N-CSRS 1 d329437dncsrs.htm ARIEL INVESTMENT TRUST Ariel Investment Trust

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2022

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 811-4786

Ariel Investment Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

200 East Randolph Street

Suite 2900

Chicago, Illinois, 60601

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Mareilé B. Cusack, Esq.

200 East Randolph Street

Suite 2900

Chicago, Illinois 60601

(Name and address of agent for service)

with a copy to:

Arthur Don, Esq.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

77 West Wacker Drive

Suite 3100

Chicago, IL 60601

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 726-0140

Date of fiscal year end: September 30

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2022

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

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

LOGO

The patient investor

 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT: 03/31/22

Ariel Fund

Ariel Appreciation Fund

Ariel Focus Fund

Ariel International Fund

Ariel Global Fund

 

LOGO

Slow and steady wins the race.

 

 

 

Ariel Investment Trust

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

800.292.7435

• arielinvestments.com

• linkedin.com/company/ariel-investments

• instagram.com/arielinvestments

• twitter.com/arielinvests

 

Table of contents

 

 

 

Shareholder letters

     

Ariel Fund & Ariel Appreciation Fund

      3     

Ariel Focus Fund

      9                                           

Ariel International Fund & Ariel Global Fund

      13     

Company spotlights

      18     

Semi-annual report

      

Schedules of investments

      21     

Statements of assets & liabilities

      31     

Statements of operations

      33     

Statements of changes in net assets

      35     

Financial highlights

      38     

Notes to the financial statements

      43     

Important supplemental information

      49     

Fund expense example

      53     

Board of trustees

      54     

Officers

      55     

Important disclosures

      56     

Information about the Funds’ indexes and the GICS sector classification standards

      57     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

LOGO   LOGO
John W. Rogers, Jr.   Mellody Hobson
Chairman and   Co-CEO and
Co-CEO   President

Average annual total returns as of 03/31/22

 

       1Q22      1-year    3-year    5-year    10-year   

 

Since
inception*    

  Ariel Fund

 

    -5.11%      3.51%    13.00%      9.76%    12.23%        11.25%

  Russell 2500TM Value Index

 

    -1.50      7.73    12.97      9.19    11.04        11.08

  Russell 2500TM Index

 

    -5.82      0.34    13.79    11.57    12.09        10.91

  S&P 500® Index

 

    -4.60    15.65    18.92    15.99    14.64        11.02

* The inception date for Ariel Fund is 11/06/86.

Average annual total returns as of 03/31/22

 

       1Q22      1-year    3-year    5-year    10-year   

 

Since
inception*    

  Ariel Appreciation Fund    -4.57%      3.86%    11.60%      8.18%    10.56%        10.50%
  Russell Midcap® Value Index    -1.82    11.45    13.68    10.00    12.02        11.39
  Russell Midcap® Index    -5.68      6.92    14.89    12.62    12.86        11.51
  S&P 500® Index    -4.60    15.65    18.92    15.99    14.64        10.52

* The inception date for Ariel Appreciation Fund is 12/01/89.

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and represents returns of the Investor Class shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. Performance data current to the most recent month-end for Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund may be obtained by visiting our website, arielinvestments.com.

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     3

DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDER:

After posting barnburner gains last year, the stock market has retreated in 2022—with negative index returns masking intensifying volatility. For the quarter, strength amongst our consumer names was not enough to overcome poorer performing economically and interest rate sensitive areas. Although Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund trailed their primary value indices during the three-month period, both Funds managed to outpace their core benchmarks. Ariel Fund fell short of the S&P 500 during the quarter—as the lagging Financial and Industrial sectors took a bigger bite out of returns. Meanwhile, Ariel Appreciation Fund outperformed the broad market.

This year’s trading feels somewhat reminiscent of 2008, when the intra-day swings stunned and often defied logic. There are days when a plummeting market completely reverses itself before the close. Other times, an uneventful day goes bad at the bell. Since we are disciplined, patient investors (not day traders), we do not sit glued to a screen tracking minute-by-minute stock prices. And yet, we cannot help but acknowledge that these days, a few minutes at the “water cooler” can mean the difference between portfolio-wide gains or losses.

Against this jumpy backdrop, we seek to use the volatility to our advantage. Yes, there is no denying that the world is unstable as the pandemic lingers, inflation swells, war in Ukraine rages and China’s lockdown expands. The supply chain bottleneck that was expected to resolve itself remains entangled. US consumers are buying, but their confidence is falling. Many expect their willingness to absorb escalating prices to wane as well. With these challenging and well-telegraphed conditions increasingly priced in, our job is to focus on mining value from the uncertainty by looking past the near-term drama and instead, taking a long-term view.

FOR THE RECORD

As 2022 takes shape, we are clear-eyed and unemotional. Our views on some of the big issues of the day—including inflation and the future of growth stocks, as well as some of our highest conviction names, are playing out as we anticipated.

“With these challenging and well-telegraphed conditions increasingly priced in, our job is to focus on mining value from the uncertainty by looking past the near-term drama and instead, taking a long-term view.”

On inflation—Given the amount of stimulus that poured into global economies, inflation was to be expected. The looming questions were: “how much” and “how long?” As The New York Times noted, “While central bankers were hesitant to react to rapid inflation last year, hoping it would prove ‘transitory’ and fade quickly, those expectations have been dashed.”1 In our third quarter 2021 letter we wrote, “…some see growing inflation as ‘transitory,’ we do not completely agree. While we expect supply chain disruptions and shortages will soon pass, once large numbers of people receive wages to induce them to return to work, there is no cutting pay. We expect wage inflation to stick.”2

Now a “hawkish” Fed has declared its intentions to attempt to slow escalating inflation with a heavier hand. By rapidly raising interest rates and suspending its bond buying program, “Fed officials are making money more expensive to borrow and spend in a bid to slow shopping and business

 

 

1

Smialek, Jeanna. “’Many’ at the Fed Supported Big Increase in Rates.” The New York Times. April 28, 2022. Pg. B1.

2

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. September 30, 2021.

 

 

4    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

investment, hoping that weaker demand will help tame prices, which are now climbing at the fastest pace in four decades.”3

While there is much market handwringing over the Fed’s intensifying policy efforts, we too remain skeptical that inflation can be so easily tamed. As we wrote in our December 31, 2021 letter, “…we are observant students of history and do not believe rising inflation is easily subdued with quick fixes. Nor do we think the Fed has practiced many ‘perfect landings’ when it comes to managing money supply. If the Fed sets rates too low, inflation can continue to run away. If rates are too high, it could trigger a recession. Like Goldilocks, ‘just right’ can be a temperamental temperature.” To this point, one economist recently quipped, “It’s like trying to land during an earthquake.”4 This difficulty has led a growing number of market watchers to begin considering recession scenarios.

While we are not ones to speculate on economic outcomes, we do recognize today’s US executives have little-to-no experience with 40-year inflation. And managing inflation is not a one quarter company fix. Much of the price escalations are completely out of a CEO’s control (i.e. chip shortages, COVID-induced labor shortages, product availability). Inflation can cause margin slippage as prices react slower than changing costs. Although we seek to dampen negative inflationary effects by investing in companies whose strong brands and franchises command pricing power, simply matching price to cost increases is exceedingly difficult in the short run. This is true of even the best run franchises with superior pricing power in the long run. Share price reactions have been brutal despite the widespread awareness of the challenge at hand. This unique environment requires sturdy patience.

On growth stocks—In that same year-end letter, we reminded our investors that, “…there are consequences to

Fed actions.”5 We doubled down on our view that, “When it comes to stocks—particularly growth stocks selling at high multiples—inflation acts as gravity. As interest rates are likely hiked to dampen inflation, a dollar earned today becomes more valuable than a dollar earned in the future. This is the exact opposite of the most recent low interest rate, growth stock heyday where the value of a dollar is not different than one earned in the future.”6 Our expectations of growth’s comeuppance and value’s resurrection are playing out in real-time. Look no further than the tech-laden Nasdaq—which is having its worst start to any year in its 51-year history.

We hold no ill will against growth stocks. In fact, our view has been that “some of today’s growth stocks are great businesses—but they are priced for near-perfection and an assumption that the current environment will last forever.”7 As the great Artist Formerly Known as Prince once sang, “Forever is a mighty long time.” All of a sudden, the road is becoming littered with wreckage. When the stock formerly known as Facebook and now called Meta Platforms, Inc. (FB) plummeted -26% in a single day in February, its market capitalization fell $251 billion in what has been called the “biggest wipeout in history.”8 Other high-flyers like PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL) nosedived -25% after announcing disappointing earnings—losing $50 billion in market value in hours. Then debt-laden Netflix Inc. (NFLX) fell -35% in one session and is now pondering the advertising-based business model it once shunned. Inevitably, stocks trade on fundamentals. The math is the math.

On orphaned value stocks—While losing money is never pleasant and we try to avoid it as best we can, we also know our weakest holdings and/or sectors are often the source of future gains. Last year, as large cap growth stocks continued to trounce value shares, we underscored our core belief that, “pessimism yields value and optimism

 

 

3

Smialek, Jeanna. “’Many’ at the Fed Supported Big Increase in Rates.” The New York Times. April 7, 2022. Pg. B1.

4

Casselman, Ben. “Economy is Booming, but Some Worry a Bust is Coming.” The New York Times. April 7, 2022. Pg. B7.

5

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. December 31, 2021.

6

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. September 30, 2021.

7

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. December 31, 2021.

8

Adinarayan, Thyagaraju and Barnert, Jan-Patrick. “Meta Erases $251 Billion in Value, Biggest Wipeout in History.” Bloomberg Radio. February 3, 2022.

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     5

is pricey.”9 Throughout the long run of recent growth stock domination, we have consistently spotlighted misunderstood values that we felt held great promise. Much like the recent pandemic shock, our sharpened focus on balance sheet strength following the 2008 financial crisis has largely taken financial stability and leverage concerns off the table—allowing us to focus on fundamental company developments without the added stress and volatility of weak balance sheets.

In September, we highlighted Nielsen Holdings plc (NLSN) after the stock shed -22% during the quarter. We laid out our investment thesis for the business and explained why “unrealized upside embedded in our portfolios was boosted as the stock was oversold.”10 While acknowledging the company’s checkered past, we stayed focused on the uniqueness of its franchise as the “only independent provider of unbiased comprehensive [television] viewership data.”11 We also expressed our enthusiasm for the new management team’s plan to “create the only true cross platform media measurement solution.”12 Jumping to the present, the stock was a top performer during the quarter as its shares climbed +40% on news of its takeover by a private equity consortium in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $16 billion including debt—effectively demonstrating that value can be realized in public as well as private markets. As we write, another portfolio favorite, Mattel, Inc. (MAT), is making headlines as a potential private equity target. Last quarter, broadcast, digital media and marketing services company, TEGNA, Inc. (TGNA), was purchased by a strategic buyer. In all instances, we are pleased and not surprised.

On memes—Despite the fact that the high-flying meme stocks continue to defy gravity, we remain skeptical of their long-term prospects. Our view has been that “meme stocks are akin to a market virus—infectious, contagious and dangerous…lacking in fundamentals and inflated by whims.”13 Thus far, these issues continue to attract retail interest—crowdfunded by a pile-on effect that is likely to crumble under its own weight. Even as these names charge on, we continue to believe a day of reckoning will come.

PORTFOLIO COMINGS AND GOINGS

We did not add any new holdings to Ariel Fund during the quarter and successfully exited broadcast, digital media and marketing services company TEGNA, Inc. upon the announcement of its acquisition by Standard General.

We did not initiate or exit any holdings in Ariel Appreciation Fund during the period.

As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you and welcome any questions or comments you might have.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO    LOGO
John W. Rogers, Jr.    Mellody Hobson
Chairman and Co-CEO    Co-CEO and President
 

 

9

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. June 30, 2021.

10

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. September 30, 2021.

11

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. September 30, 2021.

12

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. September 30, 2021.

13

Ariel Fund and Ariel Appreciation Fund Portfolio Manager Letter. December 31, 2021.

 

 

6    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Ariel Fund performance summary

 

   

INCEPTION: 11/06/86

 

 

  

 

LOGO   LOGO   LOGO
John W. Rogers, Jr.   John P. Miller, CFA   Kenneth E. Kuhrt, CPA
Lead portfolio   Portfolio   Portfolio
manager   manager   manager

Composition of equity holdings (%)

 

     Ariel
Fund		    Russell
2500
Value
Index		    Russell
2500
Index		    S&P
500
Index  

Consumer Discretionary

   

35.78

   

13.09

   

14.20

   

15.40

Industrials

   

20.72

   

17.80

   

18.27

   

12.13

Financials

   

19.36

   

20.11

   

14.74

   

10.66

Health Care

   

  6.58

   

  7.45

   

12.42

   

12.95

Real Estate

   

  5.28

   

12.47

   

  8.90

   

  2.72

Consumer Staples

   

  2.91

   

  3.12

   

  2.88

   

  5.33

Energy

   

  2.91

   

  7.71

   

  6.64

   

  3.99

Utilities

   

  2.80

   

  4.52

   

  3.15

   

  2.97

Technology

   

  0.00

   

  6.33

   

12.57

   

29.12

Basic Materials

   

  0.00

   

  6.05

   

  4.85

   

  1.91

Telecommunications

   

  0.00

   

  1.34

   

  1.38

   

  2.80

Sector weightings for the Fund are calculated based on equity holdings as a percentage of total net assets.

Average annual total returns (%) as of 3/31/2022    

 

    Quarter     1-year     3-year     5-year     10-year     20-year     Since
inception		  

  Ariel Fund–Investor Class

  

 

-5.11

 

  

 

3.51

 

  

 

13.00

 

  

 

9.76

 

  

 

12.23

 

  

 

8.56

 

  

 

11.25

 

  Ariel Fund–Institutional Class+

 

 

-5.04

 

  

 

3.83

 

  

 

13.36

 

  

 

10.09

 

  

 

12.58

 

  

 

8.73

 

  

 

11.35

 

  Russell 2500TM Value Index

  

 

-1.50

 

  

 

7.73

 

  

 

12.97

 

  

 

9.19

 

  

 

11.04

 

  

 

9.23

 

  

 

11.08

 

  Russell 2500TM Index

  

 

-5.82

 

  

 

0.34

 

  

 

13.79

 

  

 

11.57

 

  

 

12.09

 

  

 

9.76

 

  

 

10.91

 

  S&P 500® Index

  

 

-4.60

 

  

 

15.65

 

  

 

18.92

 

  

 

15.99

 

  

 

14.64

 

  

 

9.25

 

  

 

11.02

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. To access performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit arielinvestments.com.

Growth of a $10,000 investment since inception (Investor Class)

 

LOGO

The graph and performance table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Total return does not reflect a maximum 4.75% sales load charged prior to 7/15/94.

 

Expense ratio (as of 9/30/21)               

  Investor Class

   

 

1.00

% 

        

  Institutional Class

   

 

0.69

% 

        

 

Top ten equity holdings (% of net assets)
 1.   Madison Square Garden Ent. Corp.   6.1     6.   JLL   3.4       
 2.   Paramount Global   4.7     7.   Northern Trust Corp.   3.3       
 3.   Lazard Ltd., Class A   3.8     8.   Mohawk Industries, Inc.   3.3       
 4.   Adtalem Global Education, Inc.   3.8     9.   Gentex Corp.   3.0       
 5.   Mattel, Inc.   3.7     10.   Envista Holdings Corp.   2.9       
 
+ 

The inception date for the Institutional Class shares is December 30, 2011. Performance information for the Institutional Class prior to that date reflects the actual performance of the Fund’s Investor Class (and uses the actual expenses of the Fund’s Investor Class, for such period of time), without any adjustments. For any such period of time, the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Class would have been substantially similar to, yet higher than, the performance of the Fund’s Investor Class, because the shares of both classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes bear different expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees.

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     7

Ariel Appreciation Fund performance summary

 

   

INCEPTION: 12/01/89

 

 

  

 

LOGO   LOGO  
John W. Rogers, Jr.   Timothy R. Fidler, CFA
Co-portfolio   Co-portfolio  
manager   manager  

Composition of equity holdings (%)

 

    Ariel
Apprec-
iation
Fund		   Russell
Midcap
Value
Index		   Russell
Midcap
Index		   S&P
500
Index

Financials

  

28.68

  

16.25

  

12.72

  

10.66

Consumer Discretionary

  

27.10

  

12.79

  

14.85

  

15.40

Industrials

  

15.46

  

16.14

  

16.94

  

12.13

Health Care

  

11.05

  

  6.81

  

  9.67

  

12.95

Consumer Staples

  

  6.70

  

  6.14

  

  4.82

  

  5.33

Energy

  

  2.83

  

  7.46

  

  6.21

  

  3.99

Utilities

  

  2.75

  

  8.37

  

  5.64

  

  2.97

Real Estate

  

  1.78

  

11.60

  

  8.74

  

  2.72

Technology

  

  0.00

  

  7.73

  

14.84

  

29.12

Basic Materials

  

  0.00

  

  5.03

  

  3.94

  

  1.91

Telecommunications

  

  0.00

  

  1.69

  

  1.63

  

  2.80

Sector weightings for the Fund are calculated based on equity holdings as a percentage of total net assets.

Average annual total returns (%) as of 3/31/2022

 

    Quarter     1-year     3-year     5-year     10-year     20-year     Since
inception		  

  Ariel Appreciation Fund–Investor Class

  

 

-4.57

 

  

 

3.86

 

  

 

11.60

 

  

 

8.18

 

  

 

10.56

 

  

 

8.02

 

  

 

10.50

 

  Ariel Appreciation Fund–Institutional Class+

  

 

-4.50

 

  

 

4.18

 

  

 

11.95

 

  

 

8.52

 

  

 

10.90

 

  

 

8.19

 

  

 

10.61

 

  Russell Midcap® Value Index

  

 

-1.82

 

  

 

11.45

 

  

 

13.68

 

  

 

10.00

 

  

 

12.02

 

  

 

10.00

 

  

 

11.39

 

  Russell Midcap® Index

  

 

-5.68

 

  

 

6.92

 

  

 

14.89

 

  

 

12.62

 

  

 

12.86

 

  

 

10.33

 

  

 

11.51

 

  S&P 500® Index

  

 

-4.60

 

  

 

15.65

 

  

 

18.92

 

  

 

15.99

 

  

 

14.64

 

  

 

9.25

 

  

 

10.52

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. To access performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit arielinvestments.com.

Growth of a $10,000 investment since inception (Investor Class)

 

LOGO

The graph and performance table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Total return does not reflect a maximum 4.75% sales load charged prior to 7/15/94.

 

Expense ratio (as of 9/30/21)               

  Investor Class

   

 

1.12

% 

        

  Institutional Class

   

 

0.81

% 

        

 

Top ten equity holdings (% of net assets)
  1.   Madison Square Garden Ent. Corp.   4.6     6.   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   3.6
  2.   BOK Financial Corp.   4.2     7.   The Charles Schwab Corp.   3.3
  3.   Northern Trust Corp.   4.1     8.   Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings   3.2
  4.   Mattel, Inc.   4.0     9.   Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.   3.1
  5.   Aflac, Inc.   3.8     10.   Lazard Ltd., Class A   2.9       

 

 
+ 

The inception date for the Institutional Class shares is December 30, 2011. Performance information for the Institutional Class prior to that date reflects the actual performance of the Fund’s Investor Class (and uses the actual expenses of the Fund’s Investor Class, for such period of time), without any adjustments. For any such period of time, the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Class would have been substantially similar to, yet higher than, the performance of the Fund’s Investor Class, because the shares of both classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes bear different expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees.

 

 

8    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

LOGO

 

LOGO

Charles K. Bobrinskoy

Vice Chairman

Portfolio Manager

Average annual total returns as of 03/31/22

 

    

1Q22

 

     

1-year

 

     

3-year

 

     

5-year

 

     

10-year

 

    

Since
inception*    

 

  

  Ariel Focus Fund

   

 

3.97

% 

   

 

8.14

% 

   

 

14.22

% 

   

 

9.53

% 

   

 

9.95

% 

  

 

6.97

% 

  Russell 1000® Value Index

   

 

-0.74

 

   

 

11.67

 

   

 

13.02

 

   

 

10.29

 

   

 

11.70

 

  

 

8.26

 

  S&P 500® Index

   

 

-4.60

 

   

 

15.65

 

   

 

18.92

 

   

 

15.99

 

   

 

14.64

 

  

 

10.52

 

* The inception date for Ariel Focus Fund is 06/30/05.

 

DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDER:

Despite a tough environment, Ariel Focus Fund enjoyed strong first quarter 2022 performance gaining +3.97% compared to a loss of -0.74% for the Russell 1000 Value Index and a loss of -4.60% for the S&P 500. Last quarter, we outlined four themes for this year’s economy and equity markets that are playing out with positive implications for many of our largest holdings.

As a reminder, we believe equity markets will be dominated by 1) high and persistent inflation, 2) rising interest rates, 3) a strong reopening economy and 4) outperformance of value

over growth stocks. These factors are related and reinforcing. A strong economy will augment inflation. Higher inflation should drive higher interest rates. Higher rates should be relatively good for value versus growth.

INFLATION

Of all these themes, we have been the loudest and most consistent in forecasting higher inflation. Manufacturing supply-chain disruptions, dramatic increases in the money supply, trillion-dollar deficit spending (from both political parties), an accommodative Federal Reserve (still), and a historically tight labor market all push up prices.

 

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and represents returns of the Investor Class shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. Performance data current to the most recent month-end for Ariel Focus Fund may be obtained by visiting our website, arielinvestments.com.

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     9

Economists from different “schools” of economic theory often disagree. Today, all can point to their own favorite cause to explain rising inflation. Monetarists (whom we currently find particularly persuasive) believe inflation comes from excessive increases in the money supply and point to a 40% increase in M2 (a measure of the money supply that includes cash, bank deposits and certain money market accounts). Meanwhile, Keynesian economists have taught generations of students that fiscal policy in the form of deficit spending will drive inflation as labor markets approach full employment. With trillion-dollar federal deficits and a 3.6% unemployment rate, they believe higher inflation is inevitable. Finally, Supply Side economists say constraints in manufacturing capacity from supply-chain disruptions overseas and labor shortages at home have “too much money chasing too few goods.” Remarkably, different schools of economic thought have come to the same conclusion today: prices are going up.

“Of all these themes, we have been the loudest and most consistent in forecasting higher inflation.”

INTEREST RATES

Higher inflation should lead to higher interest rates. Presumably, lenders will insist loans carry interest rates high enough to offset the loss of purchasing power. Normally fixed income markets would add a “time value of money” premium to the expected inflation rate to produce higher nominal rates. We say “should” because until recently, higher rates had not materialized. Interest rates remained stubbornly and surprisingly low, with the 10-Year Treasury ending 2021 at 1.52%, well below historical averages and below visible inflation. Lately, there has been a marked reversal as rates have moved substantively higher. As we go to print, the 10-year Treasury sits at 2.83%, which has driven the Barclays Fixed Income Aggregate Index down -7.88% this year. At long last, the Federal Reserve has acknowledged high and non-transitory inflation. While the increases in the federal funds rate are getting most of the attention, we would emphasize the end of its bond-buying program of $120 billion a month, which ballooned its balance sheet to $9 trillion. Ever since the Great Financial Crisis, bond

investors have been able to buy long-term bonds at surprisingly low interest rates, confident the Fed would keep prices high (and yields low) through aggressive open market purchases. “Don’t fight the Fed” meant don’t be a seller of bonds when the Fed was a buyer. Now the situation has flipped with bond investors seeking to exit through the same narrow door ahead of $9 trillion of “Quantitative Tightening.” In February, Barron’s ran an article with the subtitle: “Why Warren Buffett Hates Bonds.” We agree with Warren.

VALUE OVER GROWTH

Higher inflation and interest rates are directly impacting stock valuations. Until this year, low interest rates have fueled the outperformance of growth stocks over the value stocks we prefer. Our holdings earn a higher percentage of their current stock price in nearer term cash flows. Growth stocks, by definition, are priced to value earnings and cash flow often in the distant future. The weighted average years into the future of a company’s cash flows is called its expected “duration.” Just as rising interest rates hit long-term bonds harder than short-term bonds, increases in discount rates hit long-duration growth stocks harder than short-duration value stocks. Currently, our two largest holdings are APA Corporation (APA) and The Mosaic Company (MOS) trading at forward p/e multiples of 6.3x and 7.6x, respectively. In simple terms, both have the potential to earn more than half their current valuation in the next four years if earnings stay flat. As a result, increases in interest rates and discount rates should have comparatively little impact on their valuations, just as an increase in rates has little impact on a short-term bond.

By contrast, many growth stocks are popular technology companies trading at 30 to 45 times next year’s earnings. They are being valued on cash flows projected in the distant future. The Nasdaq Composite is trading at 27 times forward earnings. Rising interest rates disproportionately impact these companies whose earnings are far away, just as an increase in rates hits the price of long-term bonds harder than short-term bonds.

Now that rates are moving up, value is outperforming. The growth stock heavy Nasdaq Composite has fallen -9.10% this year. While the Russell 1000 Value is down -0.74%, the

 

 

 

10    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Russell 1000 Growth Index has dropped -9.04%. With our portfolio trading at only ten times forward earnings at the end of the first quarter, Ariel Focus Fund could be well positioned for a period of value outperformance.

CONSUMER DEMAND

Although we are increasingly confident higher inflation and higher rates will drive outperformance, recent events have made us more cautious around the final theme, a strong economy based on pent-up consumer demand. While predicting future recessions is notoriously difficult, we cannot deny a change in certain inputs that are likely to reduce growth. Dramatically higher energy and food prices negatively impact consumer confidence. Higher interest rates push mortgage rates up and tend to reduce demand for housing. Europe represents approximately 20% of the global economy and will feel the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through higher energy prices. Renewed COVID lockdowns in parts of China will delay supply chain normalization, keeping US manufacturing levels below what we would otherwise have expected. Perhaps most important, US consumers have previously expressed confidence based on strong personal balance sheets, a robust job market and federal stimulus checks. With inflation outpacing wage increases, spending could slow. Although we remain optimistic about the long-term outlook for the US economy and are investing accordingly, the next 18 months could be bumpy.

CONTRIBUTORS AND DETRACTORS

It is a rare but happy occurrence when our largest holdings contribute most to positive performance. Such was the case in the first quarter. Our second largest position, Mosaic, surged +69.61% during the period. The company owns and operates fertilizer mines in Florida and Saskatchewan, Canada with obvious advantages in supplying the wheat fields of Kansas and the cornfields of Iowa. This geographic proximity was less important during the past decade as record low shipping rates (coming at least in part from record low energy costs) brought competition from Moroccan phosphates and Belarus potash. Since fertilizer increases crop yields on a cost-efficient basis, it is a critical farming ingredient in the long term as improved diets around

the world drive demand for food from finite arable land. We did not expect the dramatic acceleration in our thesis as the war simultaneously cut off major exports of grain from Russia and Ukraine while sanctions suppressed fertilizer shipments from Belarus. Mosaic was performing extremely well before the war. We expect concerns around reliance on Russian suppliers to accelerate growth trends for the foreseeable future.

APA Corporation, the parent company of Apache Inc., was our largest position at the start of the year and was the second biggest performance contributor, jumping +54.32% in the quarter. Like Mosaic, APA had already benefited from the rising commodity prices prior to the Ukraine invasion. Those inflationary pressures were exacerbated with the sanctions against Russian oil. Poor performance of oil and gas exploration and production companies over the last decade have simultaneously reduced capital expenditures in the industry as well as caused significant selling of US energy stocks. We believe an insufficient amount of capital has been invested to meet the global energy demand for petroleum products for at least the next five years. In our view, the current share price of APA represents less than the value of the company’s proven reserves with only an option value assigned to its exploratory wells off the coast of Suriname. If these Suriname properties prove productive, our investment in APA will be worth significantly more than today.

Meanwhile, our largest detractor was flooring manufacturer Mohawk Industries, Inc. (MHK) which declined -31.83% in the quarter. Mohawk faced the triple headwinds of higher petroleum input cost, concerns about declining housing activity and modest Russian operations. Additionally, Lazard Ltd. (LAZ) fell -19.97% during the period on expectations of lower M&A activity.

As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you and welcome any questions or comments you might have.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Charles K. Bobrinskoy

Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     11

Ariel Focus Fund performance summary

 

   

INCEPTION: 06/30/05

 

 

  

 

LOGO
Charles K. Bobrinskoy
Portfolio manager

Composition of equity holdings (%)

 

     Ariel
Focus
Fund		    Russell
1000
Value
Index		    S&P
500
Index		  

Financials

   

21.66

   

20.23

   

 

10.66

 

Industrials

   

20.01

   

12.75

   

 

12.13

 

Consumer Discretionary

   

15.83

   

  8.96

   

 

15.40

 

Health Care

   

14.37

   

16.95

   

 

12.95

 

Basic Materials

   

10.82

   

  2.81

   

 

  1.91

 

Energy

   

  7.56

   

  7.18

   

 

  3.99

 

Technology

   

  3.50

   

  7.88

   

 

29.12

 

Consumer Staples

   

  2.51

   

  7.43

   

 

  5.33

 

Utilities

   

  0.00

   

  5.90

   

 

  2.97

 

Telecommunications

   

  0.00

   

  4.96

   

 

  2.80

 

Real Estate

   

  0.00

   

  4.95

   

 

  2.72

 

Sector weightings for the Fund are calculated based on equity holdings as a percentage of total net assets.

Average annual total returns (%) as of 3/31/2022

 

 

     Quarter      1-year      3-year      5-year      10-year      Since
inception		  

  Ariel Focus Fund–Investor Class

   

 

3.97

 

   

 

8.14

 

   

 

14.22

 

   

 

9.53

 

   

 

9.95

 

   

 

6.97

 

  Ariel Focus Fund–Institutional Class+

  

 

4.03

 

   

 

8.40

 

   

 

14.51

 

   

 

9.81

 

   

 

10.22

 

   

 

7.14

 

  Russell 1000® Value Index

   

 

-0.74

 

   

 

11.67

 

   

 

13.02

 

   

 

10.29

 

   

 

11.70

 

   

 

8.26

 

  S&P 500® Index

   

 

-4.60

 

   

 

15.65

 

   

 

18.92

 

   

 

15.99

 

   

 

14.64

 

   

 

10.52

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. To access performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit arielinvestments.com.

Growth of a $10,000 investment since inception (Investor Class)

 

LOGO

The graph and performance table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

Expense ratio (as of 9/30/21)

 

   

Net

 

    

Gross

 

  

  Investor Class

   

 

1.00

% 

  

 

1.20%

 

  Institutional Class

   

 

0.75

% 

  

 

0.86%

 

Currently, expense ratio caps of 1.00% for the Investor Class and 0.75% for the Institutional Class are in place to waive fees and reimburse certain expenses that exceed these caps. Ariel Investments, LLC (the Adviser) is contractually obligated to maintain these expense ratio caps through 9/30/23.

 

Top ten equity holdings (% of net assets)

 

             
 1.   APA Corp.   7.6       6.     Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   4.2
 2.   Mosaic Co.   6.9       7.     Madison Square Garden Ent. Corp.   4.2
 3.   BorgWarner, Inc.   4.8       8.     Barrick Gold Corp.   4.0
 4.   BOK Financial Corp.   4.3       9.     Snap-on, Inc.   3.9
 5.   Lockheed Martin Corp.   4.2       10.     Resideo Technologies, Inc.   3.7         

 

 
+ 

The inception date for the Institutional Class shares is December 30, 2011. Performance information for the Institutional Class prior to that date reflects the actual performance of the Fund’s Investor Class (and uses the actual expenses of the Fund’s Investor Class, for such period of time), without any adjustments. For any such period of time, the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Class would have been substantially similar to, yet higher than, the performance of the Fund’s Investor Class, because the shares of both classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes bear different expenses, which are primarily differences in distribution and service fees.

 

 

12    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

LOGO

 

LOGO

Rupal J. Bhansali

Chief Investment Officer

International and Global Equities

Average annual total returns as of 03/31/22

 

                                                                                                                 
    

1Q22

 

     

1-year

 

     

3-year

 

     

5-year

 

     

10-year

 

    

Since
inception*    

 

  

  Ariel International Fund

   

 

-2.02

% 

   

 

2.01

% 

   

 

4.76

% 

   

 

3.78

% 

   

 

5.01

% 

  

 

5.40

% 

  MSCI EAFE Index

   

 

-5.91

 

   

 

1.16

 

   

 

7.78

 

   

 

6.72

 

   

 

6.27

 

  

 

7.19

 

  MSCI ACWI ex-US Index

   

 

-5.44

 

   

 

-1.48

 

   

 

7.51

 

   

 

6.76

 

   

 

5.55

 

  

 

6.51

 

  MSCI EAFE Value Index

   

 

0.33

 

   

 

3.55

 

   

 

5.23

 

   

 

4.18

 

   

 

4.87

 

  

 

5.70

 

  MSCI ACWI ex-US Value Index

   

 

0.13

 

   

 

3.31

 

   

 

5.44

 

   

 

4.67

 

   

 

4.24

 

  

 

5.17

 

* The inception date for Ariel International Fund is 12/30/11.

Average annual total returns as of 03/31/22

 

                                                                                                                 
    

1Q22

 

     

1-year

 

     

3-year

 

     

5-year

 

     

10-year

 

    

Since
inception*    

 

  

  Ariel Global Fund

   

 

0.11

% 

   

 

7.87

% 

   

 

8.53

% 

   

 

7.45

% 

   

 

8.00

% 

  

 

8.33

% 

  MSCI ACWI Index

   

 

-5.36

 

   

 

7.28

 

   

 

13.75

 

   

 

11.64

 

   

 

10.00

 

  

 

10.95

 

  MSCI ACWI Value Index

   

 

-0.95

 

   

 

8.83

 

   

 

9.02

 

   

 

7.46

 

   

 

7.64

 

  

 

8.50

 

* The inception date for the Ariel Global Fund is 12/30/11.

Performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains and represents returns of the Investor Class shares. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. Performance data current to the most recent month-end for Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund may be obtained by visiting our website, arielinvestments.com.

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     13

DEAR FELLOW SHAREHOLDER:

The MSCI ACWI Index started 2022 in the red delivering its worst quarter of performance in two years. As the global economy seeks to place the pandemic in its rear-view mirror, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine introduced new shocks as markets were digesting the impacts of soaring inflation, a hawkish pivot by the Fed and concerns over the outlook for China. Ripple effects from higher energy prices have extended to other goods and services, increasing cost pressures and further disrupting already rattled supply chains. However, as conditions deteriorated, our Funds began to outperform their primary benchmarks. Although we lagged the dramatic rally in cyclicals that began in late 2020 and persisted throughout 2021, our risk-aware portfolio positioning better protected capital during the recent downturn. While our low portfolio turnover illustrates the merits of our patient approach, we credit our relative outperformance to our avoidance of the 4Ls: Lofty Valuations, Loss Making Companies, Leveraged Balance Sheets and Liquidity Risk.

LOFTY VALUATIONS

As we discussed in prior quarterly letters, the global economy’s rebound from the March 2020 low through last December was undeniable. With unprecedented fiscal support and interest rates at all-time lows, the MSCI ACWI and S&P 500 indexes surged to new highs in record time and corporate profits shined, propelling equity valuations past historic peaks. We discussed the high relative valuations of cyclicals versus defensives, the outperformance of growth relative to value, as well as how US stock returns versus the rest of the world have continued to widen over the last decade. By contrast, since our investment approach focuses on seeking a margin of safety1 as evaluated by discount to intrinsic worth, our global portfolios are currently overweight defensive sectors, such as Health Care and Communications relative to cyclicals, with greater international exposure. Our research also revealed favorable entry points within developing economies, where deeply discounted valuations in certain sectors, such as financials, continue to present compelling investment opportunities when weighing the risk and reward.

LOSS MAKING COMPANIES

At the core of every stock thesis is our differentiated process that considers the upside and downside potential for a name. As we scour the globe for high-quality companies with sustainable business models with stable or improving returns on invested capital, we discovered a growing percentage of unprofitable companies, particularly within the technology sector and amongst new issues (IPOs). Interestingly, money-losing tech stocks have been a positive contributor to overall returns across the Growth and Tech indices until this quarter.2 Meanwhile, in recent years roughly 80% of IPOs lacked profitability, a level not seen since the peak of the Dot Com Bubble two decades ago.3 Our concentrated portfolios avoid the risks associated with such businesses and instead are comprised of diversified holdings across profitable, well-established franchises with strong competitive positions and durable cost advantages.

LEVERAGED BALANCE SHEETS

Central banks in the world’s largest economies helped mitigate the economic fallout of both the coronavirus pandemic and the 2008 Financial Crisis through fiscal stimulus and monetary relief packages. The unconventional expansion in money supply, which began as quantitative easing, resulted in record low interest rates. These actions drove investment in riskier assets with higher yields, including stocks, junk bonds, real estate and commodities, as easy money policies distorted the hurdle rate companies and investors use to determine whether an investment is worth the risk/return. Lower capital costs also provided an incentive for corporations to access debt markets to fund acquisitions and/or repurchase shares already selling at inflated prices. Meanwhile, investment grade (IG) markets quadrupled in size since 2007, with approximately 50% of the Bloomberg US Corporate Bond Index consisting of BBB rated debt—the last rung of high-grade issues.4 Taking this one step further, today, the BBB segment of the corporate bond market stands at 5x the size of the BB tranche.5 This raises questions about the junk bond market’s ability to absorb additional supply without a collapse in pricing if there are large scale downgrades from BBB into high yield.

 

 

1

Attempting to purchase with a margin of safety on price cannot protect investors from the volatility associated with stocks, incorrect assumptions or estimations on our part, declining fundamentals or external forces.”

 

2

“Tech stocks: Challenged, but not all created equal.” Principal Global. 14 Jan 2022. https://www.principalglobal.com/knowledge/insights/tech-stocks- challenged-not-all-created-equal

 

3

BofA Research Investment Committee [@Isabelnet_SA]. “More and more unprofitable companies are going public.” Twitter, 11 February 2021, 6:15 AM, https://twitter.com/isabelnet_sa/status/1359868723327344643?lang=es.

 

 

14    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

With inflation rising at its fastest pace in 40 years, corporate earnings growth has begun to face headwinds as pricing pressures climb across supply side factors, including production costs and operating expenditures. To prevent the economy from overheating, policymakers have begun to raise rates. This upward movement will further impact corporate profits, as greater debt servicing costs weigh on the bottom-line. Taken together, we believe these factors are an increasing source of vulnerability for market multiples within the context of various valuation methods. Consequently, our bottom-up fundamental research is laser-focused on the growth and return prospect of a business, as well as the fortitude and resilience of its balance sheet.

LIQUIDITY RISK

While analyzing whether a company has cash flow to fund its liabilities is one way we assess liquidity, evaluating how easily shares can be bought or sold in the market is another area we closely consider. Index funds have experienced massive inflows in recent years, highlighting a shift towards a growing number of price agnostic market participants. Passive strategies buy stocks in the same proportion as the indexes they track with no regard for stock price or fundamental security analysis. Research has shown “as bull markets run, cap weighted indexes tend to become more concentrated in a handful of sectors and stocks. These same sectors and stocks tend to account for a disproportionate amount of the markets gains.”6

However, during bear markets, flows tend to reverse, at least cyclically for risk assets. We saw a version of this play out in March 2020 when the stock market see-sawed from bull-to-bear status in just 20 days—“the fastest 20% drop in history.”7 Volatility reigned and liquidity for many of the large capitalization companies within the index dried up as markets went risk-off. Stock prices fell fast to bridge the large bid/ask spread between active fundamental investors on the buy-side and passive ones on the sell-side. As the correction unfolded, many passive strategies realized larger losses due to their greater concentration of equities held within the indexes.

This phenomenon could play out again, particularly since growth and cyclical valuations are trading at or near historic peaks. We believe the high active share of our portfolios helps side-step large bid/ask liquidity risk.

ACTIVELY AWARE

While markets may change from one period to the next, our investment process remains the same. Risk management is embedded in every step—regardless of the market backdrop. Although uncertainty is high and volatility is likely to remain elevated, we believe our global portfolios will drive strong longer-term performance, as they are heavily weighted towards undervalued, higher dividend yielding and better quality defensive holdings.

“While markets may change from one period to the next, our investment process remains the same.”

As Ben Graham once said, “in the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine.”

As always, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you and welcome any questions or comments you might have.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rupal J. Bhansali

Chief Investment Officer

International and Global Equities

 

 

4

2022 Morgan Stanley Credit Strategy Chartbook. Morgan Stanley. 1 April 2022.

5

2022 Deutsche Bank U.S. Credit Strategy. Deutsche Bank Research. 8 April 2022.

6

Johnson, Ben. “Is market-cap indexing a form of momentum investing.” TEBI. 24 February 2020. https://www.evidenceinvestor.com/is-market-cap-indexing-a-form-of-momentum-investing/

7

Winck, Ben. “The Dow plunged into a bear market in just 20 days – the fastest 20% drop in history.” BusinessInsider. March 12, 2020.

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     15

Ariel International Fund performance summary

 

   

INCEPTION: 12/30/11

 

 

  

 

 

LOGO

Rupal J. Bhansali

Portfolio manager

Composition of equity holdings (%)

 

               MSCI
     Ariel    MSCI    ACWI
     International    EAFE    ex-US
    

Fund

 

   

Index

 

   

Index

 

Health Care

   

17.82

   

13.05

   

  9.37

Financials

   

17.51

   

17.71

   

20.56

Communication Services

   

15.15

   

  4.85

   

  6.16

Consumer Staples

   

12.36

   

10.19

   

  8.43

Consumer Discretionary

   

11.99

   

11.54

   

11.08

Utilities

   

10.63

   

  3.39

   

  3.18

Information
Technology

   

  3.40

   

  8.60

   

12.21

Industrials

   

  2.86

   

15.40

   

12.23

Energy

   

  0.51

   

  4.14

   

  5.39

Real Estate

   

  0.09

   

  2.89

   

  2.47

Materials

   

  0.00

   

  8.23

   

  8.92

Sector weightings for the Fund are calculated based on equity holdings as a percentage of total net assets. The sectors above are the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sector classifications.

Average annual total returns (%) as of 3/31/2022

 

   

Quarter

 

    

1-year

 

    

3-year

 

    

5-year

 

    

10-year

 

    

 

Since
inception

 

  

Ariel International Fund–Investor Class

     -2.02         2.01         4.76         3.78         5.01         5.40    

Ariel International Fund–Institutional Class

     -2.00         2.24         5.00         4.05         5.27         5.65    

MSCI EAFE Index (net)

  

 

-5.91  

 

  

 

1.16  

 

  

 

7.78  

 

  

 

6.72  

 

  

 

6.27  

 

  

 

7.19  

 

MSCI ACWI ex-US Index (net)

  

 

-5.44  

 

  

 

-1.48  

 

  

 

7.51  

 

  

 

6.76  

 

  

 

5.55  

 

  

 

6.51  

 

MSCI EAFE Value Index (net)

  

 

0.33  

 

  

 

3.55  

 

  

 

5.23  

 

  

 

4.18  

 

  

 

4.87  

 

  

 

5.70  

 

MSCI ACWI ex-US Value Index (net)

  

 

0.13  

 

  

 

3.31  

 

  

 

5.44  

 

  

 

4.67  

 

  

 

4.24  

 

  

 

5.17  

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. To access performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit arielinvestments.com.

Growth of a $10,000 investment since inception (Investor Class)

 

LOGO

The graph and performance table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

Expense ratio (as of 9/30/21)

     Net                Gross           

Investor Class

   

 

1.13

% 

           

 

1.30%

 

         

Institutional Class

   

 

0.88

% 

           

 

0.93%

 

   

 

        

 

The net expense ratio reflects a contractual advisory fee waiver agreement effective through September 30, 2023. Prior to November 29, 2016, the fee waiver was 1.25% of net assets for the Investor Class and 1.00% for the Institutional Class, and, prior to February 1, 2014, the fee waiver was 1.40% for the Investor Class and 1.15% for the Institutional Class.

Top ten companies (% of net assets)

 

1.   Deutsche Boerse AG   8.1     6.     Nintendo Co., Ltd.   5.3           
2.   Roche Holding AG   8.1     7.     Michelin (CGDE)   4.6  
3.   GlaxoSmithKline plc   6.2     8.     Endesa SA   4.4  
4.   Philip Morris Intl, Inc.   5.9     9.     Snam SpA   4.3  
5.   Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   5.4     10.     Baidu, Inc.   3.7  

For the purposes of determining the Fund’s top ten, securities of the same issuer are aggregated and, if held as depositary receipts, it is not so specified. This list excludes ETFs if held.

Top ten country weightings (% of net assets)

 

  Japan

              14.82             

United States

              6.80          

  Germany

      12.85             

Netherlands

      5.37          

  United Kingdom

      10.52             

Italy

      4.95          

  Switzerland

      9.44             

Spain

      4.93          

  France

      8.25             

China

      4.14          
 

 

 

16    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Ariel Global Fund performance summary

 

   

INCEPTION: 12/30/11

 

 

  

 

LOGO

Rupal J. Bhansali

Portfolio manager

Composition of equity holdings (%)

 

    

Ariel

Global

Fund

    MSCI
ACWI
Index  

Health Care

   

25.86

   

11.86  

Information Technology

   

17.04

   

22.37  

Financials

   

13.65

   

14.59  

Communication Services

   

12.46

   

  8.13  

Consumer Staples

   

  9.96

   

  6.89  

Consumer Discretionary

   

  8.18

   

11.68  

Utilities

   

  4.89

   

  2.87  

Real Estate

   

  2.51

   

  2.72  

Industrials

   

  1.16

   

  9.52  

Materials

   

  0.00

   

  5.04  

Energy

   

  0.00

   

  4.33  

Sector weightings for the Fund are calculated based on equity holdings as a percentage of total net assets. The sectors above are the Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) sector classifications.

Average annual total returns (%) as of 3/31/2022

 

   

Quarter

 

    

1-year

 

    

3-year

 

    

5-year

 

    

10-year

 

    

 

Since
inception

 

  

Ariel Global Fund–Investor Class

     0.11         7.87         8.53         7.45         8.00         8.33    

Ariel Global Fund–Institutional Class

     0.11         8.07         8.79         7.70         8.27         8.60    

MSCI ACWI Index (net)

  

 

-5.36  

 

  

 

7.28  

 

  

 

13.75  

 

  

 

11.64  

 

  

 

10.00  

 

  

 

10.95  

 

MSCI ACWI Value Index (net)

  

 

-0.95  

 

  

 

8.83  

 

  

 

9.02  

 

  

 

7.46  

 

  

 

7.64  

 

  

 

8.50  

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. All performance assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Any extraordinary performance shown for short-term periods may not be sustainable and is not representative of the performance over longer periods. To access performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit arielinvestments.com.

Growth of a $10,000 investment since inception (Investor Class)

 

LOGO

The graph and performance table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

 

Expense ratio (as of 9/30/21)    Net     Gross          

  Investor Class

   

 

1.13

% 

  

 

1.36%

 

         

  Institutional Class

   

 

0.88

% 

  

 

0.95%

 

   

 

        

 

The net expense ratio reflects a contractual advisory fee waiver agreement effective through September 30, 2023. Prior to November 29, 2016, the fee waiver was 1.25% of net assets for the Investor Class and 1.00% for the Institutional Class, and, prior to February 1, 2014, the fee waiver was 1.40% for the Investor Class and 1.15% for the Institutional Class.

 

Top ten companies (% of net assets)
 1.    Microsoft Corp.   10.2      6.    Gilead Sciences, Inc.   5.0    
 2.    Roche Holding AG     7.3      7.    Credicorp Ltd.   4.4    
 3.    GlaxoSmithKline plc     6.1      8.    Johnson & Johnson   3.9    
 4.    Philip Morris Intl, Inc.     5.6      9.    Endesa SA   3.3    
 5.    Baidu, Inc.     5.3      10.    Deutsche Boerse AG   3.2    

For the purposes of determining the Fund’s top ten, securities of the same issuer are aggregated and, if held as depositary receipts, it is not so specified. This list excludes ETFs if held.

 

Top ten country weightings (% of net assets)

         

  United States

              36.29             

France

              5.12          

  Switzerland

      8.26             

Brazil

      4.51          

  United Kingdom

      7.94             

Peru

      4.35          

  China

      6.91             

Germany

      4.02          

  Japan

      6.73             

Spain

      3.33          
 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM    17

LOGO

 

LOGO      LOGO   

John P. Miller, CFA®

 

Senior Vice President

 

Portfolio Manager

 

 

 

 

One of the largest casino entertainment companies in the country, Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) has served customers since 1975. Boyd owns and operates 28 gaming properties in 10 states across the U.S. In Nevada, the company is a market leader outside of the Las Vegas Strip, with 11 properties serving residents in the broader metropolitan area. Boyd prides itself on its proprietary approach to exceptional customer service and guest experience, which the company has coined: “Boyd Style.”

Ariel initiated a position in Boyd Gaming in December 2021. We believe the company is a solid operator with attractive fundamentals in a growing industry. It is rebounding from the pandemic with momentum, posting record operating results that have exceeded estimates. Additionally, Boyd’s successful expense-reduction initiatives have led to high margins, strong free cash flow and efficient debt reduction.

STRATEGIC FOOTPRINT

We view the Las Vegas Valley region as one of the most attractive global entertainment markets for investors. Boyd’s targeted marketing campaigns reach tourists from Hawaii, who account for more than half of the company’s reservations. Additionally, its Midwest and South properties include 17 land-based and dockside riverboat casinos across nine states. Despite high competition and regulatory uncertainty, these geographies continue to drive impressive results for Boyd.

ATTRACTIVE BALANCE SHEET

Ariel applauds the Boyd management team for its enhanced focus on: improving operating profitability; creating strong recurring cash flow; and implementing effective cost-reduction programs. The company’s financial leverage has declined significantly from pre-pandemic levels, following an effective effort to strengthen its balance sheet and capital structure. While its net debt surged during the

pandemic to 7.3x operating cash flow in 2020, Boyd ended 2021 with leverage at less than 2.2x. The company’s debt was recently upgraded by one of the major rating agencies. Boyd’s enhanced profit outlook, solid free cash flow and improved financial leverage metrics have enabled its leadership to aggressively repurchase shares under a new program and to reinstate its quarterly dividend to an amount more than double its pre-pandemic level.

SEASONED MANAGEMENT TEAM

The company’s leaders bring extensive industry experience and a long history of collaboration. Bill Boyd, Co-Executive Chair of the Board, co-founded Boyd Gaming with his father, the legendary casino developer, Sam Boyd. The Boyd family owns 26% of the company. Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Steve Thompson, Executive Vice President of Operations for the Nevada region, joined the business over three decades ago. Ted Bogich, Executive Vice President of Operations, will be celebrating his 30th anniversary in two years. Ariel’s investment team has built a relationship with Boyd’s Chief Financial Officer, Josh Hirsberg, since his previous role as Treasurer of Caesars Entertainment over 15 years ago. Hirsberg and his colleagues exhibit a passion for the business, and are transparent and aligned with Boyd shareholders.

At its current price, we see Boyd as a compelling investment. Gaming—especially from slot play at casinos—is a more consistent source of long-term profitability, compared to food, beverage and hotel rooms. We believe the gaming segment will continue to be a significant portion of Boyd’s future revenues. Additionally, we believe that Boyd’s strategic partnerships (e.g., a 5% equity ownership in sports betting and online casino company, FanDuel Group) will provide more upside to the company’s valuation.

As of March 31, 2022, shares traded at $65.78, a 24% discount to our private market value of $87.

 

 

 

18    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

LOGO

 

LOGO    LOGO   

Aaron Diaz Bianco, JD/CFA®

 

Research Analyst

 

 

 

 

Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) is a leading global designer, manufacturer and distributor of home improvement and building products. For nearly a century, Masco has offered a robust family of brands from its Livonia, Michigan headquarters. Despite rising interest rates and fears of a housing slowdown, Masco is well-positioned to leverage several tailwinds for long-term growth. These include: the company’s recent divestitures; strong brand recognition; and demographic trends driving increased consumer interest.

MARKET LEADERSHIP ACROSS MULTIPLE SALES CHANNELS

Masco’s portfolio of brands includes: Behr®, Delta®, Hansgrohe®, AXOR® and KILZ®. The company’s scale and product mix across design, manufacturing, and distribution make it the ideal provider for two segments. Masco’s global presence and variety of services meet the needs of large retailers. Its luxury brands serve customers in the specialty channel. This unique combination has fostered strong organic growth. For example, Masco’s strategic partnership with Home Depot has created significant income from the professional painter audience—starting with immaterial revenues in 2010 to over $700 million in 2021.

REFINED BRAND PORTFOLIO IS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Rising interest rates have recently battered Masco’s shares, and the long shadow of the 2008-2009 financial crisis still challenges many companies with exposure to the housing market. However, Masco has made strategic changes to its portfolio, making it more resilient.

Masco recently sold its business lines that suffered most during the downturn. This enabled the company to focus on the brands that outperformed during the crisis. Its recently divested businesses—high-priced cabinetry, windows and specialty product lines—experienced a 68% peak-to-trough decline in sales in 2008-2009. This caused the businesses’ total operating margins to drop from the

mid-teens to -35%. Comparatively, Masco’s plumbing and decorative product brands—which comprise the current portfolio post-divestiture—saw a peak-to-trough revenue decline of -15% during the recession. While operating margins briefly fell from the low-teens to the high single-digits, they remained positive for these segments during this time period.

DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS FUEL GROWTH OPPORTUNITY

The pivotal demographic transition impending in the U.S. is a key growth driver. The Baby Boomer generation (born 1946-1964) can be expected to increase home improvement spending—whether they age-in-place, downsize or relocate. Generation X (born 1965-1980) are expected to upgrade their homes as their families grow. The “millennial” generation (born 1981-1996) is as large as the Baby Boomer population and can be expected to drive demand for new homes. On their heels is the largest cohort in U.S. history: Generation Z (born 1997-2012).

These shifts are occurring while housing is experiencing substantial wear-and-tear due to under-building during the 2010s. In the last decade, single-family home construction per million U.S. inhabitants slowed to half the rate of the prior five decades. This presents revenue opportunity for Masco’s brands.

Investor fears of a housing slowdown and under-appreciation for Masco’s recent business transformation have created a discount to our estimate of the company’s intrinsic value. In our view, shareholders who understand the company’s refined product portfolio will ultimately benefit from a category leader with scale, pricing power, relatively low capital requirements and a prudent capital allocation strategy. Masco should experience modest margin improvements through cost productivity and volume leverage. We believe Masco’s management team should have ample free cash flow to allocate in the future.

As of March 31, 2022, shares traded at $51.00, a 30% discount to our private market value of $72.87.

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     19

LOGO

 

LOGO      LOGO   

Jamil Soriano

 

Vice President, Research

 

 

 

 

Founded in 1937 and based in Mayfield, Ohio, Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) is one of the largest property and casualty automobile insurers in the United States. While Progressive is best known as a leader in personal car and truck coverage, the company also holds a strong position in the commercial auto market. Recently, Progressive acquired American Strategic Insurance Corporation, marking its first expansion into homeowners’ insurance. The company now offers a bundled home and automobile solution, distributing policies through digital direct-to-consumer channels and a vast network of over 30,000 independent agents. This updated model is difficult to replicate and strengthens Progressive’s competitive position.

BRAND MATTERS

Progressive stands out against peers due to its size, brand recognition, scale and underwriting expertise. Its sizable marketing budget keeps the company ahead of smaller players in a crowded direct-to-consumer market. Avid television watchers are likely familiar with “Flo,” Progressive’s comedic fictional saleswoman and advertising fixture for over a decade. The company also leverages superior data analytics to fuel sales and marketing innovation. For example, Progressive was the first insurer to use telematics – a method of monitoring automobiles using GPS technology to more accurately price policies and target customers. Since then, the company has developed industry-leading capabilities in collecting and analyzing this data. Progressive’s peers that lag in this area are more likely to experience underwriting losses. The company’s approach to data, combined with its strong brand identity provide distinct competitive advantages. For Progressive, these factors have yielded best-in-class results – both in losses to premiums earned and in return on equity.

 

POLICY RATE CHANGES TO OFFSET HEADWINDS

The company performed well in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. During widespread lockdowns, there were fewer drivers on the road. This meant less car accidents and insurance claims. These trends drove solid profitability and share price performance for Progressive. In the past year, drivers have returned to the roads, resulting in more accidents and claims. Strained global supply chains and inflation have made it more expensive to repair damaged vehicles, increasing payouts to customers. Progressive and other insurers have applied to state regulators for an increase to their policy rates to combat these margin headwinds. Although pricing changes may take time to materialize, the proposed increases should offset inflationary pressures on the industry and the company’s profitability should rebound in the long-term.

PRICING POWER REMAINS

Despite recent challenges, Ariel’s positive outlook on Progressive remains unchanged. The market agrees and the stock has outperformed, which is attributable to the company’s proactive pricing changes in a rising policy rate environment. Progressive’s larger scale and superior customer acquisition resources enable quicker pricing actions and ultimately faster shareholder returns than its peers. The company’s margins have already begun to stabilize over the last several months, indicating that its new rate strategy has succeeded. Progressive is prepared to navigate the moment. Insurance is a non-discretionary purchase for all vehicle and home owners, no matter what challenges the market may bring.

As of March 31, 2022, shares trade at $114, which is closing in on our estimated private market value of $116.23.

 

 

 

20    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Fund

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—96.34%                    Value    
     Consumer Discretionary—35.78%   

2,311,606

      Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.(a)      $192,579,896    

3,952,668

      Paramount Global      149,450,377  

4,063,521

      Adtalem Global Education, Inc.(a)(b)      120,727,209  

5,233,168

      Mattel, Inc.(a)      116,228,661  

3,309,681

      Gentex Corp.      96,543,395  

511,197

      Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.(a)      91,688,294  

1,385,115

      Boyd Gaming Corp.      91,112,865  

2,519,813

      Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.      89,327,371  

5,839,506

      Manchester United plc      84,497,652  

699,919

      Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(a)      58,639,214  

1,775,040

      Nielsen Holdings plc      48,352,090  
       

 

 

 

          1,139,147,024  
       

 

 

 

     Consumer Staples—2.91%   

684,955

      J.M. Smucker Co.      92,749,756  
       

 

 

 

     Energy—2.91%   

2,926,476

      Core Laboratories NV(b)      92,564,436  
       

 

 

 

     Financials—19.36%   

3,541,554

      Lazard Ltd., Class A      122,183,613  

901,127

      Northern Trust Corp.      104,936,239  

918,854

      BOK Financial Corp.      86,326,333  

1,239,905

      First American Financial Corp.      80,370,642  

568,624

      Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.      80,147,553  

1,299,885

      KKR & Co., Inc.      76,004,276  

1,903,797

      Janus Henderson Group plc      66,670,971  
       

 

 

 

          616,639,627  
       

 

 

 

     Health Care—6.58%   

1,910,485

      Envista Holdings Corp.(a)      93,059,724  

285,500

      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)      75,274,930  

75,945

      Charles River Laboratories Intl, Inc.(a)      21,566,102  

34,781

      Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.(a)      19,589,703  
       

 

 

 

          209,490,459  
       

 

 

 

     Industrials—20.72%   

835,901

      Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a)      103,818,904  

3,799,809

      Resideo Technologies, Inc.(a)      90,549,448  

3,431,959

      Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.(a)      84,357,552  

10,325,388

      ADT, Inc.      78,369,695  

2,738,532

      Kennametal, Inc.      78,349,400  

365,463

      Snap-on, Inc.      75,095,337  

1,322,197

      Masco Corp.      67,432,047  

175,675

      Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)      27,751,380  

252,747

      Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.      27,559,533  

63,674

      Zebra Technologies Corp.(a)      26,341,934  
       

 

 

 

          659,625,230  
       

 

 

 

     Real Estate—5.28%   

446,702

      JLL(a)      106,967,261  

668,303

      CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)      61,163,091  
       

 

 

 

          168,130,352  
       

 

 

 

     Utilities—2.80%   

1,516,457

      Stericycle, Inc.(a)      89,349,646  
       

 

 

 

     Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,147,018,608)      3,067,696,530  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   21

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Ariel Fund (continued)

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Short-Term Investments—3.93%                    Value    

124,988,177

      Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.12%(c)      $124,988,177  
       

 

 

 

     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $124,988,177)      124,988,177  
       

 

 

 

     Total Investments—100.27% (Cost $2,272,006,785)      3,192,684,707  
     Other Assets less Liabilities—(0.27)%      (8,616,922 ) 
       

 

 

 

     Net Assets—100.00%      $3,184,067,785  
       

 

 

 

       

 

Ariel Appreciation Fund

 

   
  
      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—96.35%                    Value    
     Consumer Discretionary—27.10%   

715,155

      Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.(a)      $59,579,563  

2,315,037

      Mattel, Inc.(a)      51,416,972  

906,814

      BorgWarner, Inc.      35,275,065  

343,584

      Omnicom Group, Inc.      29,163,410  

743,024

      Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.      26,340,201  

1,811,883

      Manchester United plc      26,217,947  

256,257

      CarMax, Inc.(a)      24,723,675  

132,057

      Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.(a)      23,685,744  

804,883

      Gentex Corp.      23,478,437  

947,465

      Knowles Corp.(a)      20,398,921  

727,902

      Nielsen Holdings plc      19,828,050  

49,044

      Vail Resorts, Inc.      12,764,682  
       

 

 

 

          352,872,667  
       

 

 

 

     Consumer Staples—6.70%   

887,361

      Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.      39,727,152  

477,400

      Molson Coors Brewing Co.      25,483,612  

162,594

      J.M. Smucker Co.      22,016,854  
       

 

 

 

          87,227,618  
       

 

 

 

     Energy—2.83%   

962,354

      Core Laboratories NV      30,439,257  

328,310

      NOV, Inc.      6,438,159  
       

 

 

 

          36,877,416  
       

 

 

 

     Financials—28.68%   

575,538

      BOK Financial Corp.      54,071,795  

456,897

      Northern Trust Corp.      53,205,656  

760,273

      Aflac, Inc.      48,953,978  

140,566

      Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      46,400,837  

507,925

      The Charles Schwab Corp.      42,823,157  

1,080,836

      Lazard Ltd., Class A      37,288,842  

537,273

      KKR & Co., Inc.      31,414,352  

430,811

      First American Financial Corp.      27,925,169  

222,055

      Progressive Corp.      25,312,049  

67,724

      Houlihan Lokey, Inc.      5,946,167  
       

 

 

 

          373,342,002  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

22   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Appreciation Fund (continued)

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—96.35%                    Value    
     Health Care—11.05%   

156,257

      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)      $41,198,721  

587,431

      Cardinal Health, Inc.      33,307,338    

222,872

      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      28,505,329  

523,957

      Envista Holdings Corp.(a)      25,521,945  

54,016

      Charles River Laboratories Intl, Inc.(a)      15,338,923  
       

 

 

 

          143,872,256  
       

 

 

 

     Industrials—15.46%   

1,272,700

      Kennametal, Inc.      36,411,947  

246,540

      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      34,463,827  

1,386,131

      Axalta Coating Systems, Ltd.(a)      34,071,100  

826,130

      nVent Electric plc      28,732,801  

114,822

      Snap-on, Inc.      23,593,625  

77,882

      Littelfuse, Inc.      19,424,550  

93,631

      Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)      14,790,889  

1,286,119

      ADT, Inc.      9,761,643  
       

 

 

 

          201,250,382  
       

 

 

 

     Real Estate—1.78%   

252,645

      CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)      23,122,070  
       

 

 

 

     Utilities—2.75%   

608,600

      Stericycle, Inc.(a)      35,858,712  
       

 

 

 

     Total Common Stocks (Cost $802,152,303)      1,254,423,123  
       

 

 

 

       
      Number of Shares        Short-Term Investments—2.92%    Value    

38,030,532

      Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.12%(c)      $38,030,532  
       

 

 

 

     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $38,030,532)      38,030,532  
       

 

 

 

     Total Investments—99.27% (Cost $840,182,835)      1,292,453,655  
     Other Assets less Liabilities—0.73%      9,558,414  
       

 

 

 

     Net Assets—100.00%      $1,302,012,069  
       

 

 

 

  

 

Ariel Focus Fund

 

   
       
      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—96.26%                    Value    
     Basic Materials—10.82%   

76,126

      Mosaic Co.      $5,062,379  

119,404

      Barrick Gold Corp.      2,928,980  
       

 

 

 

          7,991,359  
       

 

 

 

     Consumer Discretionary—15.83%   

90,177

      BorgWarner, Inc.      3,507,885  

37,109

      Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.(a)      3,091,551  

54,473

      Nielsen Holdings plc      1,483,844  

7,216

      Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.(a)      1,294,262  

18,565

      Boyd Gaming Corp.      1,221,206  

28,762

      Paramount Global      1,087,491  
       

 

 

 

          11,686,239  
       

 

 

 

     Consumer Staples—2.51%   

13,686

      J.M. Smucker Co.      1,853,221  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   23

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Focus Fund (continued)

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—96.26%                    Value    
     Energy—7.56%   

135,092

      APA Corp.      $5,583,352  
       

 

 

 

     Financials—21.66%   

34,004

      BOK Financial Corp.      3,194,676    

9,376

      Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.      3,095,018  

22,332

      Northern Trust Corp.      2,600,561  

63,960

      Lazard Ltd., Class A      2,206,620  

40,643

      Bank of New York Mellon Corp.      2,017,112  

26,654

      First American Financial Corp.      1,727,712  

19,732

      KKR & Co., Inc.      1,153,730  
       

 

 

 

          15,995,429  
       

 

 

 

     Health Care—14.37%   

10,111

      Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)      2,665,866  

13,891

      Johnson & Johnson      2,461,902  

83,249

      Zimvie, Inc.(a)      1,901,407  

14,154

      Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.      1,810,297  

96,625

      Hanger, Inc.(a)      1,771,136  
       

 

 

 

          10,610,608  
       

 

 

 

     Industrials—20.01%   

7,019

      Lockheed Martin Corp.      3,098,187  

13,891

      Snap-on, Inc.      2,854,323  

113,198

      Resideo Technologies, Inc.(a)      2,697,508  

140,431

      Western Union Co.      2,631,677  

18,758

      Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a)      2,329,744  

8,344

      Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.      1,166,408  
       

 

 

 

          14,777,847  
       

 

 

 

     Technology—3.50%   

31,219

      Oracle Corp.      2,582,748  
       

 

 

 

     Total Common Stocks (Cost $49,376,535)      71,080,803  
       

 

 

 

       
      Number of Shares        Short-Term Investments—4.76%                    Value    

3,515,389

      Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.12%(c)      $3,515,389  
       

 

 

 

     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,515,389)      3,515,389  
       

 

 

 

     Total Investments—101.02% (Cost $52,891,924)      74,596,192  
     Other Assets less Liabilities—(1.02)%      (751,374 ) 
       

 

 

 

     Net Assets—100.00%      $73,844,818  
       

 

 

 

       

 

Ariel International Fund

 

   
  
      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—92.32%                    Value    
     Belgium—0.36%   

37,429

      KBC Group NV      $2,685,502  
       

 

 

 

     Brazil—2.18%   

780,942

      Telefonica Brasil SA ADR      8,785,598  

836,511

      BB Seguridade Participacoes SA ADR      4,458,604  

215,005

      TIM SA of Brazil ADR      3,117,572  
       

 

 

 

          16,361,774  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

24   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel International Fund (continued)

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—92.32%                    Value  
     Canada—0.34%   

265,126

      Element Fleet Management Corp.      $2,566,112  
       

 

 

 

     China—4.14%   

209,095

      Baidu, Inc. ADR(a)      27,663,269    

75,862

      Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR(a)      1,753,929  

1,130,353

      TravelSky Technology Ltd.      1,621,541  
       

 

 

 

          31,038,739  
       

 

 

 

     Denmark—0.94%   

274,285

      H Lundbeck A/S      6,319,810  

6,785

      Novo Nordisk A/S      752,566  
       

 

 

 

          7,072,376  
       

 

 

 

     Finland—2.24%   

2,530,165

      Nokia Corp.(a)      13,933,674  

516,740

      Nokia Corp. ADR(a)      2,821,400  
       

 

 

 

          16,755,074  
       

 

 

 

     France—8.25%   

256,046

      Michelin (CGDE)      34,698,224  

167,221

      BNP Paribas SA      9,555,789  

79,450

      Sanofi      8,122,940  

54,318

      Thales SA      6,802,549  

14,569

      Safran SA      1,715,289  

18,525

      Societe BIC SA      935,941  
       

 

 

 

          61,830,732  
       

 

 

 

     Germany—12.85%   

337,667

      Deutsche Boerse AG      60,783,732  

9,940,659

      Telefonica Deutschland Holding      27,036,565  

25,335

      Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG      6,773,052  

24,921

      Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA      1,669,977  
       

 

 

 

          96,263,326  
       

 

 

 

     Hong Kong—1.26%   

969,000

      CLP Holdings Ltd.      9,428,270  
       

 

 

 

     Italy—4.95%   

5,552,969

      Snam SpA      32,021,484  

785,424

      Italgas SpA      5,038,859  
       

 

 

 

          37,060,343  
       

 

 

 

     Japan—14.82%   

78,800

      Nintendo Co., Ltd.      39,775,250  

664,500

      Bridgestone Corp.      25,793,088  

1,559,400

      Subaru Corp.      24,767,939  

148,000

      Secom Co., Ltd.      10,706,604  

204,700

      Japan Tobacco, Inc.      3,495,781  

102,100

      Sankyo Co., Ltd.      2,831,452  

69,100

      Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.      1,732,019  

39,900

      Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.      1,242,086  

6,700

      Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.      711,168  
       

 

 

 

          111,055,387  
       

 

 

 

     Luxembourg—0.34%   

45,195

      RTL Group      2,505,769  
       

 

 

 

     Netherlands—5.37%   

1,250,306

      Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV      40,216,737  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   25

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

 

   

 

Ariel International Fund (continued)

 

   

 

      Number of Shares        Common Stocks—92.32%                    Value    
     Peru—2.34%   

102,037

      Credicorp Ltd.      $17,537,099  
       

 

 

 

     Portugal—0.11%   

33,192

      Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA      796,274    
       

 

 

 

     Singapore—0.14%   

141,300

      Singapore Exchange Ltd.      1,035,510  
       

 

 

 

     Spain—4.93%   

1,520,891

      Endesa SA      33,160,957  

446,708

      Tecnicas Reunidas SA(a)      3,805,447  
       

 

 

 

          36,966,404  
       

 

 

 

     Switzerland—9.44%   

152,792

      Roche Holding AG      60,453,967  

82,054

      Novartis AG      7,203,648  

23,346

      Nestle SA      3,035,416  

517

      Novartis AG ADR      45,367  
       

 

 

 

          70,738,398  
       

 

 

 

     United Kingdom—10.52%   

2,157,793

      GlaxoSmithKline plc      46,688,072  

6,287,185

      Direct Line Insurance Group plc      22,655,073  

2,837,917

      Vodafone Group plc      4,653,577  

155,403

      Close Brothers Group plc      2,419,002  

15,386

      Reckitt Benckiser Group plc      1,173,736  

37,042

      St. James’s Place plc      698,368  

7,815

      AstraZeneca plc ADR      518,447  
       

 

 

 

          78,806,275  
       

 

 

 

     United States—6.80%   

466,874

      Philip Morris Intl, Inc.      43,858,144  

51,474

      Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)      7,116,795  
       

 

 

 

          50,974,939  
       

 

 

 

     Total Common Stocks (Cost $580,286,475)      691,695,040  
       

 

 

 

       
      Number of Shares        Short-Term Investments—3.65%    Value    

27,352,573

      Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.12%(c)      $27,352,573  
       

 

 

 

     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $27,352,573)      27,352,573  
       

 

 

 

     Total Investments—95.97% (Cost $607,639,048)      719,047,613  
     Cash, Foreign Currency, Other Assets less Liabilities—4.03%      30,212,506  
       

 

 

 

     Net Assets—100.00%      $749,260,119  
       

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

26   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel International Fund (continued)

 

   

 

Open Forward Currency Contracts as of March 31, 2022

 

    Contract

    Settlement

    Date

 

   

Counterparty

 

     

Currency to
be Received

 

     

Amount to be
Received

 

     

Currency to
be Delivered

 

     

Amount to
be Delivered

 

     

Unrealized  
Appreciation  
(Depreciation)  

 

Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Appreciation

 

         

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        USD        19,620,450        CNY        124,926,346        $44,851    

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        AUD        12,324,336        EUR        8,291,143        36,151  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        NOK        10,057,756        EUR        1,021,694        8,485  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        SEK        23,912,392        EUR        2,217,036        88,490  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        AUD        49,833,157        USD        36,717,070        619,421  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        NOK        27,142,161        USD        3,019,205        62,307  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        SEK        114,116,891        USD        11,586,224        573,160  

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        SGD        2,741,186        USD        2,015,000        7,456  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal UBS AG

                     1,440,321  
                 

 

 

 

10/06/2022

      Northern Trust        SEK        50,558,768        USD        5,140,437        246,701  

10/06/2022

      Northern Trust        SGD        7,619,488        USD        5,599,518        22,165  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal Northern Trust

                     268,866  
                 

 

 

 

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        1,036,951        CNY        6,604,063        2,114  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal JPMorgan Chase

                     2,114  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal - Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Appreciation

 

         $1,711,301  
                 

 

 

 

Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Depreciation

 

         

10/06/2022

      UBS AG        GBP        22,391,858        USD        29,585,309        (178,730)  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal UBS AG

                     (178,730)  
                 

 

 

 

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        1,451,820        CAD        1,853,592        (30,607)  

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        JPY        1,203,274,659        CNY        66,915,731        (582,611)  

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        SGD        1,618,866        EUR        1,085,288        (9,538)  

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        24,346,586        EUR        22,223,386        (306,474)  

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        GBP        1,666,251        USD        2,202,560        (14,321)  

10/06/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        JPY        3,616,093,901        USD        31,576,973        (1,816,698)  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal JPMorgan Chase

                     (2,760,249)  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal - Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Depreciation

 

         $(2,938,979)  
                 

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Forward Currency Contracts

 

                        $(1,227,678)  
                 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   27

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Global Fund

 

   

 

        Number of Shares

 

     

Common Stocks—95.71%

 

  

                Value    

 

     Belgium—0.09%  

2,323

      KBC Group NV     $166,674    
      

 

 

 

     Brazil—4.51%  

730,288

      BB Seguridade Participacoes SA     3,920,598  

201,362

      Telefonica Brasil SA     2,270,744  

628,090

      TIM SA of Brazil     1,819,212  
      

 

 

 

         8,010,554  
      

 

 

 

     Canada—0.05%  

9,038

      Element Fleet Management Corp.     87,477  
      

 

 

 

     Chile—0.27%  

20,915

      Banco Santander-Chile ADR     472,470  
      

 

 

 

     China—6.91%  

70,794

      Baidu, Inc. ADR(a)     9,366,046  

86,008

      Trip.com Group Ltd. ADR(a)     1,988,505  

630,831

      TravelSky Technology Ltd.     904,955  
      

 

 

 

         12,259,506  
      

 

 

 

     Denmark—0.25%  

19,542

      H Lundbeck A/S     450,268  
      

 

 

 

     Finland—1.65%  

531,188

      Nokia Corp.(a)     2,925,264  
      

 

 

 

     France—5.12%  

41,901

      Michelin (CGDE)     5,678,239  

13,846

      Sanofi     1,415,610  

23,883

      BNP Paribas SA     1,364,786  

3,191

      Safran SA     375,694  

1,986

      Thales SA     248,718  
      

 

 

 

         9,083,047  
      

 

 

 

     Germany—4.02%  

31,720

      Deutsche Boerse AG     5,709,945  

306,912

      Telefonica Deutschland Holding     834,738  

2,211

      Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG     591,088  
      

 

 

 

         7,135,771  
      

 

 

 

     Hong Kong—0.51%  

93,000

      CLP Holdings Ltd.     904,880  
      

 

 

 

     Italy—1.05%  

323,326

      Snam SpA     1,864,476  
      

 

 

 

     Japan—6.73%  

8,550

      Nintendo Co., Ltd.     4,315,716  

78,400

      Bridgestone Corp.     3,043,157  

183,100

      Subaru Corp.     2,908,176  

19,700

      Secom Co., Ltd.     1,425,136  

14,500

      Japan Tobacco, Inc.     247,625  
      

 

 

 

         11,939,810  
      

 

 

 

     Mexico—0.37%  

160,350

      Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV     660,426  
      

 

 

 

     Netherlands—0.58%  

31,853

      Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV     1,024,568  
      

 

 

 

     Peru—4.35%  

44,920

      Credicorp Ltd.     7,720,400  
      

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

28   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Global Fund (continued)

 

   

 

          Number of Shares      Common Stocks—95.71%                   Value    
     South Africa—0.47%  

170,421

      Sanlam Ltd.     $838,988    
      

 

 

 

     South Korea—2.52%  

67,130

      KT&G Corp.     4,466,163  
      

 

 

 

     Spain—3.33%  

271,342

      Endesa SA     5,916,243  
      

 

 

 

     Switzerland—8.26%  

32,606

      Roche Holding AG     12,900,951  

8,119

      Nestle SA     1,055,622  

7,997

      Novartis AG     702,069  
      

 

 

 

         14,658,642  
      

 

 

 

     Taiwan—0.44%  

157,000

      Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.     787,644  
      

 

 

 

     United Kingdom—7.94%  

501,078

      GlaxoSmithKline plc     10,841,803  

534,478

      Direct Line Insurance Group plc     1,925,924  

313,480

      Vodafone Group plc     514,040  

20,970

      Vodafone Group plc ADR     348,521  

3,714

      Reckitt Benckiser Group plc     283,326  

11,068

      Close Brothers Group plc     172,284  
      

 

 

 

         14,085,898  
      

 

 

 

     United States—36.29%  

58,732

      Microsoft Corp.     18,107,663  

105,760

      Philip Morris Intl, Inc.     9,935,094  

150,305

      Gilead Sciences, Inc.     8,935,632  

39,252

      Johnson & Johnson     6,956,632  

157,792

      Equity Commonwealth(a)     4,451,312  

48,956

      Amdocs Ltd.     4,024,673  

50,498

      Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.     3,687,869  

51,897

      Verizon Communications, Inc.     2,643,633  

28,059

      NetApp, Inc.     2,328,897  

8,405

      Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.(a)     1,162,075  

24,350

      Tapestry, Inc.     904,603  

12,702

      U.S. Bancorp     675,111  

1,646

      Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)     580,890  
      

 

 

 

         64,394,084  
      

 

 

 

     Total Common Stocks (Cost $132,919,637)     169,853,253  
      

 

 

 

      
          Number of Shares      Short-Term Investments—1.10%                   Value    

1,959,290

      Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.12%(c)     $1,959,290  
      

 

 

 

     Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,959,290)     1,959,290  
      

 

 

 

     Total Investments—96.81% (Cost $134,878,927)     171,812,543  
     Cash, Foreign Currency, Other Assets less Liabilities—3.19%     5,656,485  
      

 

 

 

     Net Assets—100.00%     $177,469,028  
      

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   29

 

Schedules of investments

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

    

   

 

Ariel Global Fund (continued)

 

   

 

Open Forward Currency Contracts as of March 31, 2022

 

    Contract

    Settlement

    Date

    Counterparty      Currency to
be Received		      Amount to
be Received		      Currency to
be Delivered		      Amount to
be Delivered		      Unrealized  
Appreciation  
(Depreciation)  

Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Appreciation

 

         

06/10/2022

      UBS        USD        542,067        CHF        495,720        $3,931    

06/10/2022

      UBS        AUD        1,553,569        EUR        1,043,745        6,123  

06/10/2022

      UBS        CAD        1,064,165        EUR        761,334        6,505  

06/10/2022

      UBS        NOK        1,826,915        EUR        185,583        1,541  

06/10/2022

      UBS        USD        681,798        GBP        516,024        4,119  

06/10/2022

      UBS        USD        424,583        GBP        321,420        2,471  

06/10/2022

      UBS        SGD        742,095        USD        545,361        2,159  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal UBS

                     26,849  
                 

 

 

 

06/10/2022

      Northern Trust        USD        1,315,334        CHF        1,203,156        9,230  

06/10/2022

      Northern Trust        USD        3,283,723        CNH        20,907,956        7,506  

06/10/2022

      Northern Trust        SEK        2,403,675        GBP        185,007        13,152  

06/10/2022

      Northern Trust        CAD        485,764        USD        380,597        7,897  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal Northern Trust

                     37,785  
                 

 

 

 

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        AUD        1,159,567        CHF        780,754        21,223  

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        AUD        869,851        CHF        586,082        15,488  

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        CAD        4,237,739        CHF        3,037,408        91,865  

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        4,472,530        CHF        4,094,113        28,102  

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        6,663,447        GBP        5,040,940        43,326  

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        3,401,690        JPY        389,550,694        195,707  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal JPMorgan Chase

                     395,711  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal - Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Appreciation

 

         $460,345  
                 

 

 

 

Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Depreciation

 

         

06/10/2022

      JPMorgan Chase        USD        13,102,142        EUR        11,959,540        (164,929)  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal JPMorgan Chase

                     (164,929)  
                 

 

 

 

Subtotal - Open Forward Currency Contracts with Unrealized Depreciation

 

         $(164,929)  
                 

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Forward Currency Contracts

 

                        $295,416  
                 

 

 

 

(a)Non-income producing.

(b)Affiliated company (See Note Seven, Transactions with Affiliated Companies).

(c)The rate presented is the 7-day current yield as of March 31, 2022.

ADR American Depositary Receipt

A category may contain multiple industries as defined by the Global Industry Classification Standards.

 

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

 

 

30  SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Statements of assets & liabilities

 

     

 

 03/31/22 

 

 (UNAUDITED) 

 

    

 

 

     Ariel Fund      Ariel Appreciation Fund      Ariel Focus Fund   

Assets

       

Investments in Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value
(cost $1,964,306,490, $802,152,303 and $49,376,535, respectively)

      $2,854,404,885       $1,254,423,123         $71,080,803    

Investments in Affiliated Issuers, at Value (cost $182,712,118)

      213,291,645 (a)       —         —    

Short-Term Investments, at Value (cost $124,988,177, $38,030,532 and $3,515,389, respectively)

      124,988,177       38,030,532         3,515,389    

Dividends and Interest Receivable

      2,468,054       1,041,495         22,740    

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

      5,038,568       290,792         9,412    

Receivable for Securities Sold

      —       8,908,880         —    

Prepaid and Other Assets

      55,693       29,566         17,922    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Assets

      3,200,247,022       1,302,724,388         74,646,266    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Payable for Securities Purchased

      13,506,002       —         752,987    

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

      1,923,346       255,936         7,012    

Other Liabilities

      749,889       456,383         41,449    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

      16,179,237       712,319         801,448    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Assets

            $3,184,067,785       $1,302,012,069         $73,844,818    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Assets Consist of

       

Paid-in Capital

      $2,117,795,954       $783,310,335         $50,907,976    

Distributable Earnings

      1,066,271,831       518,701,734         22,936,842    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Assets

      $3,184,067,785       $1,302,012,069         $73,844,818    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares

       

Net Assets

      $1,548,152,576       $1,052,658,732         $54,320,711    

Shares Outstanding (no par value, unlimited authorized)

      19,530,662       23,119,228         3,099,119    

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share

      $79.27       $45.53         $17.53    

Institutional Class Shares

       

Net Assets

      $1,635,915,209       $249,353,337         $19,524,107    

Shares Outstanding (no par value, unlimited authorized)

      20,608,636       5,462,909         1,112,585    

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share

      $79.38       $45.64         $17.55    

(a)See Note Seven, Transactions with Affiliated Companies, for information on affiliated issuers.

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   31

 

Statements of assets & liabilities

 

     

 

 03/31/22 

 

 (UNAUDITED) 

 

    

 

 

     Ariel International Fund                Ariel Global Fund     

Assets

         

Investments in Unaffiliated Issuers, at Value (cost $580,286,475 and $132,919,637, respectively)

      $691,695,040             $169,853,253    

Short-Term Investments, at Value (cost $27,352,573 and $1,959,290, respectively)

      27,352,573             1,959,290    

Foreign Currencies (cost $27,167,160 and $4,682,080, respectively)

      26,633,292             4,653,187    

Dividends and Interest Receivable

      2,746,915             755,390    

Receivable for Dividend Reclaims

      2,565,992             302,244    

Receivable for Fund Shares Sold

      85,836             1,195    

Receivable for Securities and Foreign Currencies Sold

      11,875             239,928    

Unrealized Appreciation on Forward Currency Contracts

      1,711,301             460,345    

Prepaid and Other Assets

      28,545             18,955    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Total Assets

      752,831,369             178,243,787    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Liabilities

         

Payable for Securities and Foreign Currencies Purchased

      357,108             157,924    

Payable for Fund Shares Redeemed

      130,037             400,912    

Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts

      2,938,979             164,929    

Other Liabilities

      145,126             50,994    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Total Liabilities

      3,571,250             774,759    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Net Assets

      $749,260,119             $177,469,028    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Net Assets Consist of

         

Paid-in Capital

      $699,010,124             $140,978,781    

Distributable Earnings

      50,249,995             36,490,247    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Net Assets

              $749,260,119             $177,469,028    
  

 

 

        

 

 

  

Investor Class Shares

         

Net Assets

      $22,889,800             $12,112,930    

Shares Outstanding (no par value, unlimited authorized)

      1,575,754             662,344    

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share

      $14.53             $18.29    

Institutional Class Shares

         

Net Assets

      $726,370,319             $165,356,098    

Shares Outstanding (no par value, unlimited authorized)

      51,152,900             9,345,088    

Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price per Share

      $14.20             $17.69    

 

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

 

 

32   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Statements of operations

 

    SIX MONTHS ENDED 03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

     Ariel Fund      Ariel Appreciation Fund      Ariel Focus Fund   

Investment Income

       

Dividends

       

Unaffiliated Issuers

      $19,702,271 (a)      $11,154,225 (a)      $658,761    

Affiliated Issuers

      45,030 (b)       —       —    

Interest

      8,019       1,323       121    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

      19,755,320       11,155,548       658,882    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Expenses

       

Management Fees

      9,287,464       4,823,932       229,492    

Distribution Fees (Investor Class)

      2,126,211       1,383,301       65,143    

Shareholder Service Fees

       

Investor Class

      870,151       436,053       11,963    

Institutional Class

      366,046       44,865       1,930    

Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses

       

Investor Class

      127,013       87,775       6,751    

Institutional Class

      58,128       13,244       1,046    

Printing and Postage Expenses

       

Investor Class

      141,675       95,506       5,595    

Institutional Class

      24,950       9,762       723    

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

      198,430       85,962       4,127    

Professional Fees

      90,585       48,417       15,433    

Custody Fees and Expenses

      17,926       8,442       1,502    

Federal and State Registration Fees

      56,505       23,065       18,898    

Interest Expense

      1,018       —       —    

Miscellaneous Expenses

      149,489       69,034       9,281    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Expenses Before Reimbursements

      13,515,591       7,129,358       371,884    

Expense Reimbursements

      —       —       (41,942)  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Expenses

      13,515,591       7,129,358       329,942    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

      6,239,729       4,026,190       328,940    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

       

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

       

Unaffiliated Issuers

      221,638,206       87,304,708       1,915,539    

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments

       

Unaffiliated Issuers

      (286,673,288)       (58,716,894 )      3,795,062    

Affiliated Issuers

      (5,241,329) (b)      —       —    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) on Investments

      (70,276,411)       28,587,814       5,710,601    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

              $(64,036,682)       $32,614,004               $6,039,541    
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(a)Net of $6,755 and $1,626 in foreign taxes withheld, respectively.

(b)See Note Seven, Transactions with Affiliated Companies, for information on affiliated issuers.

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   33

 

Statements of operations

 

     

 

 SIX MONTHS ENDED 03/31/22 

 

 (UNAUDITED) 

 

    

 

 

     Ariel International Fund      Ariel Global Fund  

Investment Income

      

Dividends

      

Unaffiliated Issuers

      $8,542,748(a)        $2,369,269(a)  

Interest

      2,524           285     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Investment Income

      8,545,272           2,369,554     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Expenses

      

Management Fees

      3,151,483           763,223     

Distribution Fees (Investor Class)

      30,694           15,620     

Shareholder Service Fees

      

Investor Class

      12,186           5,124     

Institutional Class

      110,913           6,557     

Transfer Agent Fees and Expenses

      

Investor Class

      2,857           2,256     

Institutional Class

      39,784           7,327     

Printing and Postage Expenses

              

Investor Class

      3,334           2,321     

Institutional Class

      4,474           1,006     

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

      51,566           12,200     

Professional Fees

      36,291           21,745     

Custody Fees and Expenses

      160,729           25,259     

Administration Fees

      29,240           9,588     

Fund Accounting Fees

      16,149           5,467     

Federal and State Registration Fees

      20,743           17,776     

Interest Expense

      —           136     

Miscellaneous Expenses

      43,013           13,468     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Expenses Before Reimbursements

      3,713,456           909,073     

Expense Reimbursements

      (216,130)          (53,908)    
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Expenses

      3,497,326           855,165     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Investment Income

      5,047,946           1,514,389     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

      

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on:

      

Investments

      (5,204,398)          (980,264)    

Translation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currencies

      (889,925)          (2,827)    

Forward Currency Contracts

      (5,482,604)          1,485,539     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total

      (11,576,927)          502,448     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

      

Investments

      19,725,813           9,742,000     

Translation of Assets and Liabilities in Foreign Currencies

      (185,893)          (30,365)    

Forward Currency Contracts

      1,625,868           (202,193)    
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total

      21,165,788           9,509,442     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Gain (Loss) on Investments

      9,588,861           10,011,890     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

              $14,636,807           $11,526,279     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

(a)Net of $849,119 and $179,076 in foreign taxes withheld, respectively.

 

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

 

 

34   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

     

    

 

     Ariel Fund        Ariel Appreciation Fund
     Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		   Year Ended    
September 30, 2021    		        Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)    		   Year Ended    
September 30, 2021    

Operations

            

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      $6,239,729       $7,025,467          $4,026,190       $7,956,690  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      221,638,206       160,029,340          87,304,708       163,468,950  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments

      (291,914,617 )      874,812,939          (58,716,894 )      261,119,639  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

      (64,036,682 )      1,041,867,746          32,614,004       432,545,279  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders

            

Investor Class

      (97,046,286 )      (64,581,986 )         (145,741,207 )      (84,552,421 ) 

Institutional Class

      (85,453,872 )      (39,817,967 )         (35,858,973 )      (22,647,630 ) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (182,500,158 )      (104,399,953 )         (181,600,180 )      (107,200,051 ) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Share Transactions

            

Value of Shares Issued

            

Investor Class

      98,476,264       422,725,351          24,847,325       127,827,685  

Institutional Class

      602,094,544       597,003,947          29,731,579       95,913,994  

Value of Shares Issued in Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

            

Investor Class

      94,785,856       63,007,966          142,088,150       82,432,501  

Institutional Class

      80,208,725       38,667,730          30,147,443       21,745,195  

Value of Shares Redeemed

            

Investor Class

      (302,142,157 )      (284,138,775 )         (95,468,779 )      (142,583,661 ) 

Institutional Class

      (195,310,754 )      (314,748,184 )         (48,906,900 )      (115,534,957 ) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Share Transactions

      378,112,478       522,518,035          82,438,818       69,800,757  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

      131,575,638       1,459,985,828          (66,547,358 )      395,145,985  

Net Assets

            

Beginning of Period

      3,052,492,147       1,592,506,319          1,368,559,427       973,413,442  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

End of Period

      $3,184,067,785       $3,052,492,147          $1,302,012,069       $1,368,559,427  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Capital Share Transactions

            

Investor Shares

            

Shares Sold

      1,169,663       5,247,995          519,696       2,519,360  

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      1,118,560       1,024,148          2,980,650       2,028,460  

Shares Redeemed

      (3,660,251 )      (3,676,478 )         (2,003,063 )      (2,983,856 ) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

      (1,372,028 )      2,595,665          1,497,283       1,563,964  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Institutional Shares

            

Shares Sold

      7,145,826       7,435,305          617,972       1,996,054  

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      946,169       624,851          630,081       532,800  

Shares Redeemed

      (2,410,233 )      (4,075,453 )         (1,017,307 )      (2,340,171 ) 
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

      5,681,762       3,984,703          230,746       188,683  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   35

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

     

    

 

    

 

Ariel Focus Fund

  
     Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		      Year Ended    
September 30, 2021    		  

Operations

      

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      $328,940            $606,624      

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      1,915,539            1,587,303      

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments

      3,795,062            14,156,335      
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

      6,039,541            16,350,262      
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Distributions to Shareholders

      

Investor Class

      (1,693,729)           (904,539)     

Institutional Class

      (625,242)           (385,448)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Distributions

      (2,318,971)           (1,289,987)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Share Transactions

      

Value of Shares Issued

      

Investor Class

      8,389,633            32,260,389      

Institutional Class

      497,115            1,049,412      

Value of Shares Issued in Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

      

Investor Class

      1,485,236            774,921      

Institutional Class

      620,010            382,043      

Value of Shares Redeemed

      

Investor Class

      (1,985,772)           (31,467,695)     

Institutional Class

      (438,000)           (1,087,605)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Share Transactions

      8,568,222            1,911,465      
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

      12,288,792            16,971,740      

Net Assets

      

Beginning of Period

      61,556,026            44,584,286      
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

End of Period

      $73,844,818            $61,556,026     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Capital Share Transactions

      

Investor Shares

      

Shares Sold

      494,783            1,805,096      

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      88,283            57,611      

Shares Redeemed

      (117,183)           (1,854,405)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease)

      465,883            8,302      
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Institutional Shares

      

Shares Sold

      28,817            63,570      

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      36,841            28,339      

Shares Redeemed

      (25,278)           (68,083)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease)

      40,380            23,826     
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

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

 

 

36   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

     

    

 

    

 

Ariel International Fund

         

 

Ariel Global Fund

  
     Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		      Year Ended    
September 30, 2021    		          Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		      Year Ended    
September 30, 2021    		  

Operations

              

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      $5,047,946            $21,706,821              $1,514,389            $3,088,085      

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Foreign Currency Translations and Forward Currency Contracts

      (11,576,927)           (4,991,214)             502,448            2,086,775      

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments, Foreign Currency Translations and Forward Currency Contracts

      21,165,788            41,295,849              9,509,442            11,752,601      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

      14,636,807            58,011,456              11,526,279            16,927,461      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Distributions to Shareholders

              

Investor Class

      (627,843)           (325,333)             (249,792)           (102,891)     

Institutional Class

      (20,372,157)           (11,974,667)             (3,825,208)           (1,247,109)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Distributions

      (21,000,000)           (12,300,000)             (4,075,000)           (1,350,000)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Share Transactions

              

Value of Shares Issued

              

Investor Class

      2,709,203            7,333,745              710,005            1,781,480      

Institutional Class

      56,582,723            267,567,405              529,692            103,360,504      

Value of Shares Issued in Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions

              

Investor Class

      591,486            301,565              210,705            87,285      

Institutional Class

      19,721,601            11,521,695              3,814,545            1,242,779      

Value of Shares Redeemed

              

Investor Class

      (3,763,175)           (7,388,772)             (1,301,689)           (2,231,345)     

Institutional Class

      (181,559,411)           (85,353,399)             (43,297,957)           (16,428,111)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Share Transactions

      (105,717,573)           193,982,239              (39,334,699)           87,812,592      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

      (112,080,766)           239,693,695              (31,883,420)           103,390,053      

Net Assets

              

Beginning of Period

      861,340,885            621,647,190              209,352,448            105,962,395      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

End of Period

      $749,260,119            $861,340,885              $177,469,028            $209,352,448      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Capital Share Transactions

              

Investor Shares

              

Shares Sold

      181,178            498,033              38,810            104,448      

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      40,540            21,162              11,719            5,339      

Shares Redeemed

      (260,839)           (503,624)             (71,084)           (125,736)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease)

      (39,121)           15,571              (20,555)           (15,949)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Institutional Shares

              

Shares Sold

      3,936,188            18,510,742              30,349            6,023,154      

Shares Issued to Holders in Reinvestment of Dividends

      1,383,972            827,708              219,479            78,557      

Shares Redeemed

      (12,406,617)           (5,881,891)             (2,438,912)           (970,952)     
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

Net Increase (Decrease)

      (7,086,457)           13,456,559              (2,189,084)           5,130,759      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

  

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   37

 

Financial highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

     

    

 

             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Fund

    (Investor Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021         2020       2019       2018      2017       

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $85.09          $54.40       $63.40       $74.58       $69.11       $63.74  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.16          (0.04 )      0.50       0.65       0.57       0.52  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      (1.33 )         34.33       (5.72 )      (6.10 )      9.31       9.07  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      (1.17 )         34.29       (5.22 )      (5.45 )      9.88       9.59  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.04 )         (0.20 )      (0.55 )      (0.59 )      (0.48 )      (0.18 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (4.61 )         (3.40 )      (3.23 )      (5.14 )      (3.93 )      (4.04 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (4.65 )         (3.60 )      (3.78 )      (5.73 )      (4.41 )      (4.22 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $79.27          $85.09       $54.40       $63.40       $74.58       $69.11  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      (1.74)% (a)          65.59%       (9.03)%       (7.17)%       14.98%       15.76%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $1,548,153          $1,778,696       $995,861       $1,302,745       $1,587,936       $1,542,730  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

      0.99% (b)          1.00%       1.04%       1.02%       1.01%       1.01%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

      0.22% (b)          0.15%       0.70%       0.97%       0.74%       0.72%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      16% (a)          24%       23%       22%       19%       14%  
               
             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Fund

    (Institutional Class)

   

Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    

(Unaudited)   

        2021          2020       2019       2018      2017       

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $85.34          $54.53       $63.55       $74.78       $69.28       $63.87  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.11          0.25       0.58       0.74       0.73       0.63  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      (1.16 )         34.34       (5.62 )      (6.03 )      9.38       9.19  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      (1.05 )         34.59       (5.04 )      (5.29 )      10.11       9.82  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.30 )         (0.38 )      (0.75 )      (0.80 )      (0.68 )      (0.37 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (4.61 )         (3.40 )      (3.23 )      (5.14 )      (3.93 )      (4.04 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (4.91 )         (3.78 )      (3.98 )      (5.94 )      (4.61 )      (4.41 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $79.38          $85.34       $54.53       $63.55       $74.78       $69.28  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      (1.58)% (a)          66.12%       (8.74)%       (6.86)%       15.30%       16.11%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $1,635,915          $1,273,796       $596,645       $742,864       $673,273       $593,887  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

      0.66% (b)          0.69%       0.72%       0.70%       0.72%       0.71%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

      0.56% (b)          0.45%       1.01%       1.31%       1.03%       1.01%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      16% (a)          24%       23%       22%       19%       14%  

(a) Not annualized.

(b) Annualized.

 

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

 

 

38   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Financial highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

     

    

 

             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Appreciation Fund

    (Investor Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017       

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $50.93          $38.76       $44.43       $49.48       $50.91       $48.90  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      (0.07 )         0.12       0.48       0.62       0.40       0.51  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      1.45          16.31       (2.77 )      (2.83 )      4.17       5.21  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      1.38          16.43       (2.29 )      (2.21 )      4.57       5.72  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.21 )         (0.24 )      (0.42 )      (0.42 )      (0.39 )      (0.30 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (6.57 )         (4.02 )      (2.96 )      (2.42 )      (5.61 )      (3.41 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (6.78 )         (4.26 )      (3.38 )      (2.84 )      (6.00 )      (3.71 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $45.53          $50.93       $38.76       $44.43       $49.48       $50.91  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      2.16% (a)          45.27%       (5.93)%       (4.23)%       9.90%       12.41%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $1,052,659          $1,101,184       $777,404       $996,797       $1,321,843       $1,450,735  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

      1.10% (b)          1.12%       1.15%       1.14%       1.13%       1.12%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

      0.53% (b)          0.55%       0.98%       1.05%       0.72%       0.94%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      11% (a)          24%       24%       18%       11%       20%  
               
             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Appreciation Fund

    (Institutional Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017       

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $51.10          $38.86       $44.55       $49.64       $51.07       $49.03  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.06          0.36       0.60       0.59       0.48       0.59  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      1.40          16.26       (2.77 )      (2.68 )      4.25       5.30  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      1.46          16.62       (2.17 )      (2.09 )      4.73       5.89  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.35 )         (0.36 )      (0.56 )      (0.58 )      (0.55 )      (0.44 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (6.57 )         (4.02 )      (2.96 )      (2.42 )      (5.61 )      (3.41 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (6.92 )         (4.38 )      (3.52 )      (3.00 )      (6.16 )      (3.85 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $45.64          $51.10       $38.86       $44.55       $49.64       $51.07  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      2.32% (a)          45.74%       (5.65)%       (3.91)%       10.21%       12.78%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $249,353          $267,375       $196,009       $298,211       $267,831       $247,526  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

      0.79% (b)          0.81%       0.84%       0.82%       0.82%       0.81%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

      0.84% (b)          0.87%       1.26%       1.39%       1.03%       1.25%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      11% (a)          24%       24%       18%       11%       20%  

 

(a) 

Not annualized.

 

(b) 

Annualized.

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   39

 

Financial highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

     

    

 

             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Focus Fund

    (Investor Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $16.60                  $12.13               $12.89               $14.77               $13.71               $11.83  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.01          0.16       0.18       0.16       0.13       0.13  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      1.48          4.65       (0.80 )      (1.20 )      1.71       1.88  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      1.49          4.81       (0.62 )      (1.04 )      1.84       2.01  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.14 )         (0.12 )      (0.14 )      (0.13 )      (0.11 )      (0.13 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (0.42 )         (0.22 )      —       (0.71 )      (0.67 )      —  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.56 )         (0.34 )      (0.14 )      (0.84 )      (0.78 )      (0.13 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $17.53          $16.60       $12.13       $12.89       $14.77       $13.71  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      9.12% (a)          40.39%       (4.91)%       (6.86)%       14.26%       17.09%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $54,321          $43,721       $31,852       $40,770       $44,964       $40,607  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.00% (b)         1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%       1.00%  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.13% (b)         1.20%       1.25%       1.23%       1.20%       1.19%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      0.87% (b)         0.92%       1.23%       1.30%       0.98%       0.93%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      0.74% (b)         0.72%       0.98%       1.07%       0.78%       0.74%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      19% (a)          63%       22%       18%       27%       35%  
               
             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Focus Fund

    (Institutional Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $16.63          $12.14       $12.89       $14.77       $13.69       $11.81  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.06          0.18       0.19       0.19       0.17       0.15  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      1.45          4.67       (0.78 )      (1.20 )      1.71       1.89  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      1.51          4.85       (0.59 )      (1.01 )      1.88       2.04  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.17 )         (0.14 )      (0.16 )      (0.16 )      (0.13 )      (0.16 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      (0.42 )         (0.22 )      —       (0.71 )      (0.67 )      —  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.59 )         (0.36 )      (0.16 )      (0.87 )      (0.80 )      (0.16 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $17.55          $16.63       $12.14       $12.89       $14.77       $13.69  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      9.25% (a)          40.73%       (4.69)%       (6.56)%       14.54%       17.40%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

              $19,524          $17,835       $12,732       $15,552       $20,929       $14,378  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      0.75% (b)         0.75%       0.75%       0.75%       0.75%       0.75%  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      0.83% (b)         0.86%       0.89%       0.89%       0.86%       0.90%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.11% (b)         1.14%       1.47%       1.54%       1.24%       1.18%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.03% (b)          1.03%       1.33%       1.40%       1.13%       1.03%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      19% (a)          63%       22%       18%       27%       35%  

(a) Not annualized.

 

(b) 

Annualized.

 

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

 

 

40   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Financial highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

     

    

 

             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel International Fund

    (Investor Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018         2017      

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $14.69                  $13.68               $13.42               $13.91               $14.23               $13.21  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.09          0.36       0.36       0.79       0.37       0.26  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      0.13          0.86       0.12       (1.13 )      (0.44 )      0.96  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      0.22          1.22       0.48       (0.34 )      (0.07 )      1.22  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.38 )         (0.21 )      (0.22 )      (0.12 )      (0.10 )      (0.17 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      —          —       —       (0.03 )      (0.15 )      (0.03 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.38 )         (0.21 )      (0.22 )      (0.15 )      (0.25 )      (0.20 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $14.53          $14.69       $13.68       $13.42       $13.91       $14.23  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      1.46% (a)          9.00%       3.57%       (2.39)%       (0.49)%       9.55%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $22,890          $23,717       $21,877       $24,849       $54,169       $70,616  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.13% (b)          1.13%       1.13%       1.13%       1.13%       1.15% (c)  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.29% (b)          1.30%       1.33%       1.32%       1.31%       1.32%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.09% (b)          2.41%       1.69%       1.94%       1.80%       1.79%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      0.93% (b)          2.24%       1.49%       1.75%       1.62%       1.62%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      5% (a)          22%       24%       20%       8%       23%  
               
             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel International Fund

    (Institutional Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018         2017      

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $14.38          $13.39       $13.18       $13.68       $13.99       $13.00  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.15          0.34       0.29       0.29       0.23       0.18  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      0.08          0.89       0.20       (0.60 )      (0.26 )      1.05  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      0.23          1.23       0.49       (0.31 )      (0.03 )      1.23  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.41 )         (0.24 )      (0.28 )      (0.16 )      (0.13 )      (0.21 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      —          —       —       (0.03 )      (0.15 )      (0.03 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.41 )         (0.24 )      (0.28 )      (0.19 )      (0.28 )      (0.24 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $14.20          $14.38       $13.39       $13.18       $13.68       $13.99  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      1.60% (a)          9.26%       3.74%       (2.13)%       (0.17)%       9.80%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

              $726,370          $837,624       $599,770       $722,616       $620,017       $431,341  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      0.88% (b)          0.88%       0.88%       0.88%       0.88%       0.89% (c)  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      0.93% (b)          0.93%       0.96%       0.93%       0.93%       0.95%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.28% (b)          2.75%       1.98%       2.49%       2.23%       2.52%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.23% (b)          2.70%       1.90%       2.44%       2.18%       2.46%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      5% (a)          22%       24%       20%       8%       23%  

 

(a) 

Not annualized.

 

(b) 

Annualized.

 

(c) 

Effective November 29, 2016, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses in order to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to 1.13% for the Investor Class and 0.88% for the Institutional Class.

 

 

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   41

 

Financial highlights For a share outstanding throughout each period

 

     

    

 

             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Global Fund

    (Investor Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $17.65                  $15.36               $15.40               $16.48               $16.05               $14.60  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.14          0.31       0.27       0.32       0.19       0.22  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      0.87          2.12       0.38       (0.92 )      0.94       1.60  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      1.01          2.43       0.65       (0.60 )      1.13       1.82  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.37 )         (0.14 )      (0.31 )      (0.32 )      (0.16 )      (0.21 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      —          —       (0.38 )      (0.16 )      (0.54 )      (0.16 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.37 )         (0.14 )      (0.69 )      (0.48 )      (0.70 )      (0.37 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $18.29          $17.65       $15.36       $15.40       $16.48       $16.05  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      5.73% (a)          15.91%       4.23%       (3.41)%       7.38%       12.87%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

      $12,113          $12,053       $10,733       $12,159       $14,798       $11,459  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.13% (b)          1.13%       1.13%       1.13%       1.13%       1.15% (c)  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.32% (b)          1.36%       1.46%       1.44%       1.46%       1.42%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.47% (b)          1.73%       1.61%       1.85%       1.60%       1.66%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.28% (b)          1.50%       1.28%       1.54%       1.27%       1.39%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      7% (a)          24%       23%       29%       11%       24%  
               
             

 

Year Ended September 30

    Ariel Global Fund

    (Institutional Class)

    Six Months Ended    
March 31, 2022    
(Unaudited)   		        2021       2020       2019       2018       2017    

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

      $17.11          $14.87       $14.92       $15.98       $15.57       $14.21  

Income from Investment Operations

                

Net Investment Income (Loss)

      0.20          0.25       0.21       0.39       0.24       0.25  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

      0.79          2.15       0.45       (0.93 )      0.89       1.55  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total from Investment Operations

      0.99          2.40       0.66       (0.54 )      1.13       1.80  

Distributions to Shareholders

                

Dividends from Net Investment Income

      (0.41 )         (0.16 )      (0.33 )      (0.36 )      (0.18 )      (0.28 ) 

Distributions from Capital Gains

      —          —       (0.38 )      (0.16 )      (0.54 )      (0.16 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Distributions

      (0.41 )         (0.16 )      (0.71 )      (0.52 )      (0.72 )      (0.44 ) 
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

      $17.69          $17.11       $14.87       $14.92       $15.98       $15.57  
  

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Return

      5.80% (a)          16.26%       4.48%       (3.18)%       7.63%       13.10%  

Supplemental Data and Ratios

                

Net Assets, End of Period, in Thousands

              $165,356          $197,299       $95,229       $73,724       $119,609       $89,898  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      0.88% (b)          0.88%       0.88%       0.88%       0.88%       0.90% (c)  

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      0.93% (b)          0.95%       1.01%       0.99%       0.98%       1.01%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Including Waivers

      1.60% (b)          2.16%       1.93%       2.07%       1.88%       1.91%  

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets, Excluding Waivers

      1.55% (b)          2.09%       1.80%       1.96%       1.78%       1.80%  

Portfolio Turnover Rate

      7% (a)          24%       23%       29%       11%       24%  

 

(a) 

Not annualized.

 

(b) 

Annualized.

 

(c) 

Effective November 29, 2016, the Adviser contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses in order to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses to 1.13% for the Investor Class and 0.88% for the Institutional Class.

 

 

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

 

 

42   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

NOTE ONE    |    ORGANIZATION

Ariel Investment Trust (the “Trust”) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund, Ariel Focus Fund, Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) are series of the Trust. Ariel Focus Fund is a non-diversified Fund, all other Funds are diversified. The Funds issue two classes of shares: an Investor Class and an Institutional Class.

The Northern Trust Company (“Northern Trust”) provides fund administration and tax reporting services for the Funds in its role as sub-fund administrator engaged by the Adviser for Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund and Ariel Focus Fund and as fund administrator engaged by the Trust for Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund. Northern Trust also acts as the Funds’ accounting agent and custodian. U.S. Bank Global Fund Services serves as the Funds’ transfer agent.

NOTE TWO    |    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards CodificationTM Topic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including but not limited to ASC 946. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Securities valuation—Securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last sale price on the national securities exchange on which such securities are primarily traded and, in the case of securities reported on the Nasdaq system, are valued based on the Nasdaq Official Closing Price. If a last sale price or a closing price is not reported, a security shall be valued using i) the closing price on another exchange on which the security traded (if such price is made available by the pricing vendor) or ii) the mean between the bid and ask prices for securities for which reliable bid and ask quotations are available.

Certain common stocks that trade on foreign exchanges are subject to valuation adjustments to account for the market movement between the close of a foreign market in which the security is traded and the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In the event the Funds become aware of a significant event that may materially affect the value of a security, a fair value of such security will be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

Investments in money market funds are valued at their closing net asset value each business day.

Debt securities having a maturity over 60 days are valued using evaluated prices or matrix pricing methods determined by a pricing service which take into consideration factors such as yield, maturity, ratings, and traded prices in identical or similar securities. Short-term debt obligations having a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, so long as it approximates fair value.

Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.

Securities transactions and investment income—Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Dividends from foreign securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date, or as soon as the information is available. Non-cash dividends are recorded as investment income at the fair value of the assets received.

Subsequent events—In preparing these financial statements, the Trust has evaluated subsequent events occurring after March 31, 2022 through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that there were no such events that would require adjustment to or additional disclosure in these financial statements.

Fair value measurements—Accounting Standards CodificationTM Topic 820-10 (ASC 820-10) establishes a three-tier framework for measuring fair value based on a hierarchy of inputs. The hierarchy distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Funds’ own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ investments and are summarized below:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, “quoted” prices in inactive markets, dealer indications, and inputs corroborated by observable market data)

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

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

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     43

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

The following tables summarize the inputs used as of March 31, 2022 in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

 

    

Ariel Fund  

 

     

Ariel Appreciation Fund  

 

     

Ariel Focus Fund  

 

  

Level 1

              $3,192,684,707          $1,292,453,655          $74,596,192    

Level 2

      —          —          —    

Level 3

      —          —          —    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total Investments

      $3,192,684,707          $1,292,453,655                  $74,596,192    
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

Industry classifications for Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund, and Ariel Focus Fund are included in the Schedules of Investments for the respective Fund.

 

 

  Ariel International Fund

 

   

Level 1  

 

   

Level 2*  

 

   

Level 3  

 

   

Total  

 

Common Stocks

            

Communication Services

      $39,566,439        $73,971,161        $—        $113,537,600  

Consumer Discretionary

      1,753,929        88,090,703        —        89,844,632  

Consumer Staples

      43,858,144        48,717,944        —        92,576,088  

Energy

      —        3,805,447        —        3,805,447  

Financials

      24,561,815        106,606,028        —        131,167,843  

Health Care

      563,814        132,942,999        —        133,506,813  

Industrials

      —        21,402,469        —        21,402,469  

Information Technology

      9,938,195        15,555,215        —        25,493,410  

Real Estate

      —        711,168        —        711,168  

Utilities

      —        79,649,570        —        79,649,570  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      $120,242,336        $571,452,704        $—        $691,695,040  

Short-Term Investments

      27,352,573        —        —        27,352,573  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

      $147,594,909        $571,452,704        $—        $719,047,613  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments

            

Forward Currency Contracts^

     $—        $(1,227,678)        $—        $(1,227,678)  
           

 

 

  Ariel Global Fund

 

   

Level 1  

 

   

Level 2*  

 

   

Level 3  

 

   

Total  

 

Common Stocks

            

Communication Services

      $16,448,156        $5,664,494        $—        $22,112,650  

Consumer Discretionary

      2,893,108        11,629,572        —        14,522,680  

Consumer Staples

      10,595,520        7,077,304        —        17,672,824  

Financials

      13,456,946        10,769,689        —        24,226,635  

Health Care

      19,580,133        26,310,701        —        45,890,834  

Industrials

      —        2,049,548        —        2,049,548  

Information Technology

      25,623,308        4,617,863        —        30,241,171  

Real Estate

      4,451,312        —        —        4,451,312  

Utilities

      —        8,685,599        —        8,685,599  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

      $93,048,483        $76,804,770        $—        $169,853,253  

Short-Term Investments

      1,959,290        —        —        1,959,290  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

      $95,007,773        $76,804,770        $—        $171,812,543  
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments

            

Forward Currency Contracts^

     $—        $295,416        $—        $295,416  

 

*

As of March 31, 2022, the Level 2 investments held were securities subject to fair valuation and forward currency contracts. See Schedules of Investments.

 

^

Forward currency contracts derive their value from underlying exchange rates. These instruments are normally valued by pricing vendors using pricing models. The pricing models typically use inputs that are observed from trading in active forward foreign currency markets. As such, forward currency contracts are categorized as Level 2. The value of forward currency contracts that is disclosed in this table is equal to the difference between Open forward currency contracts with unrealized appreciation and Open forward currency contracts with unrealized depreciation shown in the Schedules of Investments.

 

 

44    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Offsetting assets and liabilities—The Funds are subject to various master netting agreements (“Master Netting Agreements”) that govern the terms of certain transactions with select counterparties. Master Netting Agreements seek to reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by allowing the Funds to close out and net their total exposure to a counterparty in the event of a default by the other party or a termination event. Termination events include, but are not limited to, a failure to pay or deliver or a breach of the terms of the agreement with respect to transactions governed under a single agreement with that counterparty. The Master Netting Agreements may also specify collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. The Funds are not currently collateralizing their exposures related to foreign exchange trades. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset financial assets and liabilities that are subject to the Master Netting Agreements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Gross exposure relating to open forward currency contracts by counterparty is disclosed in the Schedules of Investments as Open forward currency contracts with unrealized appreciation (assets) and Open forward currency contracts with unrealized depreciation (liabilities) and in total by Fund on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts (assets) and Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts (liabilities). The net recognized asset (appreciation) or liability (depreciation) is shown in the Schedules of Investments as Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts.

Foreign currency—Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars on a daily basis using exchange rates obtained from an independent third party. Net realized gain (loss) and Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments include the effects of changes in exchange rates on the underlying investments. Fluctuations in the value of other assets and liabilities resulting from changes in exchange rates are included as Distributable earnings on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities until the underlying assets or liabilities are settled in cash, at which time they are recorded as Net realized gain (loss) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the Statements of Operations.

Forward currency contracts—Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund enter into forward currency contracts to provide the appropriate currency exposure related to protecting the value of securities and related receivables and payables against changes in foreign exchange rates. The primary risk associated with a Fund’s use of these contracts is that a counterparty will fail to fulfill its obligation to pay gains due to the Fund under the contracts. This counterparty risk is mitigated by entering into forward currency contracts only with highly rated counterparties. Forward currency contracts are “marked-to-market” daily, and as noted above, any resulting unrealized gain (loss) is recorded as Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts as disclosed in the Schedules of Investments and in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of Distributable earnings. The Funds record realized gain (loss) when a forward currency contract is settled or closed and disclose such realized gain (loss) on the Statements of Operations as Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency contracts.

Class and expense allocations—Each class of shares of the Funds has equal rights as to assets and earnings, except that shareholders of each class bear certain class-specific expenses related to marketing and distribution and shareholder servicing and communication. Income, other non-class-specific expense, and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets. Expenses that are not directly attributable to one or more Funds are allocated among applicable Funds on an equitable and consistent basis considering such things as the nature and type of expense and the relative net assets of the Funds.

Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund and Ariel Focus Fund pay all operating expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser, including custodial and transfer agency fees, federal and state securities registration fees, legal and audit fees, and brokerage commissions and other costs associated with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund pay all operating expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser, including custodial and transfer agency fees, fund administration, fund accounting, federal and state securities registration fees, legal and audit fees, and brokerage commissions and other costs associated with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.

Distributions to shareholders—Dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid to shareholders at least annually and are recorded on ex-dividend date.

NOTE THREE    |    INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales—Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    

Ariel Fund

 

   

Ariel Appreciation
Fund

 

 

    Ariel Focus Fund   

Ariel International
Fund

 

   

Ariel Global Fund

 

Purchases

    $677,508,721    $150,242,548    $17,543,158    $35,546,022    $12,109,631

Sales

    517,402,394    $270,315,882    $12,790,884    159,389,271    44,473,268

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     45

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

NOTE FOUR    |    INCOME TAX MATTERS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Income Tax Matters—It is the Funds’ policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income to shareholders. The Funds file U.S. federal income tax returns in addition to state and local tax returns that may be required. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken for all open federal income tax years (September 30, 2018 – 2021), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the financial statements.

The cost and unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments (including derivative instruments) on a federal income tax basis at March 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

     Ariel Fund    Ariel Appreciation 
Fund  		    Ariel Focus Fund      Ariel International 
Fund  		    Ariel Global Fund    

Cost of Investments

    $ 2,311,030,181         $ 843,717,632         $ 53,627,627         $ 615,917,883         $ 136,564,230     
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

Gross Unrealized Appreciation

      937,332,189           463,984,282           21,963,900           130,619,674           38,157,137     

Gross Unrealized Depreciation

      (55,677,663)          (15,248,259)          (995,335)          (27,489,944)          (2,908,824)    
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

    $ 881,654,526         $ 448,736,023         $ 20,968,565         $ 103,129,730         $ 35,248,313     
  

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

  

The difference between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation and depreciation is attributable primarily to the deferral of losses due to wash sales and partnership adjustments.

Tax adjustments are calculated annually. For interim periods, the Funds determine an estimate of tax cost adjustments based on a review of accounting reports for the interim period to identify changes from the adjustments calculated at the fiscal year end. For the previous fiscal year’s federal income tax information, please refer to the Notes to Financial Statements section in the Funds’ most recent annual report.

Distributions —The tax character of distributions paid during the periods ended March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021 was as follows:

 

    

Ariel Fund

 

     

Ariel Appreciation Fund

 

     

Ariel Focus Fund

 

  
      03/31/22        09/30/21        03/31/22        09/30/21        03/31/22        09/30/21    

Distributions from:

                  

Ordinary income

      $41,999,989           $8,000,000           $34,700,053           $7,200,001           $945,990           $470,000     

Long-term capital gains

      140,500,169           96,399,953           146,900,127           100,000,050           1,372,981           819,987     
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  

Total distributions

          $182,500,158               $104,399,953               $181,600,180                   $107,200,051               $2,318,971               $1,289,987     
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

  
                 
     Ariel International Fund      Ariel Global Fund         
      03/31/22        09/30/21        03/31/22        09/30/21                  
Distributions from:                  

Ordinary income

      $21,000,000           $12,300,000           $4,075,000           $1,350,000           

Long-term capital gains

      —           —           —           —           
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

        

Total distributions

      $21,000,000           $12,300,000           $4,075,000           $1,350,000           
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

        

Reclassifications between net asset accounts are made at the end of the fiscal year for such differences that are permanent in nature. These differences are primarily due to merger adjustments, distribution reclassifications, net operating loss, or foreign currency.

NOTE FIVE    |    INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Management fees—Ariel Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) provides investment advisory and administrative services to Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund and Ariel Focus Fund under a Management Agreement. The Adviser provides investment advisory services to Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund under an Advisory Agreement (collectively, the “Agreements”). Pursuant to the Agreements, the Adviser is paid a monthly fee on average daily net assets at the annual rates shown below:

 

 

46    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Management fees

 

   

Ariel Fund

 

    

Ariel Appreciation
Fund

 

     Ariel Focus Fund    

Ariel International
Fund

 

    

Ariel Global Fund

 

  

  Average daily net assets:

 

        

  First $500 million

      0.65 %      0.75 %      0.65 %      0.80 %      0.80 % 

  Next $500 million

      0.60 %      0.70 %      0.60 %      0.80 %      0.80 % 

  Over $1 billion

      0.55 %      0.65 %      0.55 %      0.75 %      0.75 % 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse the Funds to the extent their respective total annual operating expenses (excluding brokerage, interest, taxes, distribution plan expenses and extraordinary items) exceed certain limits as shown below:

 

                   Ariel Focus Fund  
    

Ariel Fund
Investor Class

 

     

Ariel  

Appreciation Fund  
Investor Class  

 

     

Investor Class

 

     

Institutional Class

 

  

First $30 million

      1.50%        1.50%          —        —  

Over $30 million

      1.00%        1.00%          —        —  

On average daily net assets

      —        —          1.00%        0.75%  

Expiration of waivers*

      —        —          2023        2023  
           
     Ariel International Fund      Ariel Global Fund  
   
    

Investor Class

 

     

Institutional Class

 

     

Investor Class

 

 

      Institutional Class  

On average daily net assets

      1.13%          0.88%          1.13%          0.88%    

Expiration of waivers*

      2023          2023          2023          2023    

 

*

Through September 30 of the respective year. After this date, there is no assurance that such expenses will be limited. The Adviser has no right to recapture previously-waived fees.

Distribution fees—Ariel Distributors, LLC is the Funds’ distributor and principal underwriter (the “Distributor”). The Trust has adopted a plan of distribution under Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act for the Investor Class of the Funds. Under the plan, the Investor Class of each Fund pays 12b-1 distribution fees calculated at an annual rate of 0.25% of average daily net assets on a weekly basis to the Distributor for its services. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, distribution fee expenses were as follows:

 

     Ariel Fund      Ariel Appreciation
Fund		      Ariel Focus Fund      Ariel International
Fund		      Ariel Global Fund  

Paid to Distributor

      $2,126,211        $1,383,301        $65,143        $30,694        $15,620  

Paid to Broker/Dealers

      1,644,956        1,020,869        35,779        23,979        9,194  

The remaining amounts were used by the Distributor to offset the costs of marketing, advertising, and other distribution expenses.

Trustees’ fees—Trustees’ fees and expenses represent only those expenses of disinterested (independent) trustees of the Funds.

NOTE SIX    |    FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS

Net realized gain (loss) and the Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts as reflected in the Statements of Operations as well as the Volume of forward currency contracts measured by the number of trades during the year, and the Average notional value of the forward currency contracts for the six months ended March 31, 2022 were:

 

     Ariel International Fund      Ariel Global Fund    

Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency contracts

      $(5,482,604)        $1,485,539    

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts

      $1,625,868        $(202,193)    

Volume of forward currency contracts

      51        46    

Average notional value of forward currency contracts

      $8,882,275        $2,071,476    

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     47

 

Notes to the financial statements

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Complete lists of forward currency contracts open as of March 31, 2022 are included in the Schedules of Investments for the respective Fund.

NOTE SEVEN    |    TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED COMPANIES

If a fund’s holding represents ownership of 5% or more of the voting securities of a company, the company is deemed to be an affiliate of a fund as defined in the 1940 Act. The following transactions were made during the six months ended March 31, 2022 in securities that are deemed to be an affiliated company of the Funds:

 

   

 

Share activity

     Six months ended March 31, 2022  
Security name   Balance
September 30,
2021		     Purchases     Sales     Balance  
March 31,  
2022  		     Value       Dividends  
credited  
to income  		     Amount of  
gain (loss)  
realized on  
sale of shares  		     Amount of  
change in  
unrealized gain  
(loss) on shares  		     Percent  
of net  
assets  		  

Ariel Fund

                    

Adtalem Global Education, Inc. (Consumer discretionary)

     2,600,502       1,463,019       —       4,063,521       $120,727,209       $—       $—         $(19,349,887)         3.8%  
 

Core Laboratories NV (Energy)^

     1,190,310       1,736,166       —       2,926,476       92,564,436       45,030       —         14,108,558         2.9  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  
              $213,291,645       $45,030       $—         $(5,241,329)         6.7%  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

  
                                                                         

^ This security was not deemed to be an affiliate of the Fund as of September 30, 2021.

NOTE EIGHT    |    LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds have a $125,000,000 Line of Credit (the “Line”), which is uncommitted, with Northern Trust. The Line is for temporary or emergency purposes such as to provide liquidity for shareholder redemptions. The Funds incur interest expense to the extent of amounts drawn (borrowed) under the Line. Interest is based on the sum of 1.00% and the Federal Funds Effective Rate. As of March 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Line.

For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the details of the borrowings were as follows:

 

Fund    Average Daily Borrowings        Number of Days Outstanding       Weighted Average Annualized Interest Rate      

    Ariel Fund

    $11,338,762    3   1.08%  

    Ariel Global Fund

    2,308,092    2   1.08%  

NOTE NINE    |    MARKET VOLATILITY

On February 24, 2022, Russia engaged in military actions in the sovereign territory of Ukraine. The current political and financial uncertainty surrounding Russia and Ukraine may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in these countries and may also cause uncertainty for the global economy and broader financial markets. The ultimate fallout and long-term impact from these events are not known. The Funds will continue to assess the impact on valuations and liquidity and will take any potential actions needed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.

 

 

48    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Important supplemental information

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND RECORD

Both a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds’ investment adviser uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available upon request by calling 800-292-7435. Such information for the Funds is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

SHAREHOLDER STATEMENTS AND REPORTS

The Funds attempt to reduce the volume of mail sent to shareholders by sending one copy of financial reports, prospectuses and other regulatory materials to two or more account holders who share the same address. We will send you a notice at least 60 days before sending only one copy of these documents if we have not received written consent from you previously. Should you wish to receive individual copies of materials, please contact us at 800-292-7435. Once we have received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days.

AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Funds file complete schedules of investments with the SEC for the quarters ended December 31 and June 30 of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. Previously, the Funds filed complete schedules of investments with the SEC for the quarters ended December 31 and June 30 of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

All of the Funds’ quarterly reports contain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings. All quarterly reports are made available to shareholders on the Funds’ website at www.arielinvestments.com. Shareholders also may obtain copies of shareholder reports upon request by calling 800-292-7435 or by writing to Ariel Investment Trust, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53201-0701.

LIQUIDITY NARRATIVE FOR SHAREHOLDERS

Consistent with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Funds have established a liquidity risk management program to govern their approach to managing liquidity risk (“Program”). The Program is overseen by the Liquidity Risk Management Committee (“LRMC”), a committee comprised of representatives of the Funds’ investment adviser, Ariel Investments, LLC. The Funds’ Board of Trustees (“Board”) has approved the designation of the LRMC to oversee the Program.

The Program’s principal objectives include supporting each Fund’s compliance with limits on investments in illiquid assets and mitigating the risk that a Fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations in a timely manner. The Program also includes a number of elements that support the management and assessment of liquidity risk, including an annual assessment of factors that influence a Fund’s liquidity, and the periodic classification and re-classification of a Fund’s investments into groupings that reflect the LRMC’s assessment of their relative liquidity under current market conditions.

During the period covered by the report, there were no liquidity events that impacted the Funds or their respective ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The LRMC has determined, and reported to the Board, that the Program has operated adequately and effectively to manage the Funds’ liquidity risk during the year ended December 31, 2021.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to your 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.

APPROVAL OF THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

Each year the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Adviser or the Funds (“Independent Trustees”), is required by the 1940 Act to determine whether to continue each Fund’s management and advisory agreements with the Adviser (together the “Agreements”). At a meeting held in November 2021, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, upon recommendation of the Board’s Management Contracts Committee (the “Committee”), determined that the continuation of the Agreements was in the best interest of each Fund and its shareholders, and approved the continuation of each Agreement.

The Committee, which is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees and includes all Independent Trustees, led the Board in its consideration of the Agreements. In evaluating the Agreements with respect to each Fund, both the Committee and the Board held meetings in November 2021 to review and evaluate materials provided by the Adviser in response to questions submitted by the

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   49

 

Important supplemental information

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Independent Trustees and counsel that is independent of the Adviser (“Independent Counsel”). At its meetings, the Committee received presentations from members of management of the Adviser and from the portfolio manager(s) of each Fund. In addition, the Committee members received a memorandum from Independent Counsel describing the factors they should consider in performing their review, a supplemental report (the “Broadridge Report”) prepared by Broadridge, an independent provider of investment company data, and additional written material and presentations from the Adviser. During the meetings, the Committee was advised by, and met in executive session with, Independent Counsel. In connection with its deliberations, the Committee also considered a broad range of information relevant to the Board’s annual review of the Agreements that is provided to the Board and its various standing committees at meetings throughout the year, including investment performance reports and related portfolio information for each Fund, as well as periodic reports on, among other matters, pricing and valuation; brokerage and execution; compliance; and shareholder and other services provided by the Adviser, its affiliates, and the Funds’ other service providers.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. The Committee considered the Adviser’s specific responsibilities in the day-to-day management of the Funds, also taking into account information received at quarterly Board meetings related to the services rendered by the Adviser and the Independent Trustees’ knowledge of the Adviser’s operations. In addition, the Committee considered the Adviser’s historical approach in managing the Funds; the consistency of the Adviser’s investment approach; the background, education and experience of the Adviser’s investment personnel; the nature and quality of the Adviser’s services, including, among other things, compliance matters such as the Funds’ Liquidity Risk Management Program, trading practices, broker approval and selection, shareholder communications, Fund marketing and distribution strategies, information technology, and cybersecurity protections; and the Adviser’s commitment to diversity and civic affairs. The Committee also considered whether each Fund had operated within its investment objectives and each Fund’s record of compliance with its investment restrictions and other regulatory requirements. The Committee also considered information regarding the structure of the Adviser’s compensation program for portfolio managers and certain other employees, including with respect to the Adviser’s ability to attract and retain quality personnel. The Committee also considered the personal investments made by the Adviser’s personnel in the Funds, which aligns the interests of the Adviser and its personnel with those of the Funds’ shareholders.

Investment Performance. The Committee discussed with the Adviser’s portfolio managers factors that contributed to each Fund’s comparative performance as measured against its Broadridge Peer Group. The Committee considered the investment performance of both the Investor and Institutional Classes of each Fund over time, including information provided in the Broadridge Report, comparing each Fund’s performance with that of comparable funds selected by Broadridge (the “Peer Group” or “Broadridge Peer Group”) as well as an analysis of Fund performance as compared to the performance of its benchmark over specific historical periods. For each period, the Broadridge report ranks each fund with the highest investment performance at the top, the fund with the lowest investment performance at the bottom and separates the Peer Group into five levels that each contain 20% of the universe (“quintiles”), with the top 20% being the first quintile and the bottom 20% being the fifth quintile. Where applicable, the Committee considered the one-, two-, three-, four-, five-, and ten-year periods for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. In the case of those Funds that underperformed their Broadridge Peer Group in one or more periods, the Committee discussed with the Adviser factors that caused such underperformance; considered the Adviser’s long-term investment process; and noted that the long-term track records supported the investment philosophy that, over time, consistent implementation of the investment approach should result in positive performance, but also would involve periods of underperformance.

Fees and Expenses. The Committee considered comparative fee and expense information for each Fund’s Expense Group, as selected and analyzed in the Broadridge Report, which ranks funds with the lowest fee at the top, the funds with the highest fee at the bottom and separates the Expense Group into five levels that each contain 20% of the universe (“quintiles”), with the top being the first quintile and the bottom being the fifth quintile. The Committee also considered the historical expenses with respect to economies of scale realized by the Adviser and whether such benefits were being passed on to shareholders, such as through the use of breakpoints in the Adviser’s management fees. The Committee considered the impact of the Rule 12b-1 distribution services (“12b-1”) fees on the total expense ratio of the Investor Class of shares for all Funds and the resulting negative impact on the Funds’ Investor Class total expense ratio when compared to funds in their respective Broadridge Expense Groups that do not impose 12b-1 fees. The Committee observed that the Peer Group comparisons for the Funds’ Institutional Class shares were more illustrative since the Institutional Class does not charge 12b-1 fees.

The Committee considered the fees charged and services provided by Ariel to other types of clients and the rationale for any differences between those fees. The Committee also considered the revenue sharing payments made by the Adviser.

The Committee considered the following with respect to the investment performance and fees and expenses of each Fund for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021:

 

 

 

50   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Important supplemental information

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Ariel Fund. Ariel Fund’s Investor Class performance ranked in the first quintile for the one-year, five-year and ten-year periods as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group. The Fund’s Institutional Class performance ranked in the first quintile for the one-year and five-year periods as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group.

The actual management fees for Ariel Fund (both share classes) ranked in the first quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group. The total expenses for the Ariel Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the third quintile, and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the first quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group.

Ariel Appreciation Fund. Ariel Appreciation Fund’s Investor Class performance ranked in the third quintile for the one-year and five-year periods and the second quintile for the ten-year period as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group. The Fund’s Institutional Class performance ranked in the third quintile for the one-year period and the second quintile for the five-year period as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group.

The actual management fees for Ariel Appreciation Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the second quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the third quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group. The total expenses for the Ariel Appreciation Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the fourth quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the third quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group.

Ariel Focus Fund. Ariel Focus Fund’s Investor Class performance ranked in the second quintile for the one-year period, the third quintile for the five-year period and the fifth quintile for the ten-year period as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group. The Fund’s Institutional Class performance ranked in the second quintile for the one-year period and in the third quintile for the five-year period as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group.

The Fund had fee reimbursements and expense limitations in place which resulted in reduced fees and/or expenses. The actual management fees for Ariel Focus Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the second quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the third quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group. The total expenses for the Ariel Focus Fund (both share classes) ranked in the first quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group.

Ariel International Fund. Ariel International Fund’s Investor Class performance ranked in the fifth quintile for the one-year and five-year periods as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group. The Fund’s Institutional Class performance ranked in the fifth quintile for the one-year and five-year periods as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group.

The Fund had fee reimbursements and expense limitations in place which resulted in reduced fees and/or expenses. The actual management fees for Ariel International Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the first quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the third quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group. The total expenses for the Ariel International Fund (both share classes) ranked in the third quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group.

Ariel Global Fund. Ariel Global Fund’s Investor Class performance ranked in the fifth quintile for the one-year and five-year periods as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group. The Fund’s Institutional Class performance ranked in the fifth quintile for the one-year period and in the fourth quintile for the five-year period as compared to its Broadridge Peer Group.

The Fund had fee reimbursements and expense limitations in place, which resulted in reduced fees and/or expenses. The actual management fees for Ariel Global Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the first quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the fifth quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group. The total expenses for the Ariel Global Fund’s Investor Class ranked in the third quintile and the Fund’s Institutional Class ranked in the second quintile as compared to its Broadridge Expense Group.

Profitability and Economies of Scale. The Committee considered the profitability to the Adviser from its relationship with each Fund, including the methodology by which that profitability analysis was calculated. The Committee also considered the fee reimbursements and expense limitations in place for Ariel Focus Fund, Ariel International Fund, and Ariel Global Fund. The Committee considered the extent to which economies of scale may be realized as Funds increase in size and that the management fee schedule for each Fund contains breakpoints at different levels. The Committee considered the effective advisory fee rates for the Funds and whether the advisory fee schedules provide an appropriate sharing between the Funds and the Adviser of such economies of scale as may exist under the Agreements. The Committee considered information about the Funds’ soft dollar arrangements that benefit the Adviser, as well as the Adviser’s brokerage and trading practices. The Committee also considered ancillary benefits, including whether the Funds benefited from Mr. Rogers’ and Ms. Hobson’s high media profiles.

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   51

 

Important supplemental information

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

Approval. After full consideration of the above factors, as well as other factors that were instructive in evaluating the Agreements, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that continuation of each Fund’s Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its respective shareholders, and the Board approved the continuation of each Agreement. In reaching this determination, the Board considered that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to each Fund were appropriate and consistent with the Fund’s Agreement; the Adviser’s commitment to its stated investment strategy and identified circle of competency, and its calm, reasoned and long-term approach to investing; that the management fees paid by each Fund were reasonable in light of the services provided; that the breakpoints in the fee schedule for each Fund have the potential to allow shareholders to benefit from economies of scale; that the profitability associated with the Adviser’s relationship with the Trust was within a reasonable range and was neither excessive nor so low that the Adviser could not be expected to continue to service the Funds effectively; and that the benefits accruing to the Adviser by virtue of its relationship with the Funds were reasonable in light of the costs of providing the investment management services and the benefits accruing to each Fund. The Board’s determinations were based upon a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to it, including both quantitative measures and qualitative factors, and were not the result of any single factor.

 

 

 

52   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Fund expense example

 

   

03/31/22 (UNAUDITED)

 

    

 

EXAMPLE

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. The Funds currently do not charge any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on subscriptions, reinvested dividends or other distributions, redemption fees or exchange fees. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each of the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that IRA, 403(b) and Coverdell ESA account holders are charged an annual $15 recordkeeping fee or a one-time, lifetime $60 fee. If these fees were included in either the Actual Expense or Hypothetical Example below, your costs would be higher.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period of October 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The left portion of the table below for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for that particular Fund. You may use the information in each of these lines, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period in each Fund. 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 under the heading, entitled “Expenses Paid During Period”, to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period in each Fund.

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES

The right portion of the table below for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the 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 each of the Funds to other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight only your ongoing costs in each of the Funds. Therefore, the right portion of the table for each Fund is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

            Actual*     

Hypothetical

(5% return before expenses)

         
  Fund and Return   

 

Beginning
Account Value
10/01/21

     

 

Ending
Account Value
03/31/22

     

 

Expenses
Paid During
Period

     

 

Ending
Account Value
03/31/22

     

 

Expenses
Paid During
Period

     

 

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

  

  Ariel Fund

                  

  Investor Class

      $1,000.00        $982.60        $4.89        $1,020.00        $4.99        0.99 % 

  Institutional Class

      1,000.00        984.20        3.26        1,021.64        3.33        0.66 % 

  Ariel Appreciation Fund

                  

  Investor Class

      $1,000.00        $1,021.60        $5.54        $1,019.45        $5.54        1.10 % 

  Institutional Class

      1,000.00        1,023.20        3.98        1,020.99        3.98        0.79 % 

  Ariel Focus Fund

                  

  Investor Class

      $1,000.00        $1,091.20        $5.21        $1,019.95        $5.04        1.00 % 

  Institutional Class

      1,000.00        1,092.50        3.91        1,021.19        3.78        0.75 % 

  Ariel International Fund

                  

  Investor Class

      $1,000.00        $1,014.60        $5.68        $1,019.30        $5.69        1.13 % 

  Institutional Class

      1,000.00        1,016.00        4.42        1,020.54        4.43        0.88 % 

  Ariel Global Fund

                  

  Investor Class

      $1,000.00        $1,057.30        $5.80        $1,019.30        $5.69        1.13 % 

  Institutional Class

      1,000.00        1,058.00        4.52        1,020.54        4.43        0.88 % 

* Expenses are calculated using each Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent half fiscal year (182), and divided by the number of days in the current year (365).

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   53

 

Board of trustees

 

     

 

     

 

  

 

    

 

 

Name and age  

Position(s) held

with Fund

  

Term of office and

length of time served

   Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years		    Other directorships

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:

             

William C. Dietrich

Age: 72

  

Lead Independent Trustee, Chair of Executive Committee, Member of Management Contracts, Audit and Governance Committees

 

   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 1986   Retired Executive Director, Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, Inc., 2006 to 2009     

Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Age: 71

  

Trustee, Chair of Governance Committee, Member of Management Contracts and Audit Committees

 

   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 2019   Partner, Covington & Burling since 2015     

Christopher G. Kennedy

Age: 58

   Trustee, Chair of Audit Committee, Member of Management Contracts, Governance, and Executive Committees   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 1994  

Chair, Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc. since 2012; Founder (2012) and Chairman (2012-2018, Emeritus since 2018), Top Box Foods

 

    Interface Inc.

Kim Y. Lew

Age: 55

   Trustee, Member of Management Contracts, Audit and Governance Committees   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 2014  

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Investment Management Company since 2020; Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Carnegie Corporation of New York 2016 to 2020

 

     

Stephen C. Mills

Age: 62

   Trustee, Member of Management Contracts, Audit and Governance Committees   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 2015  

President of Basketball Operations, New York Knicks, 2017 to 2020; NBA Alternate Governor, New York Knicks, 2013 to 2020; General Manager, New York Knicks, 2013 to 2017

 

    Selective Insurance Group, Inc.; Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.; and MSG Networks Inc.

James M. Williams

Age: 74

  

Trustee, Chair of Management Contracts Committee, Member of Governance and Audit Committees

 

   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 2006   Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, J. Paul Getty Trust since 2002    SEI Mutual Funds (Mr. Williams oversees a total of 93 SEI Mutual Fund portfolios)

INTERESTED TRUSTEES:

             

Mellody L. Hobson

Age: 52

  

Chair of the Board of Trustees and President, Member of Executive Committee

 

  

Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 1993; President since 2002; Chair since 2006

 

   Co-CEO since 2019 and President since 2000, Ariel Investments, LLC    Starbucks Corporation; JPMorgan Chase & Co.

John W. Rogers, Jr.

Age: 64

   Trustee   Indefinite, until successor elected; Trustee since 2000 and from 1986 to 1993  

Founder, Chairman, Chief Investment Officer since 1983, and Co-CEO since 2019 (formerly CEO, 1983-2019) Ariel Investments, LLC; Lead Portfolio Manager, Ariel Fund since 1986 and Co-Portfolio Manager, Ariel Appreciation Fund since 2002

 

    McDonald’s Corporation; Nike, Inc.; Ryan Specialty Group Holdings, Inc.; The New York Times Company

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) for Ariel Investment Trust includes additional information about the Funds’ Trustees. The SAI is available without charge by calling 800.292.7435 or by logging on to our website, arielinvestments.com.

Note: Number of portfolios in complex overseen by all Trustees is five. Address for all Trustees is 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601-6505.

 

 

 

54   SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

 

Officers

 

     

 

     

 

  

 

    

 

 

Name and age  

Position(s) held

with Fund

  

Term of office and

length of time served

   Principal occupation(s)
during past 5 years		   Other directorships

Mareilé B. Cusack

Age: 63

   Vice President, Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Secretary   Indefinite, until successor elected; Vice President since 2008; Anti-Money Laundering Officer since 2010; Secretary since 2014; Assistant Secretary, 2008 to 2014   Chief Privacy Officer, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2019; Senior Vice President, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2012; Anti-Money Laundering Officer, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2010; General Counsel, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2008    

Wendy D. Fox

Age: 59

   Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President   Indefinite, until successor elected; Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014   Senior Vice President, Ariel Investments, LLC, since 2017; Chief Compliance Officer, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2004; Vice President, Ariel Investments, LLC, 2004 to 2017    

James R. Rooney

Age: 63

   Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer   Indefinite, until successor elected; Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer since 2015   Senior Vice President, Fund Administration, Ariel Investments, LLC since 2017; Vice President, Fund Administration, Ariel Investments, LLC, 2015 to 2017    

Note: Number of portfolios in complex overseen by all Officers is five. Address for all officers is 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601-6505.

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM   55

    

    

    

    

 

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Risks of investing in the Funds

The intrinsic value of the stocks in which the Funds invest may never be recognized by the broader market. The Funds are often concentrated in fewer sectors than their benchmarks, and their performance may suffer if these sectors underperform the overall stock market. Equity investments are affected by market conditions. Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund and Ariel Focus Fund invest in small and/or mid-cap companies, which is riskier and more volatile than investing in large cap stocks. Ariel Focus Fund is a non-diversified fund and therefore may be more volatile than a more diversified investment. Ariel International Fund and Ariel Global Fund invest in foreign securities and may use currency derivatives and ETFs. Investments in foreign securities may underperform and may be more volatile than comparable U.S. stocks because of the risks involving foreign economies and markets, foreign political systems, foreign regulatory standards, foreign currencies and taxes. The International and Global Funds’ use of currency derivatives and ETFs may increase investment losses and expenses and create more volatility. The International and Global Funds’ investments in emerging markets present additional risks, such as difficulties selling on a timely basis and at an acceptable price.

Specific stocks held by the Funds

In this report, we candidly discuss specific stocks held by the Funds. Our opinions are current as of the date they were written but are subject to change. We want to remind investors that the information in this report is not sufficient on which to base an investment decision and should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security.

Please read the Funds’ prospectuses

Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. For a current summary prospectus or full prospectus which contains this and other information about the Funds offered by Ariel Investment Trust, call us at 800.292.7435 or visit our website, arielinvestments.com. Please read the summary prospectus or full prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Ariel Distributors, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ariel Investments, LLC. Ariel Distributors, LLC is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

 

 

56    SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

    

    

    

    

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INDEXES AND THE GICS SECTOR CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS

The Russell 2500™ Value Index measures the performance of the small to mid-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. This index pertains to Ariel Fund.

The Russell 2500™ Index measures the performance of the small to mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe, commonly referred to as “smid” cap. The Russell 2500 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index. It includes approximately 2,500 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. This index pertains to Ariel Fund.

The Russell Midcap® Value Index measures the performance of the mid-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. This index pertains to Ariel Appreciation Fund.

The Russell Midcap® Index measures the performance of the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell Midcap Index is a subset of the Russell 1000® Index. It includes approximately 800 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. This index pertains to Ariel Appreciation Fund.

The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values. This index pertains to Ariel Focus Fund.

The S&P 500® Index is the most widely accepted barometer of large cap U.S. equities. It includes 500 leading companies. This index pertains to Ariel Fund, Ariel Appreciation Fund and Ariel Focus Fund.

The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of companies in developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Value Index captures large and mid cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. These indexes pertain to Ariel International Fund.

The MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) ex-US Index is an unmanaged, market-weighted index of global developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The MSCI ACWI ex-US Value Index captures large and mid cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across 22 Developed and 25 Emerging Markets countries. These indexes pertain to Ariel International Fund.

The MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) Index is an unmanaged, market weighted index of global developed and emerging markets. The MSCI ACWI Value Index captures large and mid cap securities exhibiting overall value style characteristics across 23 Developed Markets countries and 25 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. These indexes pertain to Ariel Global Fund.

All MSCI Index net returns reflect the reinvestment of income and other earnings, including the dividends net of the maximum withholding tax applicable to non-resident institutional investors that do not benefit from double taxation treaties. MSCI uses the maximum tax rate applicable to institutional investors, as determined by the companies’ country of incorporation.

Frank Russell Company (“Russell”) 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. Neither Russell nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the Russell Indexes or underlying data and no party may rely on any Russell Indexes and/or underlying data contained in this communication. No further distribution of Russell data is permitted without Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication.

MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used to create indices or financial products. This report is not approved or produced by MSCI. Source: MSCI.

GICS was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”) and Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P”) and is licensed for use by Ariel Investments, LLC. Neither MSCI, S&P nor any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

 

 

 

ARIELINVESTMENTS.COM     57

Ariel Investment Trust

c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701

800.292.7435

• arielinvestments.com

• linkedin.com/company/ariel-investments

• instagram.com/arielinvestments

• twitter.com/arielinvests

 

What’s inside

 

 

 

•  

Mining for Value Co-CEOs Mellody Hobson and John W. Rogers, Jr. share their playbook for exploiting market volatility to unlock future gains.

 

•  

Sticking with It Vice Chairman Charlie Bobrinskoy on the themes he predicted would dominate in equity markets—and have—in the first quarter.

 

•  

Beware of “The Four Ls” Chief Investment Officer of Global Equities Rupal Bhansali warns investors to avoid Lofty Valuations, Loss Making Companies, Leveraged Balance Sheets and Liquidity Risk.

 

•  

Spotlights Perspectives from our domestic research team on Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD), Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS) and Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR).

 

LOGO    Slow and steady wins the race.   

 

The materials used to produce this report were sourced responsibly.

The paper used along with the packaging are all recyclable.

 

TPI (3,586) ©05/22 AI–01

 

(b) Not applicable.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for the reporting period.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for the reporting period.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for the reporting period.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

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

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

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

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s certifying officers have reasonably designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure material information relating to the registrant is made known to them by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared. The registrant’s certifying officers have determined that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, that occurred during the period covered by this report, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

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 for the reporting period.

(a)(2) Certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) – Filed as an attachment to this filing.

(a)(3) Written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not applicable.

(a) (4) There has been no change to the registrant’s independent public accountant.

(b) Certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350). A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference - Filed as an attachment to this filing.

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.

 

Ariel Investment Trust
By:   /s/ Mellody L. Hobson        
  Mellody L. Hobson
  President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 24, 2022

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

 

By:   /s/ Mellody L. Hobson        
  Mellody L. Hobson
  President
  (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 24, 2022

 

By:   /s/ James R. Rooney            
  James R. Rooney
 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: May 24, 2022