    2,676,768         
Total assets  $210,331,996   $210,331,996   $   $ 

 

There were no Level 2 or Level 3 securities held by the Series as of October 31, 2022 or October 31, 2023.

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Series is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method, is earned from settlement date and accrued daily.

 

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Most expenses of the Fund can be attributed to a specific series. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the series in the Fund in such a manner as deemed equitable by the Fund’s

 

17

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses (continued)

Board, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense. Income, expenses (other than class specific expenses), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class. Class specific expenses are directly charged to that class.

 

The Series uses the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

 

Federal Taxes

The Series’ policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Series is not subject to federal income tax or excise tax to the extent that the Series distributes to shareholders each year its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, in accordance with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax or excise tax has been made in the financial statements.

 

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. At October 31, 2023, the Series has recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.

 

The Series files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions, as required. No income tax returns are currently under investigation. The statute of limitations on the Series’ tax returns remains open for the years ended October 31, 2020 through October 31, 2023. The Series is 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.

 

Foreign Taxes

Based on the Series’ understanding of the tax rules and rates related to income, gains and currency purchase/repatriation transactions for foreign jurisdictions in which it invests, the Series will provide for foreign taxes, and where appropriate, deferred foreign tax.

 

Distributions of Income and Gains

Distributions to shareholders of net investment income and net realized gains are made annually. An additional distribution may be necessary to avoid taxation of the Series. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Indemnifications

The Fund’s organizational documents provide former and current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Other

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

18

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Advisor, for which the Series pays a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.30% of the Series’ average daily net assets.

 

Under the Agreement, personnel of the Advisor provide the Series with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions, and otherwise maintain the Series’ organization. The Advisor also provides the Fund with necessary office space and fund administration and support services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund (except a percentage of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer’s salary, which is paid by the Fund), and of all Directors who are “affiliated persons” of the Fund, or of the Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund, or of the Advisor, performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities, are paid by the Advisor. Each “non-affiliated” Director receives an annual stipend, which is allocated among all the active series of the Fund. In addition, these Directors also receive a fee per Board meeting attended plus a fee for each committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. The Fund also has an Audit Committee Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair and Lead Independent Director who each receive an additional annual stipend for these roles.

 

The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services in an amount not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class S and Class I shares. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on the current assets and/or number of accounts of the Series attributable to the financial intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements may be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any Distribution and Shareholder Services Fee payable under the Rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee for the Class W shares. The full management fee will be waived under this agreement because Class W shares are only available to discretionary investment accounts and other accounts managed by the Advisor. These clients pay a management fee to the Advisor that is separate from the Series' expenses. In addition, pursuant to a separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary so that the total direct annual fund operating expenses, exclusive of the shareholder services fee and/or distribution and service (12b-1) fees and waived Class W management fees (collectively, “excluded expenses”), to 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Class I and Class S shares, 0.45% of the average daily net assets of the Class Z shares, and 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class W shares. These contractual waivers are expected to continue indefinitely, and may not be amended or terminated by the Advisor without the approval of the Series’ Board of Directors. The Advisor may receive from a Class the difference between the Class’s total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, and the Class’s contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers (other than Class W management fee waivers) or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point the total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, are below the contractual expense limit (a) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (b) at the time of the recoupment.

 

Pursuant to the advisory fee waiver, the Advisor waived $580,824 in management fees for Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023.

 

As of October 31, 2023, there are no expenses eligible to be recouped by the Advisor.

 

Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor, acts as distributor for the Fund’s shares. The Series compensates the distributor for distributing and servicing the Series’ Class S shares pursuant to a distribution plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, regardless of expenses actually incurred. Under the agreement, the Series pays distribution and service fees to the distributor at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class S shares. There are no distribution and service fees on the Class I, Class W or Class Z shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee related to fund accounting and administration of 0.0085% on the first $25 billion of average daily net assets; 0.0075% on the next $15 billion of average daily net assets; and 0.0065% of average daily net assets in excess of $40 billion; plus a base fee of $30,400 per series. Additionally, certain transaction

 

19

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

and out-of-pocket expenses, including charges for reporting relating to the Fund’s compliance program, are charged. The Advisor has agreements with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY”) under which BNY serves as sub-accountant services agent.

 

4.Purchases and Sales of Securities

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, purchases and sales of securities, other than U.S. Government securities and short-term securities, were $123,661,803 and $283,415,043, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions

 

Transactions in Class S, Class I, Class W, and Class Z shares of Disciplined Value Series were:

 

CLASS S 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   725,128   5,696,476    2,173,078   $18,266,560 
Reinvested   716,350    5,670,179    513,496    4,436,574 
Repurchased   (2,369,551)   (18,164,533)   (2,824,845)   (24,015,926)
Total   (928,073)  (6,797,878)   (138,271)  $(1,312,792)

 

CLASS I 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/23

  

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

10/31/22

 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   1,863,201   $15,201,700    1,741,033   $15,533,754 
Reinvested   847,978    7,149,838    805,662    7,372,071 
Repurchased   (3,059,141)   (25,500,754)   (3,987,767)   (35,946,984)
Total   (347,962)  $(3,149,216)   (1,441,072)  $(13,041,159)

 

CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   854,362   $6,586,113    1,720,313   $14,488,463 
Reinvested   2,519,942    19,977,603    2,103,608    18,156,087 
Repurchased   (19,903,571)   (150,802,061)   (4,794,298)   (40,542,102)
Total   (16,529,267)  $(124,238,345)   (970,377)  $(7,897,552)

 

CLASS Z  FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/23
   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
10/31/22
 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   186,795   $1,532,195    483,905   $4,226,316 
Reinvested   260,732    2,195,522    183,474    1,675,271 
Repurchased   (349,616)   (2,857,167)   (401,665)   (3,685,852)
Total   97,911   $870,550    265,714   $2,215,735 

 

At October 31, 2023, the Advisor and its affiliates owned 0.5% of the Series. Approximately 32% of the shares outstanding (representing Class W) are fiduciary accounts where the Advisor has sole investment discretion.

 

20

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

6.Line of Credit

 

The Fund has entered into a 364-day, $50 million credit agreement (the “line of credit”) with Bank of New York Mellon. Each series of the Fund may borrow under the line of credit for temporary or emergency purposes, including funding shareholder redemptions and other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund pays an annual fee on the unused commitment amount, payable quarterly, and is allocated among all the series of the Fund and included in miscellaneous expenses in the Statement of Operations for each series. The line of credit expires in September 2024 unless extended or renewed. During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Series did not borrow under the line of credit.

 

7.Financial Instruments

 

The Series may trade in instruments including written and purchased options, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and futures contracts and other derivatives in the normal course of investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. The Series may be subject to various elements of risk, which may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. These risks include: the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index; counterparty credit risk related to over the counter derivative counterparties’ failure to perform under contract terms; liquidity risk related to the lack of a liquid market for these contracts allowing the fund to close out its position(s); and documentation risk relating to disagreement over contract terms. No such investments were held by the Series as of October 31, 2023.

 

8.Federal Income Tax Information

 

The amount and characterization of certain income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to losses deferred due to wash sales and utilization of tax equalization. The Series may periodically make reclassifications among its capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations, without impacting the Series’ net asset value. For the year ended October 31, 2023, amounts were reclassified within the capital accounts to increase Additional Paid in Capital by $7,126,402 and decrease Total Distributable Earnings by $7,126,402. Any such reclassifications are not reflected in the financial highlights.

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

  

   

FOR THE YEAR

ENDED 10/31/23

FOR THE YEAR

ENDED 10/31/22

Ordinary income $9,510,274 $8,085,735
Long-term capital gains 26,564,896 24,642,850

 

At October 31, 2023, the identified cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, the resulting gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and the net unrealized depreciation were as follows:

  

Cost for federal income tax purposes   $ 224,437,475
Unrealized appreciation     11,310,553
Unrealized depreciation     (25,416,032)
       
Net unrealized depreciation   $ (14,105,479)
Undistributed ordinary income   $ 3,668,923
Undistributed long-term capital gains   $ 11,028,460

 

9.Market Event

 

Significant disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets and economies, like the current conditions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively impact the investment performance of the Series. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including

 

21

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

9.Market Event (continued)

 

but not limited to, impacts on business operations in the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, concerns related to unpredictable global market and economic factors, uncertainty in U.S. federal fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy and the fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy of foreign governments, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance of financial markets, terrorism, natural or biological catastrophes, public health emergencies, or political uncertainty.

 

22

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of Disciplined Value Series

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, of Disciplined Value Series (one of the series constituting Manning & Napier Fund, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2023, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023, 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 the Fund as of October 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits 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, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

New York, New York

December 21, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Manning & Napier Mutual Funds since 1992.

 

23

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Supplemental Tax Information

(unaudited)

 

All reportings are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Series reports for the current fiscal year $9,510,274 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable under the tax law, as qualified dividend income.

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of investment income (dividend income plus short-term gains, if any) that qualifies for the dividends received deduction for the current fiscal year is 97.88%.

 

The Series designates $17,199,126 as Long-Term Capital Gain dividends pursuant to Section 852(b) of the Code for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.

 

24

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Fund’s directors and officers and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-800-466-3863, at www.manning-napier.com, or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). The following chart shows certain information about the Fund’s directors and officers, including their principal occupations during the last five years. Unless specific dates are provided, the individuals have held the listed positions for longer than five years.

 

Interested Director and Officer1

Name: Paul Battaglia*
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1978
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Chairman and Director since November 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Financial Officer since 2018; Vice President of Finance (2016–2018);
Director of Finance (2011–2016); Financial Analyst/Internal Auditor (2004–
2006) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates
Holds one or more of the following titles for various subsidiaries and
affiliates: Chief Financial Officer
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
N/A

  

Independent Directors 

Name: Paul A. Brooke
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1945
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance &
Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
Committee Member since 2007; Lead Independent Director since 2017
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Member since 1991 - PMSV Holdings LLC (investments);
Managing Member (2010-2016) - VenBio (investments).
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
Incyte Corp. (biotech) (2000-2020); PureEarth (non-profit) since 2012; Cerus
(biomedical) since 2016; Caelum BioSciences (biomedical) since 2018;
Cheyne Capital International (investment)(2000-2017);

 

Name: Eunice K. Chapon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1969
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since May 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Operations and Business Development since 2022 – BrightEdge/American Cancer Society (impact investment/non-profit); General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer (2021-2022) – Decency Global Inc. (ESG start-up); Senior Vice President and Counsel, Head of Legal – Global Distribution (2018-2021); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2018) – Natixis Investment Managers (investment management)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:

N/A 

  

25

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Independent Directors (continued) 

Name: John Glazer
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1965
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since February 2021
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Executive Officer since 2020 – Oikos Holdings LLC (Single-Family
Office); Head of Corporate Development (2019-2020) – Caelum Biosciences
(pharmaceutical development); Head of Private Investments (2015-2018) –
AC Limited (Single-Family Office)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
N/A

   

Name: Russell O. Vernon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1957
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee
  Chairman
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating
  Committee Member since April 2020; Governance & Nominating Committee
  Chairman since November 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Founder and General Partner (2009-2019) – BVM Capital Management
  (economic development)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
Board Member, Vice Chairman and President since 2010 – Newburgh Armory Unity Center (military); Board Member and Executive Director since 2020 – National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. (military); Board Member, Vice Chairman (2015-2020) – National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. (military)

 

Name:Chester N. Watson
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born:1950
Current Position(s) Held with Fund:Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served:Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member Since 2012; Audit Committee Chairman since 2013
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years:General Auditor (2003-2011) - General Motors Company (auto manufacturer)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex:15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During
Past 5 Years:
Rochester Institute of Technology (University) since 2005; Hudson Valley Center for Innovation, Inc. (New Business and Economic Development) since 2019; Town of Greenburgh, NY Planning Board (Municipal Government) (2015-2019);

 

26

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers:

Name: Elizabeth Craig
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2016
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Fund Administration since 2021; Fund Regulatory Administration
Manager (2018-2021); Fund Administration Manager (2015-2018) –
Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Corporate Secretary, Director since 2019
– Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

 

Name: Samantha Larew
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1980
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Chief Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years:

Co-Director of Compliance since 2018; Compliance Communications

Supervisor (2014-2018) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC& Affiliates; 

Broker-Dealer Chief Compliance Officer since 2013; Broker-Dealer Assistant

Corporate Secretary since 2011 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc. 

 

Name: Scott Morabito
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Vice President
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Vice President since 2019; Assistant Vice President (2017-2019)
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Director, Client Service and Business Operations since 2021;
Managing Director of Operations (2019-2021); Director of Funds Group
(2017-2019) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; President, Director since
2018 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.; President, Exeter Trust
Company since 2021.

 

Name: Jill Peeper
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Assistant Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Assistant Treasurer since 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Mutual Fund Financial Reporting Manager since 2022 - Manning & Napier
Advisors, LLC; Fund Accounting Manager (2007 – 2022) – State Street
Bank.

 

Name: Troy Statczar
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1971
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers, since 2020 – ACA Group
(formerly Foreside Financial Group); Director of Fund Administration (2017-
2019) - Thornburg Investment Management, Inc.

  

27

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information

(unaudited)

 

Officers: (continued)

Name: Sarah Turner
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Legal Officer; Assistant Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Counsel since 2018 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and
affiliates; Counsel (2017-2018) – Harter Secrest and Emery LLP
Holds one or more of the following titles for various affiliates: Corporate
Secretary, General Counsel

 

1Interested Director, within the meaning of the 1940 Act by reason of his positions with the Fund’s Advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and Distributor, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.

2The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation or removal as provided in the Fund’s By-Laws.

 

28

 

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29

 

Disciplined Value Series

 

Literature Requests

(unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone1-800-466-3863

On the Securities and Exchange

Commission’s (SEC) web site

http://www.sec.gov

 

 

Proxy Voting Record

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web sitehttp://www.sec.gov

 

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings

 

The Series’ complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year are provided on Form N-PORT, and are available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web sitehttp://www.sec.gov

  

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

 

For more information about any of the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Series, you may obtain a prospectus and SAI at www.manning-napier.com or by calling 1-(800) 466-3863. Before investing, carefully consider the objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment and read the prospectus carefully as it contains this and other information about the investment company. In addition, this information can be found on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Additional information available at www.manning-napier.com

1.Fund Holdings - Month-End

2.Fund Holdings - Quarter-End

3.Shareholder Report - Annual

4.Shareholder Report - Semi-Annual

 

The Fund also offers electronic notification or “e-delivery” when certain documents are available on-line to be downloaded or reviewed. Direct shareholders can elect to receive electronic notification when shareholder reports, prospectus updates, and/or statements are available. If you do not currently have on-line access to your account, you can establish access by going to www.manning-napier.com, click on “Login” in the top corner of the page, and follow the prompts to self-enroll. Once enrolled, you can set your electronic notification preferences by clicking on the Account Options tab located within the green toolbar and then select E-Delivery Option. Should you have any questions on either how to establish on-line access or how to update your account settings, please contact Investor Services at 1-800-466-3863.

 

The Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. is managed by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC. Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, is the distributor of the Fund shares.

 

MNDIV-10/23-AR

30

 

 

www.manning-napier.com

 

Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.
 
Rainier International Discovery Series

 

 

 

 

  Independent Perspective | Real-World Solutions

 

A Note from Our CEO

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

2023 has proven to be surprising on many fronts. The resiliency of the U.S. economy, driven by a strong labor market and consumer spending, was unanticipated by many observers, including us. While inflation has come down globally without a large spike in unemployment, interest rates remain high relative to the past 15 years around the world, creating increasing pressure on indebted families, companies, and governments. On the geopolitical front, the world feels more dangerous than in many decades, confronting war in the Middle East and Europe and heightened tension between China and the U.S.

 

Capital markets have likewise been surprising. The most historically significant development in markets is that bonds, in aggregate, have done poorly so far, for the third year in a row, reflecting interest rates that have remained high. By way of example, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond, has never declined three years in a row since 1787. Equities, particularly in the U.S., have risen, though a mere seven U.S. technology stocks explain pretty much the entirety of the returns in equities both in the U.S. and globally, a remarkably concentrated situation.

 

The future is unknown and prone to surprises, however, we have confidence in our ability to mitigate the risks emerging from the current environment, while keeping our shareholders’ goals and needs at the forefront of our decision making.

 

Our consistent investment philosophies, disciplines, and time-tested processes – that have guided our seasoned investors over multiple economic and capital markets cycles over the past half-century – remain at our core and will support us as this cycle plays out.

This year, we launched a new investment strategy, the Callodine Equity Income fund, in partnership with the Callodine Group, our parent company. The combination with Callodine was a meaningful and strategic decision to position Manning & Napier stronger for the future and to help us continue to evolve in ways that benefit our investors. We look forward to sharing new investment strategies and opportunities with you in the future.

 

Above all, we thank and appreciate your continued confidence in our firm. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Marc Mayer 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Corporate Headquarters | 290 Woodcliff Drive | Fairport, NY 14450 | (585) 325-6880 phone | (800) 551-0224 toll free | www.manning-napier.com

 

1

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Fund Commentary 

(unaudited)

 

Investment Objective

 

To seek long-term capital appreciation. The Series invests primarily in equity securities of foreign developed and emerging market companies that are small- to mid-sized at the time of purchase.

 

Performance Commentary

 

Broad international equity markets posted positive returns for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2023. During the period, larger-cap stocks generally outperformed smaller-cap stocks and value outperformed growth, both of which were headwinds for the Series for the second consecutive year. Within the international small cap market specifically, most sectors were positive – led by Information Technology and Financials – while only Real Estate and Health Care posted negative returns during the period. On a regional basis, developed markets outperformed emerging markets but both were positive.

 

The Rainier International Discovery Series Class S shares delivered negative absolute returns and trailed its benchmark, the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index, returning -3.3% and 8.8% respectively.

 

Security selection was the primary driver of relative underperformance, while sector & geographic allocation decisions were neutral to slightly positive. Specifically, stock selection within the Industrials, Information Technology, and Consumer Discretionary sectors were notable detractors as the Series’ investment style geared toward quality growth companies was generally out of favor during the period and stock-specific headwinds challenged returns as well. From a geographic perspective, an underweight to Emerging Markets broadly (including to Taiwan and Korea) and an overweight to developed Europe (Sweden and France, for instance) detracted from relative returns as well.

 

Specific companies that notably detracted from performance included Hexatronic Group (a Swedish manufacturer of fiberoptic products, that was a primary positive contributor the previous twelve months), ALK-abello (an industry-leading producer of allergy vaccination products), and Alfen (a manufacturing and consulting company with a specialization in electrical grids). All three companies were removed from the portfolio during the period.

 

Specific positive contributors to relative performance included Varun Beverages (an Indian company that is the largest non-U.S. distributor of PepsiCo products), Rheinmetall (a German arms & defense manufacturer), and Sydbank (one of Denmark’s largest full-service banks). All three continue to be held as positions in the portfolio.

 

The Series continues to maintain exposure to several important trends that we think will be crucial to global economic development moving forward, including automation, global electrification, software as a service, consulting across a variety of industries, and travel. The portfolio remains underweight to emerging markets, but its allocation has continued to increase over the past year, most notably in India where the team is finding attractive investment opportunities.

 

Rainier’s international small-cap investment process and approach, as always, has been steady and disciplined throughout the year. The team remains focused on investing in what they believe are strong, essential, and innovative businesses that are of high quality and have the potential to lead the global economy for years to come. This is consistent with the team’s long-term philosophy of investing in companies with dominant market positions, innovative leadership, and the ability to deliver financial results to shareholders.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than that quoted; investors can obtain the most recent month-end performance at www.manning-napier.com or by calling (800) 466-3863.

 

Commentary prepared using data provided by FactSet. Analysis Manning & Napier. Commentary presented is relative to the ACWIxUS Small Cap Index. Additional information and associated disclosures can be found on the Performance Update page of this report.

 

The data presented is for informational purposes only. It is not to be considered a specific stock recommendation.

 

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. As with any stock fund, the value of your investment will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Small- and medium-capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large-capitalization companies. Funds whose investments are concentrated in foreign and emerging market countries may be subject to fluctuating currency values, different accounting standards, and economic and political instability. The value of the Series may be affected by changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Investments in emerging markets may be more volatile than investments in more developed markets. Additionally, the Series is subject to portfolio turnover risk as it may buy and sell investments frequently, which may result in higher expenses and an increase in realized capital gains and potential tax implications for shareholders.

 

2

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

  

  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
  AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2023
  ONE FIVE TEN
  YEAR1 YEAR YEAR
Rainier International Discovery Series - Class S2,3 (3.30%) 3.60% 5.07%
Rainier International Discovery Series - Class I2,3 (3.00%) 3.87% 5.34%
Rainier International Discovery Series - Class W2,4 (2.01%) 4.88% 5.85%
Rainier International Discovery Series - Class Z2,3 (2.86%) 4.02% 5.43%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index5 8.82% 3.51% 3.43%

 

The following graph compares the value of a $1,000,000 investment in the Rainier International Discovery Series - Class I for the ten years ended October 31, 2023 to the MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index.

 

 

 

1The returns shown are based on net asset values calculated for shareholder transactions and may differ from the returns shown in the financial highlights, which reflect adjustments made to the net asset values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

2The Series’ performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of shares. The Series’ performance is historical and may not be indicative of future results. The performance returns shown are inclusive of the net expense ratio of the Series. For the year ended October 31, 2023, this net expense ratio was 1.40% for Class S, 1.15% for Class I, 0.10% for Class W and 1.00% for Class Z. The gross expense ratio, which does not account for any voluntary or contractual waivers currently in effect, was 1.46% for Class S, 1.18% for Class I, 1.06% for Class W and 1.06% for Class Z for the year ended October 31, 2023.

3The Rainier International Discovery Fund (Predecessor Fund), which was managed by Rainier Investment Management, LLC, was reorganized into the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Rainier International Discovery Series on August 21, 2017. For periods prior to August 21, 2017, performance for the Class I and Z Shares is based on the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares, and will differ to the extent that the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares had a higher expense ratio. For periods between November 30, 2012 and August 21, 2017, performance for Class S is based on the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Class A Shares; performance prior to November 30, 2012 is based on the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Institutional Shares and adjusted for the Predecessor Fund’s Class A Shares expenses. If the sales charges were reflected or if performance had been adjusted to reflect the Class S Shares’ expenses, the performance would have been different depending on total expenses incurred by the Predecessor Fund.

4For periods through March 1, 2019 (the inception date of the Class W shares), performance for the Class W shares is based on the historical performance of the Class I shares. Because the Class W shares invest in the same portfolio of securities as the Class I shares, performance will be different only to the extent that the Class I shares have a higher expense ratio.

 

3

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Performance Update as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

 

5The MSCI ACWI ex USA Small Cap Index is designed to measure a small cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and 24 Emerging Markets countries. The Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses. The Index is denominated in U.S. dollars. The Index returns are net of withholding taxes. They assume daily reinvestment of net dividends thus accounting for any applicable dividend taxation. Index returns provided by Bloomberg. Index data referenced herein is the property of MSCI, its affiliates (“MSCI”) and/or its third party suppliers and has been licensed for use by Manning & Napier. MSCI and its third party suppliers accept no liability in connection with its use. Data provided is not a representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and none of these parties shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein. For additional disclosure information, please see: https://go.manning-napier.com/benchmark-provisions.

 

4

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Shareholder Expense Example 

(unaudited)

 

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

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested in each class at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (May 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023).

 

Actual Expenses 

The Actual lines of the table below provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the Actual line for the Class in which you have invested 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 Hypothetical lines of each class in the table below provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Class’ actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in a class of the Series and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the Class in which you have invested 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 transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that you may incur in other mutual funds. 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.

 

   BEGINNING  ENDING  EXPENSES PAID  ANNUALIZED
   ACCOUNT VALUE  ACCOUNT VALUE  DURING PERIOD*  EXPENSE
   5/1/23  10/31/23  5/1/23 - 10/31/23  RATIO
Class S            
Actual  $1,000.00  $877.20  $6.62  1.40%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,018.15  $7.12  1.40%
Class I            
Actual  $1,000.00  $878.50  $5.45  1.15%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,019.41  $5.85  1.15%
Class W            
Actual  $1,000.00  $883.30  $0.47  0.10%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,024.70  $0.51  0.10%
Class Z            
Actual  $1,000.00  $879.50  $4.74  1.00%
Hypothetical            
(5% return before expenses)  $1,000.00  $1,020.16  $5.09  1.00%

 

*Expenses are equal to each Class’ annualized expense ratio (for the six-month period), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). Expenses are based on the most recent fiscal half year; therefore, the expense ratios stated above may differ from the expense ratios stated in the financial highlights, which are based on one-year data. The Class’ total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the period.

 

5

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Portfolio Composition as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

 

Country Allocation1,2
 
 

 1As a percentage of net assets. 

 2Allocations are based on country of risk. 

 3Miscellaneous

Austria 0.3% 

Belgium 0.3% 

Greece 0.7%

Luxembourg 0.4%

Philippines 0.7%

 

6

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Portfolio Composition as of October 31, 2023 

(unaudited)

 

Sector Allocation4
 
 

 4As a percentage of net assets.

 

7

 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

  

         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS - 94.3%        
         
Communication Services - 5.9%        
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.6%          
Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. (Japan)   508,800   $8,221,502 
Entertainment - 0.7%          
CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA (Germany)   55,278    3,346,868 
Interactive Media & Services - 3.6%          
Auto Trader Group plc (United Kingdom)1   643,210    4,865,404 
carsales.com Ltd. (Australia)   189,396    3,338,533 
Rightmove plc (United Kingdom)   1,111,989    6,412,433 
Scout24 SE (Germany)1   67,375    4,144,918 
         18,761,288 
Total Communication Services        30,329,658 
Consumer Discretionary - 12.8%          
Automobile Components - 1.1%          
Brembo S.p.A. (Italy)   141,830    1,526,048 
Nifco, Inc. (Japan)   171,900    4,031,435 
         5,557,483 
Broadline Retail - 1.0%          
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (United Kingdom)   787,051    5,066,833 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 6.6%          
Alsea S.A.B. de C.V. (Mexico)*   1,568,307    5,205,363 
Domino's Pizza Group plc (United Kingdom)   999,878    4,172,097 
Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. (India)   2,652,669    12,217,560 
Minor International PCL - NVDR (Thailand)   3,486,200    2,716,730 
SSP Group plc (United Kingdom)*   1,052,269    2,302,165 
Whitbread plc (United Kingdom)   187,122    7,587,452 
         34,201,367 
Household Durables - 0.9%          
Nikon Corp. (Japan)   520,400    4,940,894 
Leisure Products - 0.1%          
MIPS AB (Sweden)1   17,531    432,310 
Specialty Retail - 2.1%          
Com7 PCL - NVDR (Thailand)   5,714,100    4,257,810 
JUMBO S.A. (Greece)   145,806    3,835,334 
Siam Global House PCL (Thailand)   3,958,562    1,737,849 
Siam Global House PCL (Thailand)   2,717,348    1,192,943 
         11,023,936 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 1.0%          
Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. (Italy)   62,547    5,031,139 
Total Consumer Discretionary        66,253,962 
Consumer Staples - 8.8%          
Beverages - 4.0%          
Royal Unibrew A/S (Denmark)   21,385    1,546,964 
Varun Beverages Ltd. (India)   1,748,788    19,087,737 
         20,634,701 
         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)        
         
Consumer Staples (continued)        
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail - 1.0%        
Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT (Indonesia)   29,998,484   $5,457,704 
Food Products - 2.3%          
Gruma S.A.B. de C.V. - Class B (Mexico)   207,205    3,608,992 
Morinaga & Co. Ltd. (Japan)   123,300    4,446,731 
Universal Robina Corp. (Philippines)   1,941,810    3,743,488 
         11,799,211 
Personal Care Products - 1.5%          
L'Occitane International S.A. (Luxembourg)   718,000    1,845,426 
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Japan)   252,500    5,891,155 
         7,736,581 
Total Consumer Staples        45,628,197 
Energy - 3.9%          
Energy Equipment & Services - 2.7%          
Aker Solutions ASA (Norway)   2,655,511    10,604,140 
Technip Energies N.V. (France)   155,852    3,414,678 
         14,018,818 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.2%          
Gaztransport Et Technigaz S.A. (France)   49,517    6,333,724 
Total Energy        20,352,542 
Financials - 9.5%          
Banks - 3.8%          
Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. (Japan)   277,900    7,345,937 
Ringkjoebing Landbobank A/S (Denmark)   27,919    3,805,328 
Sydbank AS (Denmark)   197,809    8,592,760 
         19,744,025 
Capital Markets - 0.9%          
Euronext N.V. (Netherlands)1   70,457    4,913,571 
Consumer Finance - 1.3%          
CreditAccess Grameen Ltd. (India)*   356,031    6,829,945 
Financial Services - 1.7%          
Element Fleet Management Corp. (Canada)   540,820    7,316,231 
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc. (Japan)   36,200    1,445,801 
         8,762,032 
Insurance - 1.8%          
Steadfast Group Ltd. (Australia)   955,110    3,284,379 
Topdanmark AS (Denmark)   129,036    5,783,924 
         9,068,303 
Total Financials        49,317,876 
Health Care - 5.2%          
Biotechnology - 0.8%          
BioGaia AB - Class B (Sweden)   454,649    4,056,730 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 1.5%          
Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd. (Japan)   374,600    6,294,266 

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

 

8

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Health Care (continued)          
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)          
Xvivo Perfusion AB (Sweden)*   66,075   $1,373,300 
         7,667,566 
Health Care Providers & Services - 1.5%          
Amvis Holdings, Inc. (Japan)   225,886    3,853,429 
Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. (India)   576,605    3,973,482 
         7,826,911 
Health Care Technology - 0.9%          
Pro Medicus Ltd. (Australia)   97,119    4,626,066 
Pharmaceuticals - 0.5%          
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT (Indonesia)   26,417,300    2,809,600 
Total Health Care        26,986,873 
Industrials - 27.5%          
Aerospace & Defense - 7.0%          
Babcock International Group plc (United Kingdom)*   1,080,214    5,139,690 
CAE, Inc. (Canada)*   440,660    9,202,462 
Rheinmetall AG (Germany)   38,663    11,099,893 
Saab AB - Class B (Sweden)   213,277    10,956,343 
         36,398,388 
Commercial Services & Supplies - 2.9%          
Daiei Kankyo Co. Ltd. (Japan)   295,800    4,083,691 
ISS A/S (Denmark)   321,949    4,659,404 
Park24 Co. Ltd. (Japan)*   558,000    6,286,319 
         15,029,414 
Construction & Engineering - 3.7%          
Fugro N.V. (Netherlands)*    636,007    10,504,908 
Worley Ltd. (Australia)   844,778    8,830,868 
         19,335,776 
Electrical Equipment - 0.8%          
Voltronic Power Technology Corp. (Taiwan)   101,498    4,070,469 
Ground Transportation - 1.5%          
TFI International, Inc. (Canada)   71,857    7,949,221 
Machinery - 3.7%          
Aalberts N.V. (Netherlands)   58,650    1,831,185 
Daifuku Co. Ltd. (Japan)   286,500    4,733,811 
Husqvarna AB - Class B (Sweden)   368,644    2,388,726 
Interpump Group S.p.A. (Italy)   48,189    2,014,989 
Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Japan)   172,800    4,930,176 
Trelleborg AB - Class B (Sweden)   117,721    2,977,057 
         18,875,944 
Professional Services - 2.1%          
ALS Ltd. (Australia)   654,446    4,478,934 
TechnoPro Holdings, Inc. (Japan)   308,400    6,109,666 
         10,588,600 
         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Industrials (continued)          
Trading Companies & Distributors - 4.0%          
Howden Joinery Group plc (United Kingdom)   678,020   $5,265,576 
RS Group plc (United Kingdom)   163,911    1,352,664 
Sojitz Corp. (Japan)   365,400    7,587,675 
Toromont Industries Ltd. (Canada)   86,082    6,480,592 
         20,686,507 
Transportation Infrastructure - 1.8%          
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S.A.B. de C.V. - Class B (Mexico)   152,760    3,304,476 
Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd. (Japan)   129,500    5,695,286 
         8,999,762 
Total Industrials        141,934,081 
Information Technology - 12.1%          
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 3.0%          
Barco N.V. (Belgium)   83,226    1,277,844 
E Ink Holdings, Inc. (Taiwan)   267,000    1,389,234 
Halma plc (United Kingdom)   120,210    2,703,328 
Oxford Instruments plc (United Kingdom)   142,566    3,122,539 
Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd. (Taiwan)   806,000    6,901,994 
         15,394,939 
IT Services - 2.6%          
Alten S.A. (France)   51,302    6,060,200 
Megaport Ltd. (Australia)*   431,380    2,638,242 
Sopra Steria Group SACA (France)   26,732    4,799,364 
         13,497,806 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.4%          
AIXTRON SE (Germany)   99,538    2,797,093 
BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (Netherlands)   30,610    3,162,003 
eMemory Technology, Inc. (Taiwan)   102,000    6,390,448 
Nordic Semiconductor ASA (Norway)*   105,791    859,580 
SOITEC (France)*   31,504    4,702,256 
         17,911,380 
Software - 3.1%          
The Descartes Systems Group, Inc. (Canada)*   76,885    5,557,010 
Fortnox AB (Sweden)   469,843    1,862,424 
KPIT Technologies Ltd. (India)   285,636    4,179,395 
Technology One Ltd. (Australia)   466,709    4,328,163 
         15,926,992 
Total Information Technology        62,731,117 
Materials - 2.9%          
Chemicals - 0.7%          
Kaneka Corp. (Japan)   143,200    3,504,360 
Construction Materials - 0.3%          
Wienerberger AG (Austria)   66,402    1,608,719 

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

 

9

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Investment Portfolio - October 31, 2023

 

         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
           
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Materials (continued)          
Metals & Mining - 1.9%          
APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. (India)   410,536   $7,720,205 
Pilbara Minerals Ltd. (Australia)   905,524    2,127,074 
         9,847,279 
Total Materials        14,960,358 
Real Estate - 4.5%          
Hotel & Resort REITs - 1.5%          
Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp. (Japan)   16,968    7,714,218 
Real Estate Management & Development - 3.0%          
Corp. Inmobiliaria Vesta S.A.B. de C.V. (Mexico)   2,529,900    7,933,915 
The Phoenix Mills Ltd. (India)   335,766    7,320,946 
         15,254,861 
Total Real Estate        22,969,079 
         
       VALUE 
   SHARES   (NOTE 2) 
         
COMMON STOCKS (continued)          
           
Utilities - 1.2%          
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers - 1.2%          
ERG S.p.A. (Italy)   42,249   $1,038,092 
NHPC Ltd. (India)   8,876,579    5,352,911 
Total Utilities        6,391,003 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Identified Cost $447,657,607)        487,854,746 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT - 5.2%          
           
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares, 5.23%2          
(Identified Cost $26,656,653)   26,656,653    26,656,653 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.5%          
(Identified Cost $474,314,260)        514,511,399 
OTHER ASSETS, LESS LIABILITIES - 0.5%        2,683,954 
NET ASSETS - 100%       $517,195,353 

NVDR - Non-Voting Depositary Receipt 

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

*Non-income producing security. 

1Security purchased or received in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and determined to be liquid under the Fund’s Liquidity Risk Management Program. The security may be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, typically to qualified institutional buyers. The aggregate value of these securities at October 31, 2023 was $14,356,203, which represented 2.8% of the Series’ Net Assets. 

2Rate shown is the current yield as of October 31, 2023.

 

The Series’ portfolio holds, as a percentage of net assets, greater than 10% in the following countries:

Japan - 18.8% and India - 12.9%. 

 

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P Global Inc. (S&P), and is licensed for use by Manning & Napier when referencing GICS sectors. Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification, nor shall any such party have any liability therefrom.

 

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

 

10

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities 

October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS:    
     
Investments, at value (identified cost $474,314,260) (Note 2)  $514,511,399 
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost $770,022)   767,794 
Receivable for securities sold   5,260,461 
Foreign tax reclaims receivable   1,090,976 
Dividends receivable   693,751 
Receivable for fund shares sold   556,546 
TOTAL ASSETS   522,880,927 
      
LIABILITIES:     
      
Due to custodian   44,612 
Accrued management fees1   289,231 
Accrued sub-transfer agent fees1   154,015 
Accrued fund accounting and administration fees1   40,874 
Directors' fees payable1   16,419 
Accrued distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S)1   6,427 
Accrued Chief Compliance Officer service fees1   3,023 
Accrued foreign capital gains tax (Note 2)   4,054,763 
Payable for fund shares repurchased   645,297 
Payable for securities purchased   262,013 
Other payables and accrued expenses   168,900 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   5,685,574 
      
Commitments and contingent liabilities1      
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $517,195,353 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Capital stock  $257,850 
Additional paid-in-capital   576,598,168 
Total distributable earnings   (59,660,665)
      
TOTAL NET ASSETS  $517,195,353 
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class S
($28,930,623/1,472,964 shares)
  $19.64 
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class I
($257,082,864/12,830,104 shares)
  $20.04 
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class W
($19,503,873/969,085 shares)
  $20.13 
NET ASSET VALUE, OFFERING PRICE AND REDEMPTION PRICE PER SHARE - Class Z
($211,677,993/10,512,833 shares)
  $20.14 

 

1 See note 3 in Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

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

 

11

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Statement of Operations 

For the Year Ended October 31, 2023

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld, $1,324,998)  $11,421,010 
      
EXPENSES:     
      
Management fees (Note 3)   5,640,070 
Sub-transfer agent fees (Note 3)   397,759 
Fund accounting and administration fees (Note 3)   167,820 
Directors’ fees (Note 3)   100,669 
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees (Class S) (Note 3)   86,287 
Chief Compliance Officer service fees (Note 3)   8,424 
Custodian fees   177,931 
Interest expense   7,621 
Miscellaneous   546,290 
      
Total Expenses   7,132,871 
Less reduction of expenses (Note 3)   (488,972)
      
Net Expenses   6,643,899 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   4,777,111 
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:     
      
Net realized gain (loss) on-     
Investments (net of foreign capital gains tax of $1,022,123)   (40,071,016)
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   (274,840)
    (40,345,856)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on-     
Investments (net of increase in accrued foreign capital gains tax of $1,644,794)   23,709,327 
Foreign currency and translation of other assets and liabilities   26,077 
    23,735,404 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY   (16,610,452)
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(11,833,341)

 

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

 

12

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   FOR THE   FOR THE 
   YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22 
           
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:          
           
OPERATIONS:          
           
Net investment income  $4,777,111   $2,289,274 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency   (40,345,856)   (57,099,398)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency   23,735,404    (238,282,083)
Net increase (decrease) from operations   (11,833,341)   (293,092,207)
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (Note 9):          
           
Class S       (5,044,645)
Class I       (35,619,104)
Class W   (250,430)   (3,615,053)
Class Z   (272,966)   (42,079,965)
Total distributions to shareholders   (523,396)   (86,358,767)
CAPITAL STOCK ISSUED AND REPURCHASED:          
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions (Note 5)   (112,298,252)   201,207,652 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets   (124,654,989)   (178,243,322)
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of year   641,850,342    820,093,664 
End of year  $517,195,353   $641,850,342 

  

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

 

13

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class S

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $20.31‌   $34.75‌   $25.62‌   $20.41‌   $18.83‌ 
                     
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)1  0.09‌   (0.00)2  (0.13)  (0.11)  (0.07)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.76)  (10.85)  9.77‌   5.32‌   1.67‌ 
Total from investment operations  (0.67)  (10.85)  9.64‌   5.21‌   1.60‌ 
                     
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  —‌   —‌   —‌   —‌   (0.02)
From net realized gain on investments  —‌   (3.59)  (0.51)  —‌   —‌ 
Total distributions to shareholders  —‌   (3.59)  (0.51)  —‌   (0.02)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $19.64‌   $20.31‌   $34.75‌   $25.62‌   $20.41‌ 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $28,930   $32,038   $47,911   $36,577   $39,387 
Total return3  (3.30%)  (34.40%)  38.06%‌   25.53%‌   8.53%‌ 
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.40%‌   1.39%‌   1.40%‌   1.40%‌   1.40%‌ 
Net investment income (loss)  0.42%‌   (0.02%)  (0.41%)  (0.48%)  (0.36%)
Series portfolio turnover  64%‌   76%‌   76%‌   91%‌   102%‌ 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   0.06%   N/A   0.00%4   0.05%   0.04% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

2Less than $(0.01). 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

4Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

14

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class I

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $20.66‌   $35.24‌   $25.91‌   $20.64‌   $19.04‌ 
                     
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)1  0.15‌   0.07‌   (0.05)  (0.05)  0.06‌ 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.77)  (11.03)  9.89‌   5.38‌   1.61‌ 
Total from investment operations  (0.62)  (10.96)  9.84‌   5.33‌   1.67‌ 
                     
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  —‌   (0.03)  —‌   (0.06)  (0.07)
From net realized gain on investments  —‌   (3.59)  (0.51)  —‌   —‌ 
Total distributions to shareholders  —‌   (3.62)  (0.51)  (0.06)  (0.07)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $20.04‌   $20.66‌   $35.24‌   $25.91‌   $20.64‌ 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $257,083   $281,907   $335,259   $174,435   $154,009 
Total return2  (3.00%)  (34.25%)  38.41%‌   25.88%‌   8.81%‌ 
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.15%‌   1.12%‌   1.13%3  1.15%‌   1.14%‌ 
Net investment income (loss)  0.69%‌   0.28%‌   (0.14%)  (0.22%)  0.31%‌ 
Series portfolio turnover  64%‌   76%‌   76%‌   91%‌   102%‌ 
                     
*For certain years presented, the investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees, and in some years may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   0.03%   N/A   N/A   0.00%4   0.03% 

  

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

2Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during certain years. 

3Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Without the recoupment the ratio would have been 1.11%.

4Less than 0.01%.

 

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

 

15

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class W

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED  FOR THE
           PERIOD
           3/1/191 TO
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each period):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of period  $20.75‌   $35.39‌   $25.93‌   $20.59‌   $19.34‌ 
                     
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income2  0.38‌   0.33‌   0.28‌   0.19‌   0.22‌ 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.77)  (11.03)  9.90‌   5.36‌   1.03‌ 
Total from investment operations  (0.39)  (10.70)  10.18‌   5.55‌   1.25‌ 
                     
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.23)  (0.35)  (0.21)  (0.21)  —‌ 
From net realized gain on investments  —‌   (3.59)  (0.51)  —‌   —‌ 
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.23)  (3.94)  (0.72)  (0.21)  —‌ 
                     
Net asset value - End of period  $20.13‌   $20.75‌   $35.39‌   $25.93‌   $20.59‌ 
Net assets - End of period (000’s omitted)  $19,504   $22,552   $32,618   $24,962   $18,095 
Total return3  (2.01%)  (33.57%)  39.91%‌   27.17%‌   6.46%‌ 
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  0.10%‌   0.10%‌   0.10%‌   0.10%‌   0.10%4
Net investment income  1.72%‌   1.28%‌   0.87%‌   0.84%‌   1.65%4
Series portfolio turnover  64%‌   76%‌   76%‌   91%‌   102%‌ 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the periods, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   0.96%   0.92%   0.93%   0.97%   1.00%4 

 

1Commencement of operations. 

2Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the periods. 

3Represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the periods. Periods less than one year are not annualized. 

4Annualized.

 

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

 

16

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Financial Highlights - Class Z

 

   FOR THE YEAR ENDED
   10/31/23   10/31/22   10/31/21   10/31/20   10/31/19 
                     
Per share data (for a share outstanding throughout each year):                    
Net asset value - Beginning of year  $20.75‌   $35.36‌   $25.96‌   $20.67‌   $19.06‌ 
                     
Income (loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)1  0.18‌   0.09‌   (0.01)  (0.01)  0.09‌ 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments  (0.77)  (11.06)  9.92‌   5.38‌   1.61‌ 
Total from investment operations  (0.59)  (10.97)  9.91‌   5.37‌   1.70‌ 
                     
Less distributions to shareholders:                    
From net investment income  (0.02)  (0.05)  (0.00)2  (0.08)  (0.09)
From net realized gain on investments  —‌   (3.59)  (0.51)  —‌   —‌ 
Total distributions to shareholders  (0.02)  (3.64)  (0.51)  (0.08)  (0.09)
                     
Net asset value - End of year  $20.14‌   $20.75‌   $35.36‌   $25.96‌   $20.67‌ 
Net assets - End of year (000’s omitted)  $211,678   $305,353   $404,306   $283,566   $237,740 
Total return3  (2.86%)  (34.17%)  38.61%‌   26.06%‌   8.99%‌ 
                     
Ratios (to average net assets)/Supplemental Data:                    
Expenses*  1.00%‌   1.00%‌   1.00%‌   1.00%‌   1.00%‌ 
Net investment income (loss)  0.81%‌   0.34%‌   (0.03%)  (0.05%)  0.48%‌ 
Series portfolio turnover  64%‌   76%‌   76%‌   91%‌   102%‌ 
                     
*The investment advisor did not impose all or a portion of its management and/or other fees during the years, and may have paid a portion of the Series’ expenses. If these expenses had been incurred by the Class, the expense ratio (to average net assets) would have increased by the following amounts: 
   0.06%   0.02%   0.03%   0.07%   0.08% 

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the years. 

2Less than $(0.01). 

3Represents aggregate total return for the years indicated, and assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived or reimbursed during the years.

 

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

 

17

 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.Organization

 

Rainier International Discovery Series (the “Series”) is a no-load diversified series of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”). The Fund is organized in Maryland and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company.

 

The Series’ investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

 

The Series is authorized to issue four classes of shares (Class S, I, W and Z). Each class is substantially the same, except that class specific distribution and shareholder servicing expenses are borne by the specific class of shares to which they relate.

 

The Fund’s advisor is Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”). The investment sub-advisor of the Series is Rainier Investment Management, LLC (“Rainier” or the “Sub-Advisor”), an affiliate of the Advisor. Shares of the Series are offered to investors, clients and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. The total authorized capital stock of the Fund consists of 15 billion shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01. As of October 31, 2023, 6.4 billion shares have been designated in total among 15 series, of which 100 million have been designated as Rainier International Discovery Series Class I common stock, Rainier International Discovery Series Class S (formerly Class K) common stock, Rainier International Discovery Series Class W common stock and Rainier International Discovery Series Class Z (formerly Class R6) common stock.

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Series. The Series is an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - Investment Companies, which is part of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Security Valuation

Portfolio securities, including domestic equities, foreign equities, warrants and options, listed on an exchange other than the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued at the latest quoted sales price of the exchange on which the security is primarily traded. Securities not traded on valuation date or securities not listed on an exchange are valued at the latest quoted bid price provided by the Fund’s pricing service. Securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market are valued in accordance with the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.

 

Short-term investments that mature in sixty days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value per share on valuation date.

 

Volume and level of activity in established markets for an asset or liability are evaluated to determine whether recent transactions and quoted prices are determinative of fair value. Where there have been significant decreases in volume and level of activity, further analysis and adjustment may be necessary to estimate fair value. In these instances, fair value is measured by the use of inputs and valuation techniques which may be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity and industry and/or expectation of future cash flows. As a result of trading in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience significant volatility, the prices used to value these securities may differ from the value that would be realized if these securities were sold, and the differences could be material.

 

Fair Value

The Series’ financial instruments are valued at the close of the NYSE and are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has designated the Advisor as the Fund’s valuation designee (Valuation Designee) to make all fair value determinations with respect to each Series’ portfolio investments. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Designee performs the following functions in performing fair value determinations: assesses and manages valuation risks; establishes and applies fair value methodologies; tests fair value methodologies; and evaluates pricing vendors and pricing agents. The Advisor has adopted and implemented policies and procedures to be followed when making fair value determinations, and it has established a Valuation Committee through which the Advisor makes fair value determinations. The Valuation Designee

 

18

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value (continued)

provides periodic reporting to the Board on valuation matters. The Advisor’s determination of a security’s fair value price often involves the consideration of a number of subjective factors, and is therefore subject to the unavoidable risk that the value assigned to a security may be higher or lower than the security’s value would be if a reliable market quotation for the security was readily available. If trading or events occurring after the close of the principal market in which securities are traded are expected to materially affect the value of those securities, then they may be valued at their fair value, taking this trading or these events into account. The Advisor may use a pricing service to obtain the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities where the prices provided by such pricing service are believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities. The methods used by the pricing service and the valuations so established will be reviewed by the Advisor under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors. Several pricing services are available, one or more of which may be used by the Advisor, as approved by the Board. A change in a pricing service or a material change in a pricing methodology for investments with no readily available market quotations will be reported to the Board by the Advisor in accordance with certain requirements.

 

GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. Level 1 includes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the Series’ can access at the reporting date. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads). Level 3 includes unobservable inputs (including the Valuation Designee’s own assumptions in determining fair value). A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input both individually and in aggregate that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The following is a summary of the valuation levels used for major security types as of October 31, 2023 in valuing the Series’ assets or liabilities carried at fair value:

 

DESCRIPTION  TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2#   LEVEL 3 
Assets:                
Equity securities:                    
Communication Services  $30,329,658   $   $30,329,658   $ 
Consumer Discretionary   66,253,962    5,205,363    61,048,599     
Consumer Staples   45,628,197    9,066,696    36,561,501     
Energy   20,352,542        20,352,542     
Financials   49,317,876    14,146,176    35,171,700     
Health Care   26,986,873    3,973,482    23,013,391     
Industrials   141,934,081    26,936,751    114,997,330     
Information Technology   62,731,117    5,557,010    57,174,107     
Materials   14,960,358        14,960,358     
Real Estate   22,969,079    15,254,861    7,714,218     
Utilities   6,391,003        6,391,003     
Short-Term Investment   26,656,653    26,656,653         
Total assets  $514,511,399   $106,796,992   $407,714,407   $ 

 

#Includes certain foreign equity securities for which a factor from a third party vendor was applied to determine the securities’ fair value following the close of local trading.

 

There were no Level 3 securities held by the Series as of October 31, 2022 or October 31, 2023.

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Series is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income, including

 

19

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses (continued)

amortization of premium and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method, is earned from settlement date and accrued daily.

 

Expenses are recorded on an accrual basis. Most expenses of the Fund can be attributed to a specific series. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed are apportioned among the series in the Fund in such a manner as deemed equitable by the Fund’s Board, taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense. Income, expenses (other than shareholder services fees), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are prorated among the classes based on the relative net assets of each class. Class specific expenses are directly charged to that class.

 

The Series uses the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss on investments for both financial statement and federal income tax reporting purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Series are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. The Series does not isolate realized and unrealized gains and losses attributable to changes in the exchange rates from gains and losses that arise from changes in the fair value of investments. Such fluctuations are included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses represent foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on securities transactions, gains and losses on disposition of foreign currencies and the difference between the amount of income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the books of the Series and the amounts actually received or paid.

 

Federal Taxes

The Series’ policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Series is not subject to federal income tax or excise tax to the extent that the Series distributes to shareholders each year its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, in accordance with requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax or excise tax has been made in the financial statements.

 

Management evaluates its tax positions to determine if the tax positions taken meet the minimum recognition threshold in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken for the purposes of measuring and recognizing tax liabilities in the financial statements. Recognition of tax benefits of an uncertain tax position is required only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by taxing authorities. At October 31, 2023, the Series has recorded no liability for net unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in future tax returns.

 

The Series files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and foreign jurisdictions, as required. No income tax returns are currently under investigation. The statute of limitations on the Series’ tax returns remains open for the years ended October 31, 2020 through October 31, 2023. The Series is 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.

 

Foreign Taxes

Based on the Series’ understanding of the tax rules and rates related to income, gains and currency purchase/repatriation transactions for foreign jurisdictions in which it invests, the Series will provide for foreign taxes, and where appropriate, deferred foreign tax. The Series is subject to a tax imposed on short term capital gains on securities of issuers domiciled in India. The Series records an estimated deferred tax liability for securities that have been held for less than a year at the end of the reporting period, assuming those positions were disposed of at the end of the period. This amount is reported in Accrued foreign capital gains tax in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized losses on the sale of securities of issuers domiciled in India can be carried forward for eight years to offset potential future short term realized capital gains.

 

20

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Distributions of Income and Gains

Distributions to shareholders of net investment income and net realized gains are made annually. An additional distribution may be necessary to avoid taxation of the Series. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Indemnifications

The Fund’s organizational documents provide former and current directors and officers with a limited indemnification against liabilities arising in connection with the performance of their duties to the Fund. In the normal course of business, the Fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would be dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Other

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates

 

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Advisor, for which the Series pays a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Series’ average daily net assets. The Advisor pays the Sub-Advisor out of the fee received from the Series at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Series’ average daily net assets.

 

Under the Agreement, personnel of the Advisor maintain the Series' organization and select and oversee the Sub-Advisor, who provides the Series with advice and assistance in the choice of investments and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor also provides the Fund with necessary office space and fund administration and support services. The salaries of all officers of the Fund (except a percentage of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer’s salary, which is paid by the Fund), and of all Directors who are “affiliated persons” of the Fund, or of the Advisor and/or Sub-Advisor, and all personnel of the Fund, or of the Advisor, performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities, are paid by the Advisor and/or Sub-Advisor. Each “non-affiliated” Director receives an annual stipend, which is allocated among all the active series of the Fund. In addition, these Directors also receive a fee per Board meeting attended plus a fee for each committee meeting attended and are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. The Fund also has an Audit Committee Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair and Lead Independent Director who each receive an additional annual stipend for these roles.

 

The Fund may enter into agreements with financial intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund may pay financial intermediaries for non-distribution related sub-transfer agency, administrative, sub-accounting, and other shareholder services in an amount not to exceed 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class S shares and Class I shares. Payments made pursuant to such agreements are generally based on the current assets and/or number of accounts of the Series attributable to the financial intermediary. Any payments made pursuant to such agreements may be in addition to, rather than in lieu of, any Distribution and Shareholder Services Fee payable under the Rule 12b-1 plan of the Fund.

 

The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive the management fee for the Class W shares. The full management fee will be waived under this agreement because Class W shares are only available to discretionary investment accounts and other accounts managed by the Advisor. These clients pay a management fee to the Advisor that is separate from the Series' expenses. In addition, pursuant to a separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary so that the total direct annual fund operating expenses, exclusive of distribution and service (12b-1) fees and waived Class W management fees (collectively, “excluded expenses”), to 1.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class I and Class S shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Class Z shares, and 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Class W shares. These contractual waivers are expected to continue indefinitely, and may not be amended

 

21

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

or terminated by the Advisor without the approval of the Series’ Board of Directors. The Advisor may receive from a Class the difference between the Class’s total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, and the Class’s contractual expense limit to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee waivers (other than Class W management fee waivers) or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the recoupment if at any point the total direct annual fund operating expenses, not including excluded expenses, are below the contractual expense limit (a) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (b) at the time of the recoupment.

 

Pursuant to these agreements, the Advisor waived $214,828 in management fees for Class W shares for the year ended October 31, 2023. In addition, pursuant to the separate expense limitation agreement, the Advisor waived or reimbursed expenses of $79,371, $19,335, $14,511, and $160,927 for Class I, Class S, Class W, and Class Z shares, respectively, for the year ended October 31, 2023. These amounts are included as a reduction of expenses on the Statement of Operations.

 

As of October 31, 2023, the class specific waivers or reimbursements subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:

 

CLASS  EXPIRING OCTOBER 31,     
   2024    2025   2026   TOTAL 
Class S  $1,492    $   $19,335   $20,827 
Class I            79,371    79,371 
Class W   9,014     6,376    14,511    29,901 
Class Z   106,848     77,934    160,927    345,709 

 

Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., a registered broker-dealer affiliate of the Advisor, acts as distributor for the Fund’s shares. The Series compensates the distributor for distributing and servicing the Series’ Class S shares pursuant to a distribution plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, regardless of expenses actually incurred. Under the agreement, the Series pays distribution and service fees to the distributor at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class S shares. There are no distribution and service fees on the Class I, Class W or Class Z shares. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

 

Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual fee related to fund accounting and administration of 0.0085% on the first $25 billion of average daily net assets; 0.0075% on the next $15 billion of average daily net assets; and 0.0065% of average daily net assets in excess of $40 billion; plus a base fee of $30,400 per series. Additionally, certain transaction and out-of-pocket expenses, including charges for reporting relating to the Fund’s compliance program, are charged. The Advisor has agreements with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“BNY”) under which BNY serves as sub-accountant services agent.

 

4.Purchases and Sales of Securities

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, purchases and sales of securities, other than U.S. Government securities and short-term securities, were $371,354,889 and $476,916,117, respectively. There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

22

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Capital Stock Transactions

 

Transactions in Class S, Class I, Class W and Class Z shares of Rainier International Discovery Series were:

 

CLASS S  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   559,944   $12,377,330    591,869   $14,774,798 
Reinvested           168,258    4,941,733 
Repurchased   (664,823)   (14,473,567)   (560,825)   (14,155,725)
Total   (104,879)  $(2,096,237)   199,302   $5,560,806 

 

CLASS I  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   4,809,971   $107,148,727    8,653,053   $220,241,247 
Reinvested           1,113,562    33,195,284 
Repurchased   (5,622,411)   (123,286,752)   (5,636,543)   (140,396,678)
Total   (812,440)  $(16,138,025)   4,130,072   $113,039,853 

 

CLASS W  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   60,462   $1,343,190    81,502   $2,044,963 
Reinvested   10,775    241,796    121,883    3,615,053 
Repurchased   (189,265)   (4,129,672)   (38,053)   (1,004,110)
Total   (118,028)  $(2,544,686)   165,332   $4,655,906 

 

CLASS Z  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE YEAR ENDED 
   10/31/23   10/31/22 
   SHARES   AMOUNT   SHARES   AMOUNT 
Sold   2,836,274   $64,239,847    7,019,272   $168,961,430 
Reinvested   8,352    189,009    820,742    24,548,372 
Repurchased   (7,046,742)   (155,948,160)   (4,558,751)   (115,558,715)
Total   (4,202,116)  $(91,519,304)   3,281,263   $77,951,087 

 

At October 31, 2023, one shareholder account owned 11.7% of the Series. In addition, the Advisor and its affiliates owned 0.1% of the Series. Investment activities of these shareholders may have a material effect on the Series.

 

6.Line of Credit

 

The Fund has entered into a 364-day, $50 million credit agreement (the “line of credit”) with Bank of New York Mellon. Each series of the Fund may borrow under the line of credit for temporary or emergency purposes, including funding shareholder redemptions and other short-term liquidity purposes. The Fund pays an annual fee on the unused commitment amount, payable quarterly, and is allocated among all the series of the Fund and included in miscellaneous expenses in the Statement of Operations for each series. The line of credit expires in September 2024 unless extended or renewed. During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Rainier International Discovery Series borrowed for 5 days and the average daily amount of borrowings outstanding under the

 

23

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

6.Line of Credit (continued)

 

line of credit was $12,600,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 4.42%. As of October 31, 2023, there was no borrowing outstanding.

 

7.Financial Instruments

 

The Series may trade in instruments including futures contracts and other derivatives in the normal course of investing activities to assist in managing exposure to various market risks. The Series may be subject to various elements of risk, which may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. These risks include: the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index; counterparty credit risk related to over the counter derivative counterparties’ failure to perform under contract terms; liquidity risk related to

 

the lack of a liquid market for these contracts allowing the fund to close out its position(s); and documentation risk relating to disagreement over contract terms. No such investments were held by the Series as of October 31, 2023.

 

8.Foreign Securities

 

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in securities of domestic companies and the U.S. Government. These risks include revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of foreign companies and foreign governments and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of comparable domestic companies and the U.S. Government.

 

9.Federal Income Tax Information

 

The amount and characterization of certain income and capital gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to losses deferred due to wash sales, foreign currency gains and losses, passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and foreign capital gain tax. The Series may periodically make reclassifications among its capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryovers) under income tax regulations without impacting the Series' net asset value. Any such reclassifications are not reflected in the financial highlights.

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

   FOR THE YEAR   FOR THE YEAR 
   ENDED 10/31/23   ENDED 10/31/22 
Ordinary income  $523,396   $21,621,015 
Long-term capital gains  $   $64,737,752 

 

At October 31, 2023, the identified cost of investments for federal income tax purposes, the resulting gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation, and the net unrealized appreciation were as follows:

 

Cost for federal income tax purposes  $486,052,585 
Unrealized appreciation   80,151,242 
Unrealized depreciation   (51,692,428)
Net unrealized appreciation  $28,458,814 
Undistributed ordinary income  $7,548,920 
Capital loss carryforwards  $(91,533,586)

 

At October 31, 2023, the Series had net short-term capital loss carryforwards of $79,548,656 and net long-term capital loss carryforwards of $11,984,930, which may be carried forward indefinitely.

 

24

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

10.Market Event

 

Significant disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets and economies, like the current conditions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, could negatively impact the investment performance of the Series. The global market and economic climate may become increasingly uncertain due to numerous factors beyond our control, including but not limited to, impacts on business operations in the U.S. related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, concerns related to unpredictable global market and economic factors, uncertainty in U.S. federal fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy and the fiscal, tax, trade or regulatory policy of foreign governments, rising interest rates, inflation or deflation, the availability of credit, performance of financial markets, terrorism, natural or biological catastrophes, public health emergencies, or political uncertainty.

 

25

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, of Rainier International Discovery Series (one of the series constituting Manning & Napier Fund, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2023, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023, 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 the Fund as of October 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits 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, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian 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 opinion.

 

 

New York, New York 

December 21, 2023

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Manning & Napier Mutual Funds since 1992.

 

26 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Supplemental Tax Information 

(unaudited)

 

All reportings are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Series reports for the current fiscal year $2,747,850 or, if different, the maximum amount allowable under the tax law, as qualified dividend income.

 

The Series has elected to pass through to its shareholders, foreign source income of $10,944,239 and foreign taxes paid of $2,240,771 for the year ended October 31, 2023.

 

27 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information 

(unaudited)

 

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Fund’s directors and officers and can be obtained without charge by calling 1-800-466-3863, at www.manning-napier.com, or on the EDGAR Database on the SEC Internet web site (http://www.sec.gov). The following chart shows certain information about the Fund’s directors and officers, including their principal occupations during the last five years. Unless specific dates are provided, the individuals have held the listed positions for longer than five years.

 

Interested Director and Officer1 

Name: Paul Battaglia*
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1978
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Executive Officer, President, Chairman and Director
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Chairman and Director since November 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Financial Officer since 2018; Vice President of Finance (2016–2018); Director of Finance (2011–2016); Financial Analyst/Internal Auditor (2004– 2006) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates Holds one or more of the following titles for various subsidiaries and affiliates: Chief Financial Officer
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A
   

 

Independent Directors 

Name: Paul A. Brooke
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1945
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Lead Independent Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since 2007; Lead Independent Director since 2017
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Member since 1991 - PMSV Holdings LLC (investments); Managing Member (2010-2016) - VenBio (investments).
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Incyte Corp. (biotech) (2000-2020); PureEarth (non-profit) since 2012; Cerus (biomedical) since 2016; Caelum BioSciences (biomedical) since 2018; Cheyne Capital International (investment)(2000-2017);
   
   
Name: Eunice K. Chapon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1969
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since May 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Operations and Business Development since 2022 – BrightEdge/ American Cancer Society (impact investment/non-profit); General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer (2021-2022) – Decency Global Inc. (ESG start-up); Senior Vice President and Counsel, Head of Legal – Global Distribution (2018-2021); Vice President and Counsel (2016-2018) – Natixis Investment Managers (investment management)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A
   

 

28 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information 

(unaudited)

 

Independent Directors (continued) 

Name: John Glazer
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1965
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since February 2021
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Chief Executive Officer since 2020 – Oikos Holdings LLC (Single-Family Office); Head of Corporate Development (2019-2020) – Caelum Biosciences (pharmaceutical development); Head of Private Investments (2015-2018) – AC Limited (Single-Family Office)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: N/A
   
   
Name: Russell O. Vernon
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1957
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Chairman
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member since April 2020; Governance & Nominating Committee Chairman since November 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Founder and General Partner (2009-2019) – BVM Capital Management (economic development)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Board Member, Vice Chairman and President since 2010 – Newburgh Armory Unity Center (military); Board Member and Executive Director since 2020 – National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. (military); Board Member, Vice Chairman (2015-2020) – National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. (military)
   
   

Name: Chester N. Watson
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1950
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Director, Audit Committee Chairman, Governance & Nominating Committee Member
Term of Office & Length of Time Served: Indefinite – Director, Audit Committee Member, Governance & Nominating Committee Member Since 2012; Audit Committee Chairman since 2013
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Auditor (2003-2011) - General Motors Company (auto manufacturer)
Number of Portfolios Overseen within Fund Complex: 15
Other Directorships Held Outside Fund Complex During Past 5 Years: Rochester Institute of Technology (University) since 2005; Hudson Valley Center for Innovation, Inc. (New Business and Economic Development) since 2019; Town of Greenburgh, NY Planning Board (Municipal Government) (2015-2019);
   

 

29 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information 

(unaudited)

 

Officers: 

Name: Elizabeth Craig
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2016
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Director of Fund Administration since 2021; Fund Regulatory Administration Manager (2018-2021); Fund Administration Manager (2015-2018) – Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Corporate Secretary, Director since 2019 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.
   
   
Name: Samantha Larew
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1980
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Chief Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Co-Director of Compliance since 2018; Compliance Communications Supervisor (2014-2018) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC& Affiliates; Broker-Dealer Chief Compliance Officer since 2013; Broker-Dealer Assistant Corporate Secretary since 2011 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.
   
   
Name: Scott Morabito
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1987
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Vice President
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Vice President since 2019; Assistant Vice President (2017-2019)
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Managing Director, Client Service and Business Operations since 2021; Managing Director of Operations (2019-2021); Director of Funds Group (2017-2019) - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; President, Director since 2018 – Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc.; President, Exeter Trust Company since 2021.
   
   
Name: Jill Peeper
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Assistant Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Assistant Treasurer since 2023
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Mutual Fund Financial Reporting Manager since 2022 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC; Fund Accounting Manager (2007 – 2022) – State Street Bank.
   
   
Name: Troy Statczar
Address: 290 Woodcliff Drive
  Fairport, NY 14450
Born: 1971
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2020
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers, since 2020 – ACA Group (formerly Foreside Financial Group); Director of Fund Administration (2017- 2019) - Thornburg Investment Management, Inc.
   

 

30 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Directors’ and Officers’ Information 

(unaudited)

 

Officers: (continued) 

Name: Sarah Turner
Address:

290 Woodcliff Drive

Fairport, NY 14450

Born: 1982
Current Position(s) Held with Fund: Chief Legal Officer; Assistant Corporate Secretary
Term of Office2 & Length of Time Served: Since 2018
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years: General Counsel since 2018 - Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC and affiliates; Counsel (2017-2018) – Harter Secrest and Emery LLP Holds one or more of the following titles for various affiliates: Corporate Secretary, General Counsel
   

 

1Interested Director, within the meaning of the 1940 Act by reason of his positions with the Fund’s Advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and Distributor, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc. 

2The term of office of all officers shall be one year and until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or his or her earlier resignation or removal as provided in the Fund’s By-Laws.

 

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33 

 

 

Rainier International Discovery Series

 

Literature Requests 

(unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures 

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Proxy Voting Record 

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Quarterly Portfolio Holdings 

 

The Series’ complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the 1st and 3rd quarters of each fiscal year are provided on Form N-PORT, and are available, without charge, upon request:

 

By phone 1-800-466-3863
On the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov

 

Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (SAI) 

 

For more information about any of the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. Series, you may obtain a prospectus and SAI at www.manning-napier.com or by calling 1-(800) 466-3863. Before investing, carefully consider the objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the investment and read the prospectus carefully as it contains this and other information about the investment company. In addition, this information can be found on the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov.

 

Additional information available at www.manning-napier.com

 

1.Fund Holdings - Month-End

2.Fund Holdings - Quarter-End

3.Shareholder Report - Annual

4.Shareholder Report - Semi-Annual

 

The Fund also offers electronic notification or “e-delivery” when certain documents are available on-line to be downloaded or reviewed. Direct shareholders can elect to receive electronic notification when shareholder reports, prospectus updates, and/or statements are available. If you do not currently have on-line access to your account, you can establish access by going to www.manning-napier.com, click on “Login” in the top corner of the page, and follow the prompts to self-enroll. Once enrolled, you can set your electronic notification preferences by clicking on the Account Options tab located within the green toolbar and then select E-Delivery Option. Should you have any questions on either how to establish on-line access or how to update your account settings, please contact Investor Services at 1-800-466-3863.

 

The Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. is managed by Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC. Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc., an affiliate of Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, is the distributor of the Fund shares.

 

MNIDS-10/23-AR

 

34 

(b)Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2:CODE OF ETHICS

 

(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the registrant's code of ethics is filed herewith as Exhibit 13(a)(1).

(b) During the period covered by this report, no amendments were made to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

(c) During the period covered by this report, no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above were granted.

(d) Not applicable to the registrant due to the response given in 2(c) above.

 

ITEM 3:AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

All of the members of the Audit committee have been determined by the Registrant's Board of Directors to be Audit Committee Financial Experts as defined in this item. The current members of the Audit Committee are: Eunice K.Chapon, Paul A. Brooke, John M. Glazer, Russell O. Vernon, and Chester N. Watson. All Audit Committee members are independent under applicable rules. This designation will not increase the designee's duties, obligations or liability as compared to their duties, obligations and liability as a member of the Audit Committee and of the Board.

 

Item 4:Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 
  • Registrant may incorporate the following information by reference, if this information has been disclosed in the registrant’s definitive proxy statement or definitive information statement. The proxy statement or information statement must be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report.

    Principal Accountant Fees and Services

    Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Manning & Napier Fund, Inc. (Disciplined Value Series, Equity Series, Overseas Series, Pro-Blend® Conservative Term Series, Pro-Blend® Moderate Term Series, Pro-Blend® Extended Term Series, Pro-Blend® Maximum Term Series and Rainier International Discovery Series, collectively the “Fund”) by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as of and for the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 were:

     

     

      2023 2022
    Audit Fees (a)                              $ 381,200 $ 360,539
         
    Audit Related Fees (b) $ 0 $ 0
         
    Tax Fees (c) $ 157,570 $139,482
         
    All Other Fees (d) $ 0 $ 0
         
      $ 538,770 $ 500,021

     

    (a)Audit Fees

    These fees relate to professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements or services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filing or engagements. These services include the audits of the financial statements of the Fund, issuance of consents, income tax provision procedures and assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC.

    (b)Audit-Related Fees

    These fees relate to assurance and related services by PwC that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees” above.

    (c)Tax Fees

    These fees relate to professional services rendered by PwC for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and shareholder reporting.

    (d)All Other Fees

    These fees relate to products and services provided by PwC other than those reported above under “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” and “Tax Fees” above.

    There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimus exception (Rule 2-01(c)(7) of Regulation S-X) for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.

    Non-Audit Services to the Fund’s Service Affiliates that were Pre-Approved by the Fund’s Audit Committee

    The Fund’s Audit Committee is required to pre-approve non-audit services which meet both the following criteria:

    i)Directly relate to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting; and

     

    ii)Rendered by PwC to the Fund’s advisor, Manning & Napier Advisors, LLC, and entities in a control relationship with the advisor (“service affiliate”) that provide ongoing services to the Fund. For purposes of disclosure, Manning & Napier Investor Services, Inc. is considered to be a service affiliate.

     

      2023 2022
    Audit Related Fees $ 0 $ 0
         
    Tax Fees $ 0 $ 0
         
      $ 0 $ 0

     

     

    There were no Audit Related fees for the year ended October 31, 2023 or October 31, 2022.

    There were no amounts that were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimus exception (Rule 2-01(c)(7) of Regulation S-X) for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022.

    Aggregate Fees

    Aggregate fees billed to the Fund for non-audit services for 2023 and 2022 were $157,570 and $139,482, respectively. Aggregate fees billed to the Fund’s advisor and service affiliates for non-audit services were $0 and $0, respectively. These amounts include fees for non-audit services required to be pre-approved and fees for non-audit services that did not require pre-approval since they did not relate to the Fund’s operations and financial reporting.

    The Fund’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provisions for non-audit services to the Fund’s advisor and service affiliates, which did not require pre-approval, are compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.

    Item 5:Audit Committee of Listed registrants

    Not applicable.

    Item 6:Investments

    (a)See Investment Portfolios under Item 1 on this Form N-CSR.

    (b)Not applicable.

    Item 7: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed- End Management Investment Companies

    Not applicable.

    Item 8:Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

    Not applicable.

    Item 9:Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

    Not applicable.

     

     

    Item 10:Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

    There have been no material changes to the procedure by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.

    Item 11:Controls and Procedures

    (a) Based on their evaluation of the Funds’ disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date, the Funds’ Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Funds’ disclosure controls and procedures are: (i) reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately communicated to the Funds’ officers to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures required in this report; (ii) reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in this report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner; and (iii) are effective in achieving the goals described in (i) and (ii) above.

    (b) During the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting that the above officers believe to have materially affected, or to be reasonably likely to materially affect, the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting.

    ITEM 12:DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

    Not applicable.

    Item 13:Exhibits

    (a)(1)Code of ethics that is subject to the disclosure of Item 2 above.

    (a)(2)Separate certifications for the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached as EX-99.CERT.

    (a)(2)(1)Not applicable.

    (a)(2)(2)Not applicable.

    (b)A certification of the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached as EX-99.906CERT. The certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph is not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference.

     

     

    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.

    Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.  
       
    /s/ Paul J. Battaglia  
    Paul J. Battaglia  
    President & Principal Executive Officer  
    Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.  
    Date: January 2, 2024  

    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/ Paul J. Battaglia  
    Paul J. Battaglia  
    President & Principal Executive Officer  
    Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.  
    Date: January 2, 2024  

     

    /s/ Troy M. Statczar  
    Troy M. Statczar  
    Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer  
    Manning & Napier Fund, Inc.  
    Date: January 2, 2024