UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-04367
Columbia Funds Series Trust I
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Christopher O. Petersen, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800) 345-6611
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2020
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
Columbia Real
Estate Equity Fund
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as
permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you
specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/), and each time a report is posted you will be notified
by mail and provided with a website address to access the report.
If you have already elected to
receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically
at any time by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, for Fund shares held directly with the Fund, by calling 800.345.6611 or by enrolling in “eDelivery” by logging
into your account at columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/.
You may elect to receive all future
shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports.
If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 800.345.6611 to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive paper reports will apply to all
Columbia Funds held in your account if you invest through a financial intermediary or all Columbia Funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with the Fund.
Not Federally Insured • No
Financial Institution Guarantee • May Lose Value
Table of Contents
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Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund
(the Fund) mails one shareholder report to each shareholder address, unless such shareholder elected to receive shareholder reports from the Fund electronically. If you would like more than one report, please call
shareholder services at 800.345.6611 and additional reports will be sent to you.
Proxy voting policies and
procedures
The policy of the Board of Trustees
is to vote the proxies of the companies in which the Fund holds investments consistent with the procedures as stated in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). You may obtain a copy of the SAI without charge by
calling 800.345.6611; contacting your financial intermediary; visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/; or searching the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at sec.gov. Information regarding
how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is filed with the SEC by August 31st for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30th of that year, and is available without charge by visiting
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/, or searching the website of the SEC at sec.gov.
Quarterly schedule of
investments
The Fund files a complete schedule
of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-PORT
filings are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings, as filed on Form N-Q or Form N-PORT, can also be obtained without charge, upon request, by calling
800.345.6611.
Additional Fund information
For more information about the
Fund, please visit columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/ or call 800.345.6611. Customer Service Representatives are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Fund investment manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the
Investment Manager)
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Fund distributor
Columbia Management Investment Distributors,
Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Fund transfer agent
Columbia Management Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
Columbia Real Estate Equity
Fund | Semiannual Report 2020
Fund at a Glance
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
Investment objective
The Fund
seeks capital appreciation and above-average income by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in the stocks of companies principally
engaged in the real estate industry, including real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Portfolio management
Arthur Hurley, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Managed Fund since 2006
Morningstar style boxTM
The Morningstar Style Box is based on a fund’s portfolio holdings. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows
investment style (value, blend, or growth). Information shown is based on the most recent data provided by Morningstar.
© 2020 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The Morningstar information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or
distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 3 |
Fund at a Glance (continued)
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
| 4 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Understanding Your Fund’s
Expenses
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
As an investor, you incur two types
of costs. There are shareholder transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing fund costs, which generally include management fees,
distribution and/or service fees, and other fund expenses. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these costs with
the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
Analyzing your Fund’s
expenses
To illustrate these ongoing
costs, we have provided examples and calculated the expenses paid by investors in each share class of the Fund during the period. The actual and hypothetical information in the table is based on an initial investment
of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the
“Actual” column is calculated using the Fund’s actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount 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 $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under
the “Actual” column. The amount listed in the “Hypothetical” column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund’s actual return) and then applies the
Fund’s actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or
the expenses you paid during the period. See “Compare with other funds” below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.
Compare with other funds
Since all mutual funds are
required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the
hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are
meant to highlight the ongoing costs of investing in a fund only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, or redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in
comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.
| January 1, 2020 — June 30, 2020 | |||||||
| Account value at the beginning of the period ($) | Account value at the end of the period ($) | Expenses paid during the period ($) | Fund’s annualized expense ratio (%) | ||||
| Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | Hypothetical | Actual | |
| Class A | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 869.70 | 1,018.55 | 5.90 | 6.37 | 1.27 |
| Advisor Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 870.10 | 1,019.79 | 4.74 | 5.12 | 1.02 |
| Class C | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 866.30 | 1,014.82 | 9.37 | 10.12 | 2.02 |
| Institutional Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 870.70 | 1,019.79 | 4.74 | 5.12 | 1.02 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 871.50 | 1,020.39 | 4.19 | 4.52 | 0.90 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 871.90 | 1,020.69 | 3.91 | 4.22 | 0.84 |
| Class R | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 868.90 | 1,017.30 | 7.06 | 7.62 | 1.52 |
Expenses paid during the period
are equal to the annualized expense ratio for each class as indicated above, multiplied by the average account value over the period and then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund’s most recent fiscal
half year and divided by 366.
Expenses do not include fees and
expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund from its investment in underlying funds, including affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Had Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC and/or certain of its affiliates not waived/reimbursed certain fees and expenses, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 5 |
Portfolio of Investments
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
(Percentages represent value of
investments compared to net assets)
Investments in securities
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 6 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Notes to Portfolio of
Investments
| (a) | The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at June 30, 2020. |
| (b) | As defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the company’s outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The value of the holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the period ended June 30, 2020 are as follows: |
| Affiliated issuers | Beginning of period($) | Purchases($) | Sales($) | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)($) | End of period($) | Realized gain (loss)($) | Dividends($) | End of period shares |
| Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 0.253% | ||||||||
| 1,333,010 | 18,866,618 | (19,699,483) | 20 | 500,165 | 1,042 | 6,188 | 500,165 | |
Fair value measurements
The Fund categorizes its fair
value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by prioritizing that the most observable input be used when available.
Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing an investment based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the
Fund’s assumptions about the information market participants would use in pricing an investment. An investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is
deemed significant to the asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example,
certain U.S. government securities are generally high quality and liquid, however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.
Fair value inputs are summarized in
the three broad levels listed below:
| ■ | Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for investments in active markets that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date. Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 investments. |
| ■ | Level 2 — Valuations based on other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.). |
| ■ | Level 3 — Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions and judgment in determining the fair value of investments). |
Inputs that are used in determining
fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary
between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered
by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment’s fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include
periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels
within the hierarchy.
Investments falling into the Level 3
category are primarily supported by quoted prices from brokers and dealers participating in the market for those investments. However, these may be classified as Level 3 investments due to lack of market transparency
and corroboration to support these quoted prices. Additionally, valuation models may be used as the pricing source for any remaining investments classified as Level 3. These models may rely on one or more significant
unobservable inputs and/or significant assumptions by the Investment Manager. Inputs used in valuations may include, but are not limited to, financial statement analysis, capital account balances, discount rates and
estimated cash flows, and comparable company data.
Under the direction of the
Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Investment Manager’s Valuation Committee (the Committee) is responsible for overseeing the valuation procedures approved by the Board. The Committee consists of
voting and non-voting members from various groups within the Investment Manager’s organization, including operations and accounting, trading and investments, compliance, risk management and legal.
The Committee meets at least monthly
to review and approve valuation matters, which may include a description of specific valuation determinations, data regarding pricing information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers and the results of
Board-approved valuation control policies and procedures (the Policies). The Policies address, among other things, instances when market quotations are or are not readily available, including recommendations of third
party pricing vendors and a determination of appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require specific valuation determinations and assessment of fair value techniques; securities with a potential for stale
pricing, including those that are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and the effectiveness of third party pricing vendors, including periodic reviews of vendors. The Committee meets more frequently, as needed, to
discuss additional valuation matters, which may include the need to review back-testing results, review time-sensitive information or approve related valuation actions. The Committee reports to the Board, with members
of the Committee meeting with the Board at each of its regularly scheduled meetings to discuss valuation matters and actions during the period, similar to those described earlier.
The following table is a summary of
the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at June 30, 2020:
| Level 1 ($) | Level 2 ($) | Level 3 ($) | Total ($) | |
| Investments in Securities | ||||
| Common Stocks | ||||
| Consumer Discretionary | 2,486,170 | — | — | 2,486,170 |
| Real Estate | 250,511,173 | — | — | 250,511,173 |
| Total Common Stocks | 252,997,343 | — | — | 252,997,343 |
| Money Market Funds | 500,165 | — | — | 500,165 |
| Total Investments in Securities | 253,497,508 | — | — | 253,497,508 |
See the Portfolio of Investments for
all investment classifications not indicated in the table.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 7 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| Assets | |
| Investments in securities, at value | |
| Unaffiliated issuers (cost $189,791,798) | $252,997,343 |
| Affiliated issuers (cost $500,145) | 500,165 |
| Cash | 1,214 |
| Receivable for: | |
| Capital shares sold | 111,620 |
| Dividends | 1,082,692 |
| Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager | 305 |
| Trustees’ deferred compensation plan | 108,697 |
| Other assets | 11,449 |
| Total assets | 254,813,485 |
| Liabilities | |
| Payable for: | |
| Capital shares purchased | 224,107 |
| Management services fees | 5,156 |
| Distribution and/or service fees | 525 |
| Transfer agent fees | 34,211 |
| Compensation of board members | 2,599 |
| Compensation of chief compliance officer | 28 |
| Other expenses | 27,874 |
| Trustees’ deferred compensation plan | 108,697 |
| Total liabilities | 403,197 |
| Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock | $254,410,288 |
| Represented by | |
| Paid in capital | 183,977,147 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 70,433,141 |
| Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock | $254,410,288 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 8 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| Class A | |
| Net assets | $58,804,526 |
| Shares outstanding | 5,057,073 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.63 |
| Maximum sales charge | 5.75% |
| Maximum offering price per share (calculated by dividing the net asset value per share by 1.0 minus the maximum sales charge for Class A shares) | $12.34 |
| Advisor Class | |
| Net assets | $662,691 |
| Shares outstanding | 55,532 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.93 |
| Class C | |
| Net assets | $3,564,385 |
| Shares outstanding | 306,398 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.63 |
| Institutional Class | |
| Net assets | $143,069,280 |
| Shares outstanding | 12,272,856 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.66 |
| Institutional 2 Class | |
| Net assets | $1,030,072 |
| Shares outstanding | 88,733 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.61 |
| Institutional 3 Class | |
| Net assets | $44,977,565 |
| Shares outstanding | 3,826,108 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.76 |
| Class R | |
| Net assets | $2,301,769 |
| Shares outstanding | 198,144 |
| Net asset value per share | $11.62 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 9 |
Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| Net investment income | |
| Income: | |
| Dividends — unaffiliated issuers | $4,310,776 |
| Dividends — affiliated issuers | 6,188 |
| Total income | 4,316,964 |
| Expenses: | |
| Management services fees | 976,806 |
| Distribution and/or service fees | |
| Class A | 78,968 |
| Class C | 19,784 |
| Class R | 7,448 |
| Transfer agent fees | |
| Class A | 61,538 |
| Advisor Class | 1,463 |
| Class C | 3,851 |
| Institutional Class | 142,627 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 380 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 1,726 |
| Class R | 2,885 |
| Compensation of board members | 8,516 |
| Custodian fees | 4,999 |
| Printing and postage fees | 27,445 |
| Registration fees | 49,347 |
| Audit fees | 14,669 |
| Legal fees | 3,298 |
| Compensation of chief compliance officer | 51 |
| Other | 7,563 |
| Total expenses | 1,413,364 |
| Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates | (18,946) |
| Total net expenses | 1,394,418 |
| Net investment income | 2,922,546 |
| Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
| Investments — unaffiliated issuers | 8,248,488 |
| Investments — affiliated issuers | 1,042 |
| Net realized gain | 8,249,530 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | |
| Investments — unaffiliated issuers | (47,482,789) |
| Investments — affiliated issuers | 20 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (47,482,769) |
| Net realized and unrealized loss | (39,233,239) |
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $(36,310,693) |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 10 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 (Unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |
| Operations | ||
| Net investment income | $2,922,546 | $4,949,550 |
| Net realized gain | 8,249,530 | 30,124,302 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | (47,482,769) | 38,944,907 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | (36,310,693) | 74,018,759 |
| Distributions to shareholders | ||
| Net investment income and net realized gains | ||
| Class A | (1,684,551) | (8,129,187) |
| Advisor Class | (25,746) | (187,406) |
| Class C | (87,741) | (482,671) |
| Institutional Class | (4,188,712) | (17,931,617) |
| Institutional 2 Class | (30,623) | (293,106) |
| Institutional 3 Class | (1,311,226) | (5,528,108) |
| Class R | (65,477) | (402,705) |
| Total distributions to shareholders | (7,394,076) | (32,954,800) |
| Increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock activity | 5,335,946 | (25,950,026) |
| Total increase (decrease) in net assets | (38,368,823) | 15,113,933 |
| Net assets at beginning of period | 292,779,111 | 277,665,178 |
| Net assets at end of period | $254,410,288 | $292,779,111 |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 11 |
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| Six Months Ended | Year Ended | |||
| June 30, 2020 (Unaudited) | December 31, 2019 | |||
| Shares | Dollars ($) | Shares | Dollars ($) | |
| Capital stock activity | ||||
| Class A | ||||
| Subscriptions | 201,194 | 2,425,243 | 615,762 | 8,670,969 |
| Distributions reinvested | 141,863 | 1,599,584 | 570,669 | 7,733,398 |
| Redemptions | (624,926) | (7,543,251) | (1,146,191) | (16,157,901) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (281,869) | (3,518,424) | 40,240 | 246,466 |
| Advisor Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 13,306 | 162,951 | 104,750 | 1,594,152 |
| Distributions reinvested | 1,706 | 18,002 | 11,579 | 159,414 |
| Redemptions | (101,435) | (1,122,769) | (13,252) | (189,867) |
| Net increase (decrease) | (86,423) | (941,816) | 103,077 | 1,563,699 |
| Class C | ||||
| Subscriptions | 20,230 | 270,392 | 35,807 | 507,831 |
| Distributions reinvested | 6,781 | 77,861 | 31,472 | 425,531 |
| Redemptions | (56,435) | (676,538) | (128,931) | (1,816,688) |
| Net decrease | (29,424) | (328,285) | (61,652) | (883,326) |
| Institutional Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 1,283,110 | 14,225,408 | 1,321,862 | 18,900,700 |
| Distributions reinvested | 299,538 | 3,438,280 | 1,200,836 | 16,279,827 |
| Redemptions | (1,092,721) | (13,268,643) | (1,990,015) | (28,026,589) |
| Net increase | 489,927 | 4,395,045 | 532,683 | 7,153,938 |
| Institutional 2 Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 9,023 | 102,144 | 105,333 | 1,450,777 |
| Distributions reinvested | 2,717 | 30,553 | 21,092 | 292,776 |
| Redemptions | (22,619) | (313,258) | (665,526) | (9,727,366) |
| Net decrease | (10,879) | (180,561) | (539,101) | (7,983,813) |
| Institutional 3 Class | ||||
| Subscriptions | 760,178 | 8,568,228 | 148,096 | 2,141,764 |
| Distributions reinvested | 79,864 | 918,341 | 237,981 | 3,270,907 |
| Redemptions | (233,372) | (2,748,184) | (2,060,535) | (29,414,116) |
| Net increase (decrease) | 606,670 | 6,738,385 | (1,674,458) | (24,001,445) |
| Class R | ||||
| Subscriptions | 15,982 | 194,278 | 48,111 | 675,734 |
| Distributions reinvested | 4,419 | 50,143 | 17,454 | 236,175 |
| Redemptions | (93,140) | (1,072,819) | (212,693) | (2,957,454) |
| Net decrease | (72,739) | (828,398) | (147,128) | (2,045,545) |
| Total net increase (decrease) | 615,263 | 5,335,946 | (1,746,339) | (25,950,026) |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| 12 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
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| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 13 |
Financial Highlights
The following table is intended to
help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a class held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are
calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of sales charges, if any. Total
return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain
derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher.
| Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | Total from investment operations | Distributions from net investment income | Distributions from net realized gains | Total distributions to shareholders | |
| Class A | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.77 | 0.12 | (1.93) | (1.81) | (0.12) | (0.21) | (0.33) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.07 | 0.21 | 3.11 | 3.32 | (0.21) | (1.41) | (1.62) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.02 | 0.18 | (1.17) | (0.99) | (0.19) | (0.77) | (0.96) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.37 | 0.22 | 0.56 | 0.78 | (0.22) | (1.91) | (2.13) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.30 | 0.22 | 0.54 | 0.76 | (0.23) | (0.46) | (0.69) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.95 | 0.21 | 0.42 | 0.63 | (0.21) | (1.07) | (1.28) |
| Advisor Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $14.13 | 0.13 | (1.98) | (1.85) | (0.14) | (0.21) | (0.35) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.34 | 0.26 | 3.19 | 3.45 | (0.25) | (1.41) | (1.66) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.32 | 0.23 | (1.21) | (0.98) | (0.23) | (0.77) | (1.00) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.65 | 0.29 | 0.55 | 0.84 | (0.26) | (1.91) | (2.17) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.56 | 0.30 | 0.52 | 0.82 | (0.27) | (0.46) | (0.73) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $16.20 | 0.31 | 0.36 | 0.67 | (0.24) | (1.07) | (1.31) |
| Class C | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.76 | 0.08 | (1.92) | (1.84) | (0.08) | (0.21) | (0.29) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.06 | 0.10 | 3.12 | 3.22 | (0.11) | (1.41) | (1.52) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.02 | 0.06 | (1.16) | (1.10) | (0.09) | (0.77) | (0.86) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.37 | 0.11 | 0.56 | 0.67 | (0.11) | (1.91) | (2.02) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.30 | 0.11 | 0.53 | 0.64 | (0.11) | (0.46) | (0.57) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.95 | 0.09 | 0.42 | 0.51 | (0.09) | (1.07) | (1.16) |
| Institutional Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.81 | 0.14 | (1.94) | (1.80) | (0.14) | (0.21) | (0.35) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.10 | 0.25 | 3.12 | 3.37 | (0.25) | (1.41) | (1.66) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.05 | 0.22 | (1.17) | (0.95) | (0.23) | (0.77) | (1.00) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.40 | 0.25 | 0.57 | 0.82 | (0.26) | (1.91) | (2.17) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.33 | 0.26 | 0.54 | 0.80 | (0.27) | (0.46) | (0.73) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.98 | 0.24 | 0.43 | 0.67 | (0.25) | (1.07) | (1.32) |
| Institutional 2 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.75 | 0.14 | (1.92) | (1.78) | (0.15) | (0.21) | (0.36) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.06 | 0.22 | 3.15 | 3.37 | (0.27) | (1.41) | (1.68) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.01 | 0.24 | (1.18) | (0.94) | (0.24) | (0.77) | (1.01) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.36 | 0.29 | 0.56 | 0.85 | (0.29) | (1.91) | (2.20) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.29 | 0.29 | 0.53 | 0.82 | (0.29) | (0.46) | (0.75) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.94 | 0.31 | 0.38 | 0.69 | (0.27) | (1.07) | (1.34) |
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 14 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, end of period | Total return | Total gross expense ratio to average net assets(a) | Total net expense ratio to average net assets(a),(b) | Net investment income ratio to average net assets | Portfolio turnover | Net assets, end of period (000’s) | |
| Class A | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.63 | (13.03%) | 1.28%(c) | 1.27%(c) | 2.01%(c) | 15% | $58,805 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.77 | 28.04% | 1.29% | 1.28%(d) | 1.47% | 20% | $73,522 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.07 | (7.48%) | 1.29% | 1.29%(d) | 1.35% | 18% | $63,934 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.02 | 5.07% | 1.28% | 1.28%(d) | 1.41% | 27% | $84,557 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.37 | 4.99% | 1.24% | 1.24%(d) | 1.43% | 36% | $115,826 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.30 | 4.32% | 1.25% | 1.25%(d) | 1.33% | 32% | $123,136 |
| Advisor Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.93 | (12.99%) | 1.03%(c) | 1.02%(c) | 2.00%(c) | 15% | $663 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $14.13 | 28.47% | 1.04% | 1.04%(d) | 1.81% | 20% | $2,005 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.34 | (7.30%) | 1.03% | 1.03%(d) | 1.69% | 18% | $480 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.32 | 5.37% | 1.04% | 1.04%(d) | 1.85% | 27% | $539 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.65 | 5.28% | 1.00% | 1.00%(d) | 1.86% | 36% | $428 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.56 | 4.56% | 1.00% | 1.00%(d) | 1.98% | 32% | $363 |
| Class C | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.63 | (13.37%) | 2.03%(c) | 2.02%(c) | 1.24%(c) | 15% | $3,564 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.76 | 27.11% | 2.03% | 2.03%(d) | 0.68% | 20% | $4,623 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.06 | (8.24%) | 2.04% | 2.04%(d) | 0.47% | 18% | $4,795 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.02 | 4.28% | 2.03% | 2.03%(d) | 0.68% | 27% | $13,222 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.37 | 4.21% | 1.99% | 1.99%(d) | 0.68% | 36% | $16,965 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.30 | 3.53% | 2.00% | 2.00%(d) | 0.56% | 32% | $18,523 |
| Institutional Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.66 | (12.93%) | 1.03%(c) | 1.02%(c) | 2.30%(c) | 15% | $143,069 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.81 | 28.38% | 1.03% | 1.03%(d) | 1.73% | 20% | $162,706 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.10 | (7.23%) | 1.04% | 1.04%(d) | 1.63% | 18% | $136,079 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.05 | 5.32% | 1.03% | 1.03%(d) | 1.60% | 27% | $167,023 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.40 | 5.23% | 0.99% | 0.99%(d) | 1.68% | 36% | $301,531 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.33 | 4.57% | 1.00% | 1.00%(d) | 1.56% | 32% | $319,237 |
| Institutional 2 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.61 | (12.85%) | 0.91%(c) | 0.90%(c) | 2.31%(c) | 15% | $1,030 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.75 | 28.49% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 1.57% | 20% | $1,370 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.06 | (7.12%) | 0.89% | 0.89% | 1.81% | 18% | $7,700 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.01 | 5.48% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 1.89% | 27% | $8,368 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.36 | 5.39% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 1.86% | 36% | $8,580 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.29 | 4.74% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 2.05% | 32% | $7,102 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial
Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 15 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, beginning of period | Net investment income | Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | Total from investment operations | Distributions from net investment income | Distributions from net realized gains | Total distributions to shareholders | |
| Institutional 3 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.92 | 0.16 | (1.96) | (1.80) | (0.15) | (0.21) | (0.36) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.19 | 0.26 | 3.16 | 3.42 | (0.28) | (1.41) | (1.69) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.15 | 0.25 | (1.19) | (0.94) | (0.25) | (0.77) | (1.02) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017(e) | $15.97 | 0.28 | 0.10 | 0.38 | (0.29) | (1.91) | (2.20) |
| Class R | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $13.75 | 0.10 | (1.91) | (1.81) | (0.11) | (0.21) | (0.32) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $12.05 | 0.16 | 3.13 | 3.29 | (0.18) | (1.41) | (1.59) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $14.01 | 0.15 | (1.18) | (1.03) | (0.16) | (0.77) | (0.93) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $15.36 | 0.19 | 0.56 | 0.75 | (0.19) | (1.91) | (2.10) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.29 | 0.19 | 0.53 | 0.72 | (0.19) | (0.46) | (0.65) |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.94 | 0.17 | 0.42 | 0.59 | (0.17) | (1.07) | (1.24) |
| Notes to Financial Highlights | |
| (a) | In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios. |
| (b) | Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable. |
| (c) | Annualized. |
| (d) | The benefits derived from expense reductions had an impact of less than 0.01%. |
| (e) | Institutional 3 Class shares commenced operations on March 1, 2017. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date. |
The accompanying Notes to
Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
| 16 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
| Net asset value, end of period | Total return | Total gross expense ratio to average net assets(a) | Total net expense ratio to average net assets(a),(b) | Net investment income ratio to average net assets | Portfolio turnover | Net assets, end of period (000’s) | |
| Institutional 3 Class | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.76 | (12.81%) | 0.85%(c) | 0.84%(c) | 2.53%(c) | 15% | $44,978 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.92 | 28.58% | 0.84% | 0.84% | 1.84% | 20% | $44,827 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.19 | (7.07%) | 0.85% | 0.85% | 1.88% | 18% | $59,640 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017(e) | $14.15 | 2.38% | 0.84%(c) | 0.84%(c) | 2.13%(c) | 27% | $66,446 |
| Class R | |||||||
| Six Months Ended 6/30/2020 (Unaudited) | $11.62 | (13.11%) | 1.53%(c) | 1.52%(c) | 1.64%(c) | 15% | $2,302 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2019 | $13.75 | 27.77% | 1.53% | 1.53%(d) | 1.10% | 20% | $3,726 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2018 | $12.05 | (7.78%) | 1.54% | 1.54%(d) | 1.12% | 18% | $5,038 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2017 | $14.01 | 4.81% | 1.53% | 1.53%(d) | 1.22% | 27% | $6,735 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2016 | $15.36 | 4.73% | 1.49% | 1.49%(d) | 1.21% | 36% | $8,557 |
| Year Ended 12/31/2015 | $15.29 | 4.06% | 1.50% | 1.50%(d) | 1.09% | 32% | $9,140 |
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are
an integral part of this statement.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 17 |
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund
(the Fund), a series of Columbia Funds Series Trust I (the Trust), is a non-diversified fund. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
Fund shares
The Trust may issue an unlimited
number of shares (without par value). The Fund offers each of the share classes listed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Although all share classes generally have identical voting, dividend and liquidation
rights, each share class votes separately when required by the Trust’s organizational documents or by law. Each share class has its own expense and sales charge structure. Different share classes may have
different minimum initial investment amounts and pay different net investment income distribution amounts to the extent the expenses of distributing such share classes vary. Distributions to shareholders in a
liquidation will be proportional to the net asset value of each share class.
As described in the Fund’s
prospectus, Class A and Class C shares are offered to the general public for investment. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares after 10 years. Advisor Class, Institutional Class, Institutional 2
Class, Institutional 3 Class and Class R shares are available for purchase through authorized investment professionals to omnibus retirement plans or to institutional investors and to certain other investors as also
described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Note 2. Summary of
significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Fund is an investment company
that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires
management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security valuation
Equity securities listed on an
exchange are valued at the closing price or last trade on their primary exchange at the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange. Securities with a closing price not readily available or not listed on any
exchange are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Listed preferred stocks convertible into common stocks are valued using an evaluated price from a pricing service.
Investments in open-end investment
companies (other than ETFs), are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
Investments for which market
quotations are not readily available, or that have quotations which management believes are not reflective of market value or reliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by
and under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. If a security or class of securities (such as foreign securities) is valued at fair value, such value is likely to be different from the quoted or published
price for the security, if available.
The determination of fair value
often requires significant judgment. To determine fair value, management may use assumptions including but not limited to future cash flows and estimated risk premiums. Multiple inputs from various sources may be used
to determine fair value.
GAAP requires disclosure regarding
the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and any changes in valuation inputs or techniques. In addition, investments shall be disclosed by major category. This information is disclosed following
the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
| 18 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Security transactions
Security transactions are accounted
for on the trade date. Cost is determined and gains (losses) are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Income recognition
Corporate actions and dividend
income are generally recorded net of any non-reclaimable tax withholdings, on the ex-dividend date or upon receipt of ex-dividend notification in the case of certain foreign securities.
The Fund may receive distributions
from holdings in equity securities, business development companies (BDCs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), limited partnerships (LPs), other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts
(REITs), which report information as to the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported.
Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the
extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital are made by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise
Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). The Investment Manager’s estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a
proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.
Awards from class action litigation
are recorded as a reduction of cost basis if the Fund still owns the applicable securities on the payment date. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities on the payment date, the proceeds are recorded as
realized gains.
Expenses
General expenses of the Trust are
allocated to the Fund and other funds of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are
charged to the Fund. Expenses directly attributable to a specific class of shares are charged to that share class.
Determination of class net asset
value
All income, expenses (other than
class-specific expenses, which are charged to that share class, as shown in the Statement of Operations) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of the Fund on a daily basis, based on
the relative net assets of each class, for purposes of determining the net asset value of each class.
Federal income tax status
The Fund intends to qualify each
year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and will distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, if any, for its
tax year, and as such will not be subject to federal income taxes. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute in each calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income, capital gain net income and certain other
amounts, if any, such that the Fund should not be subject to federal excise tax. Therefore, no federal income or excise tax provision is recorded.
Distributions to shareholders
Distributions from net investment
income, if any, are declared and paid each calendar quarter. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with
federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust’s
organizational documents and, in some cases, by contract, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust or its funds. In addition,
certain of the Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims
that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 19 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Note 3. Fees and other
transactions with affiliates
Management services fees
The Fund has entered into a
Management Agreement with Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). Under the Management Agreement, the
Investment Manager provides the Fund with investment research and advice, as well as administrative and accounting services. The management services fee is an annual fee that is equal to a percentage of the
Fund’s daily net assets that declines from 0.75% to 0.66% as the Fund’s net assets increase. The annualized effective management services fee rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 0.75% of the
Fund’s average daily net assets.
Compensation of board members
Members of the Board of Trustees
who are not officers or employees of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial are compensated for their services to the Fund as disclosed in the Statement of Operations. These members of the Board of Trustees
may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan) which may be terminated at any time. Obligations of the Deferred Plan will be paid solely out of the Fund’s assets, and all amounts payable
under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Fund.
Compensation of Chief Compliance
Officer
The Board of Trustees has appointed
a Chief Compliance Officer for the Fund in accordance with federal securities regulations. As disclosed in the Statement of Operations, a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s total compensation is allocated
to the Fund, along with other allocations to affiliated registered investment companies managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates, based on relative net assets.
Transfer agency fees
Under a Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent Agreement, Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is responsible for
providing transfer agency services to the Fund. The Transfer Agent has contracted with DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (DST) to serve as sub-transfer agent. The Transfer Agent pays the fees of DST for services as
sub-transfer agent and DST is not entitled to reimbursement for such fees from the Fund (with the exception of out-of-pocket fees).
The Fund pays the Transfer Agent a
monthly transfer agency fee based on the number or the average value of accounts, depending on the type of account. In addition, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent a fee for shareholder services based on the number of
accounts or on a percentage of the average aggregate value of the Fund’s shares maintained in omnibus accounts up to the lesser of the amount charged by the financial intermediary or a cap established by the
Board of Trustees from time to time.
The Transfer Agent also receives
compensation from the Fund for various shareholder services and reimbursements for certain out-of-pocket fees. Total transfer agency fees for Institutional 2 Class and Institutional 3 Class shares are subject to an
annual limitation of not more than 0.07% and 0.02%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class.
For the six months ended June 30,
2020, the Fund’s annualized effective transfer agency fee rates as a percentage of average daily net assets of each class were as follows:
| Effective rate (%) | |
| Class A | 0.19 |
| Advisor Class | 0.19 |
| Class C | 0.19 |
| Institutional Class | 0.20 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 0.07 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 0.01 |
| Class R | 0.19 |
| 20 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
An annual minimum account balance
fee of $20 may apply to certain accounts with a value below the applicable share class’s initial minimum investment requirements to reduce the impact of small accounts on transfer agency fees. These minimum
account balance fees are remitted to the Fund and recorded as part of expense reductions in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, no minimum account balance fees were charged by the
Fund.
Distribution and service fees
The Fund has entered into an
agreement with Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, for distribution and shareholder
services. The Board of Trustees has approved, and the Fund has adopted, distribution and shareholder service plans (the Plans) applicable to certain share classes, which set the distribution and service fees for the
Fund. These fees are calculated daily and are intended to compensate the Distributor and/or eligible selling and/or servicing agents for selling shares of the Fund and providing services to investors.
Under the Plans, the Fund pays a
monthly service fee to the Distributor at the maximum annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares of the Fund. Also under the Plans, the Fund pays a
monthly distribution fee to the Distributor at the maximum annual rates of 0.10%, 0.75% and 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C and Class R shares of the Fund,
respectively.
Although the Fund may pay
distribution and service fees up to a maximum annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares (comprised of up to 0.10% for distribution services and up to 0.25% for
shareholder liaison services), the Fund currently limits such fees to an aggregate fee of not more than 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.
Sales charges
Sales charges, including front-end
charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), received by the Distributor for distributing Fund shares for the six months ended June 30, 2020, if any, are listed below:
| Front End (%) | CDSC (%) | Amount ($) | |
| Class A | 5.75 | 0.50 - 1.00(a) | 18,488 |
| Class C | — | 1.00(b) | 66 |
| (a) | This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
| (b) | This charge applies to redemptions within 12 months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions. |
The Fund’s other share
classes are not subject to sales charges.
Expenses waived/reimbursed by the
Investment Manager and its affiliates
The Investment Manager and certain
of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) for the period(s) disclosed below, unless sooner terminated at the sole
discretion of the Board of Trustees, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s
custodian, do not exceed the following annual rate(s) as a percentage of the class’ average daily net assets:
| May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021 | Prior to May 1, 2020 | |
| Class A | 1.26% | 1.32% |
| Advisor Class | 1.01 | 1.07 |
| Class C | 2.01 | 2.07 |
| Institutional Class | 1.01 | 1.07 |
| Institutional 2 Class | 0.89 | 0.93 |
| Institutional 3 Class | 0.83 | 0.88 |
| Class R | 1.51 | 1.57 |
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 21 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Under the agreement governing
these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes
(including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investments in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and
brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed
money, interest, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Board of Trustees. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from
the Investment Manager, certain of its affiliates and the Fund. Any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the expense reimbursement arrangements described above are not recoverable by the Investment Manager or
its affiliates in future periods.
Note 4. Federal tax
information
The timing and character of
income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP because of temporary or permanent book to tax differences.
At June 30, 2020, the approximate
cost of all investments for federal income tax purposes and the aggregate gross approximate unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on that cost was:
| Federal tax cost ($) | Gross unrealized appreciation ($) | Gross unrealized (depreciation) ($) | Net unrealized appreciation ($) |
| 190,292,000 | 80,080,000 | (16,874,000) | 63,206,000 |
Tax cost of investments and
unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) may also include timing differences that do not constitute adjustments to tax basis.
Management of the Fund has
concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions in the Fund that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management’s conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at
a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Fund’s federal tax returns for the
prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Note 5. Portfolio
information
The cost of purchases and
proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments and derivatives, if any, aggregated to $40,664,818 and $38,691,767, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The amount of purchase and
sale activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.
Note 6. Affiliated money
market fund
The Fund invests in Columbia
Short-Term Cash Fund, an affiliated money market fund established for the exclusive use by the Fund and other affiliated funds (the Affiliated MMF). The income earned by the Fund from such investments is included as
Dividends - affiliated issuers in the Statement of Operations. As an investing fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Affiliated MMF. The Affiliated MMF prices its shares with a
floating net asset value. In addition, the Board of Trustees of the Affiliated MMF may impose a fee on redemptions (sometimes referred to as a liquidity fee) or temporarily suspend redemptions (sometimes referred to
as imposing a redemption gate) in the event its liquidity falls below regulatory limits.
Note 7. Interfund
lending
Pursuant to an exemptive order
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund participates in a program (the Interfund Program) allowing each participating Columbia Fund (each, a Participating Fund) to lend money directly to and,
except for closed-end funds and money market funds, borrow money directly from other Participating Funds for temporary purposes. The amounts eligible for borrowing and lending under the Interfund Program are subject
to certain restrictions.
| 22 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Interfund loans are subject to the
risk that the borrowing fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment to the lending fund could result in lost opportunities and/or additional lending costs. The exemptive order is subject
to conditions intended to mitigate conflicts of interest arising from the Investment Manager’s relationship with each Participating Fund.
The Fund did not borrow or lend
money under the Interfund Program during the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Note 8. Line of credit
The Fund has access to a
revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by Citibank, N.A., HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. whereby the Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for
other temporary or emergency purposes. The credit facility, which is a collective agreement between the Fund and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated investment manager, severally and
not jointly, permits collective borrowings up to $1 billion. Interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the
one-month LIBOR rate and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus in each case, 1.00%. Each borrowing under the credit facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. The Fund also pays a
commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the unused amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. The commitment fee is included in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. This agreement
expires annually in December unless extended or renewed.
The Fund had no borrowings during
the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Note 9. Significant
risks
Market and environment risk
The Fund may incur losses due to
declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or
social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers,
which could adversely affect the Fund, including causing difficulty in assigning prices to hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets, significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies
and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks
may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global
events such as terrorism, war, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could
have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
The Fund performance may also be
significantly negatively impacted by the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Public health crisis has become a pandemic that has resulted in, and may continue to result in, significant
global economic and societal disruption and market volatility due to disruptions in market access, resource availability, facilities operations, imposition of tariffs, export controls and supply chain disruption,
among others. Such disruptions may be caused, or exacerbated by, quarantines and travel restrictions, workforce displacement and loss in human and other resources. The uncertainty surrounding the magnitude, duration,
reach, costs and effects of the global pandemic, as well as actions that have been or could be taken by governmental authorities or other third parties, present unknowns that are yet to unfold. The impacts, as well as
the uncertainty over impacts to come, of COVID-19 – and any other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future – could negatively affect global economies and markets
in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious illness outbreaks and epidemics in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems,
governments and financial markets. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The disruptions caused
by COVID-19 could prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve their investment objectives. Any such event(s) could
have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 23 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
The Investment Manager and its
affiliates have systematically implemented strategies to address the operating environment spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. To promote the safety and security of our employees and to assure the continuity of our
business operations, we have implemented a work from home protocol for virtually all of our employee population, restricted business travel, and provided resources for complying with the guidance from the World Health
Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and governments. Our operations teams seek to operate without significant disruptions in service. Our pandemic strategy takes into consideration that a pandemic could
be widespread and may occur in multiple waves, affecting different communities at different times with varying levels of severity. We cannot, however, predict the impact that natural or man-made disasters, including
the COVID-19 pandemic, may have on the ability of our employees and third-party service providers to continue ordinary business operations and technology functions over near- or longer-term periods.
Non-diversification risk
A non-diversified fund is permitted
to invest a greater percentage of its total assets in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of
the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund’s value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Real estate sector risk
The risks associated with
investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real
estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of such
investments may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the issuer, changes in the prospect of earnings and/or cash flow growth of the investment, defaults by
borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory occurrences affecting the real estate industry, including REITs.
REITs depend upon specialized
management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. REITs are
also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including
changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.
Shareholder concentration risk
At June 30, 2020, one unaffiliated
shareholder of record owned 21.5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially. Affiliated shareholders of
record owned 30.2% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund. In the case
of a large redemption, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, including its liquid positions, which may result in Fund losses and the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid
positions. Large redemptions could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders.
Small- and mid-cap company risk
Investments in small- and
mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less
predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid
and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Note 10. Subsequent
events
Management has evaluated the
events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
| 24 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
Note 11. Information
regarding pending and settled legal proceedings
Ameriprise Financial and certain
of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in
connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject
of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with
the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to
Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that
these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe
proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to
uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines,
penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 25 |
Liquidity Risk
Management Program
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the
1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (Program). The Program’s principal objectives include assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the Fund’s liquidity risk. Liquidity
risk is defined as the risk that the Fund could not meet redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund.
The Board has appointed the
Investment Manager as the program administrator for the Fund’s Program. The Investment Manager has delegated oversight of the Program to its Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the Committee). At a board
meeting during the fiscal period, the Committee provided the Board with a report addressing the operations of the program and assessing its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation for the period December 1, 2018,
through December 31, 2019, including:
| • | the Fund had sufficient liquidity to both meet redemptions and operate effectively on behalf of shareholders; |
| • | there were no material changes to the Program during the period; |
| • | the implementation of the Program was effective to manage the Fund’s liquidity risk; and |
| • | the Program operated adequately during the period. |
There can be no assurance that the
Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an
investment in the Fund may be subject.
Board Consideration
and Approval of Management
Agreement
On June 17, 2020, the Board of
Trustees (the Board) and the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) (the Independent Trustees) of Columbia Funds Series Trust I (the Trust) unanimously approved the
continuation of the Management Agreement (the Management Agreement) with Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager) with respect to Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund (the Fund), a series of
the Trust. As detailed below, the Board’s Advisory Fees and Expenses Committee (the Committee) and the Board met on multiple occasions to review and discuss, among themselves, with the management team of the
Investment Manager and with an independent fee consultant, materials provided by the Investment Manager, the independent fee consultant and others before determining to approve the continuation of the Management
Agreement.
In connection with their
deliberations regarding the continuation of the Management Agreement, the Committee and the Board evaluated materials requested from the Investment Manager regarding the Fund and the Management Agreement, and
discussed these materials with representatives of the Investment Manager at Committee meetings held on March 10, 2020, April 30, 2020 and June 17, 2020 and at Board meetings held on March 11, 2020 and June 17, 2020.
In addition, the Board and its various committees consider matters bearing on the Management Agreement at other meetings throughout the year and in prior years and meet regularly with senior management of the Trust
and the Investment Manager. Through the Board’s Investment Oversight Committees, Trustees also meet with selected portfolio managers of the funds the Trustees oversee and with other investment personnel at
various times throughout the year. The Committee and the Board also consulted with the independent fee consultant, Fund counsel and the Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel, who advised on various
matters with respect to the Committee’s and the Board’s considerations and otherwise assisted the Committee and the Board in their deliberations. On June 17, 2020, the Committee recommended that the Board
approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. On June 17, 2020, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, voting separately, unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for the
Fund.
| 26 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Board Consideration and Approval of
Management
Agreement (continued)
The Committee and the Board considered all
information that they, their legal counsel or the Investment Manager believed reasonably necessary to evaluate and to determine whether to recommend for approval or approve the continuation of the Management
Agreement. The information and factors considered by the Committee and the Board in recommending for approval or approving the continuation of the Management Agreement for the Fund included the following:
| • | Information on the investment performance of the Fund relative to the performance of a group of mutual funds determined to be comparable to the Fund by an independent third-party data provider, as well as performance relative to benchmarks; |
| • | Information on the Fund’s management fees and total expenses, including information comparing the Fund’s expenses to those of a group of comparable mutual funds, as determined by the independent third-party data provider; |
| • | The Investment Manager’s agreement to contractually limit or cap total operating expenses for the Fund through April 30, 2021 so that total operating expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses, such as transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) would not exceed a specified annual rate, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets; |
| • | The terms and conditions of the Management Agreement; |
| • | The current and proposed terms and conditions of other agreements and arrangements with affiliates of the Investment Manager relating to the operations of the Fund, including agreements with respect to the provision of distribution, transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund; |
| • | Descriptions of various functions performed by the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, including portfolio management and portfolio trading practices; |
| • | Information regarding any recently negotiated management fees of similarly-managed portfolios of other institutional clients of the Investment Manager; |
| • | Information regarding the reputation, regulatory history and resources of the Investment Manager, including information regarding senior management, portfolio managers and other personnel; |
| • | Information regarding the capabilities of the Investment Manager with respect to compliance monitoring services, including an assessment of the Investment Manager’s compliance system by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer; and |
| • | The profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund. |
Nature, extent and quality of
services provided under the Management Agreement
The Committee and the Board
considered the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Investment Manager and its affiliates under the Management Agreement and under separate agreements for the provision of transfer agency
and shareholder services, and the resources dedicated to the Fund and the other Columbia Funds by the Investment Manager and its affiliates. The Committee and the Board considered, among other things, the Investment
Manager’s ability to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals (including compensation programs for personnel involved in fund management,
reputation and other attributes), the portfolio management services provided by those investment professionals, and the quality of the Investment Manager’s investment research capabilities and trade execution
services. The Committee and the Board also considered the potential benefits to shareholders of investing in a mutual fund that is part of a fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and investment
disciplines and providing a variety of fund and shareholder services.
The Committee and the Board also
considered the professional experience and qualifications of the senior personnel of the Investment Manager, which included consideration of the Investment Manager’s experience with funds using an investment
strategy similar to that used by the Investment Manager for the Fund. The Committee and the Board noted the compliance programs of and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Investment Manager
and its affiliates and the resources dedicated by the Investment Manager and its affiliates to risk management, and considered the Investment Manager’s ability to provide administrative services to the Fund and
coordinate the activities of the Fund’s other service
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 27 |
Board Consideration and Approval of
Management
Agreement (continued)
providers. After reviewing these and related
factors, the Committee and the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement supported the
continuation of the Management Agreement.
Investment performance
The Committee and the Board
reviewed information about the performance of the Fund over various time periods, including performance information relative to benchmarks, information that compared the performance of the Fund to the performance of a
group of comparable mutual funds as determined by the independent third-party data provider, and information and analysis provided by the independent fee consultant. The Committee and the Board also reviewed a
description of the third party’s methodology for identifying the Fund’s peer groups for purposes of performance and expense comparisons. Although the Fund’s performance lagged that of a relevant peer
group for certain (although not necessarily all) periods, the Committee and the Board concluded that other factors relevant to performance were sufficient, in light of other considerations, to support continuation of
the Management Agreement. Those factors included one or more of the following: (i) that the Fund’s performance, although lagging in certain recent periods, was stronger over the longer term; (ii) that the
underperformance was attributable, to a significant extent, to investment decisions that were reasonable and consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy and policies and that the Fund was performing within a
reasonable range of expectations, given those investment decisions, market conditions and the Fund’s investment strategy; (iii) that the Fund’s performance was competitive when compared to other relevant
performance benchmarks or peer groups; and (iv) that the Investment Manager had taken or was taking steps designed to help improve the Fund’s investment performance, including, but not limited to, replacing
portfolio managers, enhancing the resources supporting the portfolio managers, or modifying investment strategies.
The Committee and the Board noted
that, through December 31, 2019, the Fund’s performance was in the thirty-fifth, fifty-second and fifty-third percentile (where the best performance would be in the first percentile) of its category selected by
the independent third-party data provider for the purposes of performance comparisons for the one-, three- and five-year periods, respectively.
The Committee and the Board also
considered the Investment Manager’s performance and reputation generally, the Investment Manager’s historical responsiveness to Board concerns about performance, and the Investment Manager’s
willingness to take steps intended to improve performance. After reviewing these and related factors, the Committee and the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the performance of the
Fund and the Investment Manager was sufficient, in light of other considerations, to support the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Investment management fee rates
and other expenses
The Committee and the Board
considered the management fees charged to the Fund under the Management Agreement as well as the total expenses incurred by the Fund. In assessing the reasonableness of the fees under the Management Agreement, the
Committee and the Board considered, among other information, the Fund’s total expense ratio as a percentage of average daily net assets. The Committee and the Board considered data provided by the independent
third-party data provider and the independent fee consultant. The Committee and the Board noted that, as of December 31, 2019, the Fund’s actual management fee and net total expense ratio were both ranked in the
third quintile (where the lowest fees and expenses would be in the first quintile) against the Fund’s expense universe as determined by the independent third-party data provider for purposes of expense
comparison. The Committee and the Board also took into account the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements agreed to by the Investment Manager, as noted above.
The Committee and the Board also
received and considered information about the management fees charged by the Investment Manager to institutional accounts. In considering the fees charged to those accounts, the Committee and the Board took into
account, among other things, the Investment Manager’s representations about the differences between managing mutual funds as compared to other types of accounts, including differences in the services provided,
differences in the risk profile of such business for the Investment Manager and the additional resources required to manage mutual funds effectively. The Committee and the Board also received and considered
information about the fees charged by the Investment Manager for sub-advisory services it provides to comparable unaffiliated funds. In evaluating the Fund’s management fees, the Committee and the Board also
took into account the demands, complexity and quality of the investment management of the Fund.
| 28 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
Board Consideration and Approval of
Management
Agreement (continued)
After reviewing these and related factors, the
Committee and the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the management fee rates and expenses of the Fund, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the
Management Agreement.
Costs of services provided and
profitability
The Committee and the Board also
took note of the costs the Investment Manager and its affiliates incur in connection with the services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the
Fund, and the efforts undertaken by the Investment Manager and its affiliates to manage efficiently their costs to provide such services.
The Committee and the Board also
considered the compensation directly or indirectly received by the Investment Manager’s affiliates in connection with their relationships with the Fund. The Committee and the Board reviewed information provided
by management as to the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates of their relationships with the Fund, information about the allocation of expenses used to calculate profitability, and comparisons of
profitability levels realized in 2019 to profitability levels realized in 2018. When reviewing profitability, the Committee and the Board also considered court cases in which adviser profitability was an issue in
whole or in part, the performance of similarly managed funds, the performance of the Fund, and the expense ratio of the Fund. In addition, the Committee and the Board considered information provided by the Investment
Manager regarding the Investment Manager’s financial condition and comparing its profitability to that of other asset management firms that are, or are subsidiaries of, publicly traded companies. In this regard,
the Committee and the Board also considered data provided by the independent fee consultant.
After reviewing these and related
factors, the Committee and the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the costs of services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their
relationships with the Fund supported the continuation of the Management Agreement.
Economies of scale
The Committee and the Board
considered the potential existence of economies of scale in the provision by the Investment Manager of services to the Fund, to groups of related funds, and to the Investment Manager’s investment advisory
clients as a whole, and whether those economies of scale were shared with the Fund through breakpoints in investment management fees or other means, such as expense limitation arrangements and additional investments
by the Investment Manager in investment, trading, compliance and other resources. The Committee and the Board noted that the management fee schedules for the Fund contained breakpoints that would reduce the fee rate
on assets above specified threshold levels.
In considering these matters, the
Committee and the Board also considered the costs of the services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, as noted above. After reviewing
these and related factors, the Committee and the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the extent to which any economies of scale were expected to be shared with the Fund supported the
continuation of the Management Agreement.
Other benefits to the Investment
Manager
The Committee and the Board
received and considered information regarding “fall-out” or ancillary benefits received by the Investment Manager and its affiliates as a result of their relationships with the Fund, such as the engagement
of the Investment Manager’s affiliates to provide distribution, transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund. In this regard, among other matters, the Committee and the Board considered that the
Fund’s distributor retains a portion of the distribution fees from the Fund and receives a portion of the sales charges on sales or redemptions of certain classes of shares of the Fund. The Committee and the
Board also considered the benefits of research made available to the Investment Manager by reason of brokerage commissions generated by the Fund’s securities transactions, and reviewed information about the
Investment Manager’s practices with respect to considering brokerage and research services when allocating portfolio transactions. In this connection, the Board also noted that the amount of research made
available to the Investment Manager by reason of brokerage commissions had been declining over time, and may decline further. The Committee and the Board recognized that the Investment Manager’s profitability
would be somewhat lower without these benefits.
| Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 | 29 |
Board Consideration and Approval of
Management
Agreement (continued)
Conclusion
The Committee and the Board
reviewed all of the above considerations in reaching their decisions to recommend or approve the continuation of the Management Agreement. In their deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any particular
information that was all-important or controlling, and individual Trustees may have attributed different weights to the various factors. Based on their evaluation of all factors that they deemed to be material,
including those factors described above, and assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, voting separately, unanimously approved the continuation of the
Management Agreement.
| 30 | Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund | Semiannual Report 2020 |
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Please read and consider the
investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, go to
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
(Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2020 Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC.
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/
SAR212_12_K01_(08/20)