N-CSR 1 vmfiii3680181-ncsr.htm CERTIFIED 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:       811-04547
     
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter: Voyageur Mutual Funds III
     
Address of principal executive offices: 2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
     
Name and address of agent for service: David F. Connor, Esq.
2005 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 523-1918
     
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
     
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2019


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

Table of Contents
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Annual report      

US equity mutual fund

Delaware Select Growth Fund

October 31, 2019

 

Beginning on or about June 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of your Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent to you by mail, unless you specifically request them from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker/dealer, bank, or insurance company. Instead, you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted on the website and provided with a link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up at delawarefunds.com/edelivery. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary.

You may elect to receive paper copies of all future shareholder reports free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting us at 800 523-1918. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you may contact your financial intermediary to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie or your financial intermediary.

Carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risk factors, charges, and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus and its summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting delawarefunds.com/literature or calling 800 523-1918. Investors should read the prospectus and the summary prospectus carefully before investing.

You can obtain shareholder reports and prospectuses online instead of in the mail.

Visit delawarefunds.com/edelivery.

 

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Experience Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

Macquarie Investment Management (MIM) is a global asset manager with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As active managers we prioritize autonomy and accountability at the investment team level in pursuit of opportunities that matter for clients. Delaware Funds is one of the longest-standing mutual fund families, with more than 80 years in existence.

If you are interested in learning more about creating an investment plan, contact your financial advisor.

You can learn more about Delaware Funds or obtain a prospectus for Delaware Select Growth Fund at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

Manage your account online

 

·   Check your account balance and transactions

 

·   View statements and tax forms

 

·   Make purchases and redemptions

Visit delawarefunds.com/account-access.

Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) offers a diverse range of products including securities investment management, infrastructure and real asset management, and fund and equity-based structured products. MIM is the marketing name for certain companies comprising the asset management division of Macquarie Group. This includes the following investment advisers: Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, Macquarie Capital Investment Management LLC, and Macquarie Investment Management Europe S.A.

The Fund is distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL), none of the entities noted are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of MBL. MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise. The Fund is governed by US laws and regulations.

 

Table of contents   

Portfolio management review

     1  

Performance summary

     5  

Disclosure of Fund expenses

     9  

Security type / sector allocation and top 10 equity holdings

     11  

Schedule of investments

     13  

Statement of assets and liabilities

     16  

Statement of operations

     18  

Statements of changes in net assets

     20  

Financial highlights

     22  

Notes to financial statements

     30  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

     43  

Other Fund information

     44  

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

     50  

About the organization

     60  

Unless otherwise noted, views expressed herein are current as of Oct. 31, 2019, and subject to change for events occurring after such date.

The Fund is not FDIC insured and is not guaranteed. It is possible to lose the principal amount invested.

Advisory services provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment advisor.

All third-party marks cited are the property of their respective owners.

© 2019 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.

 


Table of Contents

Portfolio management review

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

   November 12, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

Performance preview (for the year ended October 31, 2019)   

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund (Institutional Class shares)

  

 

1-year return  

 

  

 

+11.71%    

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund (Class A shares)

  

 

1-year return  

 

  

 

+11.42%    

 

Russell 3000® Growth Index (benchmark)

  

 

1-year return  

 

  

 

+16.34%    

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

For complete, annualized performance for Delaware Select Growth Fund, please see the table on page 5.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service fee.

The performance of Class A shares excludes the applicable sales charge. Both Institutional Class shares and Class A shares reflect the reinvestment of all distributions.

Please see page 7 for a description of the index. Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Jackson Square Partners, LLC (JSP), a US registered investment advisor, is the sub-advisor to the Fund. As sub-advisor, JSP is responsible for day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. Delaware Management Company (DMC), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), has ultimate responsibility for all investment advisory services.

Market review

Equity markets generally made strong gains during the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019. Markets in the United States rose 14.33%, as measured by the S&P 500® Index. International markets gained 11.04% (net) and emerging markets gained 11.86% (net), as measured by the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, respectively.

In December 2018, the US economy began to wane, the result, in part, of a disagreement between President Trump and members of Congress about the $5.7 billion federal operations budget. Approximately 800,000 federal employees were furloughed or worked without pay during the 35-day federal shutdown, the longest in US history.

The domestic economy started to bounce back in early 2019, when it appeared that US-China trade negotiations might forestall further tariff increases. Diplomacy between the two countries broke down, however, and in May, the US increased

 

The markets’ generally positive bias, albeit with bouts of caution, enhances our desire as “intrinsic value” investors to be somewhat contrarian by leaning into lower-duration growth stocks and reallocating to newer ideas and holdings that we believe have more idiosyncratic fundamental drivers and/or trade at a bigger discount to intrinsic business value.

 

 

 

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Portfolio management review

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

the tax import rate from 10% to 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. China responded with its own tariff hikes, and during the next several months, each nation continued to increase its tax bill in response to the other. At the same time, positive economic events at home – including solid employment numbers, an increase in manufacturing, and the first hints of a dovish tilt from the Federal Reserve – helped buoy investor sentiment.

In May 2019, the US economy started to slow. A combination of low inflation, weaker economic data, and continued trade concerns forged a path for the Fed to reduce interest rates in July for the first time in 11 years. The Fed cut rates again in September, and then once more in October. Just one year earlier, the Fed had been on a steady march to raise rates; the cuts signaled a reversal of strategy.

Euro-zone countries faced similar concerns. The European Central Bank (ECB) hinted at quantitative easing, which it later initiated in September. Germany, struggling with political uncertainties, teetered on the brink of a recession. In the United Kingdom, new Prime Minister Boris Johnson had yet to negotiate an agreeable strategy for withdrawing from the European Union.

Toward the end of the Fund’s fiscal year, news that the US and China had hammered out the first phase of a trade agreement seemed to pacify US investors. Still, manufacturing gains tapered, consumer confidence fell, and the pace of job growth began to slow. On the brighter side, corporate earnings per share (EPS) continued to grow and the S&P 500 Index posted positive gains.

Within the Fund

For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019, Delaware Select Growth Fund Institutional Class shares gained 11.71%. The Fund’s Class A shares advanced 11.42% at net asset value (NAV) and 5.03% at maximum offer price. These figures

reflect all distributions reinvested. During the same period, the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index, rose 16.34%. For complete, annualized performance of Delaware Select Growth Fund, please see the table on page 5.

Strong relative performance in the information technology sector was unable to overcome weak relative performance in communication services. On a stock-specific level, the following were the most significant detractors and contributors during the 12-month period.

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Inc., a travel website providing travel advice and planning features, detracted from the Fund’s performance during the fiscal year. The company’s hotel segment has struggled against competitive headwinds, including increased challenges from Google’s search business. That said, we believe Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings’ commitment to an increased focus on its experiences and dining products – a growing business line that enhances the company’s overall profitability – is the right strategic move. We continue to monitor the fundamentals closely.

Farfetch Ltd., a UK-based online retail business selling multi-brand digital luxury goods in 122 countries, detracted from the Fund’s performance during the fiscal year. The company announced an unexpected acquisition of New Guards Group, owner of Off-White, which seemed to surprise investors. This acquisition gives Farfetch exclusive rights to sell Off-White goods, attracting a younger demographic and adding exposure to this demographic for its other customers. Additionally, Farfetch announced it faced greater headwinds from increased promotions by both offline and online retailers. This pressure is expected to be temporary, lasting two to four quarters, as brands withdraw inventory from the wholesale channel and continue to accelerate supply growth at Farfetch. Lastly, the company announced the departure of its chief operating officer. While each of these events can be reasonably explained, we

 

 

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believe the combination of these negative events in a single quarter has impaired management’s credibility in its first year as a public company. We remain optimistic about Farfetch’s long-term opportunity to be the primary destination for online, multi-brand shopping in the luxury segment, but are carefully evaluating recent events.

LiveRamp Holdings Inc., a global technology and enablement-services company, also detracted from the Fund’s performance during the fiscal year. Despite slightly disappointing earnings, we believe recent stock weakness can be partly attributed to concerns about upcoming changes to Google Chrome’s security policy. That said, the absence of third-party cookie data as a result of changes in security policy should increase the relative value of first-party data for marketers. Further, the company announced that it had agreed to acquire Data Plus Math Corp., raising questions among investors about execution risk. Although we remain untroubled on its merits, we will monitor the acquisition. We continue to believe that LiveRamp Holdings is well positioned to drive value over the long term given the combination of new management, an attractive software-as-a-service (SaaS) data platform, and a strong balance sheet with excess cash.

Chewy Inc., an online retailer of pet food and other pet-related products, was purchased during the fiscal year and contributed to the Fund’s performance. The stock went public to significant investor interest due to its strong brand recognition, subscription-heavy model, and brand and industry barriers to new entrants into the space. We like the high reoccurring revenue from pet-product sales and what we view as Chewy’s competitive position in the pet-supply area. While profit margins are low today as Chewy invests in fulfillment and brand recognition, we see the upside potential over time to financial metrics and

to the stock as customer lifetime value grows with each new customer.

Applied Materials Inc., the global leader in providing equipment for advanced semiconductors and flat-panel displays, added to the Fund’s performance during the 12-month period. The sector drifted higher on stronger foundry investment from Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC, signs of a bottom in the NAND flash memory market (flash memory is a type of nonvolatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data). Additionally, management provided positive commentary on market-share gains in 2020. We remain confident that Applied Materials is undervalued by the market and is attractively positioned in a consolidating sector with high barriers to entry.

Charter Communications Inc., a cable telecommunications company, also contributed to the Fund’s performance. The company continues to report strong earnings driven by broadband-subscriber additions that are well above consensus. Charter Communications generated margin expansion of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), driven by the economically accretive mix shift towards broadband and declines in capital intensity. We believe these trends support our thesis and should continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The stock remains undervalued versus our intrinsic business value estimate even with strong year-to-date stock performance. Overall, we like the company’s cable business given the structurally high barriers to entry, limited competition in broadband, inherent long-term pricing power, and the fact that it directly benefits from the durable and inexorable secular trends underlying consumer high-speed data consumption.

The Fund used foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate the purchase and sale of

 

 

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Portfolio management review

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

equities traded on international exchanges. The effect of these contracts on performance was immaterial.

The markets’ generally positive bias, albeit with bouts of caution, enhances our desire as “intrinsic value” investors to be somewhat contrarian by leaning into lower-duration growth stocks and reallocating to newer ideas and holdings that we believe have more idiosyncratic fundamental drivers and/or trade at a bigger discount to intrinsic business value.

Regardless of the economic outcome, we remain consistent in our long-term investment philosophy: We want to own what we view as strong secular-growth companies with solid business models and competitive positions that we believe can grow market share and have the potential to deliver shareholder value in a variety of market environments.

 

 

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Performance summary   

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

   October 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800 523-1918 or visiting delawarefunds.com/performance.

 

Fund and benchmark performance1,2      Average annual total returns through October 31, 2019  
        1 year      5 year      10 year      Lifetime  

Class A (Est. May 16, 1994)

                   

Excluding sales charge

     +11.42%      +7.78%      +13.02%        +10.12

Including sales charge

     +5.03%      +6.52%      +12.35%        +9.86

Class C (Est. May 20, 1994)

                   

Excluding sales charge

     +10.61%      +6.98%      +12.18%        +9.30

Including sales charge

     +9.88%      +6.98%      +12.18%        +9.30

Class R (Est. June 2, 2003)

                   

Excluding sales charge

     +11.17%      +7.52%      +12.74%        +8.96

Including sales charge

     +11.17%      +7.52%      +12.74%        +8.96

Institutional Class (Est. Aug. 28, 1997)

                   

Excluding sales charge

     +11.71%      +8.06%      +13.31%        +8.31

Including sales charge

     +11.71%      +8.06%      +13.31%        +8.31 %         

Russell 3000 Growth Index

     +16.34%      +13.05%      +15.26%        +7.44 %*         

*The benchmark lifetime return is for Institutional Class share comparison only and is calculated using the last business day in the month of the Fund’s Institutional Class inception date.

 

1Returns reflect the reinvestment of all distributions and are presented both with and without the applicable sales charges described below. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

Expense limitations were in effect for certain classes during some or all of the periods shown in the “Fund and benchmark performance” table. Expenses for each class are listed on the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 6. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect.

Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors. In addition, Institutional Class shares pay no distribution and service (12b-1) fee.

Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%, and have an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class A shares, excluding sales charges, assumes that no front-end sales charge applied.

Class C shares are sold with a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% if redeemed during the first 12 months. They are also subject to an annual 12b-1 fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. Performance for Class C shares, excluding sales charges, assumes either that contingent deferred sales charges did not apply or that the investment was not redeemed.

Class R shares are available only for certain retirement plan products. They are sold without a sales charge and have an annual 12b-1 fee of 0.50% of average daily net assets.

 

 

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Performance summary

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

Investments in small and/or medium-sized companies typically exhibit greater risk and higher volatility than larger, more established companies.

International investments entail risks not ordinarily associated with US investments including fluctuation in currency values, differences in

accounting principles, or economic or political instability in other nations.

Investing in emerging markets can be riskier than investing in established foreign markets due to increased volatility and lower trading volume.

 

 

2 The Fund’s expense ratios, as described in the most recent prospectus, are disclosed in the following “Fund expense ratios” table. Delaware Management Company has agreed to reimburse certain expenses and/or waive certain fees in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale and dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations) from exceeding 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets during the period from Nov. 1, 2018 to Oct. 31, 2019.** Please see the most recent prospectus and any applicable supplement(s) for additional information on these fee waivers and/or reimbursements. Please see the “Financial highlights” section in this report for the most recent expense ratios.

 

Fund expense ratios      Class A      Class C      Class R      Institutional Class        

Total annual operating expenses

     1.24%      1.99%      1.49%      0.99%

(without fee waivers)

                   

Net expenses

     1.24%      1.99%      1.49%      0.99%

(including fee waivers, if any)

                   

Type of waiver

     n/a      n/a      n/a      n/a

**The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Feb. 28, 2018 through Feb. 28, 2020.

 

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Performance of a $10,000 investment1

Average annual total returns from Oct. 31, 2009 through Oct. 31, 2019

 

LOGO

 

 

For the period beginning Oct. 31, 2009 through Oct. 31, 2019

 

  

 

Starting value

 

      

 

Ending value

 

 
LOGO  

Russell 3000 Growth Index

     $10,000          $41,393  

LOGO

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund — Institutional Class shares

     $10,000          $34,876  

LOGO

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund — Class A shares

     $9,425          $32,051  

 

1 The “Performance of a $10,000 investment” graph assumes $10,000 invested in Institutional Class and Class A shares of the Fund on Oct. 31, 2009, and includes the effect of a 5.75% front-end sales charge (for Class A shares) and the reinvestment of all distributions. The graph does not reflect the deduction of taxes the shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares. Expense limitations were in effect for some or all of the periods shown. Performance would have been lower had expense limitations not been in effect. Expenses are listed in the “Fund expense ratios” table on page 6. Please note additional details on pages 5 through 8.

The graph also assumes $10,000 invested in the Russell 3000 Growth Index as of Oct. 31, 2009. The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the US equity universe. It includes those Russell 3000

companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

The S&P 500 Index, mentioned on page 1, measures the performance of 500 mostly large-cap stocks weighted by market value, and is often used to represent performance of the US stock market.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index, mentioned on page 1, represents large- and mid-cap stocks across 21 developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index, mentioned on page 1, represents large- and mid-cap stocks across emerging market countries worldwide. The

 

 

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Performance summary

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. Index “net” return approximates the minimum possible dividend reinvestment, after deduction of withholding tax at the highest possible rate.

Frank Russell Company is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Frank Russell Company.

 

Index performance returns do not reflect any management fees, transaction costs, or expenses. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Performance of other Fund classes will vary due to different charges and expenses.

 

 

       
     Nasdaq symbols      CUSIPs     

Class A

   DVEAX      928931104   

Class C

   DVECX      928931203   

Class R

   DFSRX      928931740   

Institutional Class

 

   VAGGX

 

     928931757

 

    

 

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Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period from May 1, 2019 to Oct. 31, 2019.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

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Disclosure of Fund expenses

For the six-month period from May 1, 2019 to October 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

Expense analysis of an investment of $1,000

 

     

Beginning

Account Value

5/1/19

  

Ending

Account Value

10/31/19

  

Annualized

Expense Ratio

 

Expenses

Paid During Period

5/1/19 to 10/31/19*

Actual Fund return

                  

Class A

       $1,000.00        $985.10        1.25 %       $6.25

Class C

       1,000.00        981.70        2.00 %       9.99

Class R

       1,000.00        984.10        1.50 %       7.50

Institutional Class

       1,000.00        986.40        1.00 %       5.01

Hypothetical 5% return (5% return before expenses)

 

        

Class A

       $1,000.00        $1,018.90        1.25 %       $6.36

Class C

       1,000.00        1,015.12        2.00 %       10.16

Class R

       1,000.00        1,017.64        1.50 %       7.63

Institutional Class

       1,000.00        1,020.16        1.00 %       5.09

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

Because actual returns reflect only the most recent six-month period, the returns shown may differ significantly from fiscal year returns.

In addition to the Fund’s expenses reflected above, the Fund also indirectly bears its portion of the fees and expenses of the investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which it invests. The table above does not reflect the expenses of the Underlying Funds.

 

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Security type / sector allocation and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Select Growth Fund

As of October 31, 2019 (Unaudited)

Sector designations may be different than the sector designations presented in other Fund materials. The sector designations may represent the investment manager’s internal sector classifications.

 

Security type / sector    Percentage of net assets        

Common Stocks²

     98.76

Communication Services

     19.04

Consumer Discretionary

     13.92

Consumer Staples

     2.53

Energy

     0.28

Financials

     8.32

Healthcare

     11.78

Industrials

     4.69

Materials

     3.59

Real Estate

     1.38

Technology

     33.23

Short-Term Investments

     1.41

Total Value of Securities

     100.17

Liabilities Net of Receivables and Other Assets

     (0.17 %) 

Total Net Assets

     100.00 %        

 

²

Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for diversification whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.

To monitor compliance with the Fund’s concentration guidelines as described in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information, the Technology sector (as disclosed herein for financial reporting purposes) is subdivided into a variety of “industries” (in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended). The Technology sector consisted of commercial services, computers, diversified financial services, Internet, semiconductors, software, and telecommunications. As of Oct. 31, 2019 such amounts, as a percentage of total net assets, were 6.76%, 3.60%, 4.85%, 1.24%, 1.64%, 13.62%, and 1.52%, respectively. The percentage in any such single industry will comply with the Fund’s concentration policy even if the percentage in the Technology sector for financial reporting purposes may exceed 25%.

 

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Security type / sector allocation and top 10 equity holdings

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

Holdings are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. They are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.

 

Top 10 equity holdings    Percentage of net assets        

Microsoft

   8.37%

New York Times Class A

   7.56%

LiveRamp Holdings

   5.00%

Ball

   3.59%

KKR & Co. Class A

   3.58%

Charter Communications Class A

   3.34%

Dollar Tree

   3.23%

IQVIA Holdings

   2.97%

Varonis Systems

   2.92%

Autodesk

   2.73%

 

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Schedule of investments

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

October 31, 2019

 

     Number of shares      Value (US $)  

 

 

Common Stock – 98.76%²

     

 

 

Communication Services – 19.04%

     

Alphabet Class A †

     824      $ 1,037,251  

Alphabet Class C †

     824        1,038,331  

Charter Communications Class A †

     20,646        9,659,438  

GCI Liberty Class A †

     22,675        1,586,797  

Liberty Global Class C †

     167,979        4,009,659  

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Class A †

     328,942        3,174,290  

Netflix †

     12,114        3,481,685  

New York Times Class A

     708,903        21,905,103  

Take-Two Interactive Software †

     55,022        6,621,898  

TripAdvisor †

     54,101        2,185,680  

Ubisoft Entertainment †

     7,568        446,845  
     

 

 

 
            55,146,977  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary – 13.92%

     

Afya Class A †

     8,592        231,984  

Arco Platform Class A †

     13,141        545,351  

Chewy Class A †

     91,467        2,256,491  

Dollar Tree †

     84,675        9,348,120  

Domino’s Pizza

     3,412        926,767  

Dunkin’ Brands Group

     23,808        1,871,785  

Farfetch Class A †

     151,475        1,352,672  

Hasbro

     74,696        7,268,668  

Papa John’s International

     99,254        5,811,322  

Stitch Fix Class A †

     236,636        5,409,499  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

     97,933        5,285,444  
     

 

 

 
        40,308,103  
     

 

 

 

Consumer Staples – 2.53%

     

Constellation Brands Class A

     38,555        7,338,173  
     

 

 

 
        7,338,173  
     

 

 

 

Energy – 0.28%

     

Kinder Morgan

     41,181        822,796  
     

 

 

 
        822,796  
     

 

 

 

Financials – 8.32%

     

Charles Schwab

     175,874        7,159,830  

CME Group

     29,879        6,147,604  

KKR & Co. Class A

     359,512        10,364,731  

LendingTree †

     1,137        409,149  
     

 

 

 
        24,081,314  
     

 

 

 

Healthcare – 11.78%

     

ABIOMED †

     6,781        1,407,600  

Biogen †

     10,108        3,019,361  

Haemonetics †

     18,070        2,181,591  

 

13


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

     Number of shares      Value (US $)  

 

 

Common Stock² (continued)

     

 

 

Healthcare (continued)

     

HealthEquity †

     70,412      $ 3,998,697  

Illumina †

     18,367        5,427,816  

IQVIA Holdings †

     59,541        8,598,911  

Nevro †

     5,036        434,103  

Portola Pharmaceuticals †

     71,871        2,077,791  

UnitedHealth Group

     27,550        6,961,885  
     

 

 

 
            34,107,755  
     

 

 

 

Industrials – 4.69%

     

Airbus

     15,795        2,262,268  

Expeditors International of Washington

     27,820        2,029,191  

Experian

     37,764        1,187,719  

IHS Markit †

     28,370        1,986,467  

Safran

     22,104        3,496,970  

Waste Management

     23,291        2,613,483  
     

 

 

 
        13,576,098  
     

 

 

 

Materials – 3.59%

     

Ball

     148,645        10,400,691  
     

 

 

 
        10,400,691  
     

 

 

 

Real Estate – 1.38%

     

Crown Castle International

     7,541        1,046,615  

Equity Commonwealth

     19,968        642,570  

Redfin †

     133,392        2,319,687  
     

 

 

 
        4,008,872  
     

 

 

 

Technology – 33.23%

     

Alibaba Group Holding ADR †

     6,663        1,177,152  

Amadeus IT Group

     5,628        416,410  

Applied Materials

     41,243        2,237,845  

Arista Networks †

     18,015        4,405,929  

ASML Holding

     4,126        1,081,406  

Autodesk †

     53,707        7,914,263  

Coupa Software †

     4,114        565,634  

Guidewire Software †

     10,294        1,160,546  

IPG Photonics †

     4,499        604,126  

j2 Global

     31,593        3,000,071  

LiveRamp Holdings †

     370,489        14,482,415  

Logitech International

     48,332        1,977,374  

Mastercard Class A

     23,721        6,566,210  

Microsoft

     169,130        24,248,168  

Paycom Software †

     2,205        466,424  

PayPal Holdings †

     44,736        4,657,018  

SailPoint Technologies Holding †

     29,165        564,634  

 

14


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Number of shares      Value (US $)  

 

 

Common Stock² (continued)

     

 

 

Technology (continued)

     

Samsung Electronics

     19,162      $ 830,087  

ServiceNow †

     6,126        1,514,715  

Varonis Systems †

     118,171        8,455,135  

Visa Class A

     41,807        7,477,600  

Wix.com †

     19,772        2,413,568  
     

 

 

 
        96,216,730  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stock (cost $245,930,678)

            286,007,509  
     

 

 

 
     

 

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.41%

     

 

 

Money Market Mutual Funds – 1.41%

     

BlackRock FedFund - Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 1.72%)

     814,457        814,457  

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio - Class I (seven-day effective yield 1.72%)

     814,458        814,458  

GS Financial Square Government Fund - Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 1.71%)

     814,458        814,458  

Morgan Stanley Government Portfolio - Institutional Share Class (seven-day effective yield 1.72%)

     814,458        814,458  

State Street Institutional US Government Money Market Fund - Investor Class (seven-day effective yield 1.67%)

     814,458        814,458  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (cost $4,072,289)

        4,072,289  
     

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities – 100.17%
(cost $250,002,967)

      $ 290,079,798  
     

 

 

 

 

²

Narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes for diversification whereas broad sectors are used for financial reporting.

 

Non-income producing security.

Summary of abbreviations:

ADR – American Depositary Receipt

GS – Goldman Sachs

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

15


Table of Contents
Statement of assets and liabilities

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

   October 31, 2019

 

Assets:

  

Investments, at value1

   $ 290,079,798  

Receivable for securities sold

     144,760  

Foreign tax reclaims receivable

     92,011  

Dividends and interest receivable

     81,739  

Receivable for fund shares sold

     57,768  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     290,456,076  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payable for securities purchased

     391,731  

Investment management fees payable to affiliates

     178,051  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

     107,018  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses payable to non-affiliates

     61,548  

Distribution fees payable to affiliates

     57,696  

Other accrued expenses

     35,214  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses payable to non-affiliates

     32,070  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     2,160  

Accounting and administration expenses payable to affiliates

     1,154  

Trustees’ fees and expenses payable to affiliates

     891  

Legal fees payable to affiliates

     427  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses payable to affiliates

     294  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     868,254  
  

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 289,587,822  
  

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 229,656,700  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     59,931,122  
  

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

   $ 289,587,822  
  

 

 

 

 

16


Table of Contents

    

    

 

Net Asset Value

  

Class A:

  

Net assets

   $ 231,410,339  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     6,865,892  

Net asset value per share

   $ 33.70  

Sales charge

     5.75

Offering price per share, equal to net asset value per share / (1 – sales charge)

   $ 35.76  

Class C:

  

Net assets

   $ 9,578,240  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     470,244  

Net asset value per share

   $ 20.37  

Class R:

  

Net assets

   $ 2,881,357  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     93,257  

Net asset value per share

   $ 30.90  

Institutional Class:

  

Net assets

   $ 45,717,886  

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par

     1,209,177  

Net asset value per share

   $ 37.81  

 

1Investments, at cost

   $ 250,002,967  

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

17


Table of Contents

Statement of operations

 

Delaware Select Growth Fund

Year ended October 31, 2019

 

Investment Income:

  

Dividends

   $ 2,301,012  

Interest

     55,763  

Foreign tax withheld

     (33,469
  

 

 

 
     2,323,306  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees

     2,255,378  

Distribution expenses — Class A

     594,748  

Distribution expenses — Class C

     119,934  

Distribution expenses — Class R

     17,949  

Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses

     384,771  

Accounting and administration expenses

     93,106  

Registration fees

     80,197  

Reports and statements to shareholders expenses

     64,181  

Legal fees

     39,702  

Audit and tax fees

     36,926  

Custodian fees

     21,450  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     18,212  

Other

     22,528  
  

 

 

 
     3,749,082  

Less expenses waived

     (7,569

Less expenses paid indirectly

     (2,418
  

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     3,739,095  
  

 

 

 

Net Investment Loss

     (1,415,789
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

  

Net realized gain (loss) on:

  

Investments

     23,365,063  

Foreign currencies

     (29,609

Foreign currency exchange contracts

     (4,696
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain

     23,330,758  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

  

Investments

     10,661,994  

Foreign currencies

     13,558  

Foreign currency exchange contracts

     4,058  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     10,679,610  
  

 

 

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain

     34,010,368  
  

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

   $ 32,594,579  
  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

     Year ended  
     10/31/19     10/31/18  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

    

Net investment loss

   $ (1,415,789   $ (1,567,732

Net realized gain

     23,330,758       77,896,100  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     10,679,610       (47,713,387
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     32,594,579       28,614,981  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

    

Distributable earnings:

    

Class A

     (57,743,174     (13,284,528

Class C

     (4,583,459     (3,396,155

Class R

     (1,037,563     (291,213

Institutional Class

     (10,974,061     (5,317,098
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (74,338,257     (22,288,994
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions:

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Class A

     5,585,208       31,571,991  

Class C

     192,623       478,378  

Class R

     472,527       621,092  

Institutional Class

     7,040,232       10,198,960  

Net asset value of shares based upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

    

Class A

     56,868,379       13,034,709  

Class C

     4,468,307       3,354,158  

Class R

     1,031,887       288,244  

Institutional Class

     10,841,155       5,243,724  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
             86,500,318               64,791,256  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

20


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Year ended  
     10/31/19     10/31/18  

Capital Share Transactions (continued):

    

Cost of shares redeemed:

    

Class A

   $ (40,320,309   $ (42,282,478

Class C

     (5,531,390     (35,721,542

Class R

     (2,066,114     (1,737,760

Institutional Class

     (16,405,588     (72,842,025
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (64,323,401     (152,583,805
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

     22,176,917       (87,792,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Net Assets

     (19,566,761     (81,466,562

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

   $ 309,154,583     $ 390,621,145  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $     289,587,822     $     309,154,583  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

21


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Select Growth Fund Class A

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived

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

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 
2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total return during some of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

22


Table of Contents

    

    

 

      Year ended  
 

 

 

 
      10/31/19           10/31/18           10/31/17           10/31/16           10/31/15  

 

 

 
  $ 39.74       $ 39.46       $ 37.68       $ 47.82       $ 52.44  
    (0.16       (0.17       (0.14       (0.11       0.05  
    3.75         2.69         7.13         (0.31       1.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    3.59         2.52         6.99         (0.42       1.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                                    (0.09
    (9.63                            (2.24                            (5.21                            (9.72                            (5.78
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
                     (9.63       (2.24       (5.21       (9.72       (5.87
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
  $ 33.70       $ 39.74       $ 39.46       $ 37.68       $ 47.82  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    11.42%         6.84%         21.43%         (1.63%       2.31%  
  $ 231,410       $ 241,009       $ 237,363       $ 253,027       $ 348,846  
    1.25%         1.24%         1.25%         1.26%         1.25%  
    1.25%         1.24%         1.28%         1.28%         1.25%  
    (0.48%       (0.42%       (0.39%       (0.30%       0.09%  
    (0.48%       (0.42%       (0.42%       (0.32%       0.09%  
   

 

48%

 

 

 

     

 

51%

 

 

 

     

 

35%

 

 

 

     

 

33%

 

 

 

     

 

46%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Select Growth Fund Class C

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment loss1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the impact of a sales charge. Total return during some of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

24


Table of Contents

    

    

 

    Year ended  
    10/31/19          10/31/18          10/31/17          10/31/16          10/31/15  

 

 
  $ 27.92        $ 28.60        $ 28.91        $ 39.13        $ 44.16  
    (0.25        (0.33        (0.30        (0.31        (0.27
    2.33          1.89          5.20          (0.19        1.02  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    2.08          1.56          4.90          (0.50        0.75  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (5.78
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (5.78
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 20.37        $ 27.92        $ 28.60        $ 28.91        $ 39.13  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    10.61%          6.02%          20.57%          (2.36%        1.52%  
  $ 9,578        $ 13,759        $ 44,775        $ 60,815        $ 87,833  
    2.00%          1.99%          2.00%          2.01%          2.00%  
    2.00%          1.99%          2.03%          2.03%          2.00%  
    (1.23%        (1.17%        (1.14%        (1.05%        (0.66%
    (1.23%        (1.17%        (1.17%        (1.07%        (0.66%
    48%          51%          35%          33%          46%  

 

 

 

25


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Select Growth Fund Class R

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment loss1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 
2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return during some of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

26


Table of Contents

    

    

 

    Year ended  
    10/31/19          10/31/18          10/31/17          10/31/16          10/31/15  

 

 
  $   37.29        $  37.26        $  35.94        $ 46.15        $ 50.83  
    (0.22        (0.25        (0.22        (0.20        (0.08
    3.46          2.52          6.75          (0.29        1.18  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    3.24          2.27          6.53          (0.49        1.10  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (5.78
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (5.78
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 30.90        $ 37.29        $ 37.26        $ 35.94        $ 46.15  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    11.17%          6.55%          21.16%          (1.87%        2.02%  
  $ 2,882        $ 4,100        $ 4,913        $ 11,487        $ 18,766  
    1.50%          1.49%          1.50%          1.51%          1.50%  
    1.50%          1.49%          1.53%          1.53%          1.50%  
    (0.73%        (0.67%        (0.64%        (0.55%        (0.16%
    (0.73%        (0.67%        (0.67%        (0.57%        (0.16%
    48%          51%          35%          33%          46%  

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Financial highlights

Delaware Select Growth Fund Institutional Class

 

Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)1

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

Total from investment operations

Less dividends and distributions from:

Net investment income

Net realized gain

Total dividends and distributions

Net asset value, end of period

Total return2

Ratios and supplemental data:

Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived

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

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived

Portfolio turnover

 

 

1 

The average shares outstanding method has been applied for per share information.

 
2 

Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return during some of the periods shown reflects a waiver by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waiver not been in effect.

 

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

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     Year ended  
     10/31/19          10/31/18          10/31/17          10/31/16          10/31/15  

 

 
   $ 43.34        $ 42.73        $ 40.27        $ 50.35        $ 54.92  
     (0.08        (0.07        (0.05        (0.02        0.18  
     4.18          2.92          7.72          (0.34        1.25  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     4.10          2.85          7.67          (0.36        1.43  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                                         (0.22
     (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (5.78
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (9.63        (2.24        (5.21        (9.72        (6.00
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 37.81        $ 43.34        $ 42.73        $ 40.27        $ 50.35  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     11.71%          7.10%          21.76%          (1.37%        2.54%  
   $ 45,718        $ 50,287        $ 103,570        $ 170,029        $ 422,581  
     1.00%          0.99%          1.00%          1.01%          1.00%  
     1.00%          0.99%          1.03%          1.03%          1.00%  
     (0.23%        (0.17%        (0.14%        (0.05%        0.34%  
     (0.23%        (0.17%        (0.17%        (0.07%        0.34%  
     48%          51%          35%          33%          46%  

 

 

 

29


Table of Contents
Notes to financial statements   
Delaware Select Growth Fund    October 31, 2019

Voyageur Mutual Funds III (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers one series: Delaware Select Growth Fund (Fund). The Fund is an open-end investment company. The Fund is considered diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and offers Class A, Class C, Class R, and Institutional Class shares. Class A shares are sold with a maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%. Class A share purchases of $1,000,000 or more will incur a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) instead of a front-end sales charge of 1.00%, if redeemed during the first year, and 0.50% during the second year, provided that Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP) paid a financial advisor a commission on the purchase of those shares. Class C shares are sold with a CDSC of 1.00%, which will be incurred if redeemed during the first 12 months. Class R and Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

1. Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Fund.

Security Valuation — Equity securities, except those traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq), are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the time of the regular close of the New York Stock Exchange on the valuation date. Equity securities traded on the Nasdaq are valued in accordance with the Nasdaq Official Closing Price, which may not be the last sales price. If, on a particular day, an equity security does not trade, the mean between the bid and ask prices will be used, which approximates fair value. Equity securities listed on a foreign exchange are normally valued at the last quoted sales price on the valuation date. US government and agency securities are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Investments in repurchase agreements are generally valued at par, which approximates fair value, each business day. Open-end investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices, which approximates fair value. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. Generally, other securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the direction of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (Board). In determining whether market quotations are readily available or fair valuation will be used, various factors will be taken into consideration, such as market closures or suspension of trading in a security. The Fund may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-US markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities, generally as of 4:00pm Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. Whenever such a significant event occurs, the Fund may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing). Restricted securities are valued at fair value using methods approved by the Board.

 

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Federal and Foreign Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as the Fund intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on the Fund’s federal income tax returns through the year ended Oct. 31, 2019 and for all open tax years (years ended Oct. 31, 2016–Oct. 31, 2018), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the “Statement of operations.” During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund did not incur any interest or tax penalties. In regard to foreign taxes only, the Fund has open tax years in certain foreign countries in which it invests in that may date back to the inception of the Fund.

Class Accounting — Investment income, common expenses, and realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments are allocated to the various classes of the Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Distribution expenses relating to a specific class are charged directly to that class.

Repurchase Agreements — The Fund may purchase certain US government securities subject to the counterparty’s agreement to repurchase them at an agreed upon date and price. The counterparty will be required on a daily basis to maintain the value of the collateral subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The agreements are conditioned upon the collateral being deposited under the Federal Reserve book-entry system with the Fund’s custodian or a third-party sub-custodian. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. At Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund held no investments in repurchase agreements.

Foreign Currency Transactions — Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the prevailing exchange rates on the valuation date in accordance with the Fund’s prospectus. The value of all assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies is translated daily into US dollars at the exchange rate of such currencies against the US dollar. Transaction gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates during the reporting period or upon settlement of the foreign currency transaction are reported in operations for the current period. The Fund generally does not bifurcate that portion of realized gains and losses on investments which is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in market prices. These gains and losses are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Net realized gain (loss) on investments.” The Fund reports certain foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains (losses) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income (loss) for federal income tax purposes.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.

Other — Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Taxable non-cash dividends are recorded as dividend income. Distributions received from investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are recorded as dividend income on the ex-dividend date, subject to reclassification upon notice of the character of such distributions by the issuer. Foreign dividends are also recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon after the ex-dividend date that the Fund is aware of such dividends, net of all tax withholdings, a portion of which may be reclaimable. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends have been recorded in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. The Fund declares and pays dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, annually. The Fund may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

The Fund receives earnings credits from its custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset custody fees. The expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Custodian fees” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund earned $1,504 under this arrangement.

The Fund receives earnings credits from its transfer agent when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset transfer agent fees. If the amount earned is greater than $1, the expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund earned $914 under this arrangement.

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates

In accordance with the terms of its investment management agreement, the Fund pays Delaware Management Company (DMC), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly at the rates of 0.75% on

 

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the first $500 million of average daily net assets of the Fund, 0.70% on the next $500 million, 0.65% on the next $1.5 billion, and 0.60% on average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.

DMC has contractually agreed to waive that portion if any, of its management fee and/or pay/reimburse the Fund to the extent necessary to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any distribution and service (12b-1) fees, acquired funds fees and expenses, taxes, interest, short sale, dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations) do not exceed 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from Nov. 1, 2018 through Oct. 31, 2019.* For purposes of these waivers and reimbursements, nonroutine expenses may also include such additional costs and expenses as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Board and DMC. These expense waivers and reimbursements apply to expenses paid directly to the Fund and may only be terminated by agreement of DMC and the Fund. The waivers and reimbursements are accrued daily and received monthly.

Jackson Square Partners, LLC (JSP), a related party of DMC, furnishes investment sub-advisory services to the Fund. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, pays JSP fees based on the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund at the following annual rates: 0.450% of the first $500 million; 0.420% of the next $500 million; 0.390% of the next $1.5 billion; and 0.360% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion.

Effective May 30, 2019, DMC may permit its affiliates, Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (MIMGL) and Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (together, the “Affiliated Sub-Advisors”), to execute Fund equity security trades on behalf of the Manager. The Manager may also seek quantitative support from MIMGL. Although the Affiliated Sub-Advisors serve as sub-advisors, DMC has ultimate responsibility for all investment advisory services. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, may pay each Affiliated Sub-Advisor a portion of its investment management fee.

Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.00475% of the first $35 billion; 0.0040% of the next $10 billion; and 0.0025% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $45 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund was charged $15,284 for these services.

DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly based on the aggregate daily net assets of the retail funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.014% of the first $20 billion; 0.011% of the next $5 billion; 0.007% of the next $5 billion; 0.005% of the next $20 billion; and 0.0025% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 billion. The fees payable to DIFSC under the shareholder services agreement described above are allocated among all retail funds in the Delaware Funds on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund was charged $29,565 for these

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYMIS), BNYMIS provides certain sub-transfer agency services to the Fund. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by the Fund and are also included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees that are calculated daily and paid as invoices are received on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Pursuant to a distribution agreement and distribution plan, the Fund pays DDLP, the distributor and an affiliate of DMC, an annual 12b-1 fees of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares, 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares, and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Class R shares. The fees are calculated daily and paid monthly. Institutional Class shares do not pay 12b-1 fees.

As provided in the investment management agreement, the Fund bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services to the Fund. For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund was charged $8,254 for internal legal, tax, and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Legal fees.”

For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, DDLP earned $6,718 for commissions on sales of the Fund’s Class A shares. For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, DDLP received gross CDSC commissions of $144 and $59 on redemptions of the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares, respectively, and these commissions were entirely used to offset upfront commissions previously paid by DDLP to broker/dealers on sales of those shares.

Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by the Fund for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Fund.

In addition to the management fees and other expenses of the Fund, the Fund indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of the investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund will vary based upon the expense and fee levels of the Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of the Underlying Funds at different times.

 

*The aggregate contractual waiver period covering this report is from Feb. 28, 2018 through Feb. 28, 2020.

3. Investments

For the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments as follows:

 

Purchases

   $ 143,183,338  

Sales

     191,743,560  

 

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The tax cost of investments includes adjustments to net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) which may not necessarily be final tax cost basis adjustments, but approximate the tax basis unrealized gains and losses that may be realized and distributed to shareholders. At Oct. 31, 2019, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for federal income tax purposes for the Fund were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 250,182,657  
  

 

 

 

Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investments

   $ 60,559,810  

Aggregate unrealized depreciation of investments

     (20,662,669
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation of investments

   $ 39,897,141  
  

 

 

 

US GAAP defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. The Fund’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

Level 1 –   Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
Level 2 –   Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
Level 3 –   Significant unobservable inputs, including the Fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)

Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. The Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

3. Investments (continued)

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of Oct. 31, 2019:

 

    

Level 1

 

Securities

  

 

Assets:

  

 

Common Stock

  

Communication Services

   $ 55,146,977  

Consumer Discretionary

     40,308,103  

Consumer Staples

     7,338,173  

Energy

     822,796  

Financials

     24,081,314  

Healthcare

     34,107,755  

Industrials

     13,576,098  

Materials

     10,400,691  

Real Estate

     4,008,872  

Technology

     96,216,730  

Short-Term Investments

     4,072,289  
  

 

 

 

 

Total Value of Securities

   $ 290,079,798  
  

 

 

 

During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, there were no transfers between Level 1 investments, Level 2 investments, or Level 3 investments that had a significant impact to the Fund. This does not include transfers between Level 1 investments and Level 2 investments due to the Fund utilizing international fair value pricing during the period. In accordance with the fair valuation procedures described in Note 1, international fair value pricing of securities in the Fund occurs when market volatility exceeds an established rolling threshold. If the threshold is exceeded on a given date, then prices of international securities (those that traded on exchanges that close at a different time than the time that the Fund’s NAV is determined) are established using a separate pricing feed from a third-party vendor designed to establish a price for each such security as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is determined. Further, international fair value pricing uses other observable market-based inputs in place of the closing exchange price due to the events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the investment is principally traded, causing a change in classification between levels. International fair value pricing was not utilized at Oct. 31, 2019. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning, interim, or end of the period in relation to net assets. During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, there were no Level 3 investments.

4. Dividend and Distribution Information

Income and long-term capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP. Additionally, distributions from net gains on foreign currency transactions and net short-term gains on sales of investment securities are treated as ordinary

 

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income for federal income tax purposes. The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended Oct. 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

     Year ended  
     10/31/19             10/31/18  

Ordinary income

   $ 10,289,289         $ 3,158,529  

Long-term capital gain

     64,048,968                    19,130,465  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

   $ 74,338,257         $ 22,288,994  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

5. Components of Net Assets on a Tax Basis

As of Oct. 31, 2019, the components of net assets on a tax basis were as follow:

 

Shares of beneficial interest

   $ 229,656,700  

Undistributed ordinary income

     2,097,330  

Undistributed long-term capital gain

     17,936,651  

Unrealized appreciation of investments and foreign currencies

     39,897,141  
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 289,587,822  
  

 

 

 

The difference between book basis and tax basis components of net assets is primarily attributable to tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

6. Capital Shares        

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

       
     Year ended  
     10/31/19               10/31/18  

Shares sold:

       

Class A

     168,743          752,887  

Class C

     9,702          16,716  

Class R

     14,527          16,324  

Institutional Class

     184,373          234,379  

Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions:

       

Class A

     1,852,994          354,414  

Class C

     239,316          128,956  

Class R

     36,592          8,333  

Institutional Class

     315,609          131,060  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     2,821,856          1,643,069  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares redeemed:

       

Class A

     (1,220,193        (1,057,971

Class C

     (271,595        (1,218,654

Class R

     (67,800        (46,589

Institutional Class

     (451,127        (1,629,156
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
     (2,010,715        (3,952,370
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     811,141          (2,309,301
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Certain shareholders may exchange shares of one class for shares of another class in the same Fund. These exchange transactions are included as subscriptions and redemptions in the table above and on the “Statements of changes in net assets.” For the years ended Oct. 31, 2019 and 2018, the Fund had the following exchange transactions:

 

    

Exchange Redemptions

           

Exchange Subscriptions

               
                                              

 

Institutional

               
     Class A                Class C                Class A                Class                   
    Year ended    Shares             Shares             Shares             Shares             Value  

 

10/31/19

  

 

 

 

7,958

 

 

     

 

 

 

27,796

 

 

     

 

 

 

17,085

 

 

     

 

 

 

7,112

 

 

     

 

$

 

833,525

 

 

10/31/18

     5,022           261,889           181,915           6,950           7,977,617  

7. Line of Credit

The Fund, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), was a participant in a revolving line of credit intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. The revolving line of credit available was reduced from $155,000,000 to $130,000,0000 on Sept. 6, 2018. Under the agreement, the Participants were charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which was allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants were permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the agreement. Each Participant was

 

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individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the agreement expired on Nov. 5, 2018.

On Nov. 5, 2018, the Participants entered into an amendment to the agreement for a $190,000,000 revolving line of credit. The revolving line of credit available was increased to $220,000,000 on Nov. 29, 2018. The revolving line of credit is to be used as described above and operates in substantially the same manner as the original agreement. The line of credit available under the agreement expires on Nov. 4, 2019.

The Fund had no amounts outstanding as of Oct. 31, 2019, or at any time during the year then ended.

8. Derivatives

US GAAP requires disclosures that enable investors to understand: (1) how and why an entity uses derivatives; (2) how they are accounted for; and (3) how they affect an entity’s results of operations and financial position.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. The Fund may enter into these contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security that it has agreed to buy or sell for the period between the date the trade was entered into and the date the security is delivered and paid for. The Fund may also use these contracts to hedge the US dollar value of securities it already owns that are denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, the Fund may enter into these contracts to facilitate or expedite the settlement of portfolio transactions. The change in value is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

The use of foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the securities, but does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign cross currency exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to an unfavorable change in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency change favorably. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is the value of its currency exchanged with the counterparty. The risk is generally mitigated by having a netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to fix the US dollar value of a security between trade date and settle date.

During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund experienced net realized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency holdings, which is disclosed on the “Statement of operations.”

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

8. Derivatives (continued)

 

Derivatives Generally. The table below summarizes the average balance of derivative holdings by the Fund during the year ended Oct. 31, 2019.

 

     Long Derivative      Short Derivative  
     Volume      Volume  

Foreign currency exchange contracts (average cost)

       USD                16,460           USD                10,384   

9. Securities Lending

The Fund, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day, the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY Mellon must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.

Cash collateral received by each fund of the Trust is generally invested in a series of individual separate accounts, each corresponding to a fund. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; and asset-backed securities. The Fund can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.

In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to the Fund or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. The Fund continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to

 

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changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. The Fund has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, the Fund receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among the Fund, the security lending agent, and the borrower. The Fund records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.

The Fund may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in the collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of the Fund’s cash collateral account may be less than the amount the Fund would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and the Fund would be required to make up for this shortfall.

During the year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund had no securities out on loan.

10. Credit and Market Risk

The Fund invested in growth stocks (such as those in the technology sector), which reflect projections of future earnings and revenue. These prices may rise or fall dramatically depending on whether those projections are met. These companies’ stock prices may be more volatile, particularly over the short term.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in small- and mid-sized companies and may be subject to certain risks associated with ownership of securities of such companies. Investments in small- or mid-sized companies may be more volatile than investments in larger companies for a number of reasons, which include more limited financial resources or a dependence on narrow product lines.

Some countries in which the Fund may invest require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if there is deterioration in a country’s balance of payments or for other reasons, a country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances abroad.

The securities exchanges of certain foreign markets are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. Consequently, acquisition and disposition of securities by the Fund may be inhibited. In addition, a significant portion of the aggregate market value of equity securities listed on the major securities exchanges in emerging markets is held by a smaller number of investors. This may limit the number of shares available for acquisition or disposition by the Fund.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair the Fund from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Board has delegated to DMC the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Fund’s 15% limit on

 

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Notes to financial statements

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

10. Credit and Market Risk (continued)

 

investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedule of investments.” Restricted securities are valued pursuant to the security valuation procedures described in Note 1.

11. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

12. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU), ASU 2018-13, which changes certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements. The ASU 2018-13, in addition to other modifications and additions, removes the requirement to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for the timing of transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after Dec. 15, 2019. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of these changes on the financial statements.

13. Subsequent Events

On Nov. 4, 2019, the Fund, along with the other Participants, entered into an amendment to the agreement for a $250,000,000 revolving line of credit to be used as described in Note 7 and to be operated in substantially the same manner as the agreement described in Note 7. Under the amendment to the agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The line of credit available under the agreement expires on Nov. 2, 2020.

Management has determined that no other material events or transactions occurred subsequent to Oct. 31, 2019, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

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Report of independent

registered public accounting firm

To the Board of Trustees of Voyageur Mutual Funds III

and Shareholders of Delaware Select Growth Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Delaware Select Growth Fund (constituting Voyageur Mutual Funds III, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year ended October 31, 2019, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019 (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, 2019, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019 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, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agents and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

December 20, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Delaware Funds® by Macquarie since 2010.

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Select Growth Fund

Tax Information

The information set forth below is for the Fund’s fiscal year as required by federal income tax laws. Shareholders, however, must report distributions on a calendar year basis for income tax purposes, which may include distributions for portions of two fiscal years of the Fund. Accordingly, the information needed by shareholders for income tax purposes will be sent to them in January of each year. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information.

All disclosures are based on financial information available as of the date of this annual report and, accordingly are subject to change. For any and all items requiring reporting, it is the intention of the Fund to report the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.

For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund reports distributions paid during the year as follows:

 

(A) Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions (Tax Basis)

     86.16

(B) Ordinary Income Distributions (Tax Basis)1

     13.84

Total Distributions (Tax Basis)

     100.00

(C) Qualifying Dividends2

     20.19

(A) and (B) are based on a percentage of the Fund’s total distributions.

(C) is based on a percentage of the Fund’s ordinary income distributions.

1For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 20%. The percentage of dividends paid by the Fund from ordinary income reported as qualified income is 22.22%. Complete information will be compiled and reported in conjunction with your 2018 Form 1099-DIV.

2Qualifying dividends represent dividends which qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction.

For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019, certain interest income paid by the Fund, determined to be Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains may be subject to relief from US withholding for foreign shareholders, as provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creations Act of 2010; and as extended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2019, the Fund reported maximum distributions of Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains of $3,393,222.

Board consideration of Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements for Delaware Select Growth Fund

At a meeting held on Aug. 21-22, 2019 (the “Annual Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of disinterested or independent Trustees, approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements for Delaware Select Growth Fund (the “Fund”). In making its decision, the Board considered information furnished at regular quarterly Board meetings, including reports detailing Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the renewal of the investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts. Information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”), a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (“MIMBT”) and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with Jackson Square Partners, LLC (“JSP”), Macquarie Funds Management Hong Kong Limited (“MFMHK”), and Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (“MIMGL”), included materials provided by DMC and its affiliates (collectively, “Macquarie Investment Management”), JSP, MFMHK, and MIMGL, concerning,

 

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among other things, the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund; the costs of such services to the Fund; economies of scale; and the investment manager’s financial condition and profitability. In addition, in connection with the Annual Meeting, materials were provided to the Trustees in May 2019, including reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions (“Broadridge”). The Broadridge reports compared the Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other comparable mutual funds. The Independent Trustees reviewed and discussed the Broadridge reports with independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In addition to the information noted above, the Board also requested and received information regarding DMC’s policy with respect to advisory fee levels and its breakpoint philosophy; the structure of portfolio manager compensation; comparative client fee information; and any constraints or limitations on the availability of securities for certain investment styles, which had in the past year inhibited, or which were likely in the future to inhibit, the investment manager’s ability to invest fully in accordance with Fund policies.

In considering information relating to the approval of the Fund’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements, the Independent Trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and also received assistance and advice from an experienced and knowledgeable independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”). Although the Board gave attention to all information furnished, the following discussion identifies, under separate headings, the primary factors taken into account by the Board during its contract renewal considerations.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board considered the services provided by DMC to the Fund and its shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent, and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year, which covered matters such as the relative performance of the Fund; compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies, and restrictions for the Fund; compliance by DMC and Delaware Distributors, L.P. (together, “Management”) personnel with the Code of Ethics adopted throughout the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie (“Delaware Funds”); and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of DMC and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The Board recognized DMC’s receipt of certain favorable industry distinctions during the past several years. The Board gave favorable consideration to DMC’s efforts to control expenses while maintaining service levels committed to Fund matters. The Board also noted the benefits provided to Fund shareholders through (a) each shareholder’s ability to: (i) exchange an investment in one Delaware Fund for the same class of shares in another Delaware Fund without a sales charge, or (ii) reinvest Fund dividends into additional shares of the Fund or into additional shares of other Delaware Funds, and (b) the privilege to combine holdings in other Delaware Funds to obtain a reduced sales charge. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of the overall services provided by DMC.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board considered the services provided by JSP to the Fund and its shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent, and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year at regular Board Meetings covering matters such as relative performance of the Fund; compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies, and restrictions for the Fund; the compliance of JSP personnel with its Code of Ethics; and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

Board consideration of Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements for Delaware Select Growth Fund (continued)

 

 

JSP and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of the overall services provided by JSP.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board considered the services provided by MIMGL to the Fund and its shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent, and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year at regular Board Meetings covering matters such as relative performance of the Fund; compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies, and restrictions for the Fund; the compliance of MIMGL personnel with its Code of Ethics; and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of MIMGL and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of the overall services provided by MIMGL.

Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board considered the services provided by MFMHK to the Fund and its shareholders. In reviewing the nature, extent, and quality of services, the Board considered reports furnished to it throughout the year at regular Board Meetings covering matters such as relative performance of the Fund; compliance of portfolio managers with the investment policies, strategies, and restrictions for the Fund; the compliance of MFMHK personnel with its Code of Ethics; and adherence to fair value pricing procedures as established by the Board. The Board was pleased with the current staffing of MFMHK and the emphasis placed on research in the investment process. The Board was satisfied with the nature, extent, and quality of the overall services provided by MFMHK.

Investment performance. The Board placed significant emphasis on the investment performance of the Fund in view of the importance of investment performance to shareholders. Although the Board considered performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Investment Committee meetings throughout the year, the Board gave particular weight to the Broadridge reports furnished for the Annual Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for the Fund showed the investment performance of its Class A shares in comparison to a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Performance Universe”). A fund with the best performance ranked first, and a fund with the poorest performance ranked last. The highest/best performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the first quartile; the next 25%, the second quartile; the next 25%, the third quartile; and the poorest/worst performing 25% of funds in the Performance Universe make up the fourth quartile. Comparative annualized performance for the Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods, to the extent applicable, ended Jan. 31, 2019. The Board’s objective is that the Fund’s performance for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods be at or above the median of its Performance Universe.

The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional multi-cap growth funds as selected by Broadridge. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe. The report further showed that the Fund’s total return for the 3- and 5-year periods was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe and the Fund’s total return for the 10-year period was in the first quartile of its Performance Universe. The Board observed that the Fund’s performance results were mixed but tended toward median, which was acceptable.

 

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Comparative expenses. The Board considered expense data for the Delaware Funds. Management provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for the Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Board also focused on the comparative analysis of effective management fees and total expense ratios of the Fund versus effective management fees and total expense ratios of a group of similar funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). In reviewing comparative costs, the Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by the Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds in the Expense Group were similar in size to the Fund) and actual management fees (as reported by each fund) within the Expense Group, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers. The Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Group. The Broadridge total expenses, for comparative consistency, were shown by Broadridge for Class A shares and comparative total expenses including 12b-1 and non-12b-1 service fees. The Board’s objective is for the Fund’s total expense ratio to be competitive with those of the peer funds within its Expense Group.

The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was in the quartile with the second lowest expenses of its Expense Group and its total expenses were in the quartile with the second highest expenses of its Expense Group. The Board gave favorable consideration to the Fund’s management fee but noted that the Fund’s total expenses were not in line with the Board’s objective. In evaluating the total expenses, the Board considered fee waivers in place through February 2020 and various initiatives implemented by Management, such as the negotiation of lower fees for fund accounting, fund accounting oversight, and custody services, which had created an opportunity for a further reduction in expenses. The Board was satisfied with Management’s efforts to improve the Fund’s total expense ratio and to bring it in line with the Board’s objective.

Management profitability. The Board considered the level of profits realized by DMC in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board reviewed the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to each of the individual funds and the Delaware Funds as a whole. Specific attention was given to the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. Management stated that the level of profits of DMC, to a certain extent, reflects recent operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by DMC. The Board considered DMC’s efforts to improve services provided to Fund shareholders and to meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent industry-wide Securities and Exchange Commission initiatives. The Board also considered the extent to which DMC might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as service provider to the Delaware Funds and the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies. As part of its work, the Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding MIMBT profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees discussed with JDL personnel regarding DMC’s profitability in such context. The Board found that the management fees were reasonable in light of the services rendered and the level of profitability of DMC.

Management profitability. Trustees were also given available information on profits being realized by JSP in relation to the services being provided to the Fund and in relation to JSP’s overall investment advisory business, but believed such information to be of limited relevance because the sub-advisory fees are paid by DMC out of its management fee, and changes in the level of sub-advisory fees have no

 

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Other Fund information (Unaudited)

Delaware Select Growth Fund

 

Board consideration of Investment Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements for Delaware Select Growth Fund (continued)

 

impact on Fund expenses. The Board was also provided information on potential fall-out benefits derived or to be derived by JSP in connection with its relationship to the Fund, such as reputational enhancement, soft dollar arrangements, or commissions paid to affiliated broker/dealers, as applicable.

Management profitability. Trustees were also given available information on profits being realized by MIMGL in relation to the services being provided to the Fund and in relation to MIMGL’s overall investment advisory business, but believed such information to be of limited relevance because the sub-advisory fees are paid by DMC out of its management fee, and changes in the level of sub-advisory fees have no impact on Fund expenses. The Board was also provided information on potential fall-out benefits derived or to be derived by MIMGL in connection with its relationship to the Fund, such as reputational enhancement, soft dollar arrangements, or commissions paid to affiliated broker/dealers, as applicable.

Management profitability. Trustees were also given available information on profits being realized by MFMHK in relation to the services being provided to the Fund and in relation to MFMHK’s overall investment advisory business, but believed such information to be of limited relevance because the sub-advisory fees are paid by DMC out of its management fee, and changes in the level of sub-advisory fees have no impact on Fund expenses. The Board was also provided information on potential fall-out benefits derived or to be derived by MFMHK in connection with its relationship to the Fund, such as reputational enhancement, soft dollar arrangements, or commissions paid to affiliated broker/dealers, as applicable.

Economies of scale. The Trustees considered whether economies of scale are realized by DMC as the Fund’s assets increase and the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. The Trustees reviewed the Fund’s advisory fee pricing and structure, approved by the Board and shareholders, which includes breakpoints, and which applies to most funds in the Delaware Funds complex. Breakpoints in the advisory fee occur when the advisory fee rate is reduced on assets in excess of specified levels. Breakpoints result in a lower advisory fee than would otherwise be the case in the absence of breakpoints, when the asset levels specified in the breakpoints are exceeded. Although, as of March 31, 2019, the Fund had not reached a size at which it could take advantage of any breakpoints in the applicable fee schedule, the Board recognized that the fee was structured so that, if the Fund increases sufficiently in size, then economies of scale may be shared.

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

A mutual fund is governed by a Board of Trustees/Directors (“Trustees”), which has oversight responsibility for the management of a fund’s business affairs. Trustees establish procedures and oversee and review the performance of the investment manager, the distributor, and others who perform services for the fund. The independent fund trustees, in particular, are advocates

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

    Interested Trustee

 

     

Shawn K. Lytle1

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

February 1970

  

President,

Chief Executive Officer,

and Trustee

  

President and

Chief Executive Officer

since August 2015

     

Trustee since

September 2015

     

 

    Independent Trustees

 

     

Thomas L. Bennett

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

   Chair and Trustee   

Trustee since

March 2005

October 1947      

 

Chair since

March 2015

 

Jerome D. Abernathy

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

July 1959

 

   Trustee    Since January 2019

 

Ann D. Borowiec

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

November 1958

 

   Trustee    Since March 2015

 

 

1

Shawn K. Lytle is considered to be an “Interested Trustee” because he is an executive officer of the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor.

 

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for shareholder interests. Each trustee has served in that capacity since he or she was elected to or appointed to the Board of Trustees, and will continue to serve until his or her retirement or the election of a new trustee in his or her place. The following is a list of the Trustees and Officers with certain background and related information.

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in

Fund Complex Overseen

by Trustee or Officer

  

Other Directorships

Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

 

     
President — Macquarie    95    Trustee — UBS
Investment Management2       Relationship Funds,
(June 2015–Present)       SMA Relationship
      Trust, and UBS Funds
Regional Head of       (May 2010–April 2015)
Americas — UBS Global      
Asset Management      

(April 2010–May 2015)

 

     

 

    

 

     

Private Investor

(March 2004–Present)

 

   95    None

 

Managing Member,

Stonebrook Capital

Management, LLC (financial

technology: macro factors

and databases)

(January 1993–Present)

 

   95    None

 

Chief Executive Officer,

Private Wealth Management

(2011–2013) and

Market Manager,

New Jersey Private

Bank (2005–2011) —

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

 

   95   

Director —

Banco Santander International

(October 2016–Present)

 

Director —

Santander Bank, N.A.

(December 2016–Present)

 

 

2 

Macquarie Investment Management is the marketing name for Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including the Fund’s(s’) investment advisor, principal underwriter, and its transfer agent.

 

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Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

    Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

 

Joseph W. Chow

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1953

 

  

 

Trustee

  

 

Since January 2013

 

John A. Fry

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

May 1960

 

 

   Trustee    Since January 2001

 

Lucinda S. Landreth

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

June 1947

 

   Trustee   

Since March 2005

 

 

52


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Number of Portfolios in     
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

     

 

Private Investor

(April 2011–Present)

  

 

95

  

 

Director and Audit Committee

Member — Hercules

Technology Growth

Capital, Inc.

(July 2004–July 2014)

 

 

President —

Drexel University

(August 2010–Present)

 

President —

Franklin & Marshall College

(July 2002–June 2010)

   95   

Director; Compensation

Committee and

Governance Committee

Member — Community

Health Systems

(May 2004–present)

 

Director — Drexel

Morgan & Co.

(2015–present)

 

Director and Audit Committee

Member — vTv

Therapeutics Inc.

(2017–present)

     

Director and Audit Committee

Member — FS Credit Real

Estate Income Trust, Inc.

(2018–present)

 

Private Investor

(2004–Present)

 

   95    None

 

 

53


Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

    Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

 

Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

January 1956

 

 

  

 

Trustee

  

 

Since September 2011

 

Thomas K. Whitford

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

March 1956

 

   Trustee    Since January 2013

 

 

54


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Number of Portfolios in     
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

 

     

 

Private Investor

(January 2017–Present)

 

Chief Executive Officer —

Banco Itaú

International

(April 2012–December 2016)

 

Executive Advisor to Dean

(August 2011–March 2012)

and Interim Dean

(January 2011–July 2011) —

University of Miami School of

Business Administration

 

President — U.S. Trust,

Bank of America Private

Wealth Management

(Private Banking)

(July 2007–December 2008)

  

 

95

  

 

Trust Manager and

Audit Committee

Chair — Camden

Property Trust

(August 2011–Present)

 

Director; Audit

Committee Member —

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

(March 2018–Present)

 

Vice Chairman

(2010–April 2013) —

PNC Financial

Services Group

   95   

Director — HSBC North

America Holdings Inc.

(December 2013–Present)

 

Director — HSBC USA Inc.

(July 2014–Present)

 

Director —

HSBC Bank USA,

National Association

(July 2014–March 2017)

 

Director — HSBC

Finance Corporation

(December 2013–April 2018)

 

 

55


Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

    Independent Trustees (continued)

 

     

Christianna Wood

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

August 1959

 

 

 

   Trustee    Since January 2019

 

 

56


Table of Contents

    

    

 

   Number of Portfolios in   
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

 

     

Chief Executive Officer

and President —

Gore Creek

Capital, Ltd.

(August 2009–Present)

   95   

Director; Finance Committee

and Audit Committee

Member — H&R

Block Corporation

(July 2008–Present)

 

Director; Chair of Investments

Committee and Audit

Committee Member —

Grange Insurance

(2013–Present)

 

Trustee; Chair of

Nominating and Governance

Committee and Audit

Committee Member —

The Merger Fund

(2013–Present),

The Merger Fund VL

(2013-Present),

WCM Alternatives:

Event-Driven Fund

(2013–Present),

and WCM Alternatives:

Credit Event Fund

(December 2017–Present)

 

Director; Chair of

Governance Committee

and Audit Committee

Member — International

Securities Exchange

(2010–2016)

 

57


Table of Contents

Board of trustees / directors and officers addendum

Delaware Funds® by Macquarie

 

Name, Address,    Position(s)    Length of
and Birth Date    Held with Fund(s)    Time Served

 

    Independent Trustees (continued)

 

  

Janet L. Yeomans

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

July 1948

 

   Trustee    Since April 1999

 

    Officers

 

     

David F. Connor

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

December 1963

  

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel,

and Secretary

  

Senior Vice President since

May 2013; General

Counsel since May 2015;

Secretary since

October 2005

 

Daniel V. Geatens

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

October 1972

 

  

Vice President

and Treasurer

  

Vice President and

Treasurer since October 2007

Richard Salus

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

October 1963

 

  

Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

since November 2006

The Statement of Additional Information for the Fund(s) includes additional information about the Trustees and Officers and is available, without charge, upon request by calling 800 523-1918.

 

58


Table of Contents

    

    

 

     Number of Portfolios in     
Principal Occupation(s)    Fund Complex Overseen    Other Directorships
During the Past Five Years    by Trustee or Officer    Held by Trustee or Officer

 

    

 

     

Vice President and Treasurer

(January 2006–July 2012),

Vice President —

Mergers & Acquisitions

(January 2003–January 2006),

and Vice President

and Treasurer

(July 1995–January 2003) —

3M Company

   95   

Director; Personnel and

Compensation Committee

Chair; Member of Nominating,

Investments, and Audit

Committees for various

periods throughout

directorship —

Okabena Company

(2009–2017)

 

    

 

     

David F. Connor has served

in various capacities at

different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

   95    None3

Daniel V. Geatens has served

in various capacities at

different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

   95    None3

Richard Salus has served

in various capacities

at different times at

Macquarie Investment

Management.

 

   95    None3

 

3 

David F. Connor, Daniel V. Geatens, and Richard Salus serve in similar capacities for the six portfolios of the Optimum Fund Trust, which have the same investment advisor, principal underwriter, and transfer agent as the registrant. Mr. Geatens also serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund Inc., which has an affiliated investment manager.

 

59


Table of Contents

About the organization

 

Board of trustees         

Shawn K. Lytle

President and

Chief Executive Officer

Delaware Funds®

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

 

Thomas L. Bennett

Chairman of the Board

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Private Investor

Rosemont, PA

 

Jerome D. Abernathy

Managing Member

Stonebrook Capital

Management, LLC

Jersey City, NJ

 

Affiliated officers

 

David F. Connor

Senior Vice President,

General Counsel,

and Secretary

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

  

Ann D. Borowiec

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Private Wealth Management

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

New York, NY

 

Joseph W. Chow

Former Executive Vice

President

State Street Corporation

Boston, MA

 

John A. Fry

President

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

 

Daniel V. Geatens

Vice President and

Treasurer

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

  

Lucinda S. Landreth

Former Chief Investment

Officer

Assurant, Inc.

New York, NY

 

Frances A.

Sevilla-Sacasa

Former Chief Executive

Officer

Banco Itaú International

Miami, FL

 

Richard Salus

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Delaware Funds

by Macquarie

Philadelphia, PA

  

Thomas K. Whitford

Former Vice Chairman

PNC Financial Services Group

Pittsburgh, PA

 

Christianna Wood

Chief Executive Officer

and President

Gore Creek Capital, Ltd.

Golden, CO

 

Janet L. Yeomans

Former Vice President and

Treasurer

3M Company

St. Paul, MN

This annual report is for the information of Delaware Select Growth Fund shareholders, but it may be used with prospective investors when preceded or accompanied by the Delaware Fund fact sheet for the most recently completed calendar quarter. These documents are available at delawarefunds.com/literature.

 

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q or Form N-PORT (available for filings after March 31, 2019). The Fund’s Forms N-Q or Forms N-PORT, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, are available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in the Fund’s most recent Form N-Q or Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/literature. The Fund’s Forms N-Q and Forms N-PORT may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.; information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800 SEC-0330.

Information (if any) regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

 

60


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party. A copy of the registrant’s Code of Business Ethics has been posted on the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie Internet Web site at www.delawarefunds.com. Any amendments to the Code of Business Ethics, and information on any waiver from its provisions granted by the registrant, will also be posted on this Web site within five business days of such amendment or waiver and will remain on the Web site for at least 12 months.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that certain members of the registrant’s Audit Committee are audit committee financial experts, as defined below. For purposes of this item, an “audit committee financial expert” is a person who has the following attributes:

a. An understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

b. The ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves;

c. Experience preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

d. An understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

e. An understanding of audit committee functions.

An “audit committee financial expert” shall have acquired such attributes through:

a. Education and experience as a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, or auditor or experience in one or more positions that involve the performance of similar functions;

b. Experience actively supervising a principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller, public accountant, auditor, or person performing similar functions;

c. Experience overseeing or assessing the performance of companies or public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing, or evaluation of financial statements; or

d. Other relevant experience.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has also determined that each member of the registrant’s Audit Committee is independent. In order to be “independent” for purposes of this item, the Audit Committee member may not: (i) other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof, accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or (ii) be an “interested person” of the registrant as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.


The names of the audit committee financial experts on the registrant’s Audit Committee are set forth below:

John A. Fry
Lucinda S. Landreth
Thomas K. Whitford
Christianna Wood

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

(a) Audit fees.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $31,630 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed for services provided to the registrant by its independent auditors for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and for services normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $31,010 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

(b) Audit-related fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $909,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year end audit procedures; group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services relating to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $640,000 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These audit-related services were as follows: year end audit procedures; group reporting and subsidiary statutory audits.


(c) Tax fees.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $4,850 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant were $5,325 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%. These tax-related services were as follows: review of income tax returns and review of annual excise distribution calculations.

The aggregate fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for tax-related services provided to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

(d) All other fees.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.

The aggregate fees billed for all services provided by the independent auditors to the registrant other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Item were $0 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The aggregate fees billed for all services other than those set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Item provided by the registrant’s independent auditors to the registrant’s adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser and that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the registrant were $0 for the registrant’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The percentage of these fees relating to services approved by the registrant’s Audit Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception from the pre-approval requirement in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X was 0%.


(e) The registrant’s Audit Committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures as permitted by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(B) of Regulation S-X (the “Pre-Approval Policy”) with respect to services provided by the registrant’s independent auditors. Pursuant to the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant up to the specified fee limits. Certain fee limits are based on aggregate fees to the registrant and other registrants within the Delaware Funds® by Macquarie.

Service Range of Fees
Audit Services
Statutory audits or financial audits for new Funds up to $40,000 per Fund
Services associated with SEC registration statements (e.g., Form N-1A, Form N-14, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end Fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 per Fund
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit-related services” rather than “audit services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Audit-Related Services
Consultations by Fund management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be considered “audit services” rather than “audit-related services”) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
Tax Services
U.S. federal, state and local and international tax planning and advice (e.g., consulting on statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, evaluation of Funds’ tax compliance function, etc.) up to $25,000 in the aggregate
U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance (e.g., excise distribution reviews, etc.) up to $5,000 per Fund
Review of federal, state, local and international income, franchise and other tax returns up to $5,000 per Fund

Under the Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee has also pre-approved the services set forth in the table below with respect to the registrant’s investment adviser and other entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provide ongoing services to the registrant (the “Control Affiliates”) up to the specified fee limit. This fee limit is based on aggregate fees to the investment adviser and its Control Affiliates.



Service Range of Fees
Non-Audit Services
Services associated with periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters up to $10,000 in the aggregate

The Pre-Approval Policy requires the registrant’s independent auditors to report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all services initiated since the last such report was rendered, including those services authorized by the Pre-Approval Policy.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s independent auditors for services rendered to the registrant and to its investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser were $9,955,000 and $11,748,000 for the registrant’s fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018, respectively.

(h) In connection with its selection of the independent auditors, the registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the independent auditors’ provision of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and other service providers under common control with the adviser that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has determined that the independent auditors’ provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments

(a) Included as part of report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Divestment of securities in accordance with Section 13(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

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 Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.


Item 11. Controls and Procedures

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing of this report and have concluded that they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the report to stockholders included herein that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

(a) (1) Code of Ethics

Not applicable.

(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(3) Written solicitations to purchase securities pursuant to Rule 23c-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Not applicable.

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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.

VOYAGEUR MUTUAL FUNDS III

SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 3, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SHAWN K. LYTLE
By: Shawn K. Lytle
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 3, 2020
 
 
RICHARD SALUS
By: Richard Salus
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 3, 2020